A purpose-built BIM solution like Revit features computable building information that enables a model to be understood by a computer as a building. A wall for example, “knows” what it is and how to react to the rest of the building.
As such, it can be scheduled or quantified as a wall: a building assembly made of real materials. Computable building information supports numerous building design and construction activities: structural analysis, MEP system modeling, building energy analysis, and specification management, to name just a few.
Cost estimating is yet another aspect of the building process that can benefit from computable building information. Designing a building is the responsibility of architects, whereas assessing the cost to build it is the domain of estimators. In general, the architect’s scope of work doesn’t extend to material takeoffs or cost information. That’s left to the estimator.
When preparing their cost estimates, estimators typically begin…