I was chatting with a contractor friend – listening to another story of dollars at risk because he was unable to build a project as indicated in the bid documents. Why? The designer had omitted a necessary piping run – no condensation line. Worse yet, no place to install the pipe – there was simply not enough space in the mechanical closet to allow for another run. This relatively small miss could have a long term impact on the building – everything from water in the walls to mold.

The conversation got me thinking. A contractor is supposed to build according to the design - crafted on the owner’s requirements. Generally all of this preliminary work is done in a 2 dimensional world – the contractor is responsible to take the 2 dimensional “mock-up” and translate it into a 3 dimensional reality. 

The result – significant room for errors – wasted time, dollars and opportunity.

BIM – Building Information Modeling – provides a way to mitigate the inherent risks between a 2D model & a 3D reality. How? BIM empowers a 3D simulation of the project before construction starts.

Using either AutoDesk Revit® or Bentley’s Microstation® an experienced modeler can transform any set of project plans into a 3D model of the completed work. The model can include all of the relevant data for any aspect of the project – by trade, by room or as a complete view. Review of the model can proactively locate any and all of the “collisions” that may exist. The model can then be used to generate the necessary changes before construction begins.

My question? Why has the use of BIM not become standard practice in the Construction Industry? Is it lack of knowledge? Lack of skills? Not understanding the ROI? What is preventing you?