So, what does BIM mean for general contractors?

In short, the ability to offer expertise in BIM methodology will give general contractors a competitive advantage in the marketplace, particularly in the early stages of its adoption in Canada.

Many of the advantages to the building owners also apply to the GCs, too. In a Construction Management Association of America white paper — "Building Information Modeling and the Construction Management Practice: How to Deliver Value Today?" — authors Soad Kousheshi, P.E. and Eric Westergren, A/E/C Strategy, Inc. write:

"The potential advantages (of BIM) span a wide range of outcomes including a better tool for design and engineering documentation and analysis, more robust cost estimating, improved trade coordination, optimized means and sequence of work, a powerful communication tool for design intent and construction plan, and an information rich as-built model for facilities management."

From the same article, here are some more detailed advantages.

• Using cost attributing features of the model to assess alternative design and construction schemes.

• Virtually coordinate contract documents and shop drawings to identify and resolve geometric conflicts in advance of construction.

• Creating a 4D schedule to optimize sequence of construction, manage project logistics and communicate the project plan to subcontractors in coordination meetings and proactively make adjustments based on their feedback.

• Use the 3D and 4D models to demonstrate the scope of work to subcontractors during the bidding process, eliminate ambiguities, and reduce cost contingency in sub bids through increased clarity.

• Quickly assess and quantify the impact of scope changes on all trades and overall project plan.

As BIM becomes more widely accepted, it has the potential to change the traditional approach to project delivery in a very fundamental way. General contractors who get in the ground floor, so to speak, have much to gain from understanding and applying this new technology.