Create Your First Estimation
An Estimation in Darwin brings everything together:
modules, quantities (from IFC or manual input), price lists, and project settings.
Once your project is ready — and your IFC elements are mapped, if applicable — you can generate your first estimation with just a few clicks.
This chapter guides you through:
- creating the estimation container
- reviewing quantities
- understanding the structure of the Estimation Details
- generating a cost summary
- handling revisions
1. Creating an Estimation
Section titled “1. Creating an Estimation”To create an estimation:
- Open your Project.
- Click Create Estimation.
- Give it a name (e.g., “Concept Estimate,” “DD Estimate,” “Revision 01”).
- Confirm to create the estimation record.
You will be redirected to the Estimation Details page — the workspace where all quantities, modules, and cost logic come together.
Screenshot placeholder:
Add here: Create Estimation view
2. Understanding the Estimation Details
Section titled “2. Understanding the Estimation Details”The Estimation Details page is the core of the estimating workflow.
Here you will see a list of modules that appear based on:
- your IFC mappings
- manual additions
- composite structures
- or module notes carried over from prior revisions
Each row generally represents a module instance.
For each module, Darwin displays:
- module name
- quantity source (IFC, 2D, or manual)
- extracted quantities
- unit of measurement
- associated materials, labor, and expenses
- subtotal cost
The idea is simple:
Modules store logic. Quantities drive the numbers. Price lists apply the current market conditions.
Together, they produce a clear and transparent cost breakdown.
3. Entering or Editing Quantities
Section titled “3. Entering or Editing Quantities”If you used IFC mapping or 2D QTO
Section titled “If you used IFC mapping or 2D QTO”Quantities will appear automatically.
You can still adjust or override them if needed — Darwin trusts your judgment above the model or drawing.
If you are estimating manually
Section titled “If you are estimating manually”You can enter quantities directly:
- Select a module row
- Enter the quantity
- Choose the appropriate unit
Manual, IFC-driven, and 2D-derived quantities can coexist in the same estimation.
4. Inspecting Module Cost Breakdown
Section titled “4. Inspecting Module Cost Breakdown”Click any module row to expand its cost structure.
You will see:
- Materials (quantities × unit prices)
- Labor (hours × rates)
- Expenses (fixed or proportional costs)
Each component is clear, editable, and traceable.
This transparency is fundamental to Darwin’s design — nothing is hidden, nothing is locked.
5. The Estimation Summary
Section titled “5. The Estimation Summary”Click the Summary tab to view:
- total materials cost
- total labor cost
- total expenses
- overheads or markups
- final project cost
This summary acts as the high-level financial snapshot of your estimation.
Screenshot placeholder:
Add here: Estimation Summary table
From here you can:
- export the summary
- revise the price list
- duplicate the estimation
- compare it with other versions
6. Revising an Estimation
Section titled “6. Revising an Estimation”Estimations evolve. Darwin supports revision workflows such as:
- creating a new estimation based on a previous one
- updating price lists
- recalculating costs based on new mappings (IFC or 2D)
- adjusting modules or quantities
A revision keeps the history intact while giving you a clean workspace for the next iteration.
The project container maintains all versions for traceability.
7. When You Don’t Need IFC or 2D Drawings
Section titled “7. When You Don’t Need IFC or 2D Drawings”You can build complete estimations manually by:
- adding modules
- entering quantities
- applying a price list
Darwin does not require BIM or 2D drawings — it simply accelerates the process when they are available.
8. Next Step
Section titled “8. Next Step”With your estimation created, the final key step is ensuring your prices are up to date: