Top Benefits of BIM for General Contractors in the USA
Since its inception, BIM started to become popular in the AEC industry. Yet many don’t know about exact benefits of utilizing BIM. Many contractors wonder, how BIM can be beneficial in big scale projects. Varied misconceptions make it hard for general contractors to know that BIM isn’t merely a technology, it not only refers to 3D design; BIM is a prolonged process of designing, creating and managing every bit of information about a project, which leads to a model with digital description about every aspect of the physical project.
BIM is mostly associated with the preconstruction phase, yet benefits every stage of the construction process. Well even after the building is complete. The stored information in BIM models helps stakeholders with repairing and maintenance. BIM software allows projects to be designed virtually before the actual construction process starts. This help stakeholders to eliminate inefficiencies in the design, making the physical construction process smooth, error less and fast.
How Contractors Benefit Using BIM
As per Dodge Data & Analytics’ 2014 report, Contractors at the world’s top construction market state that BIM helps them to enhance productivity, efficiency, and safety. The most discussed benefit of BIM is reduced errors and minimized chances of rework. In fact, 40% of the contractors with enhanced BIM engagement say that BIM mostly has lessened the necessity to rework on projects, which help to save considerable amounts of resources.
Two Most Discussed Benefits of Relying On BIM Models
• Bid Accuracy with model-based estimating
Estimating the budgets of materials, building systems and equipment is crucial for winning bids. Knowledge about applying unit rates, drawings, finishing take offs derived from specification, integrating various quotes from vendors is needed to perfectly win work. Estimation process becomes complex as the project grows in size.
Model-based estimation not only results in greater bid accuracy but also is fast as well. Time saved by taking out quantities from models can be invested into working on some other high-value activities like reviewing constructability, getting to know other options and exploring other methods to improve bid accuracy.
• Enhance coordination with arranged visualization
In the past, without BIM coordinating among different stakeholders in a project used to be a tedious process. After BIM coming into the picture, general contractors finally get the ability to share data with every other key stakeholder. The visual representation of data assists the project team to enhance the overall proficiency and coordination.
With the arrival of cloud and mobile technology, every stakeholder in office and in the field is able to access data. As BIM data is easier to access than a traditional form of data. Contractors can easily enhance their involvement in any given project where BIM methodologies are in use to full potential.
Our BIM service offerings for general contractors include:
- 3D Modeling & Visualization for General Contractors
- 4D Construction Phasing & Simulation
- Marketing Presentations with Site Logistics and Walkthroughs
- Laser Scan / Point Cloud Data
- Constructability Review & Coordination Meetings
- As-Built Drawing Preparation from 3D BIM Model
- Quantity Take-Off from 3D BIM Model
