Forums >> Community >> Newbies >> Revit for multi-phase home and landscape projects?

steinryan28

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Joined: Mon, Jun 17, 2024
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Hi, My name is Ryan SteinI'm a homeowner slowly DIY renovating my old house. I've done most of the inside, now considering where to go over the next 5-10 years and having trouble visualizing the various phases with just pencil and paper.

Our next big project is the backyard with a standalone covered patio, concrete slab, an outdoor kitchen, and surrounding landscaping. At some point we're considering a tiny home office, a small bumpout kitchen addition, and potentially a larger garage addition many years down the road.

Beyond visualizing with some degree of realism, I would also strongly prefer to have detailed plans to work from as I will be DIYing most of this, and ideally I'd be able to use the plans for permits where needed.

Is Revit the best tool for this? I'm no stranger to design and modeling; I was proficient with Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD in college (studied engineering), and have recently been dabbling in Fusion360 for some smaller personal projects. Willing to invest the time and money in the right tool for the job.

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mattsharon

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Hey Ryan,

That's awesome that you're tackling a DIY renovation of your house! It can be a lot of work, but also incredibly rewarding to see your vision come to life. I hear you on the visualization struggle – pencil and paper can only take you so far, especially for complex projects like outdoor kitchens and additions.

While Revit is a powerful BIM (Building Information Modeling) software used by architects and engineers, it might be a bit overkill for your needs, especially if you're aiming for a DIY approach. Here are a couple options to consider:

• SketchUp Pro: This 3D modeling program is a great balance between user-friendliness and functionality. It has a shorter learning curve than Revit and offers a good range of tools for designing homes and landscapes. There's a free version available, but the Pro version offers more advanced features like creating construction documents and estimating materials.

• Home Design Software: There are several home design software options available, like HomeByMe or Planner 5D. These programs are geared towards homeowners and offer a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality. While they might not be as detailed as SketchUp, they can be a good option for visualizing your ideas and creating basic layouts.

Given your engineering background and experience with Inventor and Fusion360, you might pick up SketchUp Pro pretty quickly. The ability to create construction documents and material estimates would be a big plus for your DIY projects. There are plenty of tutorials and resources available online to help you get started.

No matter which tool you choose, definitely check if it can export plans that meet permit requirements in your area. Building code regulations can vary by location.

Good luck with your renovation journey, Ryan! Sounds like you have some exciting projects ahead.

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steinryan28

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