BIM For Residential Designers

6 Reasons why residential designers and contractors need to adopt BIM now!!

The benefits and capabilities of building information modeling in large-scale architectural practices are well known. But is BIM necessary for smaller firms? Many small firms have been operating using traditional CAD methods for some time now, and switching technologies can seem a daunting task, especially for companies that operate on small budgets and without the specialized personnel of large international firms. But this is 2016 and the economic landscape has changed, with more and more expected from architects all the time. Time is more valuable now than ever. Where BIM software programs were once seen as simply nice to have, their large range of benefits have now made BIM an essential part of the design process. And as the following reasons show, BIM is just as important a tool for small offices as it is for larger ones.

Step 1:   Design in 3D:

The main feature of BIM 3D Modeling has a significant role in improving the business and so residential owners and developers depend on visual 3-D than the 2-D. Most of the client cannot understand the concept flat 2-D world. But developers can convince them easily using 3-D model. In short, using Building Information Modeling, we can view the project even before it is built. This technology also helps to avoid miscommunication, frustration, and waste.

Step  2:   One model many uses:

BIM is representing a design as combinations of “objects” — vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented (like the shape of a room), that carry their geometry, relations and attributes (Eastman, 2009)

BIM design tools allow the extraction of different views from a model for the production of drawings among other things. These different views are automatically consistent, as they come from a single definition of each “object instance”. Objects are also defined as parameters and relations to other objects, so that if there are changes in a related object, dependent or adjacent ones will automatically change or adjust, as well.

Step 3:   Better collaboration and coordination:

BIM enhances a collaborative effort of all members in a construction project including owners, architects, contractors, sub-contractors, engineers, suppliers, trade professionals and building operations/facilities personnel. So, the right information is accessible in the right place at the right time. Therefore, all projects of any type and size -from complex commercial building structures to small residential projects, get this benefit of BIM.

 Step 4:   Keeping up with the Industry:

BIM is the current star player in the construction industry.

While it’s possible today to operate without BIM, widespread adoption and government BIM mandates have made BIM the global industry standard. New productivity updates for BIM programs continue to increase the software’s capabilities, further widening the gap between old and new ways of practicing. Meanwhile, architects will need to keep up with their clients, who will continue to demand more descriptive models and images, expect competency in modern technology, and will be less willing to pay for the hours needed to update drawing sets. Firms using only CAD software may find themselves at a disadvantage.

Step 5:     Better service to clients

The most important thing for most clients is that a project is completed in a timely manner and for around the expected budget. If an architect is able to deliver those things, the client will be more likely to use their services again in future developments. BIM allows architects to more easily create precise, correct construction documents and thus more accurately predict costs.

 Image is everything. Attracting new clients means having to tout your firm’s abilities and accomplishments. BIM can help create both the images and the documents needed. “It’s provided us a really fast tool for marketing,” said Tears, “in that we can set up all of our necessary drawings and renderings, or go through and set up a whole new document of purely marketing packages, so that we’ve done all our graphic design in Revit.”

Step 6:   Compete with Larger Firms

Small firms often find themselves competing with much larger firms to win a project. To compete successfully in these situations, small firms need to start on a level playing field. Using BIM software allows fewer people to do a lot more in less time, while demonstrating to the client that despite your smaller size, you’re just as sophisticated as the larger practices they may be considering. Once your drawings sets are in equal standing with your competitors, the actual designs will shine through.