An Immersive Approach to Construction Cost Estimating

Since the advent of building information modeling (BIM), computer-generated models have been used to simulate design and construction, aiding team members in attaining a shared visualization of the project, and identifying potential errors before construction begins. Furthermore, visualization plays an essential role in estimating, as the process begins with a thorough understanding of the project scope. Construction estimating is the process of projecting the total cost of a project and is considered one of the most critical processes in construction. The outcomes of this process are used to make crucial decisions throughout construction. With the information embedded in the model, the time and laborious work required for performing quantity takeoffs are substantially reduced. However, the visualization that BIM provides is in a two-dimensional computer environment which is neither immersive nor interactive. Virtual reality (VR) is a three-dimensional interface that allows project members to walk through a building model and interact with its elements in a virtual environment. This study presents a methodology that uses VR as a visualization technique to streamline the cost estimating workflow. A case study is then presented to demonstrate the workflow and capacities of an estimating system that creates quality, interactive estimates in VR. The results indicated that implementing VR in cost estimation reduces the time needed to complete the estimating process and facilitates the discovery of a variety of value engineering options that benefit all parties involved. Moving forward, this research will be expanded to evaluate the use of VR in estimating courses in construction management education.