Boosting Construction Efficiency: Top 3 Bluebeam Workflows at Patterson Building Group

Efficiency and precision are the cornerstones of successful construction projects, and Patterson Building Group (PBG) has found Bluebeam to be a critical tool in achieving these goals.

Bluebeam has proven indispensable for Patterson Building Group (PBG) in their efforts to address problems proactively and deliver projects on budget and on schedule. As a Tier 3 commercial construction firm, PBG has successfully completed over 500 projects with a total portfolio exceeding $1 billion. Senior Project Engineer Shane Rohan is at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies to streamline PBG’s construction processes.

Shane’s primary responsibility at PBG is overseeing the design and quality of the company’s largest projects, including 45 active jobs across New South Wales. Among the various construction technologies PBG employs, Bluebeam stands out as “indispensable” in Shane’s toolkit.

This article explores how PBG leverages Bluebeam for quantity takeoffs, design reviews, and site communications.

Streamlined Quantity Takeoffs

Quantity takeoffs are vital for any construction project but can often be complex and time-consuming. Bluebeam simplifies this process, making it more efficient and accurate.

PBG uses Bluebeam to measure the volume of upcoming concrete pours. Shane notes that this tool helps him calculate the cost of concrete orders accurately. It also enables him to manage intricate puddle pours or slabs with varying depths, which would be far more time-consuming using traditional methods. By color-coding slab depths and using labels to display volume and depth, Shane ensures a clear and organized process.

Without Bluebeam, Shane would rely on scale rulers and printed plans, a method that takes 3-4 times longer and is less precise. Bluebeam’s advanced features, such as color coding and labeling, enhance visualization and communication of quantity takeoff data, making it an unparalleled tool in the construction software market.

Efficient Design Reviews

Design reviews are a crucial aspect of the construction process. Given the numerous sources of design changes, it is essential to have a tool that tracks all modifications and ensures consistency across all stakeholders.

Patterson Building Group finds Bluebeam’s overlay tool particularly effective for identifying design discrepancies. For example, during a tender process, a batch overlay identified unclouded FCU changes and mechanical HVAC modifications in a Tender Addendum, enabling PBG to cost these changes accurately.

During construction, Bluebeam’s overlay tool helps mitigate rectification costs. Shane recalls an incident at a previous company where failing to conduct an overlay resulted in a $75,000 expense for epoxy painting 1500m2 of corridors. This underscores the importance of using Bluebeam to identify and address design discrepancies early, avoiding costly mistakes.

Enhanced Site Communications

Effective communication is vital in the building industry, where numerous stakeholders are involved. Bluebeam significantly enhances this aspect by enabling quick markups to convey or capture content and details efficiently.

Shane highlights how Bluebeam saves him considerable time daily by allowing quick and accurate communication. With over 60 stakeholders in a typical project, the ability to convey precise information swiftly is crucial.

In one instance, PBG used Bluebeam to explain to consultants why certain construction designs were unfeasible due to tree protection zones, latent shotcrete works, and existing rock levels. Utilizing call-out boxes, clouds, pen tools, lines, shapes, hatching, images, screenshots, and stamps, Shane effectively communicated the issue and proposed solution, saving weeks of potential design amendments.

Bluebeam’s advanced features facilitate efficient communication, ensuring a shared understanding among all parties and preventing costly errors. PBG has seen significant improvements in stakeholder communication by leveraging Bluebeam’s multiple markup capabilities.

In Conclusion

Bluebeam has become an essential tool for Patterson Building Group, aiding in quantity takeoffs, design reviews, and site communications. The speed, accuracy, and efficiency offered by Bluebeam make it indispensable for PBG. By adopting and implementing the latest technologies like Bluebeam, PBG continues to refine its construction processes and enhance project outcomes.

Learn more about how Bluebeam can transform your construction workflow

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