How MB Estimating Spreadsheet is useful for electrical, plumbing, construction, or other business

This construction video highlights the features of MB Estimating Spreadsheet. This construction estimating sheet is very useful to accelerate your estimating process with superior perfectness. This spreadsheet provides huge benefits for the professionals who associated with electrical, plumbing, construction, or other business.

This easy-to-use estimating sheet contains database sheet where all the records for material and labor names, rates, and lbr factors can be entered. To perform this, just choose the required material/labor and put the amount while making the estimation. One can create as many work stages as per choice and get complete view of all of the material/labor costs with individual stage and total cost.

Go through the following link to download this estimating spreadsheet.

Download MB Estimating Spreadsheet

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Types Of Wall Systems

The construction professionals should have good knowledge on the types of walls as they play an important role for developing a wall.

Based on the types of walls, the walls must be built with the intension of supporting or partition. Walls are considered as the most vital element of the building. The most vital aspect of the walls are to encircle or to distribute space of the building. Walls offer privacy, safety as well as safeguard the building from scorching sun, heat, rain and cold. Walls give support to the roofs and floors.

Various characteristics of walls :-

(i) The walls must have been strong.

(ii) It should contain strength and durability

(iii) The walls should contain strong fire resistance capability.

(iv) The walls should have weather resistance capacity.

(v) The walls must be thermal and sound insulated.

Walls are considered as the vertical load bearing member. The width of the walls surpass four times of the thickness.

Different types of walls :-

1.Load Bearing Walls

2.Non-Load Bearing Walls

1.Load Bearing Walls:-

These types of walls are developed to bear super-imposed loads, other than their own weight. The load bearing walls are categorized into following types of walls.

(i)Solid Masonry Walls –

These walls are constructed with separate blocks of materials like bricks, concrete blocks, stones. It is developed with horizontal courses as well as cemented the materials through suitable mortar. In solid masonry walls, the walls are built in concerning the similar type all over its thickness.

(ii)Cavity Walls

These types of walls contain two leaves, in which each leaf is formed with structural units and disjointed through a cavity and connected together with metal ties to make sure that the two leaf performs as one structural units.

(iii)Faced Walls:-

In these types of walls, the facing and backing are supported with two different materials which are merged together to guarantee common action under load.

(iv)Veneered Walls:-

In these types of walls, the facing is affixed to the backing but is not attached so that they cause a common action under load.

2.Non-Load Bearing Walls:-

These walls only bear their own load. They are usually applied as partition walls. The external non-load bearing walls, associated with frame structure, is known as panel walls. It is again categorized with various types of walls :-

(i)Partition Walls :- Partition walls belong to the narrow walls which are developed to separate the space in the building into rooms or areas. They range from either load bearing walls or non-load bearing walls.

(ii)Party Walls :- Party walls refer to those types of walls which isolates adjacent buildings pertaining to various owners or occupied by different persons.

(iii)Separating Walls :- These walls divide diverse occupying thing inside the similar building.

(iv)Curtain Walls :- These types of walls are termed as self supporting walls which do not bear no other vertical loads but depending on lateral loads.

(v)Cross Walls :- It is the specific form of load bearing walls in which the loads are supported with the internal walls.

Ref : explorecivil.net

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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An Exclusive Construction Demo On Finite Element Modeling Of RC Beams

This construction video is extracted from an exclusive presentation by Raafat El-Hacha, Associate Professor, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, that focused on the tolerable performance of concrete bridges as well as their components when based on rigorous environmental conditions.

The session covers a range of technical features like strength of concrete members, techniques for checking performance, appraisal methodologies, damage appraisement, and structural restoration supported with both experimental and analytical examinations. The session highlighted current research outcomes as well as offers the scope to talk about existing confrontations and technical issues. The session is ideal for the professionals who play a vital role in tomorrow’s bridge design and construction, along with practicing engineers, government officials, and academics to obtain crucial information.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Time Lapse Construction Video On New Extension Of Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital

This is a time lapse construction video for the six storied 229,000-square-foot patient tower that is the part of recently modernized and extended Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital located in Texas. The whole construction progression is recorded through EarthCam's megapixel construction camera. The construction process was started on September 2014 and completed on March 2016.

EarthCam recently launched MegapixelCam Advanced (http://www.earthcam.net/products/megapixelcamadvanced.php), a highly powerful 16 Megapixel Construction Camera that can feature 16 megapixel HDR imagery and live streaming video in one simplified all-weather system. The construction professionals can use this newest camera to avail high quality remote documentation for small to large scale projects. This high-tech system is designed to automatically to obtain large 4,928 x 3,264 high definition images uninterruptedly 24/7. A wide-ranging screen live streaming video preview facilitates users to instantly capture on-demand snapshots of their project from any remote location at any time.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Some Best Construction Apps In Recent Times

In recent times, various smartphone based apps are emerging in the market which offer great solution for the construction professionals. These construction apps bring flexibility to the construction process to complete a project successfully. Give below the detailed lists of some best and useful construction apps for construction sectors.

1. SmartBidNet

This construction app offers efficient bid management systems. It works with various IPhones and can develop and trace the bid process with the associated subcontractors, and companies, in a safe and sound way. SmartBidNet will come up with available information to build bid projects easily and complete it in scheduled time.

2. GoBIM

This BIM based applications are widely utilized in the construction industry. GOBIM application creates the scope to operate 3D BIM models and their related data on the basis of the factors like number of triangles, number of parameters, and number of materials.

3. FingerCAD

This construction app can be used to generate technical drawing by applying your fingers through computer. The final design is saved and transmitted through email. It can also be printed. The app facilitates the users to create designs with CAD at the jobsite or at your preferred location.

4. Plan Grid 

PlanGrid is a is a simplified app that can easily handle and maintain all the project team members upgraded with the newest revision of drawings. PlanGrid facilitates the users to upload your latest drawing to a cloud server as well as distribute them with the project team members. It can also preserve the old versions of the similar drawing and notify while screening an obsolete drawing.

For more information, visit this link

5. Carpenter's Helper

This construction app is used to quantify roof pitch, rafter lengths, stair lengths, and more. The app contains an excellent graphical interface useful for measuring stair, roof and floor projects.

6. Truckast

The app comes with several advantages. The construction professionals can arrange their ready mix concrete order directly out of their smartphone/tablet without difficulty. Besides, as soon as the order is arranged, get access to trace for delivery times as well as get confirmation for the arrival of concrete trucks on the jobsite. The app can also preserve total record concerning the quantity of concrete is placed, how many is on the transit.

For more information, visit this link

7. Fast Concrete Pad Calculator

This app will work out quantities required for concrete and rebar for your upcoming project. It can also be used to estimate waste materials, concrete and rebar costs.

8. OSHA Heat Safety Tool

This app will notify you about the precautionary steps which should undertaken at that risk level to safeguard workers from heat-related illness, send reminders about drinking sufficient fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what should be performed in case of an emergency, settling work operations, progressively developing the workload for new workers, teaching on heat illness signs and symptoms.

For more information, visit this link

9. Roofing Calculator

To use this app, just put the workable area, to figure out the number of roofing shingles, number of squares, and number of bundles for a specific project. Besides, you can enter a cost per bundle and a waste overage percentage that should be contained in the estimation.

10. Procore

This app is very useful to produce and handle punch list items, access contact data, distribute and preserve project photos, log time card entries and more. Besides, it becomes possible to manageconstruction schedules, RFI's, submittals, change orders and many other procedures.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Construction Event on Estimation Technology 2016

Estimation Technology For Construction 2016 focuses on first national congress to reveal how estimation and preconstruction departments can leverage models, databases and data to enhance the accuracy and speed of cost estimation.

After detailed research with over 40 construction professionals, the agenda has been designed to meet the challenges of estimation in 2016, such as maximizing the role of model-based quantification, optimizing workflows, integrating 2D and 3D tools, utilizing historical data, managing databases and developing standardized processes for all of the above.

• PRECONSTRUCTION and ESTIMATION DIRECTORS will attend to hear how to redesign workflows and train staff to not only adopt, but fully utilize the benefits of disruptive technology – and learn how to prove the business case for adoption.

• ESTIMATORS will attend to receive practical and interactive training on how to use models, historical data and databases effectively to create accurate and trustworthy quantities and cost estimates

• VDC DIRECTORS & BIM MANAGERS will attend to understand the role of the estimator and determine how to conduct modelling in ways that will further benefit the preconstruction department ad reduce duplication of efforts

Event Date : May 23-25, 2016

Event Location : San Francisco

Download Full Event Guide

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Snappii offers some useful construction apps to perform various construction activities efficiently

Now construction professionals use smart phones extensively to complete their tasks in jobsite. Various Apple or Android Apps are used to accomplish all the tasks like Construction Daily Log, Estimating, Operations and Tasks management, Equipment Inspection etc. associated with the construction.

Snappii, the leading developer of various robust ready-made construction apps, offers more than 200 business apps in Apple and Google Appstore which can be downloaded at free of cost. Besides, these apps can be fully customized according to the requirements of various construction companies.

Given below the details of these apps :-

Construction Manager app (www.snappii.com/app) – It is useful for construction managers to perform the following tasks :

• manage construction projects

• produce basic estimates

• trace working hours

• update and trace the advancement of project

• create certain calculations, etc.

Construction Daily Log app – It facilitates the employees to perform the following tasks :

• produce and report daily work logs

• asses the completed amount of work

• Receive push notifications with suitable alerts, etc.

Construction Blueprints and Drawings mobile app – With this app, the users can perform the following tasks :-

• Instantly include project photos, notes, drawings and save on the device

• generate a database of projects

• draw a project initially

• Talk about ideas and experience in a community forum.

Construction Estimator and Bidding app – These apps are useful for contractors, service companies, salespeople and estimators to execute the following tasks :

• Instantly produce on-site estimates for construction and repair projects

• estimate material, labor, subcontract and other costs required to finish a construction project

• Perform all the calculations, to obtain the complete estimated project cost when all the data is entered in.

Construction Change Order app – It is used to perform the following tasks :-

• make change orders on the spots

• create a list of supervisors

• allocate orders to them

• pursue supervisor's feedback and projected modifications in case of rejections.

Construction Calculator app – It consists of a series of valuable calculators which can be utilized in the construction jobsite offline. The app can apply US feet and European meters and the metrics can be simply included through the app settings.

Construction Equipment Inspection app – This app can deal with construction equipment. The app is applied to perform instant mobile inspections and preserve equipment in suitable condition as well as offer great solution for equipments inventory.

Track Construction Equipment app – It is intended for making an inventory of construction equipment, trace whether this equipment is utilized in a construction site or not. By applying scanning bar codes or keywords, users will be able to include new construction equipment or explore with the database of the existing items.

All these construction apps are available for free download from Apple and Google Play Stores.

To avail more helpful apps, visit http://www.snappii.com.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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QuoteExpress Sheet Metal On-Screen 3.0

Kerry Brainard comes up with a useful construction video for construction professionals that teaches you how to input of pdf files onscreen as well as estimate material and labor cost through QuoteExpress Sheet Metal On-Screen 3.0 developed by Quote Software Inc.

Watch the following demo video that focuses on how it works.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Ferrocement is a useful construction material to prevent structural damages due to earthquake

Ferrocement refers to a one type of thin wall reinforced concrete generally formed with hydraulic cement mortar reinforced together with tightly placed layers having continuous and comparatively small size wire mesh. Metallic or other suitable materials are used to develop the mesh.

Ferrocement contains a very high tensile strength-to- weight ratio and greater cracking behavior as compared to traditional reinforced concrete. Therefore, the thin ferrocement structures seem to be comparatively light and watertight. Extensive use of the ferrocement materials are found in developing prefabricated housing units, boats, barges as well as hulls for boats, shell roofs, and water tanks and other portable structures. Ferrocement is approved by ACI 549R-97 for the above mentioned structures. Ferrocement is considered as a superior material because of its tightly apportioned reinforcement.

Ferrocement provides great advantages to the construction professionals due to cost efficiency, accessibility of materials, quick time of fabrication and flexibility of extension and portability.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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MITCalc Beam Calculation Software for analyzing stress and deflection of the beam

MITCalc Beam Calculation Software is a very handy excel based estimating program from MITCalc. Various constructional professionals like structural & mechanical engineer, design engineer, engineering draughtsman, technical employees can use this estimating program for creating estimation of straight, maximum three times static indefinite beams containing constant axis-symmetrical profiles. This construction application supports multi-language, Imperial and Metric units.

MITCalc Beam Calculation Software offers the following functionalities:

• Clear description of the type of beam and its loading with visual check.

• Estimation of area characteristics of 20 types of cross sections

• Computation of reactions in supports.

• Estimation of least / highest bending moment, stress and deflection of the beam.

• Calculation and graphic demonstration of the moment, stress, deflection and bending angle of the loaded beam.

The application consists of a table of materials and a table of area characteristics of W, S, C, L profiles acc. to ANSI/AISC and I, U, L a T profiles acc. to DIN/ISO. Used standards: DIN 1025, 1026, 1028, 1029, 1024, AISC W, S, C, L, LU. This module is a part of MITCalc - Mechanical and Technical Calculation Package for gear, belt and chain drives, springs, beam, shaft, bolt connection, shaft connection, tolerances and many others.

Link for download MITCalc Beam Calculation Software

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How to generate reinforcement drawing in Autodesk Advance Concrete 2016

Md Humayun Kabir has made this nice tutorial for construction professionals. In this tutorial, Kabir shows some useful tips for creating reinforcement drawing in Advance Concrete 2016 developed by Autodesk. Advance Concrete 2016 is used to model reinforced concrete structures instantly. It supports Windows 7 64-bit and Windows 8 64-bit.

This construction program contains the following features :-

• Modeling structural elements like Column, Beam, Slab, Isolated footing, Continuous footing, Pile as well as Stairs, Roofs.

• Contain material & section libraries with several concrete, masonry and full bricks materials as well as parametric sections.

• Create view automatically that includes plan views, elevation views, cross section views, isometric views, reinforcement views etc.

• Create reinforcement drawing efficiently for manual reinforcement like stirrups, straight bars, polygonal bars, meshes etc.

• Create documents like organizing drawings on layout, inserting frame & title block, generating BOM for concrete volume & formwork area.

• BIM integration with Graitec compatible software and Revit, IFC 2x3 export/import.

• Structural analysis for finite element.

Download a free trial Autodesk Advance Concrete 2016

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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GoBeam 2014 – An exclusive construction program for structural analysis

Yakov Polyakov has developed GoBeam 2014, the exclusive spreadsheet based software, for construction professionals. This easy to use software can be very effective for constant beam analysis.

This useful construction program contains some handy features like static and moving loads, support settlements, non-linear analysis of beam on elastic foundation and influence lines analysis as well as flexible and column support conditions, hinges and variable beam.

Support for Modeling functionalities :-

• Up to 100 spans
• Concentrated and linear loads
• Support displacement load
• Free or fixed ends of the beam
• Column supports (above or below)
• Elastic and compression only supports
• In-span hinges (moment release)
• Variable beam stiffness within a span
• Sway frame option (for beams with columns)

Functionality:

• Static analysis
• Beam on elastic foundation non-linear analysis
• Support settlement analysis
• Convey load analysis for user-defined lane+truck type of loads. Standards loads like HL93, CL-625, M 1600, Cooper E90 and others are included in truck database.
• Influence lines of forces, support reactions and deflections
• Multiple load cases
• Load combinations
• Force envelopes
• Section properties calculator
• SI and US customary units
• Customized printing

Download the trial version of GoBeam.   



  
  
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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.quantity-takeoff.com
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Types of Estimates in Building Construction

Proper estimation helps construction professionals to find out the prospective construction cost concerning a project. Estimating is prepared at different phases of project duration and it is based on the objective of estimation. Initially estimation is initiated by the contractor prior to actual commencement of construction. The contractors make estimate for creating the budget of the project or bidding the project. Different types of estimates are prepared according to project manual and submitted drawing as well as objective of applying estimated data.

Detail Estimate - It contains everything necessary for executing the project together with overhead and contractor's profit. In order to create this type of estimate, the estimator should require the complete set of drawing and instruction manual of the project. By using this estimating method, the estimator can obtained the required materials, labor, time for successful completion of the project as well as total cost details and overhead along with contractor profit. It also comprises of insurance, bond, equipment and other useful elements.

Unit Based Estimate - This type of estimate is made as = calculated building area x predefined unit cost. This is modified by calculating building height, length, width and other required building components. A simple floor plan having measurement and key elevation of the building are the vital elements for producing this type of estimate. The motto of this type of estimate is to verify wheather the project is formed according to owner's budget or not.

Model Estimate - This type of estimate is created on the basis of a model project that is evolved earlier. Some major components like length and width of building, number of base, size of base, floor height, number of bath etc should be figured out to create this type of estimation. But here, one thing should be remembered that the intended project must be identical to model project. This type of estimate generates a detailed estimate of complete project or a part of project according to the model project.

Project Comparison Estimate - By following this estimating method, an estimator produces estimate regarding projected project by making comparison with corresponding completed project. Once the comparison estimate is made, estimator creates modification for variation concerning proposed project with the completed project.

Parametric Estimate - With this estimating method, an estimator applies equations for producing the estimate. This equation denotes the correlation amidst "parameters" and "cost" of a building project. This estimate has similarity with unit based estimate but it is more complicated. This type of estimate is useful for defining proposed project cost.

There also exist other useful estimating methods for finding out the cost of project in the various locations of the globe. Recently, various computer programs are emerged out to simplify and speed up the estimating process.

Estimates in building construction download

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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How to make estimates for road with Autocad

Super Civil 3D introduces a very informative online construction video through their youtube video channel. This construction tutorial is useful Civil Engineers, Road Builders, Contractors, Project Managers & Students. By going through this online presentation, the construction professional can learn how to use Autocad for creating estimates for roads & highways which cover QUANTITY ESTIMATION OF ROAD WORKS , EARTHWORK CALCULATIONS , CROSS & L SECT.

Watch the following demo video that focuses on how it works.

For more information, visit www.supercivilcd.com / www.agboatwala.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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15 the best construction Apps for construction professional

According to a survey report, in January 2014 near about 58 percent of American adults used smartphone or tablet, and spent an average of 2 hours, 42 minutes on their phones every day. In recent days the average construction professional are also using mobile technology every day in their jobsite.

Keeping the fact in mind, the following 15 best construction apps have been launched for 2015.

Viewpoint for Mobile: Viewpoint Construction Software, of Portland, Ore has launched its Viewpoint for Mobile, its mainly a Mobile Field Manager. The Grid time entry feature inside the software provide similar functionality of a spreadsheet and it helps the users to monitor time and productivity in a grid. By this Construction Software users can snap and arrange photographs of progressing work in a jobsite. These photographs are automatically labelled with a date, location and job code.

One can access this app in the Google Play store and iTunes.

Construction Manager: This app is extensively used by several construction professionals for transmitting of maintenance logs, daily reports, project estimates and time sheets between company headquarters and construction sites. By this software salespeople and estimators can make estimates for construction and repair projects automatically.

You may find this above said app on the Play store.

Fieldwire: Fieldwire is a planning app that provides huge benefits to the foremen, project managers and superintendents to coordinate with each other when they are in the jobsite. The staffs can find the most updated set of plans and allocate vital information containing photos and punch lists through this organizational app.

One can access this app via Apple phones and tablets.

iSafe Inspections: With the help of this app the construction team members can conduct any kind of inspection, as well as safety audits, work orders, property assessments, asset management, service management and custom forms.

On Android and iTunes the app is available.

Safety Meeting App: This App deals with 34 trade types. With the help of phones, tablets or computers user can access this app. This app can fulfil Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s requirement by keeping laws and preserving records automatically.

Apple and Android phones users can access this app.

Corecon Mobile: By using this app user can share punch lists, project dynamics, administration and daily logs which may bring lots of benefits to Estimators and project manager’s prise.

Apple and Android phones user can access this app.

PlanGrid: It is one of the best apps for iPhone and iPad. It helps contractors and architects to coordinate on all their project plans, specs and photos. By uploading PDF drawings to plangrid.com users can automatically synchronise all devices in real time.

On Google Play Store and iTunes this app is available.

iHandy Carpenter: In this app, five tools are integrated to streamline the measuring to levelling process for Carpenters.

On iTunes and Google Play Store, this app is available.

BuildCalc: It is a sophisticated calculator useful construction estimation. This powerful calculator is very user-friently. It’s one of the best apps for iPhone and Android users. This app is being upgraded constantly to support the most updated phone-operating systems.

On iTunes and Android the app is available.

Construction Master Pro: This app is used to perform diversified functionalities which range from outline stairs, work out required amount of drywall in a construction project. It has similarity with BuildCalc.

At the Microsoft store, as well as Google Play and iTunes the app is available.

BIMx: BIMx acts like a interactive 3-D communication and presentation tool for architectural designs. It was selected as the product-of-the-year in 2012.

On Google Play and Apple devices the app is available.

Architect’s Formulator: This app contains over 400 formulas useful for electrical, carpentry and plumbing calculations. These types of formulas are applied in soil filling; placing bricks properly; swimming pools, sidewalks and parking areas etc.

AutoCAD 360: As it is a drawing and drafting app, it facilitates the users to view, edit and allocate drawings out of mobile devices, desktops and the Internet.

On Android, Windows and iTunes the app is available.

Buildanauts: TouchTilt Games Inc has developed beta version of Buildanauts. The full version will be launched soon for commercial usage. With this game app, you can perform like a foreman, city planner and the mayor of a town and create plan for the city as well as make it realistic through the help of a construction crew.

Sim City BuildIt: This app had been launched in December and now it is accessible for Andriod users. This app has similar features like Buildanauts. With help of this app users can solve the issue associated with a real-city like traffic, fires and pollution after city is constructed from the ground up.

dailyreporter.com/2015/01/09/15-construction-apps-for-2015

Image Courtesy: dailyreporter.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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