Curtain wall estimation

General
1

Hi,

Has anyone drawn and estimated curtain wall within plus spec?

Got a couple of retrofit jobs to price both commercial jobs and both have new curtain wall

Thanks

Gareth.

2

Hi Gareth,

There are two ways that I can suggest this to currently be done which I’ve listed below (I recommend Option 1). Each option is similar but have some small differences pending the desired outcome & workflow.

Option 1: Manually Draw System & BIM To Estimate Each Wall or Whole System
This option allows you to add a fixed price to each the whole system. Each part of the curtain wall would be drawn using SketchUp tools & then applying materials to the specific parts so it looks correct. After this, select the wall & use the :bim_tool: BIM Tool to add estimation info to the component.

If required, use the :custom_window_tool: Custom Window Tool & :custom_door_tool: Custom Door Tool to add any openings (FYI, they won’t estimate as they are within a component that has info added using the :bim_tool: BIM Tool).

Tip 1: If you want to estimate each wall segment, make each segment a component & add the BIM info there. If you want to estimate the whole system, make the whole system a component & add the BIM info there (I’d still group each wall segment within the component so they can be selected & moved more easily).

Tip 2: Make sure each part of the system is a group or component for easier material application & saving time editing similar parts).

Option 2: Use PlusSpec Tools To Draw & Estimate Each Part
This option is similar to Option 1 but the way the geometry is generated &/or estimated will be different. Below are the differences.

  • Each length of the aluminium framework can be estimated by either; A) using the :beam_tool: Beam Tool to draw each length, or B) manually drawing the lengths & applying the material using the :custom_estimation_tool: Custom Estimation Tool.
  • Each panel of glass can be estimated by using the same Method B mentioned above.
  • (If required) Each window & door can also be estimated by drawing them using the :custom_window_tool: Custom Window Tool & :custom_door_tool: Custom Door Tool.

Tip: Make sure each wall segment is grouped so it can be selected & moved around more easily.