Digital Design Tools Improve Construction Takeoff Process and Productivity
Construction takeoff and estimating software are crucial tools to speed up the takeoff process while reducing field errors
The home building industry isn’t known as the fastest technology adopter, but the tides have been changing. Production home builders have started adopting high tech software for their plan creations, sales systems, and intra-company communications. Now the next step is for them to improve construction takeoff and productivity by automating their estimates. The construction takeoff process has traditionally been a very manual process for most supply companies but with digital design tools, this can quickly become a thing of the past.
Building Forward , a Hanley Wood initiative which analyzes the disruptive labor and productivity changes transforming construction, met with us at the International Builder’s Show. We gave them a brief demo to show exactly how our new program, Luminosity, improves the construction takeoff process and results in less field errors.
Below are the main highlights from our conversation, as well as a video which explains how builders and their partners throughout the supply chain are benefiting from various estimating software.
Luminosity offers the promise of an automated solution.
An excerpt from Building Forward’s special report states, “This product from lighting expert Aterra Designs makes it easy for home buyers in a planned community to view 3D images showing the impact of various lighting choices in their as-yet unbuilt home.” The front-end user sees beautiful renderings and a lot-specific, interactive floor plan which shows them real-time lighting effects. For builders and contractors, the effects are just as impactful.
Digitized estimating provides faster and more accurate results.
Production builders who offer a finite number of options for their homes can benefit from Luminosity’s coding. As options were selected, Building Forward’s crew noted how the “software running in the background automatically updates the home design’s electrical plans and produces a fresh list of materials required and their cost.” The detailed list of materials and lighting schedule are then sent off to the builder and contractor, helping to reduce the takeoff time and field errors.
In a nutshell, Luminosity
- Offers a virtual design tool for home buyers
- Displays lighting effects in 3D panoramas
- Generates orders and trade-specific information as options are selected
- Automatically includes pricing with selections
Any production home builders looking to improve construction takeoff and productivity need to look towards digital design tools. Takeoff and estimating software are no longer the future, they’re the present. Learn more about other great design tools or reach out to luminosity@aterradesigns.com for more information.