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Monday, November 22, 2010

Interior Design Estimate

The term interior design is concerned with the improvement of an interior space. After purchasing a residential house or an office for the company premises the first thing is to optimize and harmonize the uses of the interior space.

Interior design is a practice that reacts to changes in the economy, organization, technology, demographics, and business goals of a business.

So interior design estimate is very much essential to figure out the cost of designing commercial or residential interiors.

It is very useful to estimate the cost of materials and labor required for the installation or application of paint, wall coverings, carpeting, drapery, bed coverings, and tablecloths.

Interior designers get the ability to ascertain the prices and budgets that bring satisfaction to their clients and make their business profitable.

Interior design estimates is essential for repairs, decorating products and procedures, renovation or construction work.

Interior design estimate can be applied for living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, stairways. It can also applied for personal cabin, reception desk, working area, storage room.

Posted by
Rajib Dey
for www.quantity-takeoff.com

Saturday, November 20, 2010

BIM based visual estimation with Quantity takeoff Software

BIM based computerized quantity take-off and cost-estimating solution has flourished in the last 4-5 years. Quantity take off procedure can be enhanced with BIM as estimate of the quantities are derived from BIM models and the model contains the information on all the objects in the building in addition to their dimensions.

Different kinds of BIM softwares like AutoCAD Architecture and Civil 3D are applied for estimation and costing, initial pricing, report tabulation of materials, bidding, unit cost for specific items, time spent counting within a project, measuring items within a project, labor costs and estimates project costs.

With Quantity Takeoff estimators get the ability to measure, count and price building objects like walls, doors, and windows, automatically or manually. The results will be printed, exported to Microsoft Excel software, or published to DWF file format

It can also be utilized for evaluating the building design, grouping objects into proper assemblies for construction, setting congregation and item variables by pricing the objects by taking off these assemblies or items.

Quantities that have already included the estimate are represented by a dollar sign, and all the cost items are verified visually in the estimate with colors in the 3D view at any point. If any alteration is made to the design and cost items then the estimate can be updated automatically as all the objects and quantities are connected with cost items.


QTO can be organized to perform any size estimate and for checking a BIM model for precision. Data is transferred to any of the project management, or estimating systems, or amount produced as an Excel “spread sheet” file. QTO will also receive component information from cost analysis services for instance RS Means.

Unlimited component subassemblies facilitate categorization and counting of materials to an important level of detail. The Search Takeoff function make possible for quick takeoff of intellectual drawing objects, whereas the Manual Takeoff function sustains non-intelligent image formats for instance JPG and TIF.

Quantity Takeoff mechanically produces quantities tied to particular objects that results speedy, well-organized change management. One is able to mark up and round-trip comments with incorporated, redlining tools, and visually cross-reference individual objects and items.


Quantity Takeoff Process

 Place the paper plans for digitization on the tablet. In the case of working with scanner version scan the plans. In the case of on-screen version, load the image. On-screen programs should work with all file types, including AutoCAD DWG, PDF, and TIFF
 Initiate the Take-Offs program
 Enter the scale units, English or metric
 Enter the scale or compute the scale from the plans by digitizing a recognized distance.
 Select the digitize area, length, perimeter, counts, multiple line segments or sum of line segments
 Digitize the item using the digitizing tablet
 Digitizing can be point to point, or continuous curves.
 Digitized items are put on view on screen while digitizing
 The software estimates the item from the digitized data. Do again for other items.
 Print a report with an image diagram of the digitized data and a table of results.
 If contractors get AutoCAD DWG files, certain programs may enable them to perform a direct CAD import without the need to digitize.
 One can export the take-off result by pressing the excel button to the excel spreadsheet. The report can also be published to DWF file format.

Posted by Rajib Dey
for www.quantity-takeoff.com

BIM based visual estimation with Quantity takeoff Software

BIM based computerized quantity take-off and cost-estimating solution has flourished in the last 4-5 years. Quantity take off procedure can be enhanced with BIM as estimate of the quantities are derived from BIM models and the model contains the information on all the objects in the building in addition to their dimensions.

Different kinds of BIM softwares like AutoCAD Architecture and Civil 3D are applied for estimation and costing, initial pricing, report tabulation of materials, bidding, unit cost for specific items, time spent counting within a project, measuring items within a project, labor costs and estimates project costs.

With Quantity Takeoff estimators get the ability to measure, count and price building objects like walls, doors, and windows, automatically or manually. The results will be printed, exported to Microsoft® Excel® software, or published to DWF™ file format

It can be also utilized for evaluating the building design, grouping objects into proper assemblies for construction, setting congregation and item variables, and pricing the objects by taking off these assemblies or items.

Quantities that have already included the estimate are represented by a $ sign, and all the cost items are verified visually in the estimate with colors in the 3D view at any point and keep away from over- or under-estimating. In the case of any change is made to the design, the cost items and the estimate can be updated automatically as all the objects and quantities are connected with cost items.

The estimator can open up a Timberline database, and drag and drop the quantified objects generated in the previous step into Timberline assemblies or items, resulting in detailed cost items taken-off into a Timberline estimate file.


QTO can be organized to perform any size estimate and for checking a BIM model for precision. Data is transferred to any of the project management, or estimating systems, or amount produced as an Excel “spread sheet” file. QTO will also receive component information from cost analysis services for instance RS Means.

Unlimited component subassemblies facilitate categorization and counting of materials to an important level of detail. The Search Takeoff function make possible for quick takeoff of intellectual drawing objects, whereas the Manual Takeoff function sustains non-intelligent image formats for instance JPG and TIF.

Quantity Takeoff mechanically produces quantities tied to particular objects that results speedy, well-organized change management. One is able to mark up and round-trip comments with incorporated, redlining tools, and visually cross-reference individual objects and items.


Quantity Takeoff Process

 Place the paper plans for digitization on the tablet. In the case of working with scanner version scan the plans. In the case of on-screen version, load the image. On-screen programs should work with all file types, including AutoCAD DWG, PDF, and TIFF
 Initiate the Take-Offs program
 Enter the scale units, English or metric
 Enter the scale or compute the scale from the plans by digitizing a recognized distance.
 Select the digitize area, length, perimeter, counts, multiple line segments or sum of line segments
 Digitize the item using the digitizing tablet
 Digitizing can be point to point, or continuous curves.
 Digitized items are put on view on screen while digitizing
 The software estimates the item from the digitized data. Do again for other items.
 Print a report with an image diagram of the digitized data and a table of results.
 If contractors get AutoCAD DWG files, certain programs may enable them to perform a direct CAD import without the need to digitize.
 One can export the take-off result by pressing the excel button to the excel spreadsheet. The report can also be published to DWF file format.

Posted by Rajib Dey
for www.quantity-takeoff.com

PlanSwift - An unique software for accurate construction estimating

PlanSwift is an user friendly construction takeoff software. It makes the estimating as easy as just point and click. PlanSwift can load scanned plans as well as import directly from .TIF, .PDF - Adobe, .DXF, .DWF, .DWG - AutoCAD, .PLN - Dodge Plan files, .JPG, and more. PlanSwift can also download plans directly from many online plan rooms.

According to the software company it is like Swiss knife which has many utilities in one hand. This multi-tasking software has many features:
• Print or Email Plans Effortlessly
• Just Point & Clock To Calculate Areas, Linears & Counts
• New Apple iPhone Integration
• Track Changes with Comparative Plan Overlays
• Identify Takeoffs Easily By Labels And Color
• Planswift Can Also Calculate Curves (Arcs) And Cut-Outs!
• Maintain Accuracy With The Magnification Tool
• Easily Navigate Through Plans Using The Overview Window
• Fully Customizable Hot Keys And Bookmarks
• Load All Major CAD And Image File Types

Top 10 Reasons to Buy PlanSwift:

1. PlanSwift is very easy to learn. Just point and click!
2. Most estimators can estimate 10X as fast using PlanSwift vs. traditional methods (ruler & highlighter).
3. Astounding accuracy. Precisely trace/digitize items on the plan using your mouse or a digitizer.
4. Create an audit trail...if it's colored, its counted!
5. Save $ on gas, printing, and shipping costs. No more driving to pick up plans...just email them.
6. Top rated customer support...we have REAL ESTIMATORS on staff who can speak your lingo!
7. Go Green! Go Paperless! It's cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly.
8. Best value for your $. As shown in our testimonials, you get the most features for the best price.
9. Extremely customizable & powerful. The software can be customized to suit your exact needs. You can do your takeoff + estimate in the same software.
10. PlanSwift is becoming the platform. Because of it's integration capabilities and our SDK (Software Developers Kit), Many online planrooms and estimating software partners are creating integrations which will allow you as a customer to have a positive, integrated experience.

Posted by Debarati Nath
for www.quantity-takeoff.com

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX Estimating Software

Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX is fast, accurate, and easy to use estimating software for improving your takeoff and estimating processes. Its robust and user-friendly features helps you to work with more efficiency, bid more jobs, win more work, and make more profit than you thought possible. This automated takeoff and estimating software can help you complete bids up to 10 times faster than manual methods and allows you to measure accurately to within 1/1000 of an inch.

With Digital Takeoff, you can easily perform a takeoff on your computer screen quickly and accurately without touching set of bulky, expensive blueprints. Using ProContractorMX for digital takeoff, contractors are able to increase accuracy, save valuable time, and minimize the possibility of costly mistakes.

ProContractorMX also provides features for Complete Estimating to automate your processes, improve productivity, and cut costs. You will be able to efficiently figure out what the materials, equipment, and labor will cost you and estimate with speed and accuracy.

Speed and accuracy is paramount when it comes to takeoff and estimating. That's why Maxwell Systems ProContractorMX provides impressive verification features that help you takeoff faster and with precision, and provides comprehensive data to see your job come together. The 3-D Visual Assemblies enable you to examine every element of a structure from every possible perspective using graphical virtual renderings, which helps you ensure everything that should be on the takeoff is actually there. Visual Assemblies are available to fit the unique needs of different types of construction, including VAs tailored to concrete, framing, masonry, sitework, and more.

Key Benefits:
Takeoff and estimating solution in a single convenient application
Complete more estimates and detailed bids in a fraction of the time it’s taking you now
Improve accuracy of estimates and avoid costly mistakes
Increase efficiency and speed across the entire estimating process
Beyond takeoff, estimating, and bid day, ProContractorMX continues to perform when you win the bid! The solution provides functionality for Buyout, Purchase Orders, Change Orders, and more, which can help you save time, simplify workflow, and improve communication between estimators, accounting, and project managers on active jobs.
Instantly find and automatically share the data you need, so the entire team can work with maximum efficiency and minimal data entry. Further, by eliminating costly errors and increasing accuracy and quality of data, your company can improve productivity and profit margins for all projects.

Posted By
Debarati Nath
for www.quantity-takeoff.com