A Little BIM Consulting for a Great Future

Whether you’re an architect, a home builder, a structural engineer, or a subcontractor, you must have heard about Building Information Modeling or been advised to opt for BIM consulting by someone earlier.

BIM may be a familiar term for most AEC professionals, but many would have many misconceptions about it. You are not alone if you also wondered what the whole fuss is about BIM technology and its related to Revit Modeling, Clash detection, and Scan to BIM services in construction. 

Most emerging construction firms still need to be wary of the BIM craze, especially considering it is developed for massive, tall building projects. They tend to be in wait-and-see mode.

Are you a BIM enthusiast or planning for BIM implementation in construction projects? If you are one of those who have been ‘BIMming’ for ages, you can continue reading this article for your interests. If you are not, do read on.

Regarding BIM technology in construction, very few are coming into their own with an ‘I told you so!’ attitude. 

Those who adopted BIM concepts years ago are happy to see that the world is finally getting caught up in the BIM fever that will sweep the AEC industry!

Decision Making for BIM Consulting: The First Step

Reviewing the current building standards and processes is crucial in deciding whether to invest in BIM services. 

That enables construction engineers like you to adopt the BIM process and MEP strategies firmly with any firm/project. Once you decide, stick to it. 

Do not, at any cost, conclude the first obstacle and go back to primary-colored lines on the black screen. If you have ever smoked and quit, you know the level of willpower that you have put forth. 

It is not because BIM adoption is hard; it’s because of habits, especially the old ones that are hard to get rid of. Old habits die hard.

Choosing the Right BIM Software

Once you’re confident about BIM implementation, the next important step is to choose the best BIM software. 

A significant fact that you should know, regardless of what the advertisements, software vendors, and even popular opinions tell you, is that there is no fixed “industry standard” for BIM services. Only certified, experienced, and reputed BIM consultants are reliable. 

Only a handful of BIM consulting firms provide comprehensive BIM solutions, and packages vary according to discipline. 

Being a new entrant into BIM-driven construction, you must look around, ask, and visit forums and user groups. 

Noting a digital paradigm shift to BIM in the current AEC sector, BIM tools, including Autodesk Revit, BIM360, and ArchiCAD, are preferred for large and small building projects.  

Tick the below boxes for your checklist to pick the right software for BIM modeling:

• Relatively low purchase cost

• Low running, maintenance, and upgrade cost

• There is no requirement to upgrade your workstations, network, and Internet connection

• Basic training included in the purchase cost

• Active distributor/dealer in your area

• Availability of active independent support in your area

• Availability of friendly power users in your area

• Availability of user groups in your area

• YOU LIKE IT!

BIM – BIM – BIMming

Having BIM-enabled software does not mean that you are BIMming. It implies you are ready to implement BIM procedures in your construction business. 

The very next step is implementation, probably with a professional BIM modeler. If you’re a chief architect or engineering lead, you must understand that you’re introducing new software and shaping your work around its base principles. Otherwise, it simply will not work. 

Whichever software you choose, the general issues are the same. You should forget drafting and concentrate on 4D BIM modeling. 

Never expect that shortcuts, commands, and even the coordinate inputs are the same as what you’ve been using. From now on, you should think of buildings, not drawings. 

The sooner you realize that from good BIM modeling and start creating ’n’ numbers of detailed and high-quality drawings, schedules, and presentations, the better you will succeed. 

You don’t have to draw as much as before; the benefits of 4D and 5D BIM for construction will allow you to create 3D models and bring in precise data. 

As a result, the right BIM consulting serves enriched data with a spatially clean and correct model, giving you the best return on your investment.

BIM Training or BIM Consulting?

To achieve this, question everything in your existing workflow while transitioning to the BIM process. 

Mastering the software is necessary, but there is a critical distinction between CAD drafting and BIM modeling and infrastructure. 

An architect, builder, or engineer who is a software expert but is professionally inexperienced will create less usable models than a professional BIM consultant with optimal software skills.

BIM is about buildings, not software – and you know about buildings, right? 

The best way to learn BIM design software is through training. Squeeze every minute of free training from BIM experts, set aside the time to browse the forums, and harvest the knowledge of other people who have adopted BIM practices in their firms.

Making the Most out of BIM!

While using 2D CAD and surface modeling, the actual building or the system you are designing lives only in your mind.

With BIM level of development, you will build it in the chosen software and then generate the documents to describe it.

BIM benefits the authorities’ approval, construction managers, fellow designers, stakeholders, and others. 

Do not worry if they use different BIM software. The file exchange is the core of BIM, and if all else fails, you can still send DWGs to those who still need them.

Entering the BIM-world

The learning curve can be steep, especially if you try it yourself. 

• Attend a professional training course, or, even better, hire BIM companies to get dedicated consultants who will set up the software for you. 

  They’ll show you things not written in the manuals – and who reads them, anyway? 

• Go down the proper and proven BIM implementation road; assign a pilot project to a small team that can do it, and don’t push them. The third project will be profitable, and you will never look back.

Proper implementation of BIM authoring software increases productivity at least three times. 

There are many research papers and case studies on BIM systems and solutions. At BluEntCAD, our design department collaborates with project architects and BIM modelers to create Revit families and 3D models for construction projects. 

Our average monthly output was five projects, ranging from residential villas to villa compounds, high-rise residential and commercial buildings, retail complexes, and hotels. We use CAD software and BIM modeling for structural design and MEP departments for renovation, design, and construction. 

BIM Consulting at BluEntCAD: Take the first step to strategic Building, Information, and Collaboration!

Whether you should implement a BIM solution in your business is not a question to ask. 

The question is which one to choose, and the best answer is BIM management and consulting, which ticks all the boxes for you. BIM is about planning, building efficiency, and timelines. BIM is not about CAD drawings and their procedures; it has nothing to do with them.

Implementing BIM solutions assures enhanced productivity, complete coordination of all the design data and documents produced, and better and more accessible presentation tools in your project.

BluEntCAD has been doing that for global AEC leaders like you for years. Our BIM engineers are well-versed in Revit modeling, Scan to BIM, and clash detection services. 

We also offer value-engineered solutions for 3D interior and exterior rendering, construction drawings, Millwork engineering, shop drawings, and CAD conversions.

Check out our engineering case studies to get an idea of our work and get in touch for BIM services. We’re excited to contribute to your project’s success!