Using 5D BIM to improve construction project efficiency

Posted by Ivan Dimensions on May 25th, 2021

Inaccuracy of project estimates, unplanned changes, and poor site management are major headaches for builders, cost planners, estimators, and Architects. These factors can derail project execution and lead to time and cost escalations. However, with the arrival of  architectural BIM services, it is now possible to have a proper estimate of the project cost and schedule

Particularly, 5D BIM  can digitize the process of estimation and making it perfect. 5D BIM leverages the accurate data about schedule, design, and materials offered by architectural BIM services to offer accurate valuations of the project. Before talking about the advantages offered by 5D BIM, let’s revisit the challenges of traditional estimation methods. 

1. The traditional manual estimation process is time-consuming and fraught with errors.

2. Data changes with each model modifications had to be manually fed into the estimation process- leading to increased risk of omission or misrepresentation. 

3. Absence of enough data points for proper estimates

How 5D BIM can address the challenges of manual estimation?

The cost function offered by 5D Bim is integration between schedule, design, and cost information. As data is automatically extracted from the 3D BIM model created by the architectural BIM services offered by the leading BIM service providers it leads to an accuracy enhancement.  

Accurate estimation of quantity and materials are important for performing accurate cost estimation by 5D Bim. In other words, the accuracy of the cost estimates offered by 5D Bim depends upon the accuracy of the information offered by the 3D BIM model. Leading BIM service providers can help in this regard by offering an accurate 3D model that is an exact representation of the project. The 5D Bim model can then be linked with the extensive range of accurate data offered by the 3D BIM. This also makes sure that changes in the original BIM model are automatically fed into the 5D BIM to update the related cost schedules. 

Access to vast quantities of reliable data offered by the BIM results in increased accuracy of the cost estimates offered by 5D BIM.  Accurate cost estimates can be used to offer better bids about a project and can also help in reducing risks. 

Benefits offered by 5D BIM

By offering accurate cost estimates 5D BIM reduces risk,  saves time, and helps in shorter project life cycles. 5D Bim also helps the project stakeholders to analyze the impact of changes made to the project on the final project cost.  This can help the project stakeholders to choose the best alternative as per their requirements. Some of the benefits offered by 5D BIM are presented below-

Superior cost management

5D BIM not only offers accurate cost information but also ensures that the cost estimates are updated with every change in the 3D BIM model. Thus by using 5D BIM, project managers can track changes to the project while ensuring adherence to the budget. Overtime 5D Bim helps in accurate Resource Management and improves cost predictability leading to a reduction of risk.  5D BIM solutions offered by leading BIM service providers can help in tracking project costs at every stage of the project and thus can prove essential in the completion of the project within budget constraints. 

Early risk identification

As said before 5D BIM automatically updates the project cost schedules with changes or modifications to the project. Thus, the project stakeholders can identify risks early on in the project and make necessary modifications to keep the project cost within the budget.

Shorter project execution lifecycles

The application of 5D Bim can reduce the life cycle of project execution by saving time from the documentation to estimation of material costs. With the availability of accurate cost data and building order quantity, wastage of materials can be avoided. 

Thus, the application of 5D BIM can offer a range of benefits to your construction projects. If you haven't been on board yet, it is high time to access the benefits of architectural BIM services offered by leading BIM service provider.