Buildings, Vol. 16, Pages 485: AI-Driven Automation of Construction Cost Estimation: Integrating BIM with Large Language Models

Buildings doi: 10.3390/buildings16030485

Authors:
Mohamed Abdelsalam
Amr Ashmawi
Phuong H. D. Nguyen

The construction industry faces challenges in estimating costs because the processes are time-consuming and involve a high likelihood of making errors. For instance, quantity take-offs are often inaccurate, and there is not a simple way to integrate data from Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms and cost databases. This study introduces a framework that utilizes the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to ensure seamless integration between large language models (LLMs) and BIM models through Autodesk Revit in order to enable fully automated cost estimation workflows. The developed system combines an AI-powered MCP server with cost databases that are standard in the industry, such as the 2025 Craftsman National Building Cost Manual and the ZIP code-based location modifiers. This system enables LLMs to automatically obtain quantities from BIM models, match components to cost items, make regional changes, and make professional cost estimates. A case study of estimating the cost of an electrical system shows that the framework can reduce estimation time from 2.5–3.5 h (manual baseline) to 42.3 ± 3.7 s (n = 5 runs, warm start), representing a 98.6% efficiency gain, while being more accurate with respect to industry standards. The system processed 187 BIM elements in three component groups (receptacles, conduits, and panels). It automatically matched them to the right cost database items, used location-specific modifiers for ZIP code 01003, and made a full cost estimate of USD 13,945.81 with detailed breakdowns and a percent difference of %5.1 of the manual estimation. This research enhances automation in construction by developing a methodology for AI-BIM integration using standardized protocols, shows the practical application of AI in construction workflows, and provides empirical evidence of the advantages of automation in cost estimation processes. The results indicate that MCP-based AI integration presents a novel approach for construction automation, delivering improvements while applying professional standards of accuracy and availability.

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Mohamed Abdelsalam www.mdpi.com