Creating Accurate and Easy-to-Read Land Development Estimates Using Bluebeam

Introduction

Land development is a field that requires precision, accuracy, and efficiency. In this article, we will discuss how Bluebeam, a versatile digital solution available on the NOVEDGE website, can be used to create accurate and easy-to-read land development estimates. We will also share some tips and insights from Troy DeGroot, an experienced Bluebeam user and trainer, on how to get the most out of this powerful tool.

Customizing Bluebeam for Land Development

First, we need to understand what types of materials are being specified and how they're represented in the drawings. From there, Bluebeam's customizable line styles can be used to match the drawings and selected colors to differentiate similar materials. Also, it's crucial to consider how materials are purchased. Are they priced per linear foot, square foot, cubic yard, or ton? The goal is to create custom tools in Bluebeam that can measure these quantities accurately. Moreover, Bluebeam can tell how many units of each material are needed. For example, some materials are sold in 500-square-foot rolls, so Bluebeam can calculate how many rolls are required.

Breaking Down the Process

Bluebeam also allows for breaking down the project into phases using Spaces. This feature can be especially handy when additional materials are installed at different times. By naming Spaces to match the phases of work, Bluebeam can accurately scope the work and price each phase separately to track real-time material, equipment, and labor pricing. When dealing with large civil projects, match lines can be used to break a large plan into smaller sections, each placed on its own sheet at a larger scale. In such cases, Bluebeam's Snapshot tool can be used to create a new PDF with a larger sheet size to accurately rebuild the site.

Quantifying Work

Bluebeam can also be used to quantify different types of work, from clearing sites to underground utilities. Custom tools can be built to measure volumes for excavation or concrete footings. Linear feet of pipe, conduit, or cable can also be measured, along with average trench excavation costs.

Conclusion