How long to build a usable model by a good Revit user?

[simon.baines]

I've recently joined a small practice who've been using solely AutoCAD for a decade. My request to them was that we started using Revit (which they have licences for) on all projects going forward. They agreed so I've been learning Revit for the last few months (25yrs on AutoCAD). I see all the benefits but I find it cumbersome at times when creating the simplest of things and can end up being a huge undertaking, at the moment at least.

As a small practice we're trying to work out if it's economic long term to use Revit on all projects (including domestic) once we're all fully trained and up to speed on Revit or whether sticking with AutoCAD would be better. We're prepared to take the financial hit in the short to medium term to allow us all the time to get fluent with Revit but, as always, it boils down to available fee and whether it will stretch far enough to build and utilise a Revit model in the future by a competent Revit user.

What I'd like to know is roughly how long it would take to create a usable (accurate and useful) Revit model for a particular example domestic project (I'll post up the CAD file) by someone who is well trained in Revit. I'd simply like an idea of the number of days it would take to draw up the measured survey to create the existing set then the proposed set. Would just need a quick look at the file to say "I reckon it would take X days to complete". We can then compare this against the time it took us to complete in AutoCAD.

Is there anyone who could help on this? Any help at all on this would be very much appreciated.

[L.Maas]

Of course we can have a look at the CAD file.But creating the first model is only a small part of the whole workflow.

For us it was not even in the top 3 of considering Revit as a tool.

-We are often dealing with people not used to look/interpret technical drawings, a 3D model/drawing helps them

-The market was beginning to move in that direction. Our clients requesting/demanding to supply data in Revit format.

-Revit is Parametric. Creating families, family libraries was big plus for us.

-Drawing revisions. As drawings in Revit are views of the model, so changes in the model is reflected in all relevant drawings.

-Scheduling. Pulling data from the model was a big plus

-....

As you can see, speed of creating the first revision of the model is not even in this list. Depending on the workflow, the initial revision might be slower than what you are doing now but could possibly be recovered many times over in a later stage of the project.

So I would turn it around. What problem(s) are you trying to solve. If you have a clear picture than it is time to look at the tool(s) that might help you solve them. In your case it might be that Autocad is the best tool. Or you might be better of with several products......or it might be Revit.

[simon.baines]

I don't disagree with your comments and totally understand and accept the reasons you state re workflow and the like, however these would generally apply to medium sized projects upwards where there is greater demand for change/revision. As I mentioned we're geared more towards the domestic (smaller) sized project where there is less demand for changing and revision and there is almost zero requirement for scheduling etc. We also never get asked for a Revit model.

So, with this in mind, the speed of building the model and producing the proposals is of greater importance as this is the the most significant chunk of work for most of our projects. We generally only do one set of revisions also as the fee doesn't stretch any further (and clients won't pay much more tbh). A 3D would be useful but not essential. 

We're trying to make a decision on whether to commit based on whether (in the long term, once up to speed) we can produce the drawings in around the same amount of time as with CAD. Our clients are unlikely to pay more for Revit and if we can't do it in the time (or quicker) we cannot economically commit. However, our desire is to future proof ourselves but we have to be able to afford to do so or we have to stick with AutoCAD, which would be a shame but finances dictate (almost) everything and time is money. 

[L.Maas]

My guess would be that it could be done in about the same time (based on experienced drafter and a good system in place).

So If you have no need for much other functionality I would not see a case for changing. Especially considering that Revit is significant more expensive.

You talk about future proofing. However in your case there does not seem to be a need for Revit (exchanging with others) or for additional functionality coming from your clients. Also no willingness to pay more. Knowing that Autocad is still widely used (on regular basis we still have to export to Autocad for some of our clients/suppliers) I do not see that change over to the more expensive Revit will help you with future proofing.

There should be a case that changing to Revit will get you more business (money or client wise).

Just my opinion.

[simon.baines]

By 'futureproofing' I meant us as individuals, rather than the practice, just in case it all doesn't work out or if I fancy a move in the future. If we can ultimately draw up a Revit model in around the same time as it would in AutoCAD then the practice will pay that little bit extra for the software but it'll be tight, but we would be futureproofed.

So back to question in hand; what your saying is it would be around the same time to create the model? 

[RobDraw]

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@simon.baines wrote:

What I'd like to know is roughly how long it would take to create a usable (accurate and useful) Revit model for a particular example domestic project (I'll post up the CAD file) by someone who is well trained in Revit. I'd simply like an idea of the number of days it would take to draw up the measured survey to create the existing set then the proposed set. Would just need a quick look at the file to say "I reckon it would take X days to complete". We can then compare this against the time it took us to complete in AutoCAD.

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There are too many variables to give an estimate with any sort of accuracy but given experience and a good template it should go faster than AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Baines,

I have been using AutoCAD since 1992 and just recently moved to a Fortune 100 company that uses Revit. I (myself) have only been using Revit for approximately 1 month. In that month I have created a usable 100,000+ sq. ft. plant in less than 2 days. I still encounter issues that frustrate me (not being able to find the solution) but none the less I have become useful to this company.

I hope this helps you.

Russ