Construction cost linked directly to Revit model elements so every design decision immediately shows its cost impact. Architects, engineers, and contractors across all 50 US states. 24–48 hours. Starting at $200.
The construction industry has a persistent cost problem: most budget overruns originate in design decisions made before any estimating has been done. An architect chooses a cladding system at schematic design. A structural engineer selects a framing system at design development. An MEP engineer specifies equipment at construction documents. Each decision locks in cost and by the time a traditional estimator prices the drawings, the design is too far advanced to change cheaply. Industry data consistently shows that 80% of construction cost is committed during the first 20% of a project's design timeline the period when cost information is least available.
5D BIM solves this by making cost visible during design not after it. When CES attaches RSMeans 2026 cost data to your Revit model elements, every design decision comes with an immediate cost signal. The $4,200/SF cladding the architect loved at SD? The model shows it adds $1.4 million to the facade cost before DD begins. The heavier steel framing the structural engineer preferred? The model shows it adds $180,000 to the structural package before the bid set goes out. 5D BIM doesn't eliminate design creativity it informs it with real cost data in real time.
5D BIM estimating is most valuable when it starts earliest at schematic design, when the cost-critical decisions are still being made. CES provides 5D cost estimates at every design milestone, updating from the model as design develops.
Industry research on projects using 5D BIM consistently reports measurable improvements over traditional 2D estimating. These are not marketing numbers they are documented outcomes from AEC firms that implemented model-based cost estimating:
5D BIM cost estimation serves every building type and sector from single-family residential to data centers. Here is what 5D BIM cost data looks like for the most common building types CES estimates:
Here is what CES delivers a complete 5D cost estimate from a Revit model, organized by CSI division, with model-extracted quantities and RSMeans 2026 zip-code pricing:
| CSI Div | Element From Model | Qty | Unit | 5D Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div 03 Concrete | ||||
| 03 30 | Slab on Grade 5" 4ksi | 344 | CY | $51,600 |
| 03 30 | Spread Footings 24"×18" | 178 | CY | $35,600 |
| Div 04 Masonry | ||||
| 04 22 | CMU 8" Grouted Rein. Ext | 3,840 | SF | $76,800 |
| Div 05 Metals | ||||
| 05 12 | Struct Steel W-Shapes | 22.6 | Tons | $89,740 |
| 05 31 | Metal Deck 1.5" Type B | 10,200 | SF | $32,640 |
| Div 08 Openings | ||||
| 08 41 | Storefront 1" IGU | 1,140 | SF | $79,800 |
| 08 11 | HM Doors 3'-0"×7'-0" | 54 | EA | $32,400 |
| Div 23 Mechanical | ||||
| 23 00 | HVAC Complete System | 18,000 | SF | $388,800 |
| 23 31 | Medical Gas O₂ + Vac | 840 | LF | $67,200 |
| Div 26 Electrical | ||||
| 26 00 | Electrical Complete | 18,000 | SF | $302,400 |
| Div 22 Plumbing | ||||
| 22 00 | Plumbing Complete | 18,000 | SF | $216,000 |
We got a 5D BIM estimate at DD stage and found out our curtain wall system was $1.8M over budget. Changed to a punch window system at DD saved $1.4M before we were locked in. That's the whole value of 5D BIM. CES delivered in 38 hours from our Revit model.
Healthcare projects are where budget overruns happen medical gas, isolation HVAC, nurse call. CES gave us 5D estimates at SD, DD, and CD. By CD stage our estimate and the winning GC bid were within 4.8%. For a $48M hospital that's extraordinary. We now use CES on every project.
Data center MEP is 70% of our project cost. Every design decision is a budget decision. CES attaches RSMeans pricing to our Revit MEP model when our engineer changes cooling capacity, we see the cost immediately. Not in 3 weeks when a manual estimate comes back. Immediately. That's the power.
No hourly billing. No open-ended commitments. Fixed price confirmed within 2 hours of receiving your BIM model. Every engagement starts with a signed NDA.
Upload your Revit model at any design phase schematic, design development, or construction documents and receive a complete 5D cost estimate in 24–48 hours. All disciplines. Fixed pricing. NDA protected. Starting at $200.