Density Cost Estimation

February 13, 2015

Presented by: Jake Lott

Length: 39:07

Whether you are working on a large or small project, you need a quick way to value engineer your design before getting too far into the process. Join us as we discuss creating planting density templates and applying them at the beginning of any project. Planting density templates communicate your initial planting design to the client efficiently while keeping your project on budget.

Download our Cost Estimation Spreadsheet.

Webinar Contents:

Note: The following catalog of content covered in this webinar is time stamped to allow you to follow along or skip to sections of the video that are relevant to your questions. You can also search for content on this page using the FIND command in your browser (CTRL + F in Windows, Command + F in Mac OS.)

Intro/TOC
Goals
Examples of Plan Views
Adding a Template Based on Density Analysis
Using the Site Development Tool for Estimates
How to Use the Concept Plant Manager
Considerations When Value Engineering a Design
Using Excel to Generate Cost Estimates
Questions

0:00 – 3:29: Intro/TOC

3:30 – 4:55: Goals:

1. Be able to apply different options to a design quickly.

2. Be able to adjust and regenerate schedules and costs easily.

3. Client communication:

a. Quickly

b. Visualization is key

c. Making sure expectations are met throughout the project

4:56 – 7:13: Examples of Plan Views

Plan view design example (4:56)

3D visual example (6:20)

7: 14 – 8:07: Adding a Template Based on Density Analysis

Setting up a new Land F/X project to save as a template (7:30)

8:08 – 12:39: Using the Site Development Tool for Estimates

The Estimator (Site Development) tool – found on the F/X Site ribbon or the F/X Graphics menu (8:08)

Available hatch colors (8:20)

Editing and adding notes (such as cost and density) to items added to the Site Development list (9:05)

Placing Site Development areas in a drawing (10:45)

12:40 – 25:17: How to Use the Concept Plant Manager

The Concept Manager (12:40)

Adding categories to the Concept Manager (12:40)

Listing options for each category (e.g., specific types of tree) (12:57)

Generating a Concept Schedule (13:50)

Generating a Site Development Schedule (14:50)

Breaking up the schedule by using Work Areas (example: breaking the project into phases) (16:20)

Changing the per-square-foot cost of a Concept Area (19:40)

Illustrating a site area for a presentation using the Photo Callout tool (21:11)

Question: Can I use a hatch pattern instead of a color gradient for the site development areas? (23:37)

Answer: Yes, you can select one of the hatch patterns instead of a Truecolor option when placing a site development hatch.

25:18 – 28:49: Considerations When Value Engineering a Design

Adding notes and assigning costs using the Reference Notes (26:30)

Applying costs to site objects (27:35)

28:50 – 31:20: Using Excel to Generate Cost Estimates

Exporting schedules to spreadsheet programs such as Excel (28:50)

31:42 – end: Questions

Question:Can the Excel file be shared? (31:42)

Answer:Yes, we can definitely help in the customization of this type of Excel template.

Question:How did you get the schedule into Excel? (32:03)

Answer:Select the Spreadsheet option when generating a schedule. The software takes you to Excel and transfers the data automatically (if you have Excel installed).

Discussion of Land F/X site development and BIM (36:27)