BIM Coordination Benefits for Contractors in the Preconstruction Stage

If you lead a preconstruction department, you always need to collaborate with quantity surveyors, cost estimators, and contractors for project budgeting, planning, safety, and timely delivery. For that reason, the role of BIM modeling services becomes apparent when you realize that your conventional construction estimating software is unsuitable for high-value projects.

For big projects, preconstruction teams prefer model-based inputs for clash-free design reviews, task scheduling, cost and time estimation, progress tracking, and risk management to draft a complete scope of work, costs, and timeline based on a virtual design model. Implementing BIM coordination and modeling with Autodesk On Screen Takeoff software in the early stage maximizes the overall benefits of building information modeling.

In this blog, we will highlight more advantages of coordinated BIM modeling for contractors in preconstruction.

What is BIM Coordination in Preconstruction?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a strategic process or approach to streamlining the construction process, making it clash-free, efficient, cost-effective, and safe for the crew.

The definitions of BIM for contractors, stakeholders, project managers, architects, MEP engineers, and designers may differ, but the goal is the same. Each discipline uses 3D and 4D BIM models to improve collaboration and decision-making and dissolve conflicts in design planning, development, safety standards, budget, resources, and timeline.

Let’s take an example to understand how BIM coordination services add value to the preconstruction, construction, and post-construction stages.

Construction companies hire BIM coordinators to identify conflicts arising from intersecting wires, ductwork, plumbing, and other MEP challenges. BIM preconstruction coordination begins at the initial stage, guiding project managers and contractors to mitigate potential clashes and avoid rework.

Mitigating Preconstruction Challenges with BIM Coordination Services

Implementing BIM for design coordination is a critical strategy to embrace the most fascinating real estate trends in Australia and the UK.

Besides budget and time overruns, Building Information Modeling addresses these common preconstruction challenges for contractors, commercial builders, MEP engineers, designers, and stakeholders.

Design Conflicts and Clashes

Adopting BIM technology for construction can save up to 20% of the costs and time spent fixing design errors.

These conflicts arise due to inefficient coordination and collaboration between the design and construction teams in the early stages. That eventually results in recurring errors and clashes when the construction process is in progress or done.

With traditional methods of drafting construction estimates, scopes of work, and building designs in 2D and 3D, most project managers and contractors exceed the proposed budget and time limits.

Team Collaboration Issues

Another outcome of not adhering to BIM coordination is a complicated construction workflow. Contractors face that major challenge when they don’t have a BIM environment for big residential and commercial building projects.

Without having BIM models accessible on the cloud, all team members cannot participate in every phase of the project design, planning, and construction process from the beginning.

Such team collaboration issues add to high review clashes, inconvenience, and expenses due to rework.

Inaccuracy Resulting in Rework

Choosing CAD over BIM for drafting services in the US is one of the common mistakes you might be making as an AEC leader. That’s probably why you’re spending more on reworks and losing projects.

Opting for BIM coordination services can resolve this challenge by providing a clash-free, efficient, and seamless design planning and review process.

Delays Due to Inefficient Process Scheduling

37% of AEC professionals have missed their budget and schedule performance goals since last year, while only half of project owners said they had finished them on time.

Underlying lags in the construction process and task scheduling can hinder project management. Your project may experience time overruns and delivery delays.

Underlying Safety Risks

Neglecting safety hazards is a mistake you can’t afford in construction. Doing so will create obstacles to safety compliance and standards mandated by the governing agencies.

However, this risk can be nullified if you use BIM for design coordination in preconstruction.

Benefits of BIM Coordination for Contractors with Preconstruction Projects

Leveraging coordinated BIM models with the best building information modeling software benefits contractors in ‘n’ number of ways. Here are the ones you should know.

Comprehensive Visualization & Conceptualization using BIM Models

3D BIM models support detailed visualization and conceptualization of the building design before construction begins. Project planners, contractors, and architects avail BIM consulting services in the UK to generate well-coordinated BIM models with integrated digital plans and layouts of the project.

Implementing strategic BIM approaches in the preconstruction promises better coordination, design performance, deliverable quality, safety on site, revenues, etc.

More Efficiency Ensures Better Collaboration b/w Contractors & Stakeholders

Once 2D drawings are converted into BIM models with building codes and other details, they serve as a single point of contact for contractors and stakeholders.

As a result, other teams using BIM for construction management seamlessly collaborate to view the design changes, progress schedules, and other critical project details in one place.

Error-free and Coordinated BIM Models Cut Down Rework, Timeline, & Wastage

The advantage of collaborative BIM solutions in the US is that they reduce the number of RFIs (Requests for Information) and last-minute modifications in the fabrication stages.

BIM clash detection also makes the process clash-free with improved construction coordination, resulting in less rework, delays, and material wastage.

Accurate Cost Estimations to Simplify Financial Planning for Contractors

For quantity takeoffs and cost estimation, BIM coordination is the best approach for renovation and new construction projects.

Preconstruction teams heavily rely on Autodesk’s cost estimators to quote the most profitable bids for the entire project. That includes scope analysis, project and cost management, document management, BID management, design, and coordination in the preconstruction stage.

BIM Clash Detection and Logistics Planning Eliminate Safety Hazards

With BIM clash detection and logistics planning, contractors can report safety hazards and take preventive measures to avoid them immediately.

Besides BIM coordination, they use digital twin technology to identify potential on-site risks in real time. They also leverage AR/VR and 3D walkthroughs of the construction project to visualize the location and plan logistics accordingly.

Conclusion

Adopting Revit capabilities in the preconstruction phase for task automation, custom scripting, model prototyping & uniformity, design & documentation, and compliance will shape the future of BIM modeling. It will save up to 50% of time and ensure 100% precision in big commercial construction projects.

At BluEntCAD, our BIM consultants empower contractors with proven solutions for better collaboration, task scheduling, efficiency with less rework, financial planning overruns, risk assessment, and on-site safety.

Our BIM consulting services include scan-to-bim, Revit Modeling, and BIM clash detection. We also specialize in interior and exterior 3D rendering, architectural walkthroughs, architectural construction drawings, CAD conversions, and Millwork shop drawings.

Want to scale up your cost planning and efficiency in construction? Take expert BIM consultations right away!