The development of automated system for evaluating design changes fee using BIM support

Abstract

Traditional methods of evaluating design changes fee in construction projects often lead to dispute. Sometimes it leads to unacceptable claim because it is not easy for consultant engineers to justify the amount of changes they have performed. This study has been done with the aim to propose the new approach of evaluating the additional work done due to design changes by using BIM (Building information models) system. The methodologies used for this study are literature reviews and interviews with the construction professionals. In addition, a building model is simulated in “Autodesk Revit Structure” software to illustrate the process of automated system for evaluating design changes fee. The findings showed that the most current method practice in Malaysia is based on the Percentage of Construction Cost, Salary Cost Times Multiplier and Man-Hour. This study has developed an alternative method using BIM for assessing the additional design changes fee based on the construction cost which derived from BIM’s quantity take-offs automated system. The result of the benefit of the newly proposed system has been validated through interviews with expert panels. It is hope that this method will be more acceptable by Malaysian construction industry players in the future considering the benefit of this approach as establish in this study.