In the modern construction industry, precision, speed, and effective coordination amongst many disciplines are critical. As projects become increasingly complex, the use of digital workflows and data-driven design processes is becoming more common for firms as a method of maintaining project efficiency. Thus, BIM outsourcing services are now an important resource for architecture, engineering, and construction companies.
Firms are beginning to abandon their large in-house modeling teams and are collaborating with partner companies who provide BIM expertise (scalable), advanced modeling capabilities, and coordinated project documentation. By implementing a BIM outsourcing service, a firm can improve its operational cost and accuracy while speeding up project delivery with no decrease in quality.
This article will explain what BIM outsourcing services are, why they are important to today’s construction industry, and how they assist firms in delivering coordinated, construction-ready models and documentation with complete confidence.
What Are BIM Outsourcing Services?
BIM outsourcing services are when work related to Building Information Modeling is sent out to an external professional team to create, manage and work with building digital models, and construction related data.
BIM outsourcing services are often used for the following purposes:
- BIM modeling, 3D modeling
- BIM – Revit modeling, documentation
- BIM – prepare construction documents from BIM
- BIM – clash detection, coordination
- BIM – prepare shop drawings/fabrication
- BIM – as built, (LOD) level of development
The end result provides companies with a viable alternative to adding additional internal personnel by allowing them to outsource BIM professionals using a standardized workflow.
Why BIM Outsourcing Services Are Growing in Construction
Construction projects globally have many participants, must meet strict timeframes and have a high degree of coordination. Maintaining an in-house BIM department throughout the project lifecycle can be costly and inefficient therefore many firms are using BIM outsourcing services as a means of supporting the scalable nature of project delivery today.
Some of the key drivers behind this shift include:
- Worldwide increase of BIM standards
- Increasing need for coordinated construction models
- Shortage of qualified BIM professionals
- Need for cost-efficient delivery of projects
- Increasing complexity and scope of projects.
By utilizing BIM outsourcing services, companies can quickly adapt to the demands of projects while maintaining the same level of quality in their models.
Core BIM Outsourcing Services Offered to AEC Firms
The entire digital lifecycle of construction modeling and documentation can be managed using professional BIM outsourcing services.
1. BIM Modelling and Revit Modelling
The basis for coordinated design and construction processes is accurate BIM models. The outsourced team produces discipline-specific, federated BIM models based on project standards.
BIM Contracts may include:
- Architectural BIM modelling
- Structural BIM modelling
- MEP BIM modelling
- LOD 100-500 modelling
- Parametric component modelling
Most BIM outsourcing services will provide models that are clash-free and ready for construction.
2. BIM Coordination and Clash Detection
The coordination of architectural, structural and MEP systems is critical to prevent construction problems; thus, BIM outsourcing Services offer complete detailed Processes for detecting and resolving clashes.
BIM Coordination and Clash Detection Methods:
- Early detection of design conflicts
- Reduced RFIs and rework at site
- Better Interdisciplinary Coordination
- Optimised spatial layout
Coordinated BIM Models minimize the risks associated with construction and improve the overall efficiency of construction projects.
3. BIM Shop Drawings and Construction Documentation
BIM outsourcing service that recently added value is taking BIM models and converting them into drawings that can be used for fabrication.
The following are the outputs of the above process:
- Shop drawings that come from the BIM
- Assembly drawings
- Assembly and fabrication details
- Construction documentation sets
- As-Built (after the fact) drawings
These BIM-derived drawings provide the contractor/fabricator with the correct dimensions, proper materials, and a reference for installation.
4. Scan to BIM and As-Built Modeling
Accurate representation of current conditions is crucial for renovation/retrofit projects. Scan-to-BIM processes convert data gathered from laser scans into intelligent BIM models via outsourcing BIM services. The following applications can be performed using an existing building model, facility documentation and renovation plans/asset management models from your accurate as-built Building Information Management (BIM) Model (Integrated Lifecycle Management)- for long-term management of the property after its completion.
Advantages of BIM Outsourcing Services for Construction Firms
There are tangible operational and strategic advantages to utilizing BIM outsourcing services.
– Cost Effectiveness: Maintaining a fulltime in-house BIM team requires the costs of hiring/teaching/training personnel; software licenses; and infrastructure costs. On-demand skilled resources through BIM outsourcing services will provide the needed skillset without the associated long-term overhead.
– Flexibility and Scalability: Fluctuation in the project workload occurs across the various phases with BIM outsourcing services providing the ability to increase or decrease modeling capacity based on the needs of the project.
– Access to Specialized BIM Expertise: Experienced providers of outsourcing services will offer advanced BIM capabilities such as:
- Expertise in Revit
- Modeling to the LOD
- Compliance with BIM Standards
- Complex coordination workflows
This will ensure consistent, high-quality modeling output.
Faster Project Delivery
Dedicated BIM teams working in parallel with design teams accelerate documentation and coordination processes. BIM outsourcing services help meet tight project deadlines.
How BIM Outsourcing Services Improve Project Coordination
Construction projects are made up of many disciplines working together at the same time. Poor coordination causes delays, clashes and cost overruns. By improving coordination through the utilization of centralized digital models, BIM outsourcing services provide better ways to coordinate projects.
Some key improvements in regards to how BIM outsourcing services improve coordination are:
- Federated BIM model across disciplines;
- Shared project data environments;
- Real-time clash detection workflows;
- Coordinated documentation outputs;
All parties involved in construction projects using BIM outsourcing services work off of one single source of truth.
Role of BIM Outsourcing Services Across Project Phases
Outsourcing services related to BIM support construction projects from designing the building to managing the finished facility.
The following outlines the services provided during each of these four periods.
- Design Phase
- BIM Modeling of concept designs
- Design Development Models
- Visualizations and Spatial Validation
- Pre-Construction Phase
- BIM Coordination with all contractors and vendors
- Clash Detection and Resolution
- Construction Documentation
- Construction Phase
- Shop Drawings and Installation Models
- Construction Sequencing Models
- As-Built BIM Updates
- Post-Construction Phase
- Facility BIM Models
- Asset Information Models
- Lifecycle Management Data
Outsourcing services for BIM provide digital continuity across all phases of a project.
BIM Outsourcing Services and Global Construction Markets
In North America, the Middle East, and Canada, BIM workflows and coordinated digital documents are becoming mandatory in the construction industry. BIM outsourcing enables construction companies to efficiently comply with these requirements.
Some of the requirements for these regions include:
- BIM documentation for construction
- Coordinated models across multiple disciplines
- Project delivery using Revit
- BIM execution plans and guidelines
By using BIM outsourcing services, companies can comply with all global BIM mandates and standards as well as the industry.
Quality Control in BIM Outsourcing Services
To ensure reliable BIM outputs, quality assurance must be implemented. Professional BIM outsourcing services use structured validation and review workflows to verify their quality processes.
Quality processes include:
- Compliance Verifications of BIM Standards
- Validations of Model Accuracy
- Verifications of Clash Resolutions
- Reviews of Documentation Consistency
- Control over Revisions and Versions
All these processes ensure that BIM models are ready for construction, coherent, and complimentary.
Choosing the Right BIM Outsourcing Services Partner
Selecting the right provider is a key to success in your projects as well. Companies should consider their ability to perform BIM outsourcing through technical capability and workflow maturity.
The best way to choose a partner is to evaluate them based on these factors:
- Ability to provide BIM and Revit specific solutions
- Multidiscipline capability for modeling
- Knowledge of international standards
- Coordination and clash detection workflow history
- Processes for communication and collaboration
- Security and confidentiality of the data
With a reliable BIM outsourcing service provider, you gain an extension to your own company’s resources which makes your project team more effective at achieving your goals.
Future of BIM Outsourcing Services in Construction
The rapidly digitizing field of the construction industry is continuing to transform the BIM outsourcing service industry with the introduction of new technologies and collaborative platforms. The most current and emerging trends that are developing for BIM outsourcing are:
- BIM Collaboration via Cloud-Based Technology
- Digital Twins and Lifecycle BIM
- Clash Detection via Artificial Intelligence
- Automated Documentation From BIM
- Integrated Sequencing and BIM
As the increasing complexity of projects continues to grow, BIM outsourcing services continue to be a necessary resource for scalable and coordinated project delivery.
Conclusion
The strategy of using BIM outsourcing services has been embraced as a way for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms to achieve operational efficiency as well as improved accuracy and scalability. Specifically, by leveraging the additional experience and expertise that BIM outsourcing service providers offer, AEC firms can provide coordinated models, generated construction documentation, and clash-free designs without the necessity of adding to their internal team size.
All phases of the construction lifecycle can be supported using BIM outsourcing services including BIM modelling and coordination, shop drawings and As-Built documentation. In today’s demanding construction market, AEC firms that embrace BIM outsourcing services will have specific advantages in terms of overall cost control, speed of delivery and digital co-ordination.
By utilising the experience of a qualified BIM outsourcing service provider, construction projects have greater clarity and certainty as they progress from design through to completion.