RSMeans with Revit

[LyleHardin]

I've only found one post here about using Revit with RSMeans. Does anyone do this? Even searching the whole internet brings up very little on this. It seems like a no-brainer to combine the two, but there's not much info out there on it. I've seen some posts hinting that Revit used to include RSMeans data or at least a link, but that was way back in version 5, I think. I think there are some 3rd parties that provide a link, but still, not much info.

[Redrunner92]

I haven't used RSMeans with Revit, but I have discussed a similar topic with a handful of drafters and architects, specifically how to incorporate cost estimating within design software for more accurate projected costs. The prevailing response was not to mix estimating and designing because of liability issues, and they shared a couple horror stories of giving clients early cost projections to the designers' chagrin. I didn't agree with their swift dismissal of the idea, but after responding a few times stating the potential benefits, I felt like I was attempting to peddle my bicycle when its front tire was against a concrete wall. As such, I get the feeling this is a taboo topic for many architects, when there is no reason to not at least consider it.

I have also tried adding cost info to objects in Revit when I was designing my own house. Again, I did not use RSMeans, I rather used HomeDepot.com 😅 Notwithstanding the different sources, I found that I could not keep my model updated frequently enough with price changes. This may have been due to starting my build just as COVID lockdowns began, but I still wonder if my efforts to keep my model's cost data up-to-speed with market values would have been worth it. The payoff may be greater for a building design going out to public bid, but it's worth performing a cost-benefit analysis of investing such time.

Maybe this is not at all what you are desiring in a response, but I'll give my two cents anyway.

[benDFZJ2]

Build1 does offer an API but that would involve creating a dynamo script or C# script to get information from the API and bring it into your model.

https://www.rsmeans.com/

[HVAC-Novice]

I only know RSMeans from the analog days when they had books. I found their data very lacking and obviously not taking into account actual installation cost. For example, when we replace a boiler, the required piping and equipment around it and labor can cost as much as what the boiler cost, or it can cost  3 times as much. That is a difference between 100% or 200% project cost. Our projects are smaller, so they may have less data for that. 

I also question how RS Means actually get their data. When we bid out projects, we get calls from such companies asking questions about cost. The person asking usually has zero knowledge about construction and seems to only fill a checklist. They also never seem to have the plans. I doubt whatever I tell them at that point makes them understand what our project actually includes. 

I'm curious to know how to leverage Revit better. But I think it only will be a schematic estimate. Like if you demolish 200ft² of ceiling, you could assign a $-amount to each ft². the problem is, site conditions can change that $-amount a lot. And if you demo twice the amount, your cost per ft² will (hopefully) decrease. Si if you originally say you demo 200 ft² of ceiling and decide it is $2 per ft², and then the project scope changes to demo 4,000 ft², you will end up with a too large demo estimate assuming with that much demo each ft² will be much easier to do. 

[Tom_Kunsman]

They had mentioned a few years back that they had wanted to have some sort of integration with Revit. Could have been CSI to, I don't remember.

I contacted them and they basically said there was no longer any integration that they were working on. Sort of sad I guess, but perhaps they did not see a return on the investment in doing it.