BIM-837: BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING The Cost Estimators Role

Edward J. Keane CCC

Edward J. Keane, CCC

Degree:
BS, Business and Management

University:
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Years of Experience:
27 years of experience

Professional Field:
Senior Cost Consultant with Project Management Services, Inc., McLean, VA. Experienced in Construction Estimating, Construction Business and Production Management.

Something you do not know about me:

Former Construction Business Owner

Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them. -Alfred North Whitehead

CAD 2D Drawing & 3D Model

Source: cad-design-anddrafting-services.com (2012)

Source: themagnumgroup.net (2012)

CAD FLOOR PLAN

Source: 3dcadmodel.com (2012)

CAD 3D MODEL OF NEW YORK CITY

Source: 3dcadbrowder.com (2012)

Modeled in Autodesk 3ds Max Format

BIM 5D Modeling

SCHEDULE

COST

LXWXH

SPACE BIM Adds two additional dimensions to a model to make it a 5Dimensional Model
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TEAM MEMBERS

Architects & Designers Engineers GC/Estimating & Scheduling Consultants Owners Building Managers

MULTI-USERS
Architect PM Mech. Engineer

GC/Estimator

Central Mode

Owner

Civil Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Figure 1 BIM as a Multi-User Platform

BIM ADOPTION in U.S. & Europe

36% 2010

2009 49%

Europe North America

2007 28%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Figure 2 - BIM Adoption in North America vs. Europe

Source McGraw Hill Construction, 2010 SmartMarket Report

BIM Usage in U.S. & Europe

Figure 2 BIM Usage in North America vs. Europe

Source McGraw Hill Construction, 2010 SmartMarket Report

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BIM Benefits
Reduced number of RFI's (Requests for information) Better cost control/predictability Fast client approval cycles Reduced changes during construction Reduced conflicts during construction

43% 43% 44% 56%

59%
62% 69%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Improved overall project quality Improved collective understanding of design intent

Figure 3- BIM Benefits Contributing the Most Value

Source McGraw Hill Construction, 2010 SmartMarket Report

Advantages to the Architect & Designer Interference Detection

- walls located in window and door openings - columns located in doorways and hallways - ductwork passing through structural beams

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Advantages to the Architect & Designer Powerful Presentation of Design

- differing site conditions are identified early on - inefficiencies in layout and space usage are addressed early on - a feel of the building space is achieved including volume and lighting

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Advantages to the Contractor Allowance for Contractor Input

- harness expertise with a particular building type (i.e. hospital, courthouse, office building, etc.) - utilize experience with a certain type or method of building construction , or building system (i.e. pre-manufactured systems, concrete/steel frame, etc. )

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Advantages to the Contractor Efficient Estimating

- automated quantity and area take-offs - ease of cost analysis - estimating in real time

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Advantages to the Team Rapid evaluation of alternative designs, alternative systems & proposed changes
- owners see design ideas illustrated and estimated in real time

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Advantages to the Team An as-built model of the building is created

- building data is stored and summarized in one location - a permanent record of materials, fixtures, and specifications for the building is established automatically - operation and maintenance of the building is facilitated at a lower cost

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Advantages to the Team A tool Model becomes an energy analysis

- What is the most beneficial positioning of the building on the site? - Which HVAC system is going to be the most economical over the first 10 years of the buildings life?

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Advantages to the Team A Model can be used to evaluate LEED options and determine the costs of attaining specific levels of LEED certification
- 12,000 buildings have been LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council since 2000 - What are the LEED options on a project and which should be pursued? - What are the long term cost benefits for each option?

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Further Advantages Early work planning and proper sequencing Enhanced work flow Minimized schedules Increased field productivity Increased on-site safety Fewer RFIs Better end product

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Estimating In BIM

Cost estimating is defined as the process of predicting the probable costs of a project, of a given and documented scope, to be completed at a defined location and point of time in the future.
- AACEI, Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering, 5th Edition revised, 2010

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Estimating in BIM The goal is to improve the early decision making process through modeling. Q: How is this achieved in BIM? A: By automating the takeoff process to infer quantities of all building elements even when they are not yet modeled.

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Estimating in BIM
Autodesks Revit is a widely used BIM authoring tool. Various software applications are available to model and estimate building projects. Conceptual or parametric estimates are generated while there is minimal building scope identified.

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3-D Model & Cost Estimating View

Figure 4 - D-Profiler Screen View: Spatial & Tabular View

Image provided by Beck Technology

Building Model and Google Earth Interface

Figure 5 - D-Profiler Screen View: Model in Google Earth

Image provided by Beck Technology

Proforma Tab & Building Costs Summary

Figure 6 - D-Profiler Screen View: Proforma Tab with Building Costs Summary
Image provided by Beck Technology

Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Site Conditions including:

soil properties grade accessibility presence of hazardous materials existing structures to be removed right of ways and easements tight-site characteristics

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Date of construction start and projected construction schedule

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Market conditions including:

availability of materials availability of skilled labor as required union labor influence availability of special equipment as required

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Requirement for after-hours work & Requirement for cleared workers

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Building use and type of construction; special expertise required to construct the building

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Current rate of inflation and current cost trends for materials, labor and equipment Cost escalation calculated to start date or midpoint of construction

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters

Contractor and subcontractor markups which reflect to a certain extent the prevailing market conditions

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Shipping charges and taxes on materials; value added taxes within the country of the project location

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Climate in the region where the project is located; limitations to the length of the construction season if applicable

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Fees related to utility connections, right of ways and easements

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Movement of tenants; necessity for swing space and its requirements

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Design and construction contingencies based on the amount of foreseen risk in the contract or project

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Conceptual Estimate Parameters Other General Conditions pertaining to the particular project

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BIM GOING FORWARD

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Market Edge

BIM brings a competitive market advantage to firms who adopt its use and participate in the approach with team members and clients.

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Ongoing Issues
Ownership and control of the model who may have access and how will architects and designers be compensated for their time? Legal responsibilities related to construction claims - how are claims resolved when they arise from a shortcoming in a particular model?

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Ongoing Issues
What cost database is appropriate for estimating costs on a particular project? Will RS Means data be accepted? Will contractor historical data be more appropriate? Regarding legal responsibilities for construction claims, how are claims resolved when they arise from a shortcoming in the BIM model?

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Outlook
Software is being upgraded continuously to meet the needs of all team members The skills and levels of expertise in using the models continue to grow Compatibility of design, estimating and scheduling software continues to increase The platform on which BIM is built continues to become more standardized, enabling a more widely accepted approach and final product

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Outlook
BIM will continue to shorten the design process and bring efficiencies to the AEC industry Projects will be performed with fewer changes and construction delays The use of BIM will continue to expand in the private sector Federal and local governments will further expand the use of BIM as they require the approach in the management of public sector projects

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Questions
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