The construction phase consumes the most resources as the building takes shape. Due to the large scale, complex structure, extended timeline, broad scope, and numerous influencing factors, cost management during this stage is particularly challenging. Many variables are unpredictable, making it essential to strengthen cost control throughout the construction process. Construction teams should focus on maximizing the management of project progress payments, change order pricing, and claim costs, while dynamically monitoring expenses in real time.
During construction, project progress payment settlements serve as the formal financial agreements between contractors and employers, compensating for resources used as the project advances. Traditionally, contractors calculate project quantities based on actual progress, then multiply by the bid unit prices to produce a total cost for employer review. In China, monthly and segmented settlements based on visible progress are common. This process consumes significant time and effort from start to finish.
Cost management relying on traditional 2D drawings is tedious and fragmented, with scattered data that is difficult to analyze and summarize. BIM technology transforms this by leveraging its parametric capabilities: cost and schedule information can be integrated into a 3D model to create a 5D BIM model. This allows for precise retrieval of quantities at any construction stage, fast and accurate calculation of completed work volumes, and automatic aggregation of progress payments based on embedded price data. This method streamlines bidding, reduces manual workload, and improves the accuracy and efficiency of quantity verification and progress payment during construction.
Once on-site, the initial tasks for the construction team include reviewing drawings and clarifying designs. Reviewing 2D CAD drawings is time-consuming and challenging for multidisciplinary coordination, often leading to problems being discovered only during construction, which causes costly changes. BIM enables collaborative work across disciplines on a shared platform. Through integrated 3D clash detection and visualization, interdisciplinary issues can be identified early, reducing change orders and claims, and helping maintain project schedule.
For unforeseen change orders during construction, cost managers can update the BIM model with change details, quickly calculate related costs, and submit timely claims. The updated model can be shared with all stakeholders, facilitating consensus on claim costs and preventing data loss related to change orders. The continuous generation of data on labor, materials, equipment, and change claims turns cost management into a dynamic process. Maintaining and updating the BIM model throughout construction avoids the heavy workload of one-time data collection and minimizes discrepancies, enabling real-time cost tracking aligned with actual progress.
Additionally, BIM empowers cost personnel to swiftly calculate quantities or costs based on progress, construction phases, and component types. This accelerates data processing, allowing more time for analyzing cost deviations. Consequently, it supports process-oriented cost control, dynamic adjustments, and real-time insight into cost information.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up