With the development of technology, all aspects of life are becoming much easier. Construction and renovation are no exceptions; from the development of a modern concrete mixer to the appearance of home builder software, the lives of all who work in this field have been drastically improved.
BIM - Building Information Modeling - is the newest say in AEC-related technology. It provides the user with insight into every part of a project, from plan to execution, and it allows access to every detail - all while using a single tool. Neat, right? Still, there are certain less obvious benefits of BIM, and here are some of them.
1. It improves communication
It is often easy to forget just how much more we know about our fields than an average person. That wouldn't be the problem, except for the fact that most of our clients are average people, at least when it comes to architectural knowledge and skills. Communication between an architect and a client can be much easier and better in general, if you have a 3D plan instead of a 2D drawing. It provides the clients with better insight and therefore makes any kind of misunderstanding much less likely. Also, it makes communication between different teams easier and much faster.
2. It makes collaboration and coordination easier and faster
When there is a big project, it requires the collaboration of several teams. This can lead to plenty of problems that have to do with miscommunication and misunderstanding. However, if every detail about the project is available to everyone, a huge chunk of communication problems can be avoided. Coordination is vastly improved as well because the other people who work on the project will be aware of any changes as soon as you make them. Because construction is a group effort, these benefits are extremely important.
3. It shows the most realistic picture
One of the best things about BIM is the fact that it shows a realistic, 3D image of the construction site. It shows not only the plan of the building itself, but it can also be used to show the environment, including the already existing structures. It creates an accurate simulation of the real-life conditions on the site, which can be extremely helpful. It allows you to see the finished project before you even start the works.
4. It saves time and money
Even when every aspect of the works has been carefully planned, mistakes happen. When there is any kind of clash in the structure, the works have to be stopped until the clash is dealt with. This often costs a lot of money, and more importantly, it takes precious time. With BIM, though, clashes can be noticed even before the works start. You can prevent any kind of glitch, which can save you quite a bit of time and money. Therefore, besides being highly practical, BIM makes financial sense as well.
5. It's highly convenient
Because BIM uses cloud computing, you can access the information from any device. That means that you can check the progress made in the project any time, from any place. Even though you have to use software such as Autodesk Fusion 360 to create an image, you can use a lighter program to access the image from your phone. This provides you with the chance to be in tune with everything that's happening in real time. It also gives you a chance to easily demonstrate the progress to the client whenever the need arises.
6. It provides continuity
BIM follows the complete life cycle of a building. That means that it provides data on every step of the construction process, but it also serves as a guide in any demolition or renovation process. Since all the data is meticulously preserved, it can prove to be really helpful with organizing labor and materials needed for reconstruction or renovation of the building further down the road.
7. It is energy efficient
BIM accounts for all the factors that go into the creation and construction of a building. This means that it provides you with the opportunity to conduct early-stage analyses, which will cut down the cost of traditional practices. BIM allows you to explore all the options, including possibilities for, say, using solar panels on a building instead of a traditional roof. You can consider things like energy efficiency, waste disposal, and water management in advance. This helps you make better, more informed choices and, as a result, reduce the possibilities of making mistakes which will need to be fixed after the construction is done.
Conclusion
BIM offers plenty of benefits that can make your life so much easier. It's a state-of-the-art tool that you should implement into your business as soon as possible - or risk being the only one who doesn't.
Guest Author
Chloe Smith is a cycling enthusiast, business consultant, and a part-time writer always willing to share tidbits of advice. She believes that passion, courage and, above all, knowledge breed success.