The BRIDGE - 6th Generation Quantity & Cost Estimating

One of the original missions with CONTRABIM back in 2016, was to develop an Archicad Template that would inherently produce detailed quantity takeoffs used for cost estimating.

Over the years, we've retooled and improved the process along with software improvements, and we're now excited to introduce our 6th Generation Quantity and Cost Estimating workflow as part of our CONTRABIM 2.0 template rollout.

We're referring to this new method, as "The BRIDGE". Because it accomplishes the mission of connecting model based quantities, to end-user determined cost estimates.

The mission behind the BRIDGE, was to make the quantification and cost estimating workflow faster, easier to use, and fully customizable to end user requirements.

To make it faster, what we've done is simplified down the  number of schedules to a bare minimum. Meaning more content, running through fewer schedules. In previous versions of our C5D Estimating Tools, we've had around 60 interactive schedules being produced from Archicad. In our SYSTEMS based workflow, we had ~20 schedules.

While these previous builds did the job for producing focused reports organized by Trade or Building System, they also required more time to review and analyze.

The BRIDGE leverages a minimum numbers of schedules, making the process more streamlined and much faster and easier to use, with less emphasis on schedule formatting, and more emphasis on creating large comprehensive data sets.

The new CONTRABIM 2.0 Attributes make the reporting criteria and data organization much more automated, which reduces errors and makes it easier for end users to get the correct breakout of materials and takeoffs.

One of the biggest goals behind the BRIDGE, was to make the Cost Estimate format fully customizable. In the past, we've tried to align to standards like CSI Masterformat, Uniformat, RICS or Uniclass. In reality, that doesn't work, since most cost estimators have their own numbering and cost accounting codes to work with. Being able to align to a custom breakdown of line items, with flexible organization, has become essential to be able to meet demands of users around the world. While we still maintain consistency using industry recognized classification systems, flexibility is the key for a practical workflow.

This flow map demonstrates how the BRIDGE works. From Model Sources, to Cost Summary Sheet. We've introduced a new concept in the BRIDGE, which are Quantity Takeoff Sheets broken down in the 4 main categories of Zones, Elements, Materials, and Surfaces.

One feature we've expanded upon in the BRIDGE workflow, is the Expression Based Quantity Takeoff Properties. We're now aligning our Units of Measurement into Column headers of Excel Tables, making it easier to formulate and calculate quantity items and cost line items from any table within the workbook.

Tables Make the Formulas much easier, more automated, and much more powerful than previous builds, which relied more on large cell ranges.

With the BRIDGE, we've identified the Key Quantity Drivers for Area Zones, Element Types, Materials, and Surfaces. By Naming these Quantity Drivers, we enable them to be referenced in formulas across the workbook.

Simply start typing into any cell the Named Quantity Driver, and then see as the autofill options do the work for you.

A key component of the new BRIDGE Excel workbook, is the Line Items worksheet. This is where end users can list their specific quantity takeoff line items, and build cost estimates in any format or organizational system that they want. No more limitations to specific classifications. This is fully flexible, and can be outputted to any format you desire. Create the level of detail required, and expand on the quantity data, to break down material, labor, equipment, markup, inflation, and production rates. Determine your own level of detail here, while easily connecting to the Excel data model we've created on the QTO sheets.

A few sample formulas. INDEX/MATCH, SUMIF, and SUMPRODUCTS are more powerful than ever, when referencing direct into named Excel Tables.

With Tables, Data Validation has become easier and more automated. This helps reduce errors, and ensure we've made the correct references.

In conclusion....

With these new techniques for building and analyzing Archicad model data with Excel, it's exciting to see all the potential for building a wide range of Cost Reports, ranging from conceptual, to extremely detailed. This new foundation for model based quantification and cost estimation, is what the future of CONTRABIM 2.0 templates will be built upon.

Thanks for checking out this introduction Blog! We've got YouTube video tutorials in the works, as well as a new training program coming in June.

John, from CONTRABIM

When is The BRIDGE Available?

It was first introduced to the CONTRABIM Community on May 13th. Download it now from the membership site and test it out for yourself.

Next Steps for The BRIDGE (Training Program)

In June of 2025, we'll be producing a new Quantity and Cost Estimating Training Course, that will walk users through the entire setup of how The BRIDGE is built. This training program will teach you how to setup both Archicad for model based quantification, as well as how to build a simple yet powerful Excel workbook leveraging our CXL Macros for connecting schedules.

By completing this training program, users will not only have setup their own Cost BRIDGE, but will learn the fundamentals and critical skills to build, audit, and validate their workflow for full confidence.

Stay tuned for more BRIDGE announcements as we prepare the program!