Being able to provide early, high-quality cost estimates for Building Information Models (BIM) is an important aspect of integrated project delivery and is an invaluable service being offered by tech-saavy virtual design and construction firms.
Within the Revit model environment, most cost estimating hinges upon the use of the Assembly Code field as the database “key” that connects the Revit model to the cost estimate, but managing that data can be cumbersome and up until now, an in-depth knowledge of Revit has been a requirement to manage this data.
With Ideate BIMLink access to this information is via Excel, so your cost estimating team can simply fill out the correct Assembly Code values in the spreadsheet and then return the file to the design team and have them import the assembly codes back into the Revit model objects. See how by watching this video: Editing Revit Assembly Codes with Ideate BIMLink.
If you are using the assembly code data to facilitate your construction estimating (or specification processes) then using Ideate BIMLink to edit this data will return these benefits:
- You will save time because editing the information within Excel is significantly faster than within Revit, which does not allow copy/paste or other advanced editing methods.
- You will also save time by editing all the information from a single source. In Revit, multi-category schedule excludes walls, floors, ceilings, and other system family objects, so multiple exports are required. With Ideate BIMLink the mulit-category method extracts all the model data, as well as Design Option and Phasing information that may be crucial to the estimate.
- Ideate BIMLink lets you edit the data in Excel, so you’ll eliminate the need to train your estimators or specifiers on how to use Revit.
Having the one-to-one correspondence between your BIM data and your cost estimating is essential to stay on top of the game. Use Ideate BIMLink to quickly and easily manage your cost estimating data.
For more information on the software solutions, training, and consulting Ideate provides, please visit the Ideate, Inc. homepage.
Glynnis Patterson, NCARB
Director of Software Development
Glynnis is a Registered Architect and has worked within the BIM industry since 1998. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, she has worked as an architect, educator, and construction site manager. Glynnis is currently the Director of Software Development at Ideate Software, and she continues to work with AEC clients worldwide, developing and consulting on solutions to Building Information Modeling challenges. In her spare time Glynnis does volunteer work for ECLC of New Jersey and Grow it Green Morristown. Follow Glynnis on Twitter.