Autocad Estimating Software

[Amice Golden]

Thisarticle will shed light on the fundamentals of construction estimating software. You'll learn about its role in construction projects, the benefits of having the right tools, and how to select the best solution for your firm.

Traditionally, estimators would get their hands on 2D project plans and start to identify quantities and measurements from there. Now, thanks to leading construction estimating software, teams can view project plans in 3D, so they can get an enhanced view of the project and gain a better understanding of design intent.

The next step is performing quantity takeoff. This entails determining the quantities and amount of materials needed for a project. When conducting takeoffs, estimators need to create a list of materials with their corresponding quantities.

Estimators must measure rooms and spaces in the building, as well as count all the components and fixtures in the plan. For example, to figure out the amount of concrete needed to construct a parking garage, estimators would need to measure the area and determine how many slabs of concrete are required.

Construction estimating software makes this step easier by digitizing measurements on the plans uploaded onto the platform. The math is also streamlined; users can just enter the formula into the software and let the program crunch the numbers.

All construction projects have changes in design that can occur both during the preconstruction and construction phases of the project. If left unaccounted for, they can have a significant impact on cost, labor and schedule of a project. An effective change management process during the takeoff phase can help estimators account for changes in quantities before they become a problem. When choosing a takeoff solution, it is important to choose a solution that allows you to easily identify changes when comparing versions of sheets and models as well as allow you to move the takeoff over to the latest drawing set, so you do not have to start from scratch.

In addition to estimating your material and equipment costs, you also need to account for labor. Ensure you have the most recent labor rates and don't forget to factor in the costs of overtime and extra hours.

For best results, ensure that your proposal is easy to read by using clear wording and crafting a document that follows a logical structure. Use headings, tables, and graphs whenever it makes sense to make the information easily digestible.

Software enables you to complete estimating-related tasks in less time. Automated quantities and calculations mean you can spend fewer hours measuring and counting and devote more energy toward optimal activities.

Modern estimating tools further improve accuracy by providing historical data that you can reference when figuring out material and labor costs. You can easily benchmark and compare costs and use that data to make informed decisions during the estimation process.

Good construction estimating software brings people together into one digital working environment. Team members can review plans simultaneously on the same platform, improving collaboration as well as eliminating mistakes and duplicate work.

Digital estimating tools make it simple to capture, track, and manage data. Documents such as project plans can be stored in the software alongside relevant information such as measurements, quantities, and costs. This makes finding and retrieving information and insights much more streamlined.

Your estimating software should work well with your current processes. Prefer the metric system over imperial? Do you use custom classifications for your projects? Whatever the case, see to it that the solution you choose can support those needs and preferences.

Wagner General Contractors also saw results with ProEst. Their rapidly-growing firm needed a solution to time-consuming estimates if they wanted to continue growing at the rate they were experiencing. They decided to implement ProEst when they realized that it could work across different geographical locations and could be easily accessed by everyone on their team. Now that the team uses ProEst, their CEO, who is heavily involved in the estimation process, can get accurate estimates out quicker than ever.

Autodesk Takeoff is a cloud-based tool to help teams optimize their takeoff workflows. The software can be used across 2D and 3D takeoffs, so teams can generate the quantities they need easily. Generate figures faster from 3D models to save time and capture project scope with linear, count, and area takeoff.

Meanwhile, Carroll Estimating was able to reduce the amount of time it spent creating tenders. The process, which previously required days to complete, now takes the team minutes thanks to the platform automation features.

Patrick Carroll, Director at Carroll Estimating, recalls a project that involved a takeoff for 400 doors, with more than 20 doors that required different specifications. Prior to Autodesk Takeoff, the task would've taken days, but the software enabled the team to do it in less than a minute.

BIMSearch is a cloud-based web app that acts as a viewer for any model saved in Autodesk Construction Cloud. The platform supports the takeoff process and enables you to quickly search the elements, view them highlighted on the model, and tabulated in a report that you can export to Excel.

Quickbase provides a no-code operational agility platform that enables organizations to improve operations through real-time insights and automation across complex processes and disparate systems. With Quickbase, teams can manage and track all information related to estimates, as well as provide summary reports and insights to key stakeholders.

As the construction industry becomes more complex and competitive, you must ensure that your firm produces precise estimates. To learn more about our tools that can help you improve the estimating and takeoff processes, reach out today.

I work for construction company as an estimator. Just to be clear, my background is in GIS, Urban Planning and Surveying. I'm quite versed in AutoCAD design and also use it daily for calculating quantity takeoffs for proposed construction projects.

Here's my question. I've been testing Civil 3D as a quick method for calculating cut and fill quantities. I've done some reading and I think I've figured out a simple method of doing this. What I would like to know is if I'm doing this properly.

8. A TIN volume surface is created using surface style "Contours 1m and 5m (design)" and the "existing" TIN surface is assigned to the base surface, with the "proposed" TIN surface assigned to the comparison surface.

you can also use the surface volume feature under the sufaces pulldown, utilities. I typically just use this feature unless i need to display a color scheme for cut and fill areas. You also have to consider in a compression factor. when they bring in dirt for roads or lot grading they are going to pack it down. In the surface volume feature i typically use a 1.15 fill compaction factor. anyways hopes this helps.

neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)

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The same thing can be done in ArcGIS but takes longer and you need to use extensions. C3D is much faster. I do the same as you on a daily basis to estimate volumes. Ignore the suggestion to outsource.

The factors are based on compaction and expansion depending on what you are removing in cut and fil; different materials compact and expand at different rates. For a high level number, leave them at 1.

When it comes to farming out this work, it just makes no sense. We have some great Trimble based GPS hardware that we use for site layout, and C3D would complement our surveying hardware as much as our estimating numbers.

I am a university student trying to use civil 3d for one of my projects. I understand the process once the surfaces are created however, unclear on how to create a surface from the existing and proposed levels i have for the site.

I've just started work as an estimator and I'm new to CAD. I have a contour map on AutoCAD Civil 3D with contour lines. How would I be able to use AutoCad to estimate the quantities of fill that I can obtain for the site? Lets say that the highest elevation is 20 feet and I want to bring the site down to 10ft?

I have a similar conflict, I need to find a good software to do earthwork take offs, I've talked and received demos from people from agtek, viewpoint, insite sitework (still waiting to hear from paydirt).

But wha about civil3D!? can you perform earthwork take offs out of pdf plans with civil3D,(I NEVER GET CAD files) I know you can digitize a pdf to dwg but I dont know if you can give your now polylines the right properties (elevation, etc) to work with civil3d.

Would it be worth it to invest in training for civil3D instead of buying an expensive dirt software? would it do the same thing and has fast once you mastered it?

That's a very hard question to answer when you don't know the type of project and the types of sheets required. Are you only estimating output time, meaning the project is already designed, or are you estimating design and output? Who is doing the project and do they know how to use Sheet Set Manager to help with sheet creation? What type of hardware is involved, affecting the speed at which an operator can use the data. How many different files are involved. Lots of Xref's attached? Images? Civil 3D references?

Not all projects have all the same stages or even the same size, so I can't imagine a boiler plate cost estimate to cover all projects. Nor can I see how a simple cost per sheet can accomodate the many variables.

Very good question... Key is to keep track of your projects and the hours, even break that down into tasks. Highlight the project details, so a year or two down the road you have an idea. This will eventually give you a basis for your decision on answering. "How much time will this take to do". My usual response, It will take longer than you think it will.

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