Autodesk Fabrication ESTmep
Fabrication ESTmep is a cost estimation software built for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors. It helps you create detailed and accurate project bids by using real-world fabrication content and labor databases—improving estimate reliability and competitiveness.
Accurate and Detailed Estimating
ESTmep uses the same database as Fabrication CADmep and CAMduct, allowing you to perform takeoffs using actual fabrication components. This ensures your estimates reflect true shop costs and installation labor—minimizing surprises during execution.
Integrated Labor and Cost Databases
Leverage built-in databases for labor rates, material pricing, fabrication time, and installation difficulty. You can customize these values for your region, crew, or shop to create more precise and competitive estimates.
Streamline Takeoff and Reporting
Quickly perform graphical or item-based takeoffs, generate bid summaries, and output detailed reports. ESTmep also allows for “what-if” pricing scenarios, vendor pricing imports, and change-order tracking to stay agile throughout preconstruction.
Key Features
- Real-world MEP content for takeoff and pricing
- Integrated cost and labor databases (adjustable by region)
- Graphical, item-based, and spec-driven estimating tools
- Bid summary generation and vendor pricing comparison
- Integration with Fabrication CADmep and CAMduct
- Support for change orders and alternate bid strategies
Who Uses Fabrication ESTmep?
Fabrication ESTmep is ideal for MEP estimators, project managers, and preconstruction teams who need fast, accurate, and fabrication-aligned bids. It helps firms improve win rates, reduce risk, and create seamless workflows from estimating to detailing to manufacturing.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Windows Only: Fabrication ESTmep is Windows Only. It does not support macOS.
Shared Database: Like CADmep and CAMduct, ESTmep relies on the shared Fabrication Database (.ITM content).
Calculation Focus: Unlike the detailing tools, ESTmep is heavy on data processing (calculating costs, labor, and materials) and requires fast storage I/O.
💰 System Requirements: Fabrication ESTmep (2023–2026)
| Operating System (OS) |
64-bit Windows 10 (v1809+)<br>64-bit Windows 11
|
Windows 11<br>(Preferred for latest security and UI performance)
|
| Processor (CPU) |
2.5–2.9 GHz (Basic Processor) |
3.0 GHz+ (Base), 4.0 GHz+ (Turbo)<br>(Cost calculations and report generation are primarily Single-Threaded. High GHz is essential.)
|
| Memory (RAM) |
8 GB |
16 GB (Standard Estimation)<br>32 GB (Importing large Revit/CADmep models for takeoff)*
|
| Graphics (GPU) |
2 GB VRAM<br>DirectX 11 compliant
|
4 GB – 8 GB VRAM<br>DirectX 12 compliant<br>(Used for viewing the 3D model during takeoff; moderate GPU power is sufficient)
|
| Disk Space |
2 GB (Installation)<br>+ Database storage
|
SSD (Solid State Drive)<br>Critical: Loading price lists and labor tables from a slow HDD causes significant UI lag.
|
| Display |
1920 x 1080 True Color |
Dual Monitors (1080p or 4K)<br>(One screen for the 3D model, one for the Cost Estimate spreadsheet)
|
| Network |
TCP/IP capable |
Gigabit LAN<br>(Essential if accessing a shared company database on a server)
|
| Framework |
.NET Framework 4.8 |
.NET 8 (For 2025/2026) |
💡 Performance Advice for ESTmep Users
Estimating Large Projects:
Estimators often import "Design Line" models or Revit exports (.MAJ files).
If you import a massive hospital or stadium model to generate a bid, 16 GB RAM is the bare minimum. 32 GB ensures the software doesn't crash during the import process.
Database Latency:
ESTmep constantly queries the database for "Price" and "Labor" data.
Recommendation: If your database is on a server, ensure the network connection is wired (Ethernet). using ESTmep over a VPN is notoriously slow.
Spreadsheet Exporting:
ESTmep frequently exports data to Excel. Having a fast CPU and SSD ensures these exports happen instantly rather than freezing the machine for minutes.
Mac Users:
Not Supported.
Virtualization: Parallels Desktop works well for ESTmep because it is less graphically demanding than Revit or Navisworks. Estimators using MacBooks can successfully use Parallels, provided they allocate enough RAM (16GB+) to the Windows VM.
