A review of the traditional BQ preparation methods is presented to highlight their characteristics and to reflect on their benefits and barriers. In this format of BQ, the building information modeling (BIM) technology provides enhanced functionality to a contractor’s quantity surveyor whose primary task is to accurately determine the quantities from the project drawings. The approach was developed to integrate the quantities obtained from a building information model of the project into a suitably prepared electronic format of BQ with 3D views. The review assesses the technical and process approach of each tool and their ability of adapting to UK quantity surveying practice, particularly with the New Rules of Measurement (NRM), which is aimed to provide a holistic view of the technologies for the Quantity Surveying professions to make informed decisions.Īn approach for enhancing the production efficiency of bill of quantities (BQ) used on construction projects is presented. The methodology is applied to a number of leading BIM based estimating tools. A review methodology is developed to evaluate the ability of the existing BIM technology to support the UK QS practices.
It also reviews the existing BIM based cost estimating tools in the context of UK quantity surveying practice. A number of key challenges have been identified in term of information exchange, model quality and UK standards.
In this paper, we examine the cost estimating practice and procedure in UK and the impact of the use of BIM. However, there is little evidence that BIM is systematically introduced in quantity surveying profession in UK largely due to majority of the BIM based cost estimating or takeoff tools developed outside UK and adopted the different practice and rules in quantification.
BIM offers the capability to automatically generate quantity takeoffs and measurement directly from a digital model of a building, a process that traditionally is very time consuming for quantity surveyors. For Quantity Surveying (QS) profession, BIM presents huge challenges and opportunities, particularly in the area of cost estimating and quantity takeoff. The UK government has acknowledged this trend and is joining the radical movement of adopting BIM by also making it a prerequisite for all those involved in public sector projects to have BIM ready by 2016. SUMMARY: In light of recent technological advancements over the decades especially with Information Technology (IT), the 'Building Information Modelling' (BIM) is one of those advancements that have attracted significant attentions in UK construction industry.