The Evolution of Pricing

In the past, pricing working drawings using AutoCAD was a straightforward process. It involved counting the sheets in the Sheet Index, setting an average number of hours per sheet, multiplying it by a billing rate, and adding a contingency percentage for safety. However, with the advent of Revit and BIM, the notion of “level of detail” became a source of confusion. Architects often misunderstood level of detail, leading to misconceptions about the compensation for Revit modeling.

Level of Detail vs. Amount of Detail

Level of detail pertains to how much information is shown in different parts of the model, such as floor and wall connections. It is not directly related to the type of building but rather to the specific requirements of each building component. Confusingly, architects sometimes equated level of detail with the amount of detail. However, the crucial factor is the number of sheet views required to convey the building’s story accurately. A warehouse and a medical lab, while differing in level of detail, may require different amounts of detail to represent their distinct characteristics.

The Role of Sheet Count

At Archline, after working on numerous projects of varying sizes and complexities, we have found that sheet count remains a reliable method for determining compensation for Revit working drawings. While modeling a warehouse’s floor plan sheet view may require less time and effort than a medical lab of the same size, the overall sheet count for the warehouse will be lower. In the end, the number of sheets required to depict a warehouse will be fewer than for a medical lab. Therefore, applying an assumed number of hours per sheet across the entire set of working drawings yields compensation that aligns with the project’s complexity. The average number of hours per sheet view can vary depending on the project type, ranging from 14 hours for simpler projects to 40 hours for more complex ones.

Efficient Pricing Process

By applying these estimating procedures and defining the quantity of work in hours and dollars, we can quickly establish proposed compensation for producing Revit working drawings. On large and complex projects, we can generate a sheet index, estimate hours, and propose compensation in just one business day.

If you would like to delve deeper into our approach to setting pricing for Revit working drawings, please feel free to contact us for a detailed discussion. We are confident that our process will provide valuable insights.

Charles Traylor, Architect, NCARB
CEO and Founder, Archline.com, LLC
5050 Quorum Drive, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas 75254
Telephone: (214) 304-2850 | Cell: (808) 747-4460
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