Source : https://hmcarchitects.com/

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is so much more than a technology—it’s a complex design and construction process that helps architects create innovative buildings of the future. There are five significant benefits of BIM in the design and construction process:

1. Cost and resource savings 
2. Greater efficiency and shorter project lifecycles 
3. Improved communications and coordination 
4. More opportunities for prefabrication and modular construction 
5. Higher quality results 

BIM is a process that architects use to design and construct modern buildings. The process encompasses several different design tools and methods with the end goal of making every phase of construction and design as efficient, safe, and cost-effective as possible. 

1 Cost and Resource Savings 

One significant benefit of BIM is that it provides reliable construction cost estimates long before the construction phase begins. Architects can use tools like BIM 360 Docs to estimate costs related to: 

• Materials 
• Material shipping 
• Shipping prefabricated or modular pieces 
• Labor, including payrolls based construction timelines 

Not only does this give architects a better idea of how much the project will cost, but it also helps them discover ways to reduce costs. For example, they can:

• Choose more cost-effective materials
• Find the ideal time to buy materials at their lowest market price 
• Decide whether it’s cheaper to prefabricate or build on-site 
• Streamline the construction workflow so the client pays for fewer total billable hours 
• Reduce human errors that lead to project delays or costly repairs

2 Greater Efficiency and Shorter Project Lifecycles

Generally, the faster you can complete a structure’s construction, the less money you will spend on the project overall. Also, finishing a project on time or early speeds up your eventual return on investment, as occupants can start using the space as soon as possible. With BIM, architects can design buildings faster and start construction earlier. Improved workflow and other efficiencies also speed up the project. For example, the architect may decide to have certain pieces prefabricated in bulk using robotics. This could save time during construction, as contractors simply have to secure the pieces in place when they arrive on-site.

3 Improved Communications 

BIM improves communication among architects, clients, contractors, and other relevant parties involved in the project. That’s because BIM relies on a “single source of truth” system; this means that all of the relevant information—including models, estimates, and design notes—are shared and stored from one place. Everyone involved in the project can see the information and even offer suggestions of their own. It’s a true collaboration that eliminates information silos and helps architects find the best solutions based on data analytics.

4 More Opportunities for Prefabrication and Modular Construction 

BIM software is ideal for making detailed production models that can later be prefabricated off-site. Architects also have more opportunities to design modular pieces of architecture that fit perfectly together and include complex tolerance calculations. This, in turn, can save time and money, as contractors spend less time constructing pieces on-site from scratch. 

5 Higher Quality Results 

While the benefits of BIM are most evident in the design and construction process, clients may also notice an improvement in build quality. Using BIM makes calculations and models more detailed and accurate, and this results in a higher quality structure. 

And, because the BIM process includes multiple visualization tools, the structure may also be more aesthetically pleasing. Architects can see what the building will look like in its final form and can even see how natural and artificial light will behave in the structure.