When it comes to the topic of innovation in the construction industry, most people immediately think about hardware improvements. After all, modern construction equipment is much more efficient than its traditional counterparts and with the appearance of new, cutting-edge technologies like 3D printers and VR devices, things are getting even more interested. However, people don’t give nearly as much attention to some of the greatest software improvements that the construction industry has seen over the last couple of years. Here, we’re mostly discussing the issue of building information modeling (BIM) software. Here are several ways in which this simple digital concept has revolutionized the construction industry as we know it.
1. Project visualization
The problem with project visualization in a traditional sense lies in the fact that while it shows you what the structure will look like, you still have no clue how structural elements will behave under various conditions. In other words, with the help of a BIM software, you’re not just seeing what the building will look like, you’re “seeing” what it will be like once the construction is finished. This kind of insight can help you avoid some of the potentially costly mistakes, thus making the operation both cheaper and more reliable.
2. Assessment of costs
Another thing you can get through the BIM is a much more accurate assessment of costs. Due to the fact that with a BIM you get a detailed rundown of everything you need for the completion of the product, the margin of error is substantially smaller. Sure, no software can ever predict how many materials will be damaged or destroyed in the process, however, this way you get a more accurate estimate than any other method could provide you with.
3. More efficient planning
Perhaps the biggest difference that a BIM could provide you with is a more efficient planning process. What this means is that you can use this software to create a more elaborate business process assessment for your construction company. This can help the contractor better understand your core business objectives and coordinate scheduling, regular updates, and deliverables. Also, it can give you a chance to enable development and solution driven results. Finally, in order to run a successful construction business in 2019, you need to know how to get the right IT infrastructure, hardware and software solutions. All of this is something that a reliable BIM tool can provide you with.
4. Improved error detection
The biggest problem with changes in the construction industry lies in the fact that you sometimes have to demolish or dismantle a part of previous construction. This means that you waste time, effort and often damage materials in the process. This also prolongs the duration of the project, further setting your business behind. With a BIM tool, you can spot these potentially troublesome areas long before the construction actually begins. This means that you can make changes to your plan and test how everything behaves with these changes before the works begin. In other words, you can avoid making physical changes to the construction altogether.
5. Reduces risks and increased safety
Finally, errors in the construction industry can be quite hard to notice, which is why BIM reduces risks and increases the overall safety of both construction site and the construction itself, later on. A well-made BIM tool is incredibly intuitive and it’s bound to warn you of any potential structural issues that may ensue. This also means that the financial risk is drastically reduced which benefits both the construction company and the client. Overall, a good BIM tool is capable of pushing the entire industry forward in terms of safety and financial reliability.
In conclusion
From all of this, it’s more than clear that the benefits of using a BIM tool are numerous. Other than helping you make more accurate and realistic plans, it really helps in the field of resource and labor management. Moreover, in an industry that’s as schedule delicate as the construction, it helps provide both the client and the enterprise with greater reliability. The margin of error gets lower and the overall efficiency drastically increases. All in all, it’s a win-win scenario, regardless of how you decide to look at it.
