A neural network approach for early cost estimation of structural systems of buildings

The importance of decision making in cost estimation for building design processes points to a need for an estimation tool for both designers and project managers. This paper investigates the utility of neural network methodology to overcome cost estimation problems in early phases of building design processes. Cost and design data from thirty projects were used for training and testing our neural network methodology with eight design parameters utilized in estimating the square meter cost of reinforced concrete structural systems of 4–8 storey residential buildings in Turkey, an average cost estimation accuracy of 93% was achieved.