INDUSTRIES

Owners stand to gain the most from the BIM methods that Ehvert can deliver because they are affected by all stages of the project. Traditional processes lead to inaccurate as-built information, provide a reduced ability for input at critical stages, and poor quality of the build translates to increased cost of operation and useful lifespan.

Design & Pre-Construction

Conceptual design and visualization

Building information modelling (BIM) allows conceptual designs to be quickly prepared that include building and space form, client requirements, regulations and budget. Building or workplace proposals can be analyzed, simulations performed quickly, and performance benchmarked thereby enabling improved and innovative solutions.

Once a preliminary building information model has been created, 3D renderings can be easily generated with little additional effort. This enables teams to render extremely realistic images of the proposed building or workplace and accurately visualize the end-state of each proposed design. These renderings can be used not only for design development, but are also very impressive marketing tools for a new building or workplace.

Controlled life-cycle costs and sustainable building design

When using BIM, complete energy analyses and maintenance estimates can be performed early in the design stage to reduce operating costs. Energy performance is more predictable, and the resulting life-cycle costs can be included in financial models and compared against sustainability initiatives.

Design documentation

BIM allows teams to create a building or workplace model and complete set of design documents in an integrated database, where everything is interconnected and there is real-time self-coordination of information. This greatly reduces the risk of missed coordination between the various architects, designers and engineers on a project which would otherwise result in costly change orders.

Accurate cost estimating prior to tender

Building information models can be used for very accurate, rapid cost estimating. Material quantities are automatically extracted from a model and automatically updated when any changes are made. Because this process is automated, these estimates are much more accurate which greatly reduces the contingencies that must be included in the project budget.

Conflict, interference, and collision detection

Building information models allow all major systems to be instantly and automatically checked for interferences. For example, this process can verify that piping does not intersect with steel beams, ducts, or walls. Construction costs due to re-work are virtually eliminated.

Design Re-use

If a full building information model has been developed for a facility, this model can easily be re-used and adapted to future projects, greatly reducing the cost of widespread retrofit and new construction programs.

Construction

Cost reduction, schedule reduction and quality improvement

BIM can be used to drastically reduce project costs, project duration and improve quality through the following methods:

Fabrication

Information can be extracted from a building information model to prefabricate components or precut materials to shorten project schedules, reduce costs, improve site safety, and facilitate greener construction practices by reducing material waste.

BIM makes it easy to generate shop drawings for various building systems. For example, sheet metal ductwork fabrication drawings can easily be exported from the building model once everything is modelled. This allows off-site fabrication which greatly reduces on-site congestion, allowing teams to compress the project schedule.

Material delivery, logistics, and construction sequencing

A building information model can be effectively used to coordinate material ordering, fabrication, and delivery schedules for all construction components and materials. Materials and prefabricated components can be delivered directly to the specific construction work areas outside of regular construction working hours immediately before they are required.

Reduced uncertainty and risk

Detailed models ensure that the budgeting and scheduling efforts have been performed thoroughly and accurately, greatly reducing the potential of cost overages or delays compared to the traditional construction model. This results in a significant reduction of unbudgeted changes.

Accurate progress billings

Progress billings can be linked with the cost and schedule information in a building information model to greatly increase the accuracy of the payment certification process. This provides clients with a high-level of insight into construction and billing progress compared to the project plans.

Code reviews

Fire departments and other officials may use these models for their review of building projects which is becoming a requirement in some jurisdictions.

Claims, litigation, and new Construction Lien Act

When using BIM, fewer claims will arise in the construction process as a result of the increased coordination between parties and a clearer definition of scope and schedule. Building information models will play a large role in the upcoming proposed changes to the Construction Lien Act including accurately determining the value of work completed and as a reference for adjudicators.

Operations & Maintenance

Preventive Maintenance

Equipment, fixture and furniture information in a building information model assists to develop a thorough preventive maintenance plan which ultimately reducing costs and down-time.

Building Documentation

A detailed BIM model reduces document errors and omissions by increasing the clarity on what is required by containing detailed equipment schedules, access and operational requirements.

Reduce Operating Costs

Facility managers can analyze data-rich models to optimize resources and reduce waste and lower lifetime maintenance and operation costs.

Space Planning

Property owners can use intelligent 3D models to help manage space and perform spatial validation for tenant chargebacks. Fixture and furniture information can be added to the model easily to review multiple configurations and their respective lighting levels.