In Bali’s competitive luxury villa development market, accuracy in cost estimation can make or break a project. Developers face constant challenges: incomplete drawings, shifting designs, and tight schedules that often lead to costly errors. In this article, we explore how Penjor Bali Mandiri (PBM) tackled these issues in their flagship XY Fusion Villa project using Cubicost TAS and TRB. Discover how PBM cut estimation time by up to 80%, boosted cost accuracy, and improved collaboration—all while strengthening their position in Bali’s premium property market. Read on to see how digital construction tools are reshaping the future of boutique villa development.

 

Penjor Bali Mandiri and the XY Fusion Villa

 

 

XY Fusion Villa Project Model on Cubicost

 

With over two decades of experience across Asia, Penjor Bali Mandiri (PBM) has become a trusted name in boutique resorts and high-end villa projects. Known for combining design excellence with strict cost and timeline control, PBM manages every stage of development—from initial feasibility studies to final handover.

 

Currently, PBM is spearheading the XY Fusion Villa project, a flagship luxury residential development in Bali scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Designed to meet the growing demand for premium living spaces in Southeast Asia’s property hotspot, XY Fusion Villa reflects PBM’s commitment to precision, transparency, and innovation in construction management.

 

 

Challenges in Fast-Moving Design Environments 

 

For luxury villa developments like XY Fusion Villa, rapid design changes and incomplete early-stage design information create persistent obstacles. 

 

1. Unclear Drawings to Assumptions 
Initial project drawings were often incomplete, compelling the QS team to use broad assumptions for the estimations. This led to a reliance on generalized metrics, such as a flat cost per square meter (e.g., Rp 10 million per square metre), which lacked the necessary precision and traceability for accurate cost control. 

 

2. Lack of Standardized Calculation Method 
The absence of a unified calculation methodology for quantity take-off caused inconsistencies in results among team members. This fragmentation resulted in frequent clarification delays and made it difficult to justify cost figures to clients and other key stakeholders. 

 

3. Time Constraints on Rebar Detailing 
Tight project deadlines often made it challenging to complete detailed rebar calculations. This directly impacted the accuracy of structural cost planning, which is crucial for maintaining a project's budget. 

 

 

Cubicost Features That Delivered Results 

 

By leveraging Cubicost’s digital toolset, PBM gained full control over quantity take-off, estimation transparency, and process pace: 

 

1. Steel Ratio Analysis: In a case where no rebar details provided, the Steel Ratio feature can streamline the rebar calculation for every structural element. This allowed the team to calculate rebar estimates accurately without drawing dependencies. 

 

2. Auto Identify: Seamlessly processed most drawing formats, namely PDF or CAD, Auto Identify function can drastically reducing manual calculation effort. 

 

3. Quick Find Entity and 3D Visualization: For every created entity or identified item on Cubicost, unlike traditional method on Excel, it is very convenient to trace its location using Quick Find Entity. This can make quantity clarifications and drawing verifications faster and more intuitive. 

 

4. Built-in Structure Codes in TRB: Cubicost TRB is built-in with the structure design codes. This way, it standardized the reinforcement calculation approach across team members, increasing trust and clarity of the output results. 

 

 

Results: Faster, Cheaper, and More Accurate Estimation 

 

The adoption of Cubicost in XY Fusion Villa project has enabled PBM to achieve significant results in cost management effectiveness. 

 

1. Significant Reduction in Quantity Take-Off Time: The time required for quantity take-off process has been dramatically cut by 65–80%, transforming a two-week process into just three to five days. This efficiency gain also extends to the preparation of Bills of Quantities (BQ) and pricing, which has been streamlined from a full month to a single week. 

 

2. Enhanced Cost Clarity and Accuracy: Cost estimations are now more precise and data-backed. Previously, villa construction costs were broadly estimated at Rp 10 million per square metre. With the new approach, estimations are more accurately pinpointed at Rp 5–7 million per square metre, strengthening property competitiveness in Bali’s increasingly competitive market.

 

3. Improved Collaboration and Shorter Clarification Time: With the use of Cubicost, the team can now readily justify quantity assumptions and quickly adapt to changes without series of protracted meetings. This is made possible by enhanced visualization tools and a standardized measurement rule, which facilitates a shared understanding and improves overall collaboration. Cubicost enables PBM to shorten clarification time by half. 

 

4. Improved Negotiation Outcome and Reduced Conflicts: Increased transparency and consistency in volume estimations have led to a notable reduction during the tender’s negotiation stage, ranging from 10% to 62.5% decrease on various works. This has minimized back-and-forth communication and reduced potential conflicts, streamlining the project's financial agreements, which is something that PBM previously not possible to do. 

 

“Cubicost has completely changed how we estimate and clarify volumes. What used to take weeks now takes days — and we can confidently present numbers that are traceable and visually supported.” – Dewa Ayu Indah Lestari, QS Consultant, Penjor Bali Mandiri 

 

 

Inspired by how Penjor Bali Mandiri used Cubicost to overcome incomplete drawings, tight deadlines, and cost estimation challenges at the XY Fusion Villa project? The same results are within reach for your team. With the right digital tools, you can cut manual effort, achieve greater accuracy, and strengthen collaboration across every stage of development.

 

Whether you’re managing luxury villas, boutique resorts, or large-scale infrastructure projects, Cubicost is designed to standardize workflows, minimize rework, and deliver data-backed estimates you can trust.

 

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