estimation software integration with revit

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone, so i'm trying to determine the best estimation software to use for our company. We are a mechanical contractor and our current estimation software is kind of archaic. So right now we essentially have a redundancy in place because the estimators do there take off and have "created a model" (they really havent because its just 2d lines and squares for fittings, valves, and equipment) but they have done everything that would be necessary to create a model. obviously this model would not be send to the prefab shop and field ready but it would be a good base to start with. It seems awfully counter productive for me to do the same thing they just did all over again, i would think it would be more prudent to use the model they built as a starting point then i can make necessary adjustments for coordination and pre fabrication. In a nutshell id like to find an estimation software that i can take the estimators takeoff model and import it into revit. I've looked into ESTmep and that seems pretty good but im just curious what other people do who use revit. thanks in advance. 

[nathan.chapman]

ESTmep is a great solution if your already using Autodesk products.  We use CADmep/Revit for modeling and ESTmep for Estimating.  Integrations between them is good.  Another huge plus is, we are only managing one database so there should never be a disconnect when one of the shops change a standard or purchasing is getting a better rate on another manufacturer. 

[Anonymous]

We have been trying to migrate over to estMEP to cut out the redundancy of taking off everything in one estimating software and then having to model everything later in 3D. The issue we have found with estMEP is that working with design line is cumbersome and it takes a ton of time to edit objects. Once you fix an item, if you have to erase and refill the design line, the fixes are undone. Equipment and air devices do not carry over when exporting from estMEP into Revit. Basically the only time you are saving in the modelling process is drawing in the main pipe/duct. All the equipment and air devices have to be redrawn. We are still investigating the process and other software to try and improve this, but right now it does not seem like the juice is worth the squeeze.

[ben]

I know exactly what you mean. It would be nice if there was a way in "import specs" from estimation software.