Hot take: BIM is overkill for small jobs, or so I thought

I always figured BIM software was just for massive new builds. Then we used it on a garage addition and found a plumbing conflict in the model before we even broke ground. That one catch paid for the software license twice over. Now I push for it on every project, no matter the size.

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

ward.emery7mo ago

That part about the one catch paying for the license really hits home. I was totally in the "overkill" camp for ages, only seeing BIM for big flashy jobs. A single avoided problem like that plumbing clash is such a game changer. It completely flipped my view on what these tools are actually for. Now I get why you push for it on everything, big or small.

2

the_abby7mo ago

Honestly @ward.emery, that view still feels a bit too rosy. The license fee is just the entry ticket. The real cost is the hours someone has to spend to actually run those clash checks right. On a small job, that time can eat any savings from catching one pipe in a wall. It's not a magic box that finds problems by itself. You need a person who knows what they're doing, and that skill costs money too. Sometimes the old way is just faster and cheaper, even if it's not as cool.

8

angelapalmer6mo ago

My buddy's tiny kitchen reno had that exact "one catch" moment.

5