ASSIGNMENT No.1 (Group Project)

SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR QUANTITY SURVEYING [CSC60603]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)

NAME: STUDENT ID:______________ _____

________________ _______

_______________ ______

HJ MUHD SYAFIQ BIN HJ ABD ZARIFUL 0314702

SECTION : ____________LECTURER : ______________TUTOR : __________________

Project 1

The aim of project is to expose students to different types of software programs available in the construction market and their limitations in usage. Students are required to prepare a report on:-

A) Compare the functions and limitation of BIM QS computer software in the market. Summaries your information and recommend the best BIM QS software with supporting reasons and data.

B) Compare benefits and constraints of Building Information Modelling (BIM), CAD Measurement and Manual Measurement in:-

I. Preparation / Briefing Stage II. Design Stage III. Pre-construction Stage

IV. Construction Stage V. Others

A)

Building information Modeling (BIM) is used for building design and engineering to coordinate the

building. The client will generate. BIM has ability to be included with data for example database. This

data can be produce dimensions of walls and price of a specific material. For example, you can choose the

element that you want and expand it into information, like area, length and cost. It can consider easier and

point out more information needed. BIM is 3D/4D software and have a great tool that helps us to interpret

the whole building. It is also reducing error and risks for costing. BIM can be used for building,

construction, civil infrastructure and etc.

5 softwares chosen for assignment:

1. Nomitech (CostOS)

2. Exactal (Cost X)

3. Vico Software (Takeoff Manager)

4. Glodon Software (TAS)

5. Buildsoft (Cubit)

Nomitech (Cost OS)

CostOS was built for individuals, Quantity Surveyors, Estimators or Consultants that want to differentiate

and to provide distinguished services to their clients. CostOS is an innovative estimating solution that can

be used to estimate the cost of a project at various stages (from Plannig to the Tender Phase) It can be

used by Contractors, Subcontractors, Consultants, Project Owners, or Investors and Designers and all

supplier to use for quotation . CostOS is easy to learn, uses solid estimating principles and easy to get

information for documentation.

Cost Estimating solution, CostOS is specifically used by professional quantity surveyor in the company

for increases their competitiveness including responding to modern estimating for rapid speed, with

massive accuracy, low risk, more information and increase level of trust due to estimating and takers off.

With this CostOS, the work will be closely with each of their customers to build mutual trust and ensure

that the client get fully information with this software. This software widely in the field of Construction,

Oil and Gas and used around the world.

Costos BIM estimating can produce all information in the project that benefit to the user by using the 3D

model. Its embedded 3D viewer allows you to navigate easily through it and select it to go information or

detail about that item. The Cost Data just not line items or percentages. It includes all the resources which

is material, equipment and labor rate

Advantage: Produce your own bill of quantities directly though 3D model. Use both your local/server cost

database and the online databases to find cost data that match the selected entities and directly assign this

data to your model. To find out the cost data will be directly easier if straight to supplier and produces the

bill of quantity more accurate than the manual.

More importantly while working directly on the 3D model you can identify omissions or mistakes of the

design and amend your estimate accordingly. CostOS ensures that no item will be missed and the take-off

capabilities to suit every occasion.

Using the scale ruler increases the wrong doing working for taking bill of quantity. To avoid this thing

happen, using 3D would be more expeditious rather than scale ruler. 2D geometrical shapes, 3D

geometrical shapes or unique structural members can be measured easy by taker-off and more accurate. It

multifunction so that the taker-off don’t have to calculate themselves but the software would produce the

information. Several commercial databases are available within the CostOS platform and subscribed

them.

Supports measurement on PDF, TIFF, JPEG, WDG, DGN and DXF drawings format. The quantity

surveyor can receive any file for reference that makes them easy to do work. It multiuser and enable many

quantity surveyors working on the same Projects. CostOS will provide you with the visualization of the

model because it also sustainable to difference type of format drawing.

INTEROPERABILTY

•Constant software upgrades through the internet to ensure you are always using the latest version.

•Ability to predefined and redefine cost summaries with up to 13 alternative custom Group Codes (WBS).

•Integration with Primavera P6, including export to resource and cost loaded program,  for cashflow

forecasting. Integration also with Asta and MS Project.

•Synchronised integration with MS Excel supporting functions, formulas and filters.

•Unlimited currencies supported (60 currency exchange rates automatically updated through the internet).

•Multiple languages supported.

It not required many plan that make you get headaches and need to have fully focusing on that plan to

interpret the 3D imagination. Basically, the quantity surveyor will be easier to see their mistake or

forgetting data to put on bill of quantity. Thus, the company office would be more clean and motivate the

worker for improvise the neat environment working area.

There are many times when cost estimators waste valuable time by searching on old cost spreadsheets or

papers in order to find cost data. With this software, you can also email to supplier to give the cost data

from their company and save them as reference for next project. The relationship between your company

and supplier can still in touch by CostOS for next project. CostOS the estimator can easily go through the

primary cost data (equipment, subcontractors, material, suppliers, labor, consumables) update the rates

and use them in current estimates. In addition CostOS is integrated with Online Databases (Knowledge

Bases) that are provided on a subscription basis.

Exactal

Exactal was established in to develop estimating software for the construction industry and, more

specifically, to integrate the estimating process with CAD drawing files. Exactal directly tied

measurements to the elements in the CAD drawings. This approach allows delivering unique bi-

directional links between the estimate and the sections of the drawing represented; the resulting product

was called CostX. Exactal maintains a policy of continuous product development to stay at the forefront

of the industry worldwide and continue to grow its market share around the world as building worldwide

operations and continue to invest heavily in the further development of CostX® line of products.

CostX

The CostX Target Audience includes quantity surveyors, residential and commercial construction

companies, subcontractors and estimators from companies both large and small around the world. CostX

estimating software allows quick and accurate measurement from scanned, PDF and CAD drawings, as

well as generation of automatic BIM quantities from 3D/BIM models. Use live-linked hierarchical

workbooks to create an estimating build up with links to user-defined rate libraries. You can also create

customized reports. CostX is a fast, smart and accurate way to takeoff and estimate.

Functions of CostX

The CostX® range of products are used around the world by companies

large and small from a diverse range of construction professions, who

need to estimate and takeoff from plans such as :

Quantity Surveyors

Commercial Builders

Residential Builders

Subcontractors (Walls & Ceilings, Roofing, Landscaping, Flooring, Structural Steel, Shopfitting

& Interiors, Concrete & Masonry, and more)

MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)

Civil

Oil & Gas

BIM Managers

Take advantage of all the benefits of CAD without having to learn CAD and without having CAD

installed on your computer. Minimize data input errors and get accurate measurements by locking onto

the precision of CAD drawings. CostX extracts data from CAD drawings allowing you to work with the

data without changing the original drawing or compromising the design integrity.

From initial dimensioning through to your last revisions, CostX keeps an accurate track of scope

variations, and because it supports a fully digital workflow, it eliminates the need for hardcopy. Archiving

is simplified and complete projects or buildings are easily stored and shared between all the interested

parties.

CostX has several tools that assist with the take-off in DWG, DXF and DWF files. Block Recognition and

Poly-line Recognition for area and length measurement, automatic object counts, and of course it has

really good tools to take the pain out of layers. CostX also supports PDF files and graphic files like JPG

and BMP and can take measurements from these too.

Paperless estimating solution saves time, saves money, and reduces printing, handling, storage and

retrieval costs. In the office, on site, or on the move, highly portable electronic CostX projects can be

taken anywhere and shared with ease.

Specialized cost libraries from real projects are automatically built to enhance the accuracy of future

estimating.

Tendering times and costs can be significantly reduced as CostX generates cost plans in minutes with

smart technology that understands your drawings, design creep, and quantity surveying practices.

Improve productivity as CAD linked cost plans continually assess creep and affordability in parallel with

design modifications, while eliminating time consuming manual measurement and digitizer take offs.

Making use of smart estimating technology, faster turn-around means less time spent measuring,

verifying and more time spent running

your business. Software costs are

quickly recouped by savings in:

measurement time, waiting for paper

drawings, printing costs, paper handling

and storage costs, estimate review time,

mobility, report output time, cost

plan, estimate and bill of quantities error

reductions.

Pictures from CostX by Exactal

Vico Software (Takeoff Manager)

Vico Takeoff Manager is a BIM software that lets you generate quick and highly accurate model and

location-based quantity takeoffs derived from 3D models created with leading BIM authoring tools. The

software examines the BIM model geometry, applies special algorithms, and produces construction-

caliber quantities necessary for 4D BIM scheduling and 5D BIM estimating. It only makes sense that

construction-caliber quantities are extracted after the various models have been put through clash

detection and coordination.  Now the quantities are even more precise for estimators and schedulers.

Mainly focuses on the scans of the 3D model content and creating takeoff items, each with a defined

construction-oriented set of quantities.

Using Vico Office Takeoff Manager you gain clear visual feedback, efficient team communication, and

full confidence that no quantities are left out.

Takeoff Manager is mandatory for Estimating and Scheduling users. Users can manually add takeoff

items to the Vico Takeoff Manager spreadsheet (we call it a spreadsheet because we designed it to look

just like Excel). These manual items may or may not ever have a BIM model to reference, but they help

account for every detail on your construction projects. We also have another interesting feature that helps

capture the Estimator’s experience and project knowledge. We call it the Formula Editor. It shows the

Estimator how the system established the quantity count for the item (the same formula you would see in

Excel), and invites the Estimator to review it and modify it if necessary. The Estimating Team’s

experience is brought to bear on each project so no data ever slips through the cracks.

The takeoff algorithm computes the quantities based on the geometry.

Example: when it comes to volcume there're many decimal pplaces ther and it's something a computer

can do far more accurately than we can with a scale rule or a simple on screen version of the takeoff.

To Improve control over your takeoff, Office Takeoff provides visual feedback on any 3D element with

missing quantity data. Easily complete absent information using the measurement tools, or by inserting

data manually.

The main functions of the whole software (in general) is that to review highlighted area, to perform a

constructability analysis, quantity takeoff, a model-based schedule, model-based estimate, and on-site

production control, and generate construction-caliber quantities. The whole software lets you extract

location-based quantities from BIM models, filter and classify model-based quantities, get highly accurate

construction-oriented quantity takeoffs, flexibly organize the quantity takeoff the way you want it,

generate quantity takeoff reports.

How accurate are the quantities?

It is related to what goes into the system and the benefit of Vico Office is that it facilitates a sanity check

on the quantities and it’s easy to manipulate and change them should you not agree with that information.

There're different ways viewing the graphic model such that selecting any item in Takeoff Manager will

let it show that item in the model in which it is interactive.

Easy to learn

Using construction-caliber quantities derived from the BIM model geometry, estimators can quickly hone

iterative cost plans to arrive at the estimate.  The important piece to remember is that the quantities are

visual - the quantity takeoff can be viewed as a spreadsheet next to the BIM model.  When the estimator

clicks on a quantity takeoff item, the corresponding elements in the model are highlighted.  Estimators

can be certain that the quantities are accurate by amending a mis-labeled element and/or "painting" the

correct element so that it is included in the count.

Not all BIM elements will be modeled correctly. Users can quickly filter on missing quantities,

interrogate the model, and manually add missing quantities, which can get more complicated if the person

is not used to using BIM manually and possibility of human errors.

The main advatages of this software are such as that it gives you clear feedback, improves the team

communication and gives you the confidence that no quantities are missed. Using the navigation,

filtering, and advanced viewing modes, you can effectively communicate and manage your model.

Highlight or isolate 3D elements based on properties such as type or location; easily access the relevant

data, and make the takeoff process more fluent and efficient. The quantities are automatically organized

in a multi-level spreadsheet view according to their original locations in the source model. This location

structure can later be refined and adjusted using the Vico Office Location Manager module in which it

benefits from accurate location-based quantities. Easily identify and reassign 3D elements that were

modeled incorrectly in the BIM application. Takeoff Manager also lets you be able to view the takeoff

items in the context of the 3D model, and the bi-directional link between the views.

Workflow:

Analyze model-based Takeoff items (Highlight, Isolate) = (highlight the beams, slabs, etc)

Create new Takeoff ItemAssign Elements to Takeoff Item

Change Element Type of Takeoff Iten

Using Filters

Review default quantities by Location

Glodon Software Company Limited was founded in 1998 in Beijing,

China. “Only for the achievement of your blueprint” is the slogan of the

company and with the vision stating “Build Glodon into an enterprise of excellence that Benefits all

employees.” and “Leads industry development, Maintains everlasting vigor and Wins global respect! ”, it

is now the leading Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Information Technology (IT)

companies in China, it was listed on Shenzhen SME board, Asia’s 200 best under a Billion on Forbes and

is the 1st listed company in AEC IT industry. Its main businesses include construction engineering cost

management, project cost management, engineering bidding network application platform and

educational training and consultancy.

Glodon’s core value is “professional” which the company offers products and software to the

whole lifecycle of the construction projects. Glodon now has 7 Research and development centers, over

100 pieces of software copyright, 30 core technologies, more than 10 patents, and has a 50% growth rate

of net profit. The company’s product portfolio has grown from 1 product to over 30 products. More than

140,000 enterprise is using Glodon’s software and Glodon has a direct user base of 400,000 for Glodon

tool series products, and 1,000,000 for Glodon management products. Glodon employs more than 3600

employees, with more than 40 branch over the whole nation of China and even developed oversea at

Singapore, Hong Kong, and also U.S, which make Glodon an international enterprise.

Glodon Software Company Limited provides Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions

for use in construction projects. There are a few main products which are widely used by Quantity

Surveyor to simplify their work which includes: Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and Structure, a

software which is able to use CAD drawing to calculate architecture and structural works. Glodon

Takeoff for Rebar, a BIM software for measuring quantities for rebar products. Glodon Takeoff for

Mechanical and Electrical, a software that assists in measurement for mechanical and electrical

elements. Glodon Bill of Quantities software is use for tendering applications with importation and

identification of excel, e-tendering, auto-processing of variation and others. There are also some other

software that are popular and important like MagiCAD which is mainly used in ventilation, heating and

piping, sprinkler, electrical of different types of buildings.

Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and Structure (TAS)

TAS is a BIM-based quantity takeoff software for architecture and structure, which has officially

obtained the IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 Export Certificate of buildingSMART. TAS has a few

special feature which are:

Quick Modelling and BIM-Based Quantity Takeoff

TAS is the only Quantity Software that have the function of editing BIM models from various types of

file import from IFC, DWG, and also PDF to construct 3D model efficiently. It enable to change PDF

drawing format to TME and enabling the system to identify the PDF drawings and count the structure

quickly and accurately with minimal changes due to specification required. TAS is able to show devices

and valves in 3D mode with define color and opacity of elements freely which make it easy for users to

optimize and identify them. TAS is also able to complete quantity takeoff based on the model with just

one click. It is also used to deal with variation simply by just adding adjusting model information and

performing the calculation again.

Accurate and easy to check

TAS has built-in measurement tools which are able to satisfied and prove by users from all over the

world with variety of measuring standards. It has the function of automatically deduction based on the

elements to improve the accuracy of the measurement and minimized errors. It also has support viewing

calculation basis for easier view and able to check through and identified if there is an error.

Various Quantity Reports

TAS can generates report by elements. It has the capabilities of identifying the origin of the quantities

in BIM models, which allow simpler checking and modifying of figures. TAS also provides tons of

report formats and support exporting files from other software like Excel.

Teamwork High Efficiency

TAS supports rapid adjustment and reuse of BIM models which are able to increase the efficiency of

work intensity. It also supports the data sharing with other Glodon software like TRB, TBQ so that

tender documents are able to produce more efficiently.

Glodon Takeoff for Rebar (TRB)

TRB is a BIM-based software specialized for calculating rebar. The English version is now available in

Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and India. It has several new features in the 2015

version which includes:

CAD Identification optimization

TRB allows has an improvement in CAD identification accuracy which enable to quickly identify

drawing variation when the drawing is added.

Slab Optimization

TRB is able to identify the whole slab rebar plan with only just one click and adding dimension

parameter for slab support bar.

Steel Fabric Optimization

TRB add a new calculation method for steel fabric just in the Malaysia version which suit the local

calculation method. The function that lap lengths of RC wall, horizontal rebar and vertical rebar can

be set separately is also added in.

Advantages/ Benefits

Both TAS and TRB have the benefits of providing fast, effective, and efficient quantity take-

off estimation which allows the clients to be able to have a more detail cost estimation in short

period.

In contractor point of view, it is reliable and accurate in quantities and able to generate

competitive estimates.

TAS and TRB have auto computation of calculation which significantly reduces human errors.

TAS and TRB utilizes a 3D environment which allow the model to be view in a 3D form that

significantly improve the visualization of the element required for measurement.

Repetitive model can be integrated with the initial take-off model into the software to

automatically generate the quantities for the required elements and for procurement, project

budgeting etc.

The software are small size, run smoothly and only required a little amount of memory which

can be supported by generally all computer.

Limitation

TRB and TAS may significantly reduce the time of measurement but when the users produce

error like over measured the rebar it is very hard to trace error.

Cost for the software is much higher and not suitable for certain company.

TRB and TAS are constrained by the parameters provided by the application to configure the

measurement of each element which can be freely measures base on 2D drawing in the

conventional way.

Measurement parameterization need to be adjusted so that the takeoff matches the desired

specification when the specifications is not according to what the suppliers establish.

Images of Glodon software:

Buildsoft

Introduction

Buildsoft is an Australian company in Sydney serving the construction industry around the world. It was

established in 1985 to develop and market estimating software. Buildsoft is staffed by an enthusiastic

team, with many years of practical experience in the building and software development industry.

Buildsoft development process strives to include the customer’s ideas in order to produce powerful, user-

friendly products. Due to Buildsoft quality and reputation, Universities and colleges in Australia as well

as many throughout Asia and the United Kingdom are teaching Buildsoft as the standard. There are 3

types of products in Buildsoft. They are Cubit, Estimating Series and Mudshark. All of the products are

designed for the construction industry. The focus product on this report will be about Cubit.

Cubit

Cubit is the only application that allows worker to takeoff quantities from plans directly into estimate, it’s

natural and organic and all done on the same screen. The drawing tools provided give workers the

shortcuts that work. And complex rooms could not be easier to get right. The 3D visualisation not only

looks good, but gives accuracy and it’s available at any time throughout the estimating process. Cubit is a

one stop program for Contractors, Subcontractors, Project Builders and Quantity Surveyors, who

construct, estimate, or tender.

Functions

Simplicity with plans.

Cubit brings simplicity to importing, rotating, and scaling plans. If you make mistake when scaling, it’s

easy to rescale at any time and all takeoff will automatically be updated. Cubit interface allows workers to

work across multiple plans simultaneously, making even large jobs easy to understand and quick to

complete.

Automatic plan revision.

Change is very regular in construction, but Buildsoft knows this and has integrated plan revisions into

Cubit. The users of Cubit will have the chance to apply any revisions to a plan that they take off. Cubit

makes people be able to see where the differences occur and update the take off . All changes will be

reflected automatically in the estimate.

Easy for taking off.

The unique natural estimating method lets people to takeoff directly into their estimate. Cubit’s takeoff is

designed to work just as well from rasterised PDF’s as it does with CAD.

Best at estimating.

Cubit gives the power and flexibility that’s expected with a Buildsoft estimating system. People have

control to modify, add, delete any row in their estimate or their respective breakup sheets, with grouping

columns, formula retention when exporting to Microsoft Excel and it is easy to use in hierarchical view

and unlimited headings.

Delivering actual 3D.

Cubit’s 3D provides easy viewing from any angle, with easy rotating, panning, and zooming. People can

customize how the job looks by picking whether the walls are solid, transparent or just wire frames and

easily check the job.

Reviews on Cubit

Easy to learn and easy to use. Cubit can be learnt in as little as an hour, and with its all-on-one

screen you can see what you’re doing at all times.

We’d say it’s twelve times faster, but you wouldn’t believe us. So we’ll just say it’s faster and

that you should try Cubit yourself.

Integrate with industry leading software for a complete solution. Offering accounting integration

with Xero as well as Global/Offsider Estimating, MudShark Earthworks, Microsoft Excel as well

as other software systems that can read in CSV or Excel files.

Pictures of Cubit Software

Recommendation

There are many software available for Quantity Surveyor. We did our research on this following software

Buildsoft, Nomitech Cost OS, Vico Takeoff Manager and Cost X. All of these software are well made.

Every software has its own good features but the software that we prefer the most is Cubit from Buildsoft.

Cubit is an intelligent software made by the Australians. There are many different feautures compared to

other software. The benefits of using Cubit by Buildsoft are :

Manipulating take off

Users can drop shapes into their estimates even when they have drawn them. The estimating

proceeds even when the dimensions of the user’s shape have changed.

Compatible with other softwares

Cubit incorporates easily with MudShark Earthworks, Microsfot Excel and other softwares. Cubit

is easy for importing. Cubit can load plans from CAD,PDF, image, and BIM format.

Updates are free

Buildsoft’s development team try to improve the software. Users will always get the newest and

latest updates. It is also free of charge.

Users will get discount

Customized reporting is cheaper and additional licenses will cost users less when they’re in

support assurance.

Best at estimating

Users have control to modify, add, delete any row in their estimate or their respective breakup

sheets, with grouping columns, formula retention when exporting to Microsoft Excel and easy to

use hierarchical view and unlimited headings.

Based on our researches, every software has features that make them special but cubit is still the best as

Cubit by Buildsoft is easy to learn and easy to use. Cubit can be learnt in as little as an hour.

Before construction starts, Quantity Surveyors can assist with feasibility studies for a project. Based on

the measurements of the designer or client's sketches, they can roughly estimate what's involved in a

project. The quantity surveyor studies the drawings/sketches, distinguishes the cost involved, and then

sets an overall estimated budget for the project. They then plan costs to assist the design team to stay

within the project budget using practical solutions and prepare a detailed estimate.

I. Preparation/ Briefing Stage

This is the 1st stage of a construction during the early pre-tender stage. It mainly focus on preparing the

project brief which act as a guide line and key detail for the design stage. This stage includes considering

feedback from previous projects, define the specification, carrying out surveys and quantifying the

budget. When preparation is prepared, it will be assess and improve based on the client’s requirement.

During this stage, risk assessment will be carry out to identify the risk, programme and strategy. After all

the preparation is done, the formation of project team starts and they are brief about the project to their

particular role and responsibilities.

Methods

Factors

BIM & CAD Measurement Manual Measurement

Availability -

Manual Measurement stands out in this stage because it is only the rough estimation of the QS where the

drawings and details are not provided. All the QS details will be the client’s stated requirements. Manual

Measurement allows QS to do measurement freely with no boundaries as they are able to generate

estimation based on their previous experience and certain common sense. BIM and CAD may be simple

to use and fast on doing calculation but it could not generate estimations without the use of drawings and

details. BIM and CAD will not be able to contribute to the QS in this stage unless the preliminaries

drawing is generated.

II. Design stage

After preparation stage comes the design stage where the measurement of the detailed drawings is to be

prepared by the architecture as they increase the level of detail shown on the drawings. In the early design

stages a concept design is to be prepared including outline proposals for structural design, building

services systems, outline specifications and preliminary. This stage is where the project programmed is to

be reviewed and updated. At the stage completion of concept design, the design including outline

structural and building services design, preliminary cost information and final project brief is to be shared

to consultants. Developed design is prepared including coordinated and updated proposals for structural

design, building services, outline specifications, cost information and project strategies in accordance

with design programmed. At the stage completion of developed design, the information regarding the

developed design, including the coordinated architectural, structural and building services design and

updated cost information is to be shared to consultants. The last part of the design stage is the Technical

design where preparation of technical design includes all architectural, structural and building services

information, specialist subcontractor design and specifications, in accordance with design programmed.

At the stage of completion information are to be shared to consultants, which includes completed

technical design of the project.

Methods

Factors

BIM CAD Manual Measurement

Convenience 1 2 2

Simplicity & Speed 1 2 3

Overall, BIM software is the best choice in this stage as it allows direct changes to the preliminaries

design. The model will change automatically suit to the design and as well as the plan, section, elevation

and design. Even the workbook of BIM will automatically change as the design is change so we don’t

have to redo the whole process over and over thus making it more convenient to use. This increase the

speed of doing the taking off and simplified the QS work. CAD measurements will be required to restart

over as the workbook is not bind with the drawings. The architects and engineer will have to hand over

the CAD drawings and the QS will have to redo the calculation with a new drawing. The benefits of CAD

measurements is that it is more detail and specs which reduce the needs of queries to the Architects.

Manual measurements is similar to CAD measurements as we have to restart all over when the new

drawings are provided and the drawings may continuously change even until the construction stage.

Although the same quotation maybe used but the change of the design result in the different quantity of

material thus affecting the cost. Therefore it is not convenient to use Manual Measurement in this stage.

Example of why BIM is faster, BIM can just click on element and it will automatically highlight the

whole thing and provide the amount while CAD needs to add on manually to measure the whole element.

III. Preconstruction stage

After finalizing the design stage is the preconstruction stage which includes invitation to tender. It is the

preparation of detailed information for construction and preparation of further information for

construction required under the building contract, and also the review of information provided by

specialists. The Tender stage is where detailed construction documents for tendering and construction is

provided. The aim is to fulfil and improve on the original design concepts. Preparation of tender

documentation in sufficient detail to enable a tender or tenders to be obtained for the contract. This is the

stage where it is the identification of potential contractors and specialists for the project. Obtaining and

appraising tenders, submission of recommendations to the client.

Methods

Factors

BIM CAD Measurement Manual Measurement

Accuracy 1 2 3

High risk of error 3 2 1

BIM has a more high accuracy as it can automatically measure the element to the right amount. This

provides the lowest possibility of cost which the contractor can price the tender based on it. This way it

could prevent error and causes lost. CAD and manual measurement on the other hand are less in accuracy

and stand a high chance of getting error due to the manually deduction and adding of element.

When construction starts, the quantity surveyor keeps the cost on schedule. Once it starts, they can

provide cash flow data for the client to be able to coordinate the finances needed for each stage of the

project. When changes to the project occur, such as delays, the quantity surveyor can assess the cost

effects.

IV. Construction stage

After the tender is awarded to the contractor is where the construction stage commences. It is where the

contractor is appointed in which in mobilisation stage is when the information is to be issued to the

contractor and also arranging site hand over to the contractor. This stage is when offsite manufacturing

and onsite construction occurs from site as they arise. During the construction to practical completion is

where administration of the building contract to practical completion, provision to the contractor of

further information as and when reasonably required and the review of information provided by

contractors and specialists. 'As-constructed' information is to be shared to consultants.

Methods

Factors

BIM CAD Measurement Manual Measurement

Accuracy 1 2 1

Speed 1 3 3

Complexity 1 2 3

BIM can potentially be the best method in this stage but because it requires skills to understand how to do

a cash flow statement with BIM. We recommend preparing the cash flow by manual because it is safe and

as accurate as BIM (aside from human errors). Using manual is much slower than BIM as it needs to be

assessed carefully no matter how easy it works.

When construction is over, the quantity surveyor sums up the total cost. They can prepare a statement of

final account, which holds records of actual costs for all sections of the job.

V. In use

When the construction is finished the project information is to be updated, as required, in response to

ongoing client feedback until the end of the building's life. This is called Post practical completion.

Making final inspections, review of the project performance in use, and administration of the building

contract after practical completion and making final inspections. 'As constructed' information is to be

updated in response to ongoing client feedback and maintenance or operational developments and to be

shared to consultants.

BIM

BIM will be the most effective software to check on the sustainability and time factors as some BIM

software have the features of 5D which allows to predict the sustainability of the building according to the

structure and material of the model. BIM will simplified the work for the engineers as the calculation and

formula are already set to the software resulting an instant generation of sustainability checks.

CAD Measurement and Manual Measurement

CAD measurement and Manual measurement will have to measured sustainability and maintenance by

the engineer. Engineer will go through testes and value the sustainability. This stages are more accurate as

there are some other factors that we may not predict during the construction with software.