BC’s Blog- Cassell Consulting

I’ve been asked by one of my industry software provider friends to write a piece on the current state of Building Information Modeling (BIM), as it relates to estimating in the here and now. The  topic has become increasingly relevant as the software driving the standard is evolving quickly. (Or is it the demand that’s drving the software, fueling the growth? No matter.) BIM is fully useful now. In fact, the oil and gas industry has been modeling its projects for thirty years, not starting construction until the model is complete, and all potential design conflicts resolved. In the building sector, BIM is largely confined to the design-build arena. Why Design-Build? Because you need to own the drawings to have sufficient access to the CAD objects, or be on a truly team-oriented project that shares its resources openly among all project players. Not found on the conventional (read archaic) low-bid project!

To the uninitiated, the BIM standard (also known as Virtual Design & Construction, or VDC) requires”intelligent” design objects, rather than mere lines on the digital plan page. These objects contain rich data including material dimensions, quantities, and types, to name just a few attributes that sets modeled objects apart from conventional 2-D CAD lines. The 3-D model can be rotated and viewed from any angle, including virtual walk-through capability. Additionally, built-in clash-detection attributes prohibit drawing ducts through windows, or electrical lines through ducts. It has evolved to the point of “5-D” technology: following the more familiar 3-D design standards, “4-D” designates Time (project scheduling) data within the model, and “5-D” the material takeoff quantity information, all built in to the drawings!

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Several reasons: High initial Cost is followed by a steep Learning Curve, and topped off with multiple competing and Incompatible Software Standards. Real world project experiences include glowing tales of months and millions shaved off projects. But likewise we hear some horror stories of high investment with puny returns. Unless the entire project team is on board utilizing the same tools, those without are at a considerable disadvantage. All major subs need to have fully compatible software, which doesn’t happen on many projects under $50mm. And even with the resources and willingness to do all of the above, the top three competing software tools are incompatible with each other. AutoDesk Revit doesn’t talk to Bentley, and neither works with Vico. The Army Corps of Engineers mandated a year ago that Bentley and Autodesk must adhere to a common comapatible standard, but nobody I know has seen it yet.

So how does this relate to estimating? Tools which interface between the model and estimate applications are becoming increasingly available, in both proprietary and software-neutral platforms. US Cost, Win Estimator, Bentley, and Vico have authored their own dedicated tools to map and import the quantity takeoff information into their estimating applcations. Sage Timberline requires a third-party interface, such as Innovaya’s Visual Estimating to import the data. The speed of this software is truly amazing. I’ve watched Innovaya read complex models, and execute literally days of quantity takeoff in minutes into a Timberline estimate. It’s truly amazing. And if the model changes, simply run the takeoff again for virtually instant update of only the changed components.  Which brings to light the obvious question, are we estimators dinosaurs? The answer is no, for two reasons. First, the model doesn’t contain “invisible” aspects of the project such as mobilization, supervision, temporary facilities, or necessary components such as formwork and scaffolding. Second, and perhaps even more reassuring is that it still takes a human mind to evaluate productivity, and account for weather conditions, as well as the unique project constraints and advantages that differentiate one project from another. Where we’re saving estimating hours, (and ultimately potentially reducing estimate staff requirements), is on what I call the “donkey work” of quantity takeoff. For that, I for one say good riddance!

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This week’s tip concerns using Estimating Explorer, the bid management utility that is bundled with your Sage Timberline Estimating package. We recommend using Estimating Explorer for both creating & managing your Timberline Estimates. This accomplishes multiple goals:

1. Consistency in the way estimates are created, and estimate data fields are filled in. (Pick lists are provided for numerous fields including Estimator.)
2. You can utilize this consistency with Explorer’s built-in reports, to track each estimator’s productivity and performance.
3. Explorer provides a convenient, fast way to view the contents of Timberline Estimate files, without opening them.
4. Explorer also offers a quick way to copy, move, and delete estimate files. It’s just as safe, more intuitive, and quite a bit faster than using the File Tools wizard.

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Sometimes it’s the little things that bog you down when you’re using Timberline Estimating . Like simply entering a Subcontractor or a Client into an estimate that you know is in Timberline’s Address Book, but you can’t see when you click into the pick list. Here’s how to make a record in Sage Timberline Office Address Book available in Timberline Estimating:

1. Open AB, and find the Company or Person record that you’d like to use in Timberlne Estimating.
2. Click on the “Use As” button (on the right side of the window), and Select “Estimating Sub/Vendor“
3. Assign the (required) index number, and select OK

That’s all there is to it! The Vendors, Clients, or Subs for which you’ve followed the simple steps above will all be available in Estimating. (You may need to restart Estimating for the Address Book to display the updated records in Timberline Estimating)

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Happy New Year, and welcome to BC’s Blog for January.  The good news is that most of us made it, companies largely intact, through the first year of the recession.  We’ve been keeping an eye on President-elect Obama’s stimulus plan. According to ENR, over a billion dollars worth of work (per state) is in various stages of planning and bidding, in Hawaii, Arizona, and Washington. Our contractor clientele in several states are seeing fewer bid opportunities, more bidders, and projects going for lower margins. Those trends are unlikely to improve for at least six months. Despite the outlook for declining construction revenues in 2009, taking the long view, good companies will survive, and weaker competitors will be weeded out.

December’s SureTrak training, (our first at Honolulu Community College), was well attended. Summit Construction and Alan Shintani Construction sent personnel to the class. Our followup training is scheduled for March. Please check HCC’s website for details and registration info. Additionally we put some finishing touches on Beachside Roofing Hawaii’s brand-new Timberline Estimating system, going live last month. Successful milestones included successfully interfacing a Timberline estimate to a Sage Master Builder accounting budget, and sending Timberline Estimating items to Timberline Buyout to Master Builder Purchase Orders. Good job Scott & Joshua!

This month we’re visiting long-time friends at SRM Development in Spokane and Jackson Contractor Group in Missoula. Yellowstone Traditions is a scheduled stop in Bozeman, either this month or in February. Also in February and March, we have training scheduled for the 30th Naval Construction Regiment in Port Hueneme, California. The SeaBees have been using Timberline Estimating since we set them up ten years ago, with Timberline databases for General Contract work, Mechanical, and Electrical work. The 30th relies on Timberline for accurate material takeoff for its deployed projects troughout the world. (you don’t just drop in to the local hardware store to pickup up items missing from the estimate at Midway Island!)

Support Plan News: We are pleased to welcome Absher Construction, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected general contractors, to our Support Plan network. Absher joins returning 2008 clients Seedorff Masonry of Iowa & Nebraska, and SCP Construction of Phoenix.

construction industry Add new tag, construction industry update, estimating consulting, Support Plan, SureTrak, Timberline Estimatin