Conventional methods for calculating volumes of materials and estimating project costs based on Standard Measurement Methods (SMM) are prone to inaccuracies, potentially causing errors in calculations. To overcome this challenge, the application of software that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM) concepts, such as Revit and Robot Structural Analysis software, can increase planning efficiency by up to 50%, reduce human resource utilization by 26.66%, and produce large cost savings amounting to 48.37% (Purwanto et al. in J Tek Sipil 9:61–75, 2020). The software facilitates seamless integration and collaboration, quickly detects design collisions, and speeds up work processes. This research aims to examine the application of BIM and Robot Structural Analysis in analyzing structural components for comprehensive cost estimates, with a focus on the user’s perspective on one of the building objects of the School Dormitory Building in Langsa City, Aceh. The research methodology is qualitative by planning modeling using BIM via Autodesk Revit, and structural modeling using Robot Structural Analysis which begins with the research object identification stage, ensuring the suitability of the Detailed Engineering Design drawings to field conditions. The research results show a 4% difference in volume calculations and concrete work cost estimates compared to conventional methods. Calculations in Revit produce a volume of materials and project cost estimates are 4% greater than conventional calculations. There are differences regarding the results of calculating the volume of material for structural work which affects the estimated costs by 4% more than the initial cost planning. In the Robot Structural Analysis method, the load data entered by the provisions (SNI 2022) produces a self-dead weight (SW) calculation of 2317.36 KN, additional dead load (SDL) of 4945.15 KN, live load (LL) of 6300 KN, Lr is 1976.25, wind load (W) is 7.85 KN. The basic combination value is COM1 = 3244.31 KN, COM2 = 13,850.18 KN, COM3 = 5946.76 KN, COM4 = 3776.81, COM5 = 2093.48 KN. The minimum moment value is − 30.51 KN and the maximum moment value is 19.91 KN, indicating the building classification is structurally safe.