I've been thinking about this topic for years. I use Archicad rather than Revit, but that doesn't matter.
My biggest holdup is where to find the $ numbers to associate to parts of the model. Square footage calcs, schedules listing windows, doors, plumbing, millwork, etc. are easy. Finding reliable costs for both products and labor make me hit a brick wall. I've also tried time and again to ask contractors what they need so that they can just fill in the $ on lists I produce from the model, but have never had any luck. I know there are pricing guides out there, but I worry about their accuracy given how volatile everything is.
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Jared Banks AIA
Shoegnome, LLC
Seattle, WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2020 11:51
From: Thomas Ahleman
Subject: BIM and estimating
We've been in Revit for 12 years but have not used it to date for cost estimating. With residential contractors swamped, it is harder for us to get preliminary, ballpark budget numbers to help our clients select a design direction from options we present. We have done construction management as adviser and I'm curious if there are other residential/small commercial firms out there that have tapped their BIM models to assist with take-offs and producing preliminary estimates. I'm thinking that this, plus a deep dive on recent projects for which we have cost information would allow us to provide preliminary numbers. Is anyone doing this?
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Thomas Ahleman AIA
Principal
Studio Talo Architecture, Inc.
Evanston IL
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