WinEstimator Revit-BIM Workshop | Marquette University-College of Engineering

More than 40 contractors, architects, engineers and State of Wisconsin Facilities staff gathered at Marquette University this morning.

A Revit-BIM estimating workshop, by invitation only; was conducted by Steve Watt, CEO / President of WinEstimator.

Marquette Engineering On a Mission

Mark Federle PhD, P.E. opened the morning’s workshop by introducing Marquette University-College of Engineering’s newest program; Construction Engineering & Management.

Modelogix Conceptual Model Estimating

Steve Watt kicked off his session demonstrating; Modelogix™, WinEstimator’s standalone conceptual modeling estimating tool.

A Feasibility Estimate, sometimes called a Courtesy Estimate; helps clients determine whether they should financially proceed with design drawings. As a marketing tool, it sets potential clients future expectations of your organization.

At this stage, you are given very little information; but you are looking at potential business. Using simple plans and elevations, Modelogix can link your historical estimates to produce a quick, accurate conceptual estimate. Thereby; qualifying, your company and your number forthe client.

DesignEst Pro | Integrated Revit Estimating Software

Next, Steve demonstrated; DesignEst Pro™ which is WinEst’s Revit integrated estimating tool.

• Seamless integration between WinEst DesignEst Pro and Revit Architecture.
• Installs with full knowledge and understanding of standard, out of the box Revit Architecture object libraries.
• Custom elements in Revit can be mapped in DesignEst Pro ‘on the fly’.
• Allows access to WinEst’s specification variables enabling fine tuning of estimated costs.
• Six pre-defined standard building templates.
• Comes with WinEst Commercial Assemblies for CAD database.

WinEstimator | Cost Estimating

Intelligent Take Off (ITO), a 3D DWF-based estimating tool is a future BIM estimating tool; that Steve unveiled for us this morning.

• Allows the designer to provide a 3D DWF file rather than the Revit model.
• Like DesignEst Pro; ITO reads and displays take-off based data referencing Revit model levels in the DWF file.
• ITO uses Autodesk’s Design Review as the viewer.
• It provides revision checking, that allows the estimator to view changes and alter quantities as the designers update the DWF file.
• ITO connects to the WinEst database

We saw five different estimating solutions; that addressed five methods-sources of data that today’s estimator may receive.

Our thanks to WinEst for the Excel Engineering invitation to review their estimating software.

Related Articles

• BIM Process Payback Requires Collaborative Culture | WinEstimator CEO-Steve Watt
• Penn State University Releases BIM Project Execution Planning Guide | Download
• Download Free 2009 BIM SmartMarket Report | The Business Value of BIM Process

Additional Revit Conceptual / Pre-Design Phase Tools

• January-February 2010 Free University Seminars | WinEst Revit-BIM Construction-Estimating Technologies
• Trelligence Affinity for Revit Pre-Design | Programming | Schematic Phases