PlanIt Estimating · Calculate, Roll Optimisation & Cutting Plans

Reduce waste on a carpet job

What does this do?

Waste Analysis shows the roll area you will buy against the area actually fitted, the waste in m² and as a percentage, and an estimated material and fitting cost. A colour bar tells you at a glance whether the waste is good, moderate or high, so you can try another width before ordering.

How to use it

  1. Go to step 4 · Calculate Quote and press ▶ Calculate All Rooms.
  2. Scroll to Waste Analysis. The label reads ✓ Good — waste within target, ⚡ Moderate waste — acceptable or ⚠ High waste — try a different roll width.
  3. Compare Roll area supplied, Actual fitted area, Waste area and Waste percentage.
  4. If waste is high, pick another width in Manual Overrides → Force Roll Width and press ▶ Re-calculate, then compare the figures again.
  5. Still high? Go back to step 2 and check the room's Fitting Direction, Pile Direction and Allow Offcuts? settings, then re-calculate.
  6. Check the right-hand column for Est. material cost and Est. total so the cheapest width, not just the lowest waste, wins.
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Related guides

Compare 4m and 5m rolls side by side

Roll Width Comparison shows every available roll width for the job with its linear metres, waste percentage and number of seams, so you can see why PlanIt picked one width and check the alternative before you order.

Calculate, Roll Optimisation & Cutting Plans

Force a roll width (only 4m in stock)

Manual Overrides let you tell the optimiser which roll width to use when the supplier only stocks one, or when you want to see the plan on a specific width. Re-calculate and every figure, the cut list and the fitter sheet follow the width you chose.

Calculate, Roll Optimisation & Cutting Plans

Use offcuts and nest small rooms

Nesting puts two or more rooms side by side across one roll width so one length covers both. Offcut Opportunities lists rooms that fit inside the overhang left by other cuts. Both save material, and both are shown so you and the fitter can see exactly where each piece comes from.

Calculate, Roll Optimisation & Cutting Plans

Set pile direction, pattern repeat, waste, doors and joins on a room

Under the size fields are the options that shape how a room is cut: which way the pile runs, any pattern repeat, extra waste, how many doors it has, whether joins are allowed and whether offcuts can be used. They feed the roll optimiser and the gripper calculation.

Adding Rooms & Measurements

Set the default waste allowance and pattern repeat

Every flooring type has a default waste allowance and pattern repeat. New rooms of that type start from these, and the optimiser adds the waste and matches the pattern when it plans the cuts.

Products & Pricing

Check the profit on a job before you send the quote

Step 6 shows what the job is worth to you: selling price, estimated cost, gross profit and margin. It is for your eyes only and never appears on anything the customer sees.

Profit Check
Questions this guide answers
  • Why is the waste so high on this job?
  • How do I reduce wastage?
  • What is a good waste percentage?
  • Where does PlanIt show the waste?

Last updated 2026-09-03 · Direct link for this feature