Rethinking Construction Delivery – Built on 3D Models

From Model-Based Estimating to End-to-End Digital Construction

HTG Hoch- und Tiefbau Gadebusch GmbH has long recognized the value of model-based estimating. For the company, however, digital project workflows should not end with price calculation. The goal is to establish an as-built model that documents the entire construction process. To support this vision, the company has implemented four solutions from RIB: RIB iTWO, RIB Finance, RIB 4.0, and RIB Site.

Combining Modern Technology with Experienced Teams

HTG GmbH, headquartered in Gadebusch in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has specialized for more than 60 years in the turnkey construction of residential, commercial, and specialized buildings. With around 200 employees, the company combines advanced construction technology with highly trained and experienced professionals.

Today, HTG is regarded as one of the most modern and capable construction service providers in northern Germany.

Model-based workflows are already firmly embedded in the company’s strategy. Estimators have been working with 3D models for several years, created internally using dedicated modeling software. These models allow quantities to be derived directly and tender prices to be calculated efficiently.

Looking ahead, HTG aims to integrate the model even more deeply into construction delivery. “In the future, we want to work with 3D models beyond estimation. The idea is to derive quantities for change orders directly from the model and to establish an as-built model that allows us to document the entire construction process,” explains Dr. Michael Cratzius, Managing Director of HTG Hoch- und Tiefbau GmbH.

Supporting the Strategy with RIB Software

To implement this strategy, HTG relies on RIB iTWO, RIB Finance, RIB 4.0, and RIB Site, which have been in use since 2021.

All systems are hosted in a European data center, ensuring reliable operation while keeping maintenance efforts manageable. For HTG, this approach also supports a key requirement: enabling mobile access to project information.

Dr. Cratzius emphasizes the importance of mobile work environments where project data is accessible across all devices, making centralized hosting a natural choice.

Digital Workflows for Estimating and Invoice Processing

The transition of estimating processes from the previous system to RIB iTWO was straightforward. After redefining technical and commercial cost types, the established workflow within the company could largely remain unchanged.

Invoice processing, however, was redesigned entirely. Using RIB Finance and RIB 4.0, HTG implemented a centralized and company-specific workflow.

“With RIB Finance and RIB 4.0, we can now process 20,000 to 30,000 incoming invoices per year in a fully auditable way. Together with the RIB experts, we established a seamless and highly automated process,” says Dr. Cratzius.

The process begins with Squeeze Extract by Dexpro Solutions, which reads and digitizes information from PDF invoices. After initial validation, invoices are transferred to RIB 4.0, where project managers and responsible stakeholders review them within a defined workflow.

Finally, the documents are transferred to RIB Finance, where additional automated checks ensure accuracy before payment — including verification of the destination bank accounts.

Close Collaboration Between HTG and RIB

The migration from the legacy system to the RIB environment was completed quickly and largely without disruption. Some adjustments were necessary during the data transfer process.

“At the beginning, for example, the processing speed was not yet ideal. But all our requirements were gradually implemented thanks to the competent and highly responsive RIB team,” says Dr. Cratzius.

HTG also uses RIB Site on construction sites for tasks such as photo documentation and daily construction reports.

Expanding Digital Workflows Further

HTG is already preparing to implement additional workflows in RIB 4.0, including progress billing, performance tracking, and project controlling.

Employee adoption has been strong. A young and highly IT-affine technical and management team supported the software implementation from the beginning and helped guide the organization through the transition.

Established Workflows That Deliver Value

Summarizing the experience, Dr. Cratzius concludes: “RIB 4.0 is a very powerful IT system that enables fast access to important project and company information. Not everything works perfectly overnight during such transitions, but with RIB as a reliable partner we were able to establish workflows that have proven themselves in our daily operations.”

Image Captions:

1. Aerial view AKS: Construction project in August-Krogmann-Straße, Hamburg. HTG built approximately 500 residential units in multiple phases as general contractor for SAGA and Fördern & Wohnen.

2: Kulturmühle Parchim: On behalf of the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, HTG modernized a historic granary and converted it into a museum. At the same time, the company constructed a new building including a theater and restaurant area.

3. Baufeld 97, HafenCity Hamburg: At Baufeld 97 in Hamburg’s HafenCity, HTG developed 155 owner-occupied and rental apartments for four different clients.

Image credits: HTG Hoch- und Tiefbau Gadebusch GmbH