BIM Construction Cost Estimating – Top Ten List
First and foremost BIM is the life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technology. While the industry is currently fixated upon 3D visualization tools, aka Revit, Archicad, Bentely… they only represent optional components of a BIM solution.
Construction cost estimating, and robust, proven project delivery methods are requisite components of any efficient facility design, project delivery, repair, renovation, sustainability, or planning function.
The Top 10 List when considering true BIM and efficient facility life-cycle management:
1. Collaboration – involvement of all stakeholders – Owners, AE’s, Contractors, Oversight Groups, Community …
2. Transparency – Appropriate access to cost information, and associated comparison to published independent third-party costs, such as RSMeans Construction Cost Data.
3. Consistent Format and Terminology – Use of a standard set of terms and data architectures such as Uniformat, Masterformat,and Omniclass.
4. Metrics and Benchmarks – Time, Accuracy, Conditions, Cost…
5. Proper allowances for local conditions – geographic, weather, productivity of labor, security, …
6. Appropriate level of technology to assure productivity, collaboration, security, audit trail.
7. Robust Process – The application of a robust process and business “best-practices” with a focus upon continuous improvement.
8. Appropriate knowledge of all “levels” of construction cost estimating, cost engineering, and their potential accuracy – Square Foot / Conceptual / Building Level Construction Cost Estimating, Assembly / System Level Construction Cost Estimating, Unit Line Item Construction Cost Estimating.
9. Knowledge of the impact of the Construction Cost Delivery Method upon construction costs and life-cycle costs – Design-Bid-Build, CM@Risk, Design-Build, Job Order Contracting, Integrated Project Delivery
10. Fundamental understanding of Total Cost of Ownership and Facility Life-cycle Management – Physical and functional conditions, Operations, Sustainability, Renovation, Repair, Efficient Project Delivery Methods (IPD-Integrated Project Delivey, JOC – Job Order Contracting)
I’m curious for your domain, how do you take something into consideration like a new type of building or technology used in the construction that the team is not familiar with?
Also, in your domain how do you account for the relative experience or inexperience of your team to the extent it corresponds to the time and materials to get the job done?
One why to account for the experience or inexperience of your team to the extent it corresponds to the time and materials to get the job done is via the “productivity factor” and or “co-efficient” applied to the task and/or job. This can be down relatively easily if you are aware the relative amount.
Josh,
Similarly, a new type of construction task and/or technology will have an associately estimate, however, the level of confidence associated with it will be realtively low and it should be noted in an appropriate comment field.
Cool, so that’s pretty similar how we do it building software systems too.