The researchers developed a system called CPCCE to estimate the cost of building a residential villa without a detailed design. They studied different villa designs to understand cost factors and used market prices for materials and labor in Saudi Arabia. By filling out a questionnaire, they calculated cost estimates for different levels (high, normal, low) and compared them to actual contractor bids, finding the results to be accurate. This system helps project owners decide whether to build a new villa based on their financial situation.