In the early days of construction, estimating was closely associated with a lot of manual work being accomplished. Manuscript schedules and other documents were used by builders to estimate as well as to decide the necessary material and labor requirements. They used approximations and they were always off from the true values. The construction industry continued to evolve and with it, basic spreadsheet and takeoff software programs were incorporated into the work of professional estimators. But it was still pretty basic even then.
A Brief History of Construction Estimation Companies
Specific to the 1980s and 90s, there was a development of Construction Estimating Companies that focused on providing construction estimating services. These firms provided estimating services to the builders and contractors. They employed enhancing quantity takeoffs and pricing, through bettering software and techniques. The change from manual estimating to more advanced methods was beneficial as it provided efficiency, speed, and accuracy in construction estimation.
Quick & Dirty Estimating & Service
Thus, although estimating software appeared in the mid-1990s, it was not until the early years of the millennium that it became sufficiently powerful to replace manual systems entirely. Elementary tools for material take-off and preliminary costing exercised a significant change. Specifically, Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Estimating Service providers played roles that allowed for more reliable system-level construction estimating. However, there were constraints as to the averages of software capacities for advanced approximations.
3D Model-Based Estimating
Construction Documentation itself was revolutionized by Building Information Modeling (BIM). Its related estimating software works in the same manner using data from 3D models to make estimations and provide prices. This led to the transformations that are observed in the modern construction industry, especially regarding the high levels of accuracy associated with digital construction estimating. Thus, the application of model-based estimating remains gradually increasing in the industry.
AI and Machine Learning
Now, the next generation of construction estimating can use Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. Programs can “train” themselves to recognize parts and models as well as to apply the right price. It allows estimates with a higher level of accuracy than any previous method could offer. With new inventions in artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual realities, and automation in estimating, the final slices of estimating will go on shrinking.
The Pros of Modern Construction Estimation
Compared to historical manual approaches, today’s digital construction estimating enables:
- Quicker forecasting times while maintaining a higher accuracy level.
- Faster or more accurate initial estimations of the time and resources required.
- Less costly failures in the estimation of a contract or a management decision.
- A higher level of competition and profitability in the bids
With the advancement in technology, it will be easier to use AI and automation in place of the estimating methods which are older. Industry players have to upgrade their estimating process to meet the advances in technology if they don’t want to lag.
Lumber Takeoff Services Utilization
Outsourced takeoff services have picked up steam as the primary means of estimating in today’s construction industry. The services offered by Lumber Takeoff Service ensure that there is a precise and accurate measurement of the targeted services. Specialty subcontractor firms directly import digital model files and get back the finished lumber takeoffs either for framing formwork or any kind of wood material. This helps estimators and in turn, improve construction efficiency as this is expertise supplementation.
The following article contributes to this knowledge base by presenting an overview of offsite construction and its impact using the current body of knowledge.
Offsite construction and prefabrication increase the amount of estimating that takes place and play a role in how that estimating is done. More building parts are produced and assembled off-site before construction is initiated. This enables the bulk of materials to be quantified from on-site estimators to the fabrication offsite plants. The offsite industry already applies high levels of BIM automation and robotics within the actual assembly. Estimation changes as production evolves and new strategies.
A Construction Industry Digitalized by Intelligence
Advanced technologies that will drive transformations in construction estimating in the future. The ability to build digital twins along with augmented and virtual reality, advanced robotic technology, and other intelligent tools will transform estimating and the construction process. The core of it will be construction intelligence – analytics that feeds on the overwhelming amount of data about construction projects and turns it into insights.
Conclusion
It is a new era of estimating and construction where the client’s requirements and expectations are being met to a maximum.
Tremendous progress has been made during those years – from initial paper-based takeoffs to modern AI-based software construction estimations. Estimation is bound to take a shorter time, be smarter, and be more automated as technology evolves. The construction industry will redefine itself based on connected BIM workflows and process intelligence. Failure to accept and integrate such a future means that companies will be left behind by their more enlightened counterparts. Modern construction is ‘a work in progress,’ so to speak, as several recent developments suggest.
