Facility owners and commercial contractors can now create accurate capital budgets and conceptual estimates in minutes for large-scale construction projects with Timberline Estimating software and Timberline’s newly released Commercial Construction Knowledgebase.
As the first product of its kind, the Commercial Construction Knowledgebase contains pre-built construction models, a comprehensive list of Smart Assemblies, and incorporates R.S. Means Cost Data content and pricing for more than 700 cities and 20,000 items. Smart Assemblies is a function that allows takeoff of a building component, such as a wall or slab, in one step.
Designed for use with Timberline Estimating, the Commercial Construction Knowledgebase provides a quick method for facility managers and owners to produce capital budgets right out of the box. Only minimal database modifications may be required. Commercial contractors who develop pre-construction or conceptual "courtesy" bids will find this tool invaluable for producing estimates under tight deadlines. Users can also apply the knowledgebase to develop detailed estimates when more information about a project becomes available.
With the knowledge base and Timberline Model Estimating, users answer a few questions of what is known about a project, such as square footage and number of stories. As questions are answered, the software’s built-in intelligence modifies the interview to ensure that all requisite data is collected.
Takeoff and estimates are available within minutes and include all construction details and costs, by item, assembly or model. Backed by extensive pricing detail, estimates can be quickly revised and instantly recalculated to answer any number of "what-if" scenarios for cost comparisons.
Pre-built models in the current version of Timberline Commercial Construction Knowledgebase include office core and shell, above grade parking structure, and below grade parking structure. Timberline plans to announce additional models with future releases including tenant fitout, hotels, condominiums, apartments, schools, airport terminals, churches, laboratories, and more.
The Commercial Construction Knowledgebase is also the first in a series of knowledgebases. Later versions will cover the needs of mechanical, piping and electrical contractors.
The knowledgebase is Timberline’s third major estimating release within the past year, part of the company’s rollout of a new generation of construction estimating solutions. In June 2001, Timberline introduced its Microsoft Windows version of Model Estimating, and in March of this year released CAD Integrator.
For more information, visit www.timberline.com.
