BIM, or Building Information Modelling, has transformed project planning, design, and execution in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sectors. BIM generates and manages digital representations of a building or infrastructure’s physical and functional characteristics. In addition to 2D drawings, it employs 3D models that include component information.
The primary BIM components are 3D modelling, data-rich models, collaborative platforms, and interoperability. The project can be visualised in 3D, and data-rich models aid decision-making by providing critical information about each component. Collaborative platforms facilitate stakeholder communication and coordination, resulting in a smooth workflow. Interoperability enables BIM to work with other construction software and tools.
While this method is commonly associated with large projects, small businesses can also benefit from it. BIM has benefits that extend beyond project size and can help small construction companies become more efficient and successful.
So, is BIM useful for small projects? Let us take a deep dive into the topics.
Before talking about the pros of BIM for small businesses, it’s important to talk about the cons. The Open Construction & Building Technology Journal has an article that says there are five things that make it hard to use BIM, which are: technological, cost, management, personnel factors, and legal factors.
Some of the most common problems with implementing BIM are the high cost of software and training at the start, organisational resistance to change, and the chance of data security issues. Management and personnel have the greatest influence on implementation. According to the journal article’s findings and conclusions, the most significant barriers to BIM implementation are:
- The need for a large cultural change within the organisation
- A lack of senior management support
- A lack of knowledge on how to implement BIM
- A lack of staff experience and skills
- The need to change workflows to comply with new requirements.
As we can see, putting BIM into practice has a lot of problems and restrictions. You can read our article about how to implement BIM in a business, to learn more about that subject.
Benefits of BIM for Small Businesses
Small-scale projects can be challenging to complete due to limited resources and budget constraints. However, BIM provides numerous benefits that can make the process run more smoothly and efficiently.
Some advantages of BIM for small businesses include improved team collaboration, improved project visualisation, and reduced errors and rework. Small businesses that use BIM can increase productivity and competitiveness in their industry. We go into greater detail about these topics in our article about the benefits of BIM, so be sure to read it to learn more.
Is BIM Usefull fo Small Projects (Image by Cohen Seglias)
Small Scale Project Examples
BIM can be used in a lot of useful ways on small projects. BIM can be used for things like remodelling homes, building small businesses, and even landscaping. The building process can go more quickly, and better results can be achieved by visualising and planning the project digitally. Let’s look at some examples now:
1. Design Coordination
Let’s say that a small residential construction company is asked to build a home that was designed just for the homeowner.
The architectural and structural teams can work together in a single digital space by using BIM to coordinate their designs. Using BIM to make a 3D model of a building lets you see the whole thing clearly, showing where architectural elements (like room layouts or window placements) might clash with structural elements (like beams or load-bearing walls).
The team can find these problems early on in the design process with BIM, which lets them make the needed changes without any problems. This proactive approach not only lowers the chance of mistakes and extra work during construction, but it also makes the whole process go more smoothly and quickly. The client gets a design that fits with their vision, and the construction team can move forward with confidence, knowing that any problems that might come up have already been thought through.
2. 3D visualisation
Take the example of a small business owner who wants to renovate a storefront. The 3D visualisation tools in BIM are very helpful in making the suggested changes real.
The owner of the business can virtually walk through the space and see how changes to the layout, lighting, and fixtures affect the atmosphere as a whole. This fully immersive experience helps with making smart choices about the renovation, making sure that the final design fits with the client’s vision and the business’s goals.
BIM’s 3D visualisation goes beyond static blueprints or drawings by showing the space in a way that is both dynamic and true to life. This makes it easier for the business owner and the design team to talk to each other and make decisions more quickly. In the end, a commercial space was fixed up that met both aesthetic and practical needs. This helped the small business succeed.
3. Reality-Captured Site Geometry
Let’s use the example of a local business’s parking lot to show how a small infrastructure project works. The ability of BIM to include reality-captured site geometry is very useful. With laser scanning and drone technology, the site’s current conditions, such as its topography and the structures around it, are accurately captured and added to the BIM model.
The design team can make the best layout for the parking lot by using this realistic model and thinking about things like accessibility, drainage, and landscaping. By accurately modelling the way things are now, potential problems can be found and fixed before construction starts, which lowers the chance of having to make expensive changes during the project.
A well-planned and well-executed parking lot expansion helps the small business by making it more useful and improving the customer experience.
4. Automation and Human Error
Take the example of a small construction company that is asked to build a new office building. The automation features of BIM are used during the quantity takeoff process in this case. In the past, this process involved doing calculations and guesses by hand, which left room for error and could have led to wrong estimates of materials and costs.
The quantity takeoff process is sped up and made more automatic when BIM is used. Based on the 3D model of the building, the software figures out how much of each material is needed and makes accurate estimates.
This not only lowers the chance of mistakes made by humans, but it also speeds up the estimation process by a lot. The small construction company can give clients accurate and reliable cost estimates, which helps make project management clear and effective.
Can small construction companies benefit from BIM?
It’s clear that BIM is useful for small projects, which means that small construction companies can also benefit from using it. BIM is a useful tool for small businesses, even though it may be hard to get started because it costs money and takes time to learn. In the long run, it helps with efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion
Ultimately, BIM’s benefits are not limited to massive construction projects; even small businesses can reap the rewards. Small construction companies can greatly benefit from building information modelling (BIM) technology due to its practical benefits, evolution, and key components. These include better design coordination, 3D visualisation, reality-captured site geometry, and automation.
At this point, you might be considering incorporating BIM into your construction project. If this is the case, you should consider BIMscaler’s consulting and management services.
BIMscaler consulting and management services provide end-to-end BIM usage for your project, starting with BIM/model management, content management, project start-up, project meetings, and end-user support.
As a leading Australian provider of BIM services, BIM Scaler assures you of a professional and effective BIM implementation for your building project.Transform your business today with BIMscaler.
