Faster Steel Estimates with Bluebeam Revu

Attention Steel Fabricators, Erectors and Estimators.  Are you currently using 20 colored highlighters, scratch paper, a calculator, a Planimeter, cheater glasses and Ibuprofen to complete your takeoffs/estimates?  You’re in luck, I started my career as a Steel Detailer, so I understand the drawings you’re looking through.  I also worked as a BIM Manager transitioning 70 team members in seven locations into 3D workflows.  Now I teach and I can assure you, there is a better way to do estimates and material takeoffs with Bluebeam Revu.

Here’s how we replace your current tools:

20 Colored Highlighters – Sometimes 20 colors isn’t enough, Revu has an endless number of colors (and our highlighters don’t die).

Scratch Paper – All your highlighter marks will report lengths, no more recording off to the side.

Calculator – All the reported lengths are categorized and provide totals.

Planimeter – Drawings are to scale, sell that artifact to a museum.

Cheater Glasses – Use your center mouse wheel to zoom in and out of your digital drawings.

Ibuprofen – No more headaches crunching numbers or body aches from lifting rolls upon rolls of drawings onto those storage shelves.

We can even include custom columns for Steel Grade, Pounds + Waste Factor, End Connections, Weights, Studs, Camber, Labor Codes and Finishes to get an accurately documented project scope.  You could even assign prices to all these variables.

Are you thinking about how this workflow applies to your business?  Leave me a comment.

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If you have any questions or tips you’d like to share with the global community, join the UC2 Brainery forum and work toward your Brainery Black Belt!