BKI GmbH

What BKI GmbH does

BKI GmbH (Baukosteninformationszentrum Deutscher Architektenkammern GmbH) is a Stuttgart-headquartered, chamber-owned German information and software provider serving architects, engineers, planners, public clients, expert witnesses, and energy consultants. Founded in 1996 from the merger of the Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia Architects' Chambers' cost databases, the company operates a 30-year aggregated corpus of over 4,450 documented completed construction projects feeding more than 1,000,000 statistical cost values in its 2026 software releases, complemented by annual regional cost factors for all German city and rural districts and a quarterly construction price index. Its products include the BKI Kostenplaner 2026 (with intelligent residential building cost simulation), BKI IFC-Mengenermittler 2025 (IFC 4.0-based quantity takeoff), BKI Energieplaner 2026 (GEG/BEG-compliant energy planning), BKI Honorarermittler 2026 (HOAI fee calculation), BKI Wärmebrückenplaner, E-CAD 6, BKI Fotoaufmaß, and a family of BKI Baukosten / Objektdaten reference book series and web applications (BKI Baupreise online, BKI KoRa).

The company's technology integrates BIM/CAD interoperability (IFC, GAEB DA XML) with Autodesk Revit (via MuM BIM-Booster), Graphisoft Archicad, Vectorworks, ALLPLAN, and ELITECAD, and connects to multiple AVA software partners for tendering workflows. Revenue is generated through a mix of software subscriptions (typically €199–€1,099 per annual license), perpetual book and dataset licenses (€83–€950), web subscriptions (from €92), professional training (seminars, webinars, dena-credited certification), data services (Baupreisindex, Regionalfaktoren), and freemium trial downloads that feed conversion. Distribution is direct via the bki.de e-commerce storefront and specialized hotlines, with shipment via GLS across Germany and Austria and international orders handled on request. BKI is privately held by German Architects' Chambers with no external venture or private equity investment, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, and reports exceeding both professional and economic goals in 2024 per its shareholder meeting.

Name

BKI GmbH

Legal name

BKI GmbH

Website

https://bki.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BKI GmbH is the chamber-owned German construction cost information center, providing architects, planners, public clients, and energy consultants with software, reference databases, and books built on 4,450+ documented German building projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Cost Planning Software

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Other Specialized Design Services (541490)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Construction cost planning
• Building cost databases
• Architectural planning software
• Energy planning tools
• Quantity takeoff software

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: BKI sells software products including BKI Kostenplaner, BKI Energieplaner, BKI Honorarermittler, BKI Wärmebrückenplaner, E-CAD, BKI IFC-Mengenermittler, and BKI Fotoaufmaß. Products are available as single-user, multi-seat, and network/server versions. Updates from older versions are priced at a discount.
2. Technical Books and Publications: BKI publishes specialized reference books including BKI Baukosten (construction cost books for Neubau/Altbau), BKI Objektdaten (reference object books), BKI Handbücher (handbooks on cost planning, BIM, DIN standards), and BKI Bildkommentar. Books are available as print, eBook, or combination packages.
3. Online Subscriptions: BKI Baupreise online provides web-based access to over 25,500 construction prices from 100 performance areas for new and existing buildings, accessible via browser or mobile devices.
4. Professional Training and Webinars: BKI offers online seminars, webinars, and certificate programs for professional development in construction cost planning, energy planning, and GEG compliance. These programs qualify for dena (German Energy Agency) continuing education credits.
5. Freemium/Trial Software: Free trial versions of all major BKI software products (Kostenplaner, IFC-Mengenermittler, Positionen, Honorarermittler, Energieplaner, Wärmebrückenplaner, E-CAD, Fotoaufmaß, Dynamische Heizlastberechnung) are available to drive conversion to paid licenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

BKI GmbH provides cost planning software, energy and thermal-bridge planning tools, and statistical construction cost databases (in both licensed software and printed reference-book form) for architects, engineers, and public-sector building owners in Germany. Its product family covers early cost estimation, detailed cost planning using IFC-based quantity extraction, fee calculation, tender text generation, and ongoing training.

Product overview

BKI GmbH (Baukosteninformationszentrum Deutscher Architektenkammern) provides a comprehensive portfolio of construction cost planning products and services for architecture and engineering professionals. The core offering centers on the BKI Kostenplaner software with Statistics, Statistics plus, and specialized module tiers, complemented by specialized software for energy planning (BKI Energieplaner), fee calculation (BKI Honorarermittler), BIM-based quantity extraction (BKI IFC-Mengenermittler), and thermal analysis (BKI Wärmebrückenplaner). The product line includes extensive reference book series covering new construction, existing buildings, technical building equipment, interiors, outdoor areas, and special building types, along with web applications (BKI Baupreise online, BKI KoRa). Professional development services include seminars, webinars, and certification courses for dena energy expert accreditation. The products integrate with major CAD platforms (Autodesk Revit, Archicad, Vectorworks, ALLPLAN, ELITECAD) via IFC and support AVA program workflows through GAEB formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BKI Kostenplaner Desktop cost planning software that enables architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors to calculate detailed construction costs for building projects using BKI's statistical cost database.
• BKI Energieplaner Software for energy planning and verification of building energy performance, used by architects and energy planners in Germany.
• BKI Honorarermittler Software for calculating architect and engineer fees in accordance with German HOAI fee regulations.
• BKI Wärmebrückenplaner Software for planning and verifying thermal bridges in building envelopes, used to meet German energy code requirements.
• BKI IFC-Mengenermittler Software that extracts quantities directly from IFC/BIM models to support cost planning workflows for architects and engineers.
• BKI Positionen Software providing standardized tender and specification texts for construction cost items, supporting cost planners in tender preparation.
• BKI AVA Elemente Software module supporting element-based cost planning (Ausschreibung, Vergabe, Abrechnung) for construction projects.
• E-CAD 3D modeling software for building planning that integrates with BKI cost databases to support model-based cost estimation.
• BKI Fotoaufmaß Software that uses photographic input to generate building measurements and dimensions, supporting documentation of existing buildings.
• BKI Dynamische Heizlastberechnung Software for calculating dynamic heating load in buildings, used by energy planners and engineers for HVAC sizing.
• BKI KoRa Software for rapid preliminary cost estimation at early project stages, providing quick construction cost benchmarks for architects and clients.
• BKI Baupreise online Web-based subscription service providing online access to BKI's statistical construction cost data for architects, engineers, and public clients.
• BKI Baupreisindex Data service providing construction price index values to track construction cost inflation and adjust budgets over time.
• BKI Regionalfaktoren Data service providing regional adjustment factors that adapt national construction cost data to local market conditions across Germany.
• BKI Baukosten Neubau Printed reference work providing statistical construction cost data for new building projects in Germany, used as a standard benchmark by architects.
• BKI Baukosten Altbau Printed reference work providing construction cost data for existing-building renovation and refurbishment projects in Germany.
• BKI Objektdaten series Printed reference series containing detailed object-level cost data for building elements and components used in cost planning.
• BKI Handbücher Printed handbooks covering practical cost planning methodology for architects and engineers in Germany.
• BKI Bildkommentar Printed reference work providing illustrated commentary on construction cost items and building details, supporting visual interpretation of cost data.
• BKI Baupreise kompakt Compact printed reference summarizing key BKI construction prices for quick lookup by architects and cost planners.
• BKI Konstruktionsatlas Printed atlas of standard construction details used as a reference by architects during design and cost planning.
• BKI Fortbildung Paid continuing education program (seminars and webinars) on cost planning and related topics for architects, engineers, and public-sector building owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Time savings of up to 70% in quantity takeoff with IFC-Mengenermittler
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Autodesk (Autodesk GmbH, München)coreTechnology or IntegrationBKI has established CAD partnership with Autodesk for Revit integration. The BKI Kostenplaner supports import of quantities from Autodesk Revit models using the MuM BIM Booster. Joint webinars demonstrate the BIM workflow between Revit and BKI Kostenplaner.
• GRAPHISOFT (Graphisoft Deutschland GmbH, München)coreTechnology or IntegrationBKI partners with GRAPHISOFT for ArchiCAD integration. The BKI Kostenplaner supports direct data exchange with Archicad, enabling automatic quantity transfer from Archicad models. Joint webinars showcase the BIM bridge between Archicad and BKI Kostenplaner.
• VECTORWORKS (ComputerWorks GmbH, Lörrach)coreTechnology or IntegrationBKI provides CAD partnership for Vectorworks integration. Joint webinars demonstrate dynamic cost estimation for outdoor areas with Vectorworks and BKI Kostenplaner, and cost estimation according to DIN 276.
• ALLPLAN (ALLPLAN GmbH, München)coreTechnology or IntegrationBKI partners with ALLPLAN for CAD integration. Joint webinars and materials demonstrate efficient workflows with IFC for modeling, quantity determination, and cost planning using Allplan and BKI Kostenplaner.
• AVA Software PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationBKI maintains partnerships with multiple AVA (Ausschreibung, Vergabe, Abrechnung) software providers for GAEB data exchange. The BKI Kostenplaner Statistik plus and Positionen versions support GAEB DA XML 3.3 X51 and X82 formats for seamless data exchange with common AVA programs. Full list of partners available on BKI website.
• German Architects' Chambers (Architektenkammern)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBKI is the 'Baukosteninformationszentrum Deutscher Architektenkammern GmbH' - the Construction Cost Information Center of German Architects' Chambers. The company was established by and maintains close ties with German architectural chambers, providing a professional community resource for construction cost data.
• buildingSMART (buildingSMART e.V.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBKI maintains relationship with buildingSMART through the involvement of BKI authors and editors in buildingSMART activities. Authors Caspar Richter and Stephan Liedtke have long-standing involvement with buildingSMART.
• Architektenkammer ThüringenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the BKI shareholders' meeting 2026 in Erfurt as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations. Represented by President Ines M. Jauck.
• Architektenkammer Mecklenburg-VorpommernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the BKI shareholders' meeting 2025 in Schwerin. BKI reported exceeding both professional and economic goals in 2024.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Nomitech (CostOS): Nomitech's CostOS is BIM-based estimating and cost-management software for infrastructure and building projects. Comparable to BKI as a BIM-integrated cost-estimating solution, particularly relevant to BKI's IFC-based quantity-takeoff (IFC-Mengenermittler) and AVA workflows.
• Exactal CostX: CostX is a BIM-enabled cost-estimating and quantity-takeoff platform used internationally for 2D/3D/BIM-based measurement. Comparable to BKI as a BIM-native cost-estimating solution, particularly relevant to BKI's IFC-Mengenermittler product line.

Direct peers

• STLB-Bau (DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V.): STLB-Bau is the standard performance description and cost data library for German construction tenders, maintained with DIN. Comparable to BKI's BKI Positionen and GAEB-based tendering products in providing DIN-compliant construction specifications used in cost planning.
• Sirados Software GmbH: Sirados publishes German construction cost databases and cost-planning software for architects and contractors. Directly comparable to BKI as a domestic cost-data publisher with similar product lines (Baukosten, Baupreise) targeting German architects and engineers.
• Dr. Schiller & Partner GmbH: Dr. Schiller & Partner provides DIN-compliant construction cost management and Baukostenmanagement software for German architects and public clients. Highly comparable to BKI's DIN 276-based Kostenplaner in targeting the same German architect-and-public-client cost-planning niche.
• Heinze GmbH: Heinze provides German construction cost databases, building product information, and tender-text libraries for architects and planners. Comparable to BKI as a domestic provider of standardized construction cost reference data serving the same German architecture and engineering audience.

Broad incumbents

• Procore Technologies: Procore is a leading global construction management platform covering preconstruction, estimating, and project execution. Comparable as a broad incumbent expanding into preconstruction cost estimation — adjacent to BKI's cost-planning workflow but serving international contractors rather than German architects specifically.
• RIB Software (Schneider Electric): RIB Software (now part of Schneider Electric) provides iTWO construction estimating and project-management software. Comparable to BKI as an enterprise construction-cost and project-planning software vendor serving German and European engineering firms with cost-estimating capabilities.
• Nemetschek Group: Nemetschek is a broad European construction software incumbent offering BIM/CAD (Archicad, Vectorworks, Allplan, Solibri) and project-management tools. Comparable as a larger, diversified construction technology player whose portfolio overlaps BKI's CAD-partner ecosystem, though Nemetschek does not specialize in cost-data.
• Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk is a broad construction/BIM incumbent (Revit, Construction Cloud, BIM 360). Comparable to BKI as a major BIM platform vendor and integration partner; Autodesk's expanding cost-management capabilities (e.g., Cost Management in ACC) overlap with BKI's positioning as the cost-data layer for BIM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bkigmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BKI GmbH