A Study on the process for Managing the Reliability of Conceptual cost estimates in Building Projects

Conceptual cost is estimated with insufficient information at an early stage of a building construction project, resulting in an inevitable gap between conceptual estimated cost and real constructed cost. For a project to be successful, this gap must be managed to be lower than a reliable level. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to propose a structural process for managing the reliability of conceptual cost estimates at an early stage of a building construction project. In researching this study, conceptual cost estimate experts were interviewed,and a risk management process was studied. Reliability assessment and a review process for improving the quality of conceptual cost estimate and the planning strategy of reliability management based on previous similar projects were added to the present estimate process. The proposed reliability management process will improve the chances of a successful project, by helping to decrease the risk of conceptual estimated cost.