BIM-BASED SIMPLIFIED APPROACH TO AUTOMATICALLY ESTIMATE BUILDING COSTS FOR PROJECTS IN THAILAND

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher

Cost estimating is a critical phase in construction projects, and traditional methods rely on 2D drawings and manual human interpretation, leading to time consumption and frequent errors. Building Information Modeling (BIM) can improve quantity takeoff and cost estimating accuracy when integrated with 3D BIM and estimating software. This research proposes a BIM algorithm that automatically estimates building costs by linking 3D BIM intelligent objects with a custom database and specialized templates, generating a WBS and BOQ with unit costs aligned to Thai standards, then comparing results with traditional estimates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

2.1 Cost Estimation

2.1.1 Traditional cost estimation

International Journal of GEOMATE, April, 2020, Vol.18, Issue 68, pp. 101-107 ISSN: 2186-2982 (P), 2186-2990 (O), Japan, DOI: [https://doi.org/10.21660/2020.68.5777](https://doi.org/10.21660/2020.68.5777)[ ](https://doi.org/10.21660/2020.68.5777)Special Issue on Science, Engineering and Environment BIM-BASED SIMPLIFIED APPROACH TO AUTOMATICALLY ESTIMATE BUILDING COSTS FOR PROJECTS IN THAILAND Suon Tokla1, and *Kumpon Subsomboon2 1Graduate School, Naresuan University, Thailand; 2Faculty of Engineering, Naresuan University, Thailand *Corresponding Author, Received: 14 June 2019, Revised: 17 Nov. 2019, Accepted: 09 Feb. 2020 ABSTRACT: Cost estimating is a significant and critical phase of construction projects. Traditional cost estimating methods count on 2D drawings and human interpretation resulting in time-consuming and prone to errors. Emerging Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that can enhance the quantity takeoff and cost estimating with a higher level of accuracy. BIM-based cost estimating approaches can be done by integrating 3D BIM with BIM-based estimating software. These approaches are complicated, expensive, and required skilled-personnel to reap the full benefits from every estimating tools integrating with the external database. This research presents a developed BIM algorithm that is capable of automatically estimating building costs. 3D BIM intelligent objects were integrated with a custom built database with specialized templates, thereby providing ease of use while eliminating the need to manually re-enter cost changes. This algorithm creates a list of the specialized work breakdown structure (WBS) containing construction specifications, and unit costs, based on the Thai standard system. A typical BOQ was generated from the 3DBIM case study and linked to the specialized templates that automatically estimate building cost. Estimating costs of the traditional and BIM-based approaches were compared and showed approximately closed value. This research offers a simplified but essential BIM-based cost estimating algorithm for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with a simple, fast and accurate process. Keywords: Building information modeling, Bill of quantity, Quantity takeoff, Cost estimates 1. INTRODUCTION Construction cost estimating is a complicated, time-consuming and error-prone process. It is oneof the significant and critical phases of construction projects. Traditionally applied cost estimating methods are performed that the process relied heavily on 2D drawings and human interpretations for generating the quantity takeoff (QTO): every single building element is measured and counted then inputted onto excel platforms to keep an inventory of all items and produce a bill of quantity (BOQ) [1] . Eastman [2] mentioned that using traditional methods are usually missed interpretations and incorrect inputs because of the hard process and complex relationships between large amounts of building elements. In Thailand, traditional cost estimating method is still using manually quantity takeoff based on a spreadsheet of BOQ according to Thailand’s Comptroller General Department (CGD), Ministry of Commerce’s format. The BOQ based on the CGD format is still required for bidders in every government building work. In the modern information technology, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a high tech process being used in different construction aspects such as visualization, simulation, cost estimation, facility management, and construction project lifecycle [3] . As a visualized database of building elements, BIM is able to offer an accurate QTO process as well as facilitate to decrease the variation of the cost estimations [4] . This research presents a BIM algorithm that automatically estimates building costs based on BIM 3D models that integrate with custom built databases and specialized templates. This approach will facilitate ease of use without the need for updating unit costs i

FAQs

Why are traditional construction cost estimating methods considered time-consuming and error-prone?

They depend heavily on 2D drawings and manual interpretation for quantity takeoff, requiring element-by-element measurement and data entry, which increases the chance of incorrect inputs and missed interpretations.

How does BIM-based estimating improve quantity takeoff and cost estimation?

BIM serves as an organized visual database of building elements, supporting a more accurate quantity takeoff process and helping reduce variation in cost estimation results.

What key components does the proposed BIM algorithm use to estimate building costs automatically?

It integrates 3D BIM intelligent objects with a custom-built database and specialized templates, producing a Thai-standard WBS and generating a BOQ that links to the templates for automatic total cost estimation.

Sep 11, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher