Cost estimation model for residential buildings: A fuzzy expert system

Cost estimation model for residential buildings: A fuzzy expert system

Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, Muhammad Saiful Islam, Md. Mahfuzun Nobi Mahim, Adri Das

Abstract. Cost estimation is essential and one of the most challenging tasks in construction projects. In this field, inaccurate cost estimation and subsequent budget failures are common. Therefore, this study aims to develop a construction cost estimation model for residential buildings using real-life cost data sets collected from Bangladesh. Accordingly, a cost estimation model using the “Fuzzy Expert System” through MATHLAB fuzzy toolbox is developed. The model is demonstrated to predict the cost of a building project and is validated through error analysis. The error analysis shows that the model can estimate the construction cost of a residential building with an error margin of no more than 20%, which is an acceptable limit for preliminary project budgeting. The study’s findings assist cost estimators in preparing budgeted costs and guide project owners in making informed decisions to allocate budgets and monitor and control project costs from initiation to execution phases. This study will further extend to develop a comprehensive cost model applicable to real-life buildings and other construction projects.

Keywords
Building, Project, Cost, Fuzzy Expert System, MATLAB, Toolbox, Membership Function

Published online 2/25/2025, 8 pages
Copyright © 2025 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA

Citation: Saidur Rahman Chowdhury, Muhammad Saiful Islam, Md. Mahfuzun Nobi Mahim, Adri Das, Cost estimation model for residential buildings: A fuzzy expert system, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 48, pp 1130-1137, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903414-121

The article was published as article 121 of the book Civil and Environmental Engineering for Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Solutions

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.

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