lumber estimates

[rookie]

Is a floor plan all that a lumber yard will need to give me an estimate for the cost of lumber for framing my house?

[Rich]

Some lumber yards will do that - others will need a material take-off. Just depends on how savvy they are.

[Cole]

Yup!!

[rookie]

Explain what a materials take off list is. The house plans were drawn by my wife (she is a drafter) if that makes a difference.

[Vector]

A "take-off" is simply building a list of materials based on the drawings. Some lumber yards have people who will do this for you, some don't.

[Rich]

Exactly what Vector said. It'll have all the items needed to complete the framing. From sheathing, nails, lumber, etc. It should specific enough to detail what the headers are and the size, stair stringers, treads, etc.
The calculator on this site will give you a good idea (pretty close) for lumber.
http://www.construction-resource.com/stud-wall.php
Use this one for roof area..
http://www.construction-resource.com/roof-area.php

[rgramjet]

For $299, Home Depot will send you plans out to a company to get the take offs done. What you get back is a bound report catagorizing all materials into logical prioritized loads. The best part is they refund your $299 if/when you buy more than $2500 worth of materials from them.

Seems to be a good system.