How BIM Services Can Save Time and Money

Throughout the lifecycle of construction projects, there are many obstacles that project managers, contractors, and owners face. According to Autodesk, the US architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry lose around $15.8 billion annually due to poor use of data and highly fragmented teams.

The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software can help construction companies improve project design, planning, and execution, thereby preventing these losses. BIM addresses three major areas where losses are most common, particularly achieving cost and schedule targets, project rework, and reactive maintenance. With BIM, construction teams get a holistic view of their projects. It helps save time and money not just during the building phase but throughout the life of the structure.

Success in the AEC industry is dependent on two major factors – time and cost. BIM helps address both of these aspects in several ways.

1.     Transparency and collaboration

BIM ensures optimum transparency of data among team members and stakeholders. This fosters collaboration throughout the life cycle of the project. With this technology, architects and designers can create informative virtual models that are accessible to all team members.

Team members can provide input and suggestions based on their respective disciplines, thereby allowing early revisions and minimizing costly mistakes and/or wastage later stages of construction. As mentioned above, project reworks are among the leading causes of losses. BIM provides accuracy that leads to time and cost savings.

2.     Efficient ordering of materials

The realistic BIM virtual models enable project managers to identify accurate quantities of materials required at different stages of the project. BIM also allows you to precisely estimate the duration and timescale of the project, based on factors of labor and cost, and other variables.

With this, you can efficiently order materials in a timely fashion, thus avoiding delays. In any construction project, a delay in the delivery of materials can lead to unnecessary labor costs as workers can have idle time. It also enables you to follow the cost schedule, thereby maintaining your budget.

3.     Avoid misunderstandings

Specialists at BIM services company, VIATechnik noted that internal clashes among team members are not uncommon. Since contractors are dependent on each one, any error or delay of one aspect can cause the problem to another, resulting in a domino effect. Aside from the delay in time, it can also lead to misunderstandings among the team.

With BIM, all stakeholders follow a set timescale and can monitor the actual progress of other project components. Contractors can predict when they will likely start their part. In case of any delays, other contractors can take necessary steps to avoid incurring costly impact. This level of clarity among the project team prevents disagreements and misunderstandings. It fosters a collegial sense thus ensuring that everyone follows the schedule.

Likewise, BIM reduces conflicts with clients as they can see photorealistic renders of the project, thereby giving them clearer expectations and fewer changes later. It enables architects to design buildings to certain performance, functional, and energy specifications. The building is guaranteed to meet the needs of its intended users.

4.     Deliver projects timely

BIM enables the project team to visualize any possible conflicts and rectify them in advance before the project is executed. Rework can lead to waste and delay in project execution and delivery. Even minor conflicts in the design can have major repercussions, not just in the project timescale, but also in the quality of the building.

With BIM, you can ensure that all aspects are accurate and avoid any errors that will, later on, require rework. You can deliver the project on time and avoid costly liquidated damages or penalties.

5.     Save time in documentation

BIM provides an integrated database of all the information on a project. It simplifies and assists in better documentation of the project. The availability of data helps improve accuracy and efficiency in the design and construction stage. Furthermore, information is not only useful during the construction phase but also later maintenance, repairs, or renovations. BIM serves a lifetime data that building owners and end-users can refer to in the future.

By simplifying the documentation process, architects and project managers can focus on core functions, particularly on the production of unique and innovative designs for the project.

Indeed, BIM services can cut the time and cost needed to design and execute construction projects. BIM has evolved significantly over recent years and it has proven to be a useful and necessary technology in the AEC industry.