The 4 Top Benefits of BIM for General Contractors

3 minute read

With the ability for its processes to be based in the cloud, building information modeling (BIM) has grown long roots that are extending deeper and deeper into the construction industry. Companies in architecture, engineering and construction are discovering great advantages in the BIM process.

Data used in BIM can be accessed by everyone collaborating on a project at any time. Projects are more predictable, more manageable, accommodate change more easily, and enable better decision making.

As BIM catches on, collaboration on construction projects is becoming less of an embellishment on a job and more of a necessity in order for companies to remain competitive.

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Learn about all the ins and outs of BIM in the Applied Software Guide to Revit. Topics include a description of the BIM process; an introduction to Autodesk Revit; common Revit challenges; installation of Revit; worksharing; file size and view management.

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Schedules are short and are almost guaranteed to become even more demanding. Budgets are tight, and they only seem to get tighter every year. The BIM process and technologies can help offset these two primary challenges to GCs with the following benefits:

1. Profits – Using BIM processes has been shown to improve profit margins. Quantity takeoffs, variances and cost estimates are all improved with the use of BIM models. Because of risk mitigation, insurance premiums can be lower, and construction professionals report that overall project costs are reduced.
2. Efficiency – Coordination among all the teams contributing to a project can help avoid problems long before construction starts. Cloud-based collaboration makes all the project information available to all of the players and enables meaningful communication about potential clashes. Design issues can be remedied, and field installation errors can be avoided before they require the extra expense and schedule adjustments due to rework.
3. Safety – Risk is inherent in construction, but BIM processes help mitigate that risk throughout the duration of the project. With BIM technology, safety on the jobsite can be visualized and improved.
4. More business – The use of BIM processes and 3D models are impressive to owners who are not construction professionals and are not savvy about reading 2D plans. A presentation developed with BIM can be invaluable in developing credibility during the bidding process. It can set you apart and enable you to sell more work. In addition, the ability for the owner to visualize the active project throughout its phases is advantageous for the sake of transparency and further cements that trust relationship. The BIM process is likely to result in more satisfied customers and repeat business.

From winning more business to reducing rework to improving margins and lowering risk, now is the time for GCs to fully adopt BIM technology. With collaboration becoming more rooted in construction projects, the question is less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when.”

If you’re discovering that it’s time for your company to adopt BIM processes and technology to keep your business dynamic and competitive, contact Applied Software today and talk to an industry expert about your company’s individual needs.