Innovative generation: bills of quantities production on architectural elements through BIM environment

Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) is a relatively new technology in the construction industry and in the quantity surveying field. Other than the numerous of benefits that building information modeling can bring to the construction industry, building information modeling provides a platform for easy cost management in the quantity surveying practice. It is claimed to be able to provide automated measurement for the quantities of the design works, saving time and efforts required for quantity surveyors in bills of quantities preparation. This study would focus on reviewing the degree of proficiency in implementing bills of quantities production via building information modeling environment. A pilot study was conducted in bills of quantities preparation for architectural elements. A building information model showing a typical floor of a residential estate was used in the pilot study. Problems encountered in the process of bills of quantities preparation were identified and the associated solutions were suggested. Though it is claimed that automatic quantities generated in BIM softwares can ease the bills of quantities measurement, result of this study showed that it does not meet the practitioners’ expectations. A number of problems have been found in the building information model, particularly in areas of provision of information, level of details, and meeting the code of measurement practice. To conclude, recommendations were made in several areas, including the improvements on the building information models, development of special preamble specifically for BIM measurement, employing of BIM technicians in quantity surveying firms, and provision of descriptions in standard phrasing. In considering the recommendations, it is believed that BIM measurement can save time and efforts spent in bills of quantities preparation by quantity surveyors. Hence, measurement via BIM shall be promoted in the quantity surveying field.