So do you submit a “bid” set to the building department ? Or just the zoning department ? I’m from Florida, just wondering how that works elsewhere. Thanks
Generally yes, the first formal 'bid' set is the same set that ultimately gets submitted to the building department. However I don't have a full 'bid' set at the end of this Design Development phase. I think of the set that I have at the end of Design Development as a 'preliminary' bid set because it's the first time I have a set of scale architectural drawings (site plans, floor plans, elevations, RCPs, schedules, etc.) that give a detailed sense of the project to a potential contractor. I don't have full engineering compiled yet, but a saavy local contractor would have enough experience from similar projects to do some initial quantity take offs in order to give early cost estimates. They're not formal bids, but it's really useful to start the cost conversation before engineering kicks off in case it's shaping up to be more expensive than what the client was expecting. Easier to reduce scope before all the consultants have done their work. Depending on the jurisdiction, this preliminary set might be submitted to a local zoning department if they require zoning approval before building department submittals. Some jurisdictions though do both the zoning and building reviews at the same time. So in that case, it sort of just depends on how the local jurisdiction operates. Let me know if that makes sense!
Thanks! I've made the bulk of my custom Revit families available (resources.vanvoorhisarchitects.com/) but haven't created a full Revit template that's publicly available. Might be something I'll do one day!
Are your mechanical, electrical and structural consultants working with Revit. Mine do not. 3 structural firms and 3 MEP firms absolutely hate Revit. We have found it difficult to find people who are knowledgeable in Revit with real experience and not just out of college. My friend quit a 5 person firm because of all the cad errors that would show up in the field. I think the entire construction industry on both sides, design professionals and contractors is in BIG trouble.
I have 3 “go to” local structural engineers in my area that all do quality work in Revit. Beyond them, I’ve worked with other engineers who do their primary drafting and design in CAD but offer an additional service to produce a Revit model of the primary structure. Not the most efficient on their end imo, but I always require a 3d model of at least the steel structure so I can make sure everything fits in my model to avoid surprises in the field. MEP is similar, I haven’t found any that design natively in Revit but I have a few that offer modeling the mechanical systems. Which, similar to steel, is the main thing I care about having in 3d so I can ensure we don’t get any funky drop soffits or surprises during construction. If it’s a traditional home with ample attic spaces I’d maybe forgo the mechanical modeling if it’s obvious it’ll fit. Generally it all depends on the style and how tight the design tolerances will be. Hope that helps!
So do you submit a “bid” set to the building department ? Or just the zoning department ? I’m from Florida, just wondering how that works elsewhere.
Thanks
Generally yes, the first formal 'bid' set is the same set that ultimately gets submitted to the building department. However I don't have a full 'bid' set at the end of this Design Development phase. I think of the set that I have at the end of Design Development as a 'preliminary' bid set because it's the first time I have a set of scale architectural drawings (site plans, floor plans, elevations, RCPs, schedules, etc.) that give a detailed sense of the project to a potential contractor. I don't have full engineering compiled yet, but a saavy local contractor would have enough experience from similar projects to do some initial quantity take offs in order to give early cost estimates. They're not formal bids, but it's really useful to start the cost conversation before engineering kicks off in case it's shaping up to be more expensive than what the client was expecting. Easier to reduce scope before all the consultants have done their work.
Depending on the jurisdiction, this preliminary set might be submitted to a local zoning department if they require zoning approval before building department submittals. Some jurisdictions though do both the zoning and building reviews at the same time. So in that case, it sort of just depends on how the local jurisdiction operates.
Let me know if that makes sense!
You're construction drawing style looks amazing, would you ever consider selling CAD/Revit templates?
Thanks! I've made the bulk of my custom Revit families available (resources.vanvoorhisarchitects.com/) but haven't created a full Revit template that's publicly available. Might be something I'll do one day!
I appreciate these videos. I'm looking forward to CD video.
Glad they're helpful! I'll have that one out in the next couple weeks. Cheers!
🐱amazing vid
Cheers!
Are your mechanical, electrical and structural consultants working with Revit. Mine do not. 3 structural firms and 3 MEP firms absolutely hate Revit. We have found it difficult to find people who are knowledgeable in Revit with real experience and not just out of college. My friend quit a 5 person firm because of all the cad errors that would show up in the field. I think the entire construction industry on both sides, design professionals and contractors is in BIG trouble.
I have 3 “go to” local structural engineers in my area that all do quality work in Revit. Beyond them, I’ve worked with other engineers who do their primary drafting and design in CAD but offer an additional service to produce a Revit model of the primary structure. Not the most efficient on their end imo, but I always require a 3d model of at least the steel structure so I can make sure everything fits in my model to avoid surprises in the field. MEP is similar, I haven’t found any that design natively in Revit but I have a few that offer modeling the mechanical systems. Which, similar to steel, is the main thing I care about having in 3d so I can ensure we don’t get any funky drop soffits or surprises during construction. If it’s a traditional home with ample attic spaces I’d maybe forgo the mechanical modeling if it’s obvious it’ll fit. Generally it all depends on the style and how tight the design tolerances will be. Hope that helps!