As current market tenders become more competitive and harder to win, developers and contractors are looking toward innovative technology in order to streamline the entire tender process.
Technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) – especially 5D and 4D BIM – allows developers insight into project time, cost and quality. All elements that can be the critical difference between delivering a project on time and on budget.
In the tender phase, a developer can utilise BIM technology to provide contractors and subcontractors with 3D design models that help them understand the project and create a more accurate, reliable, cost-effective and certain tender.
Accuracy
Since BIM’s deliver a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a project, the accuracy this technology provides is almost second to none.
With a digital representation of the project, the high level of detail allows contractors and subcontractors to accurately estimate the elements of the project to deliver tenders that will be true to the realities of the build – making for a highly competitive market tender.
Reliability
By using BIM and 5D to create a more reliable bill of quantities in the tender process, developers will be left with minimal unexpected costs or time delays in later project stages – something that can determine the overall success of a project.
By combining a properly managed and innovative BIM with traditional quantity surveying methods, the project effectively has a single and visual point of truth that ensures all information given to the project team (including contractors) is reliable and up-to-date.
Cost-effectiveness
Cost should always be front-and-centre of a developer’s mind, and it is no different at the tender stage of a project – especially when dealing with a complex project with extensive bills of quantities.
By using 5D cost management, developers are able to leverage 5D cost planning methods to allow for accurate and timely cost analysis at any stage of the project – from design through to the tender process and even after construction has been completed.
Using 5D and BIM technology at the tender stage gives developers and contractors the opportunity to be aware of all cost and time constraints involved in the project – and to adequately work around them to deliver a project that is on budget and on time.
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Certainty
By using the right technology in the tender process it helps the development team visualise exactly what is needed for a project – allowing contractors to deliver tenders that they can be sure will cover the realities of the project.
Uncertainties at the tender stage can result in a project that goes above budget and beyond schedule – by using BIM and 5D to eliminate these uncertainties, the entire project benefits.
BIM also ensures that the entire project team is on the same page and has access to the same, up-to-date information even as revisions are made. As soon as a change is made to the BIM, the information is updated for all project teams and contractors submitting tenders – creating a level of transparency and certainty that would otherwise be lost in the tender process.
The technology and innovation that is available throughout the tender process should not be overlooked by developers or contractors – it has the power to transform ordinary tenders into competitive, comprehensive and accurate documents that can lead to a project’s success.
Matt Hemming is a Partner and 5D Quantity Surveyor at Mitchell Brandtman, a world leading BIM and 5D Quantity Surveying firm specialising in helping the property industry deliver world-class projects on time and on budget.
Mitchell Brandtman consistently uses the latest 5D and 4D BIM technology to push traditional barriers in quantity take off, scheduling and cost analysis. To find out more about Mitchell Brandtman and how to use BIM in your tender process,
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