Model Estimating

Kevin R. Miller
BYU Construction Management

Estimating today
When was the last time you estimate a set of plans that

were 100%?
How do you perform quantity takeoff?
How long did it take you to do the takeoffs?
When you perform a takeoff, do you look at every sheet
simultaneously?

Risk
Who bears the risk today if the plans arent complete?
How do you cope with plans that arent complete?

Benefits of Takeoff Process

(Traditional Plans)
Become familiar with the project
Find problem areas and identify risk and constructability

issues
Value engineering

Down side of Takeoff

(Traditional Plans)
Time consuming (Detailed Estimates)
May miss something
Transferring quantities from takeoff sheets to Estimating

software tedious and non productive

What do we want from the Model?

Accurate quantities.
Less takeoff time.
Better visualization of project.
Subs to understand the project and their scopes.
More time verifying what is modeled is constructable
Interference resolved before work in the field starts.
Better understanding of design intent.

Model World Today

Not the magical pushing a button and the estimate is done.
No such thing as a 100% Model
Look at the information that is relevant to your takeoffs, not

everything at once.
Your costs come from your historical cost database or bids
not Means or some other source
The liability that exists with 2D drawings exist with 3D
models
With BIM Risk shouldnt change or shift

Estimating from the Model or Not?

Do I really want to work from the Model?
No, I want static drawings that dont change so there is an
accurate history of the costs for the project.
No, I dont want the potential to change the drawings
because Im an estimator, not a modeler.
No, the file size of the model would really slow me and my
computer down.
DWF/NWC file (a read-only copy of the model)

addresses the above concerns

What can we really get from the Model?

Counts
Lengths
Areas
Be careful with areas and volumes
Use Length * Height for areas
Use Length * Height * Width for volumes

Do these concerns mean dont use the model? NO, just

understand how the quantities are being calculated.

When in doubt, check the quantity calculation.

Methods of Model Estimating

Quantity Schedule
Quick method to get list of quantities.
List quantities typically without visualization of the model.
Doesnt takeoff items that are not modeled.
Active Takeoff
Navisworks. Assign model objects to the takeoff.
Takeoff objects that havent been modeled using 2D takeoff.
Visualization of what has been taken off.
Ability to override model quantities

What is needed for Active Takeoff from

the Model
3D model
2D modeled sheets
Allows you to perform takeoff for the things not modeled.
DWF/NWC file format

Is this model useful?

Are these model useful?

Detailed Takeoff

Search and Rescue

Everything

Model prep hints

If there are more than 20,000 objects, things slow down.

If the model is too big

to work on your
computer, Section it.
Then Link the Models.

Most likely you will want

the cost by building anyway.

If there are too many objects, turn off the ones that are not
being taken off, like curtain wall mullions (9621 Objects)
out of 28,015 objects in the entire project.

Estimating in the Classroom

Takeoffs taking less time. Assigning more projects for

takeoff.
Students are understanding what is being taken off better

in 3D than in 2D.
Scores are going up and takeoffs more accurate.

Questions?
Contact info
Kevin R. Miller
kmiller@byu.edu
Office: 801.422.8728
http://cmfac.groups.et.byu.net/miller/