DIGITALIZING CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATION IN SMES THROUGH TRACEABLE RECORDS AND COMPLETENESS CHECKS

Abstract

Digital estimation can accelerate the transfer of quantities and prices while also propagating unsupported inputs. This methodological paper proposes a practical workflow for construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that connects each estimate item to its source, revision, measurement basis, rate evidence and reviewer decision. Six mandatory checks control release, while a cost-weighted indicator prioritizes unresolved, priceable items. Items without a defensible quantity or rate remain in a separate blocking queue and cannot be represented as zero-cost work. A fully specified synthetic example demonstrates the calculations and the distinction between a verified subtotal and an incomplete project estimate. The research contribution is the integration of traceability, release logic and review prioritization into a reproducible specification suitable for a spreadsheet-based prototype. The paper presents no firm survey or measured productivity improvement. A prospective validation protocol is provided to test defect detection, reproducibility and implementation burden before practical effectiveness is claimed.