Construction Documents Phase and Preparing the Revit Model for Bid

In this article, we’ll review the tasks and scope required to prepare the project to go out to bid.  

We will also explore how the Revit model reaches its near completion during the Construction Documents phase.

What is the Construction Documents Phase?

The goal of the Construction Documents phase is to accurately and completely document all aspects of the design from the Pre-Design, Schematic Design, and Design Development phases. The drawings produced during this phase are used to bid and, ultimately, construct the project.

The completion of construction documents requires intensive coordination across multiple disciplines and multiple members of the design team. 

Since most of the design is finalized or locked in during the design development phase, most of the Construction Documents phase involves filling in any of the remaining gaps in information that might prove useful to bidders or contractors as they prepare to construct the building. 

In addition, a final copy of drawings and specifications is typically sent to the local permitting authority for review and approval at this time as well. 

Typical Deliverables for the Construction Documents Phase
The Construction Documents phase culminates in the production of the following deliverables:

• Complete Construction Drawings and Specifications
• Final Estimate of Cost
• Architect’s Supplemental Instructions (ASIs) and Addenda (Typically produced during early bidding periods)
• Revit Model (Optional; a contractor may request to use the Revit model during bidding to develop more accurate material take-offs or quantities.)

Working in Revit during the Construction Documents Phase

In the Construction Documents phase, the Revit model is saturated with information. The properties of all building elements – walls, floors, doors, windows, light fixtures, finishes, equipment – are contained within the model. They are translated to two-dimensional sheets either graphically through drawings or through the use of tables and schedules. 

The design team is responsible for folding in all of the other drawings from the other disciplines. This may include integrating Revit models from mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineers. In addition, specifications from the interior design team will also need to be reflected in the Revit model.

So much information is contained within the Revit model at the conclusion of the Construction Documents phase. It is common for contractors responsible for bidding the project to request access to the model. Among other things, this provides contractors with the opportunity to view the entirety of the building three-dimensionally and to verify material quantities. 

Using a Flexible Database with Revit

Final design decisions have been made. The design team is crunching towards 100% CDs. Like the Design Development phase, coordinating around the model efficiently is a priority and differentiator to meeting this deadline. 

Here are a few specific ways to make this happen:

• Model Viewer connected to Revit: Use an in-app model viewer to view and comment on sheets from the Revit model in real-time. This is especially useful for users without a Revit license. 

• Bidding RFI’s connected to Revit: Create and store Requests for Information (RFI’s) from the contractor linked directly to their context in the Revit model. 

• Version Control: Know when and what changed in the Revit model. Especially when teams are working with multiple models from multiple disciplines.

What comes after the Construction Documents phase? Learn more about closing out the Revit model during the Construction Administration phase >

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Images courtesy of BVH Architecture.