How Does BIM Save Money? 

BIM is widely popular in the construction industry, partly because of its reputation for saving money. But how does this reputation hold up? 

Pretty well, according to a study conducted by the Center For Integrated Facilities Engineering at Stanford University. This study found, amongst other advantages of BIM, that it decreases building costs by an estimated 10% of the contract value. Moreover, it eliminates up to 40% of unbudgeted changes, thereby lowering unforeseen costs. 

But how does BIM save money? Below are seven ways BIM directly or indirectly saves projects money so that you can make sense of its cost-cutting abilities. 

PC keyboard showing a button How does BIM save money

What Is BIM? 

BIM stands for Building Information Modelling. It is a process that uses various tools and technology to manage and create a virtual, 3D design of a building. This digital process has had a significant impact on the building industry

It can be incredibly detailed, showing not only the bare bones of the building but also all of its finishes. You can see everything from the foundations of a building to its drywall screws. 

BIM is used as a design and collaboration tool to make it easier for everyone involved in a project to work together effectively. The cost of BIM though represents a barrier for its spreading in the AEC industry.

Simply put, BIM allows you to build your building virtually and see it come to life before you even start construction. However, it is not only used to plan and design a project. It also assists with the construction, maintenance, and even deconstruction of a project. 

7 Ways BIM Saves Money Throughout Building Projects

1. Saves Time 

There are usually many parties involved in a building project, even smaller to medium-sized ones. Keeping all of these parties up to date and on the same page can be incredibly time-consuming, with countless hours spent responding to queries and filling everyone in on changes and developments. Moreover, all this communication can result in miscommunication and incorrect assumptions. 

With BIM, everyone has access to the same information. Parties can update the information whenever they make any changes or progress and can access necessary information by checking the detailed model at any time or place. 

The freely-accessible information cuts down on the need for all parties to check in with one another and update each other on any progress or issues. We all know time is money, and BIM easily saves both

2. Enhances Project Detail 

The benefits of BIM do not only relate to the ease at which information is shared. They also come from the level of detail of this information. 

BIM allows those in the construction industry to work with and share information at an unprecedented level of detail. It can map out the exact make and model of material used, as well as quantities and other specifications. 

By allowing you to consider these details early on in the project, it enables you to plan your project in incredible detail. This takes away the need to constantly make decisions about the finer details throughout the project. 

Because of this, BIM makes for smooth project execution. It enables you to predict and prevent any problems that those finer details might cause well in advance. 

Moreover, this level of detail is highly accurate so that you can create better, more accurate cost estimates. As such, you can prevent the over-ordering of materials, thus saving costs.

3. Clash Detection 

BIM allows everyone to consolidate their information into one detailed plan. This makes it easier for the parties to identify and predict potential internal or external clashes before they even start construction. 

Moreover, a good BIM platform, like bimspot, comes with clash detection functions that will pick up any clashes you may have missed. Then, when you make changes in response to clashes, these too are screened for any problems they might cause. 

The automated clash detection reduces or even eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming last-minute changes made during construction. For example, it could predict the need to remove costly work that has already been done and prevent the need to halt construction for design changes.

BIM saves money and help improving collaboration

4. Improved Collaboration 

BIM encourages and facilitates collaboration between all the involved parties from the beginning of the planning stage until the project’s completion. 

The models allow everyone to check in on what everyone is planning to do, as well as what they have completed. Moreover, they allow everyone to be on the same page when it comes to developments and changes to the plan and its execution. 

As a result, BIM allows everyone to work together efficiently, reducing the need for costly revisions, rework, and delays.

5. Safer Sites 

One of the biggest benefits of BIM is that it improves the safety of the construction site. BIM will run automated risk analysis and safety evaluations. These will identify potential safety risks before they materialise. 

So, BIM allows you to make any changes necessary for a safe construction site early on in the process. This not only saves you time and money but makes the site a safer place for all. 

6. Improved Scheduling 

BIM does wonders when it comes to schedule predictability and staying on schedule. It will provide you with an accurate time estimate for the project. This, in turn, will help you predict and put together an achievable schedule for the project. You can compare your times with the estimated times, gaining an idea of how fast or slow your teams are working. 

BIM not only helps put together a schedule but also makes it easier to stay on schedule. By facilitating information-sharing and reducing setbacks, you should have no problem completing your project in time. 

Staying on schedule will save you the additional labour costs that come with a delayed project.  

7. Increases Use Of Prefabrication

BIM increases the use of prefabrication by facilitating an incredibly detailed plan of the project. With these detailed plans, it becomes a lot easier to identify parts of the building that could be prefabricated, and show manufacturers detailed plans of these parts. 

Prefabrication allows manufacturers to assemble parts off-site, which cuts back on labour and material costs, as well as time spent on construction. 

Final Thoughts 

It is undeniable that BIM has many advantages. BIM saves you money by improving scheduling, clash detection and collaboration. Other cost-cutting functions of BIM include increased use of prefabrication, safer sites and enhanced project detail and efficiency. 

Do you want to reap these benefits and more? Why don’t you try out bimspot? Book a demo today