Building information models are rich with data that many estimators are tapping into to improve their understanding of projects and the accuracy of their estimates. In fact, a 2015 SmartMarket Report by Dodge Data and Analytics showed 64 percent of contractors believe BIM has a medium to high impact on improving the process and accuracy of estimating construction costs.

One thing is clear: BIM is reaching beyond the traditional design-engineering applications, into the world of estimating.

Use of BIM is growing across the construction industry. In a recent survey by Timetric’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC), 49 percent of respondents reported that they are currently using or piloting BIM.

Construction software provider Sage has published a new e-book called “BIM Basics: An estimator’s guide for understanding building information modeling,” that offers an overview of BIM from an estimating perspective.

The ebook covers:

• BIM’s rising adoption among contractors
• The fundamentals of 3D, 4D, and 5D BIM
• The major benefits you can expect from model-based estimating (5D BIM)
• How to overcome the estimating challenges of incomplete models

Download the BIM Basics.