Wendes Blog

Recent trends in Plumbing, Mechanical and HVAC Ductwork Estimating focus on the integration of associated tools that enhance productivity, collaboration and workflow. The most interesting and potentially most valuable productivity gains in Estimating Takeoff center on the use of AI tools to recognize and accumulate items contained in digital job plans without the requirement for manual takeoff. Takeoff is the most time consuming area of the estimating process by quickly and accurately identifying items like duct runs, fittings and materials the process is greatly improved. Given that accuracy is a critical aspect takeoff a human estimators intervention continues to be required to ensure that items have been correctly identified by the AI takeoff tool and that all items are correct. The integration of CAD, BIM REVIT and MEP data with the estimating process has also provided accurate and direct links with digital blueprint plans. By capturing items and materials contained in these plans the link between design and the estimating process is improved ,productivity and accuracy gains are achieved. After the estimating takeoff process is completed with all items identified and listed in material reports, live pricing for components is available with integration of National and Regional digital pricing services.

Wendes Mechanical Estimating, Plumbing, Plumbing and HVAC Duct Estimating now provides the most advanced takeoff tools for generating fast and accurate bids with On-Screen Takeoff and integration of Takso AI Takeoff. Takso AI Takeoff can quickly scan a drawing using a patented method  providing a fast process for accumulating and identifying fittings and fixtures, as well as duct and pipe lengths. Takso AI uses a very important “review” process for the estimator to identify any items that may have have been incorrectly identified or missed.  On-Screen Digital Job Takeoff will quickly import construction drawing data, in many formats, and allow takeoff directly on a computer screen with the intervention of a qualified estimator. Takeoff data is accumulated, reviewed and revised by the estimator during the takeoff process. In either case the accuracy of the takeoff requires validation by an experienced estimator. We believe that Takso AI Takeoff and On-Screen Digital Takeoff provides a valuable tool in improving takeoff speed and productivity.  Qualification of the project type and project size will influence the best takeoff approach. Wendes Systems has completed an integration with Takso Ai takeoff to prepare for clients who are contemplating the use of AI Takeoff. Wendes Systems, Inc. is pleased

There are several important components that improve the Mechanical and Ductwork Estimting Process. The most time consuming and error prone aspects of manual estimating is the Takeoff process. The takeoff process entails reading complex paper blueprints for a project and measuring, identifying and detailing all of the mechanical and ductwork components. With the advent of computerized estimating this process was greatly improved with the use of an electronic digitizer and more recently On-Screen digital job plans that eliminate the need for paper blueprints. Plans are directly uploaded to the computer screen. Wendes Systems Inc now deploys and integration with Takso AI Takeoff used for pattern identification and item identification. Data is entered directly from the screen using a point and click recording of items, in this fashion quantity takeoff is greatly improved; faster and more accurate. Mechanical estimating uses a vendor catalogs or National Pricing services to provide item cost. Ductwork items are based on fabricated shop labor cost that is based on accurate mathmatical formulas used to calculkate shop labor cost. Wendes Systems, Inc. pioneered a methodology and formulas that calculate labor shop labor on a highly accurate process of “Per piece” estimating. This provides a very accurate basis

HVAC Estimating can best be defined as a systematic and efficient process defining a workflow to accurately calculate the total cost for labor and materials used to complete a heating and air conditioning system. Accurate estimating promotes a complete and accurate bid, thorough takeoff, accurate extensions and reliable pricing. There are several important steps that take place whether you are using a manual process or deploying software guided tools. Preliminaries are the first step in the procedure and are critical to establishing the proper estimating scope You must first understand the scope of the project and any unique constraints. Preliminaries require an accurate survey of plans, documents, specifications, addenda and bidding instructions for the project. After finishing the preliminary survey and identifying any physical constraints. The detailed material takeoff requires counting and measuring every component required for the project. This is where digital software tools can reduce estimating time significantly and produce a detailed paper trail that can be checked or later modified. It is particularly helpful to have an accurate equipment list that can be sent to sub-contractors and equipment suppliers to provide detailed costs. Wendes Systems has pioneered the methodology of ” per piece ductwork estimating” to insure