Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sheet metal (MEP/SM) contractors are normally at the forefront of Building Information Modeling (BIM) activities on a construction project. Substantial BIM cost and time overruns have occurred on many projects due to the fluid boundaries between coordination and design. MCAA’s Identifying, Quantifying and Preventing BIM Related Cost and Time Impacts Management Methods Bulletin explores the factors that contribute to these overruns, allowing contractors to better plan for them. The bulletin is now included in a 2024 edition of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry. MCAA members can download both resources free as a benefit of membership. Printed copies of the Change Orders resource are also available for purchase.
The bulletin explores the types of contracts that are employed in the construction industry that can directly affect BIM estimates and BIM execution and how these forms of contracts can affect BIM management, time and costs. Key terms used in the BIM environment are explained in terms of contract scope, cost and time management such as the all-important term “normal and expected coordination.”
Recognizing the Level of Development (LOD) to be provided to the contractor in the BIM process is a key element in estimating BIM costs and schedule times. Additionally, defining and scheduling the BIM process can be a key element in successful BIM execution. All of these key elements are discussed in detail in this Management Methods Bulletin.
The bulletin includes:
- A brief introduction to BIM
- Discussion about the various forms of construction contracts
- How design-bid-build forms of contract can affect the BIM process
- Differentiating between BIM “coordination” and design
- How the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) can affect BIM implementation – time and costs
- Determining the LOD to be provided by the design professionals to the contractor
- The importance of the LOD
- Discussion of design-assist forms of construction contracts
- The importance of including detailed BIM activities in the prime contractors’ CPM schedule
- Tracking BIM scope change work using time records and schedule impact estimates
- Defining “normal and expected coordination” by the MEP/SM subcontractor
- Ten priorities to consider before entering into contracts requiring BIM coordination
Management Methods Bulletin
Change Orders Resource
For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.
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