The document describes a group project assignment to compare BIM QS software and their functions and limitations. It analyzes 5 BIM QS software options - Nomitech (CostOS), Exactal (CostX), Vico Software (Takeoff Manager), Glodon Software (TAS), and Buildsoft (Cubit). For each software, it discusses their key functions such as generating quantities from 3D models, cost estimating capabilities, integration with other software, and benefits like increased accuracy and reduced errors. The document finds that CostOS and CostX provide comprehensive cost estimating solutions while Takeoff Manager, TAS and Cubit focus more on quantity takeoff from BIM models.

1. 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 : __________________

2. Project 1
Theaim ofprojectis to exposestudents to different types of software programsavailable intheconstructionmarket
andtheir limitationsinusage.Students are requiredto preparea reporton:-
A) ComparethefunctionsandlimitationofBIM QS computersoftwareinthe market.Summariesyourinformation
andrecommendthebestBIM QS software with supportingreasonsanddata.
B) Comparebenefitsandconstraintsof BuildingInformationModelling(BIM),CADMeasurementandManual
Measurementin:-
I. Preparation/ BriefingStage
II. DesignStage
III. Pre-constructionStage
IV. ConstructionStage
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)

4. 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

5. 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. Severalcommercial 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

6. 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.

9. 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 ofCostX
The CostX® range of products are used around the world by companies
large and small from a diverse range of construction professions, who

10. 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 realprojects are automatically built to enhance the accuracy of future
estimating.

11. 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 CostXby Exactal

13. Vico Software (TakeoffManager)
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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 Item
•Assign Elements to Takeoff Item
Change Element Type of Takeoff
Iten
Using Filters
Review defaultquantitiesby
Location

17. 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 Takeofffor Architecture and Structure,a
software which is able to use CAD drawing to calculate architecture and structural works. Glodon
Takeofffor Rebar,a BIM software for measuring quantities for rebar products. Glodon Takeofffor
Mechanical and Electrical,a software that assists in measurement for mechanical and electrical
elements. Glodon Bill ofQuantities 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.

18. Glodon Takeofffor Architecture and Structure (TAS)
TAS is a BIM-based quantity takeoff software for architecture and structure,which has officially
obtained the IFC2x3 Coordination View2.0 Export Certificate ofbuildingSMART. 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 showdevices
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 ofBIM 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.

19. Glodon Takeofffor 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 severalnew 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 newcalculation method for steel fabric just in the Malaysia version which suit the local
calculation method. The function that lap lengths ofRC 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 ofthe element required for measurement.

20.  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 ofGlodon software:

21. 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.

22. 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

23. 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.

24. Pictures of Cubit Software

25. 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 wellmade.
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

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.