5D Cost Estimating
At Reltic BIM, we bring clarity and confidence to your construction costs with advanced 5D Cost Estimation. By linking detailed cost data directly to your BIM model, we provide a fully integrated view of your project’s scope, timeline and budget – all in one place.
Whether you’re a developer, contractor, architect, or project manager, our 5D approach helps you forecast accurately, track in real time, and reduce costly surprises.
Visual budgeting that evolves with your design
5D = 3D model + time + cost
5D BIM is the process of connecting a 3D model and construction programme (4D) with detailed cost data. This creates a living, breathing model where any change to design or schedule instantly reflects in your budget.
This dynamic, data-driven approach allows you to:
- Understand costs at every stage of design and delivery
- Adjust estimates as the model evolves
- Make better, faster financial decisions
- Improve tendering, procurement and cashflow planning
Greater accuracy. Better control. Fewer surprises.
In short, 5D BIM helps you build within budget – with full confidence from day one.
Traditional cost plans are often created in spreadsheets and static documents – disconnected from your evolving design. That leads to delays, errors, and rework. 5D cost estimation eliminates that gap by embedding costs into the BIM model itself.
Key benefits include:
- Real-time cost feedback as designs change
- Early identification of cost risks and overdesign
- Smarter value engineering and budget control
- More accurate tenders and fewer variations
- Faster reporting and clearer communication
How Reltic BIM delivers cost certainty
Our 5D service combines advanced BIM tools with deep knowledge of construction pricing, procurement and cost management. Here’s how we support your project:
We review your design model
We assess Revit or IFC files to confirm structure, accuracy and coordination quality.
Extract quantities from the model
Using CostX or Revit QTO, we extract precise quantities by trade, zone or element.
Apply accurate and live cost data
We use UK market rates or your cost library to ensure pricing is current and realistic.
Align cost data with your programme
Costs are phased against your schedule to improve planning, cashflow, and logistics.
Deliver structured reports and outputs
You receive clear breakdowns, cost graphs and summaries ready for your entire team.
Ready to see your project come to life - before a single brick is laid?
From feasibility to final account
5D cost estimation isn’t just for major commercial developments. In fact, it’s a highly versatile service that supports informed decision-making across the full project lifecycle - from early ideas through to post-completion reconciliation.
At Reltic BIM, we support a wide range of clients and project types, helping to ensure that every financial decision is backed by accurate, model-based data.
We help developers and self-builders assess viability early on by linking basic massing models to high-level cost estimates. This gives you a reliable view of budget range before committing to design.
Our 5D models provide instant feedback on how design choices impact cost. This enables smarter material selection, layout decisions and performance upgrades - all backed by live pricing data.
In complex refurbishments where sequencing, finishes, and specialist trades can escalate costs, we provide clear and accurate cost breakdowns to keep the budget on track and aligned with your vision.
We prepare detailed quantities and model-based take-offs to support competitive and well-structured tendering. Contractors can price with greater certainty and fewer assumptions.
Once construction is underway, we help you monitor cost performance in real time - comparing forecasted budgets against actual spend, and updating the model accordingly.
For funders, owners or project managers, we offer regular cost reporting from the live BIM environment. This ensures transparency, early warning of risk, and better-informed approvals.
Aligned Budgets. Better Decisions. Stronger Teams.
If you’ve ever faced unexpected cost increases, delayed procurement, or budget overruns, you already know how frustrating it is – and how essential early, accurate cost insight truly is.
That’s where 5D BIM cost modelling comes in. At Reltic BIM, we help you connect your design to real-time cost data, so every decision is grounded in reality – not guesswork.
Benefits of 5D BIM
With Reltic BIM, you can:
- Track how design choices impact costs - instantly
- Plan procurement with model-based, accurate quantities
- Make informed design and material decisions before site works begin
- Optimise your spend across the whole programme
- Keep the entire team aligned on cost from day one
- Identify cost risks earlier in the pre-construction phase
Who Benefits - and How
Smarter Way to Work Together
- Architects: Explore design alternatives with real-time cost feedback
- Contractors: Procure more efficiently and avoid budget creep
- Project Managers: Make smarter trade-offs between time, cost and scope
- Site Teams: Understand when and where materials will arrive
- Clients and Funders: Gain confidence through transparent budget tracking
- QS & Cost Consultants: Faster estimates with accurate model-based quantities.
Smarter Collaboration Across Teams
With 5D BIM, your entire project team – from architects and engineers to contractors and clients – works from a shared, data-rich model that combines design, scheduling, and cost information in one place. Every change is instantly reflected in the programme and the budget.
This integrated approach improves coordination, reduces confusion, and ensures that everyone understands exactly what’s being built, when it’s happening, and how much it will cost – helping you make faster, more informed decisions throughout the project.
- Architects
- Contractors
- Quantity Surveyors
- Project Managers
- Investors
- Engineers
Cost Planning and Procurement, Made Smarter
With 5D digital estimating, we help you move beyond static spreadsheets and guesswork. Our approach links cost data directly to your model, enabling you to manage budgets, procurement, and cashflow forecasting with far greater confidence.
Whether you’re in early design or already on site, our service gives you a live view of how costs are distributed across the project – helping you make informed decisions that keep spending aligned with your programme and priorities.
Phase-by-phase spending
Break down your construction costs by stage or trade, so your budget aligns perfectly with planned delivery milestones.
Live cost tracking
See your budget update in real time as your design progresses, giving you total cost visibility and control throughout.
Tender-ready outputs
Feed accurate quantities and cost data straight from the BIM model into your tender documents and contract packages.
Clear cost reporting
Share clear, structured cost reports that show how money is being spent and highlight any changes as the project evolves.
Precise. Practical. Project-ready.
We’re not just tech experts – we’re commercially minded professionals who know how to make BIM work on real construction sites.
Why clients choose Reltic BIM for 5D services:
- Dual expertise in Quantity Surveying and BIM
- Accurate and detailed cost models, not guesswork
- Easy collaboration with your team and preferred tools
- Transparent reporting and structured outputs
- Available across the UK
We help you turn complex models into clear cost certainty – from concept to completion.
FAQs About 5D Cost Estimation
Got questions about 4D BIM? You’re not alone. Here are some quick answers to help you understand how 4D BIM can support your project from planning to delivery.
What is 5D BIM in construction?
5D BIM links 3D models and schedules with live cost data, allowing for accurate, real-time budgeting and estimating across the full project lifecycle.
How does 5D BIM help with cost control?
It gives you instant feedback on how design or programme changes affect your budget, helping avoid overspend and enabling smarter decision-making.
Do I need a Revit model to use 5D estimation?
Yes – we typically work from Revit or IFC models. If you don’t have one, we can support you with 3D BIM modelling first.
What software do you use?
We use CostX, Revit QTO, and Excel – fully aligned with industry standards and client workflows.
Can 5D BIM be used during design stage?
Definitely! It’s ideal for cost planning during early design, enabling real-time value engineering and better-informed client approvals.
Does this replace my QS?
No – 5D BIM supports QS work by automating quantities and improving accuracy, so your QS can focus on strategy, procurement and cost management.
How do I start using 5D BIM with Reltic?
Just drop us a message. We’ll review your model and schedule, then provide a tailored proposal for your 5D estimating needs.
