Fobiri, G; Musonda, I and Muleya, F (2025) Using reality capture technology for efficient cost valuation and work verification of construction projects. Construction Innovation, 25(7), pp. 50-75. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to apply reality capture technology to enhance the cost valuation and work verification process of work completed. Construction work completed during the execution phase must be evaluated periodically to ascertain the contractor's financial resources invested for payment. The manual process is cumbersome and time-consuming, subjective due to human intervention and often results in assumptions complicating accurate and efficient project cost management. Claim disputes and delayed payment usually arise due to a lack of clarity on the value of work completed. Design/methodology/approach: This study used proof of concept on an ongoing construction project to assess the valuation process of work done by using a reality capture (RC) technology – a drone for the acquisition of point cloud data for measurement extraction and valuation of work completed. Works verification was carried out using the as-design digital and as-built point cloud models. Findings: The valuation process becomes dependable, transparent, accurate and efficient using RC technology, which can offer detailed digital data for visual inspection and assessment by all stakeholders. Extraction of quantities of work completed for cost valuation is done using the as-built point clouds obtained from aerial imagery captured by drones. Originality/value: The study presents a practical solution by integrating RC technology into the cost valuation workflow to increase the correctness, transparency, efficiency and effective process for cost valuation, verification and payment certification. Using the potential of RC technology has enhanced communication, collaboration and coordination among the project stakeholders for seamless and timely payment approvals. This lessens the time for contractors' claim approval since evidence of work done can be readily accessible remotely.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; construction projects; cost valuation; payment processes; uav photogrammetry |
| Index terms: | evidence, project stakeholder, construction project, collaboration, methodology, workflow, certification, drone, approval, visual inspection, project cost, point cloud, construction work, coordination, transparency, efficiency, acquisition, dispute |
| Subjects: | dispute resolution, business, administrative processes, sociology, professional development, economics, performance management, management, professional practice, operations management, evaluation and assessment methods, contractual role, digital design, production management, automation and robotics, research methods |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Contract Administration, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Stakeholder Management, Quality Management, Legal Issues, Project Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here