A database tool for statistically based construction cost estimate

Conceptual estimating is one of the most essential business skills to the construction industry. Conceptual estimates are made before construction drawings are completed, often before they are hardly begun. They are used to make feasibility studies, to set construction budget, to evaluate contractor bids, and to control construction costs at the most critical stage, during the design. This research developed a self-updating conceptual cost estimating system application which aids in the decision making for future construction projects. This conceptual cost estimating system has been referred to as ICES. ICES is limited to building type construction projects. The system utilized the multiple regression analysis technique to develop a cost estimating relationship which is used to predict the cost of proposed future construction projects. This cost estimating relationship is automatically updated based on cases newly entered into the database files.;FoxBASE PLUS is used as a storage tool for ICES, while the SPSS/PC+ is used for the statistical analysis, both running on an IBM compatible personal computer. An intelligent front-end user interface is built within ICES in order to validate its use by novice users. The user interface workstation is based on the menu-style type of control. The ability of the system to update its initially determined statistical estimating model is central to effective use of the estimating system. At the end of each analysis, ICES shows the estimated cost of the proposed construction project and offer the ability to change some of the parameters, and demonstrates its effect on the total cost of the building.;There are three objectives in conducting this research. The first is a basis for effective support for construction management decision making. The second objective is to explore the issues that arise in incorporating data base management systems with statistical packages. The third objective is to demonstrate methods for collecting, screening, coding, and analyzing historical building data for the purpose of conceptual estimating. The principle contribution of ICES, however, is its role in the development of an integrated database management and a self-updating conceptual cost estimating system that can be used by novice users.