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In the world of custom home building, understanding the tools and tactics that define success is critical. Here are two stories about two couples, with similar budgets and objectives, but who had remarkably different outcomes—let’s dissect why.
Enter BIM: The Power Player in Modern Construction
First, let’s set the stage with Building Information Management (BIM). This isn’t just technology; it’s a transformative strategy that integrates 3D visualization, material scheduling, and system clash detection. Think of BIM as the Google Maps of construction: it doesn’t just show you the building, it plans the routes of the systems, identifies the traffic jams, and allows for problem solving at a rate that no mere mortal could match. Separately, when these types of problems become visible to homeowners or developers, it’s not exactly welcome news.
Our first couple, let’s call them our Strategists, they get it. They looked to utilize BIM from the onset of the process, turning what could be a chaotic build process into a symphony of efficiency. The Architect was able to tell the story of the property with a beautiful structure that not only fits well with the landscape but stands out as an example of what meticulously planned lines, and massing can do for a home and its environment.
Potentially oversized structural members were caught early with revision analysis. Cut/fill volume was optimized. And, they were able to make their final interior design choices with confidence by seeing options in their virtually simulated space using augmented reality headsets. With BIM, the entire team was able to visualize not just spaces but outcomes, aligning every inch of their project with their vision. Material waste? Reduced. Unexpected structural or system clashes? Anticipated and avoided. They’re not just building a home; they’re orchestrating an optimized construction process.
On a less geeky note, they were given the visibility that empowered them to be intentional in getting get more of what they wanted, with finishes and details properly designed and documented for procurement and installation. Also included in the design consideration was sunlight analysis and at different times of the year, layered lighting options and fixtures, home automation and use of space. Today, our Strategist couple gets a lot of utility, enjoyment, and serenity within their modest and tastefully appointed new home. When they first started the project, they had hoped to build the home for between $1.25-1.5 million. During planning, our Strategists had made deliberate decisions to push the budget categories and make room for some of the features they learned about during the design process. At $1.5 million they came in right on budget.
Cutting Corners: A Strategy Doomed for Mediocrity
Now, contrast this with the second couple, the Economizers, who believed in old-school tactics that really amount to just cutting corners in hopes it will save money. The thought process was, why hire a designer when you can just pick some photos from Instagram and show the builder what I want? Armed with the level of ignorance that only a TikTok video can provide, they deemed the architect too expensive and opted for a draftsperson to make changes to a plan set they purchased online. The Economizers were subsequently caught off guard by the requirements from both the city and the local associations architectural control committee. Engineering was considered a value-less obstacle, a piece of red tape put up by the city that just needed to be ‘dealt with’. And they learned the hard way that interior design is more than just picking out photos of what you like on Pinterest. It turned out that being able to express the details in a way that the builder and his subcontractors can review, understand and rally around is like, really important stuff, but by the time this realization occurred, it was too late.
By not conducting the civil work early in the process, the project planning and review process took over a year. Once the permits were in hand, site work began, and the contractor showed up on his second day of the job to find a stop work order from the association for not having approval. After another two months of delays, site work begins, and the contractor has a change order for $7500 to haul in enough dirt to bring the house to the engineered finished floor level. When the house was substantially framed, the couple began to make their selections and learned that the exterior door and window package in their budget will take 20 weeks to arrive and this will hold up progress for another couple of months.
With framing up the homeowner can now visualize the home for the first time and that the garage doors really need to be a bit taller, and there is a post in the middle of the view off the back patio that they fell in love with when they bought the land. They are disappointed to learn that to make these changes now will create a lot of time and expense, and so the Economizers choose to accept that their camper won’t fit in the garage and the view thought would be accentuated now has a vertical post through it.
Several months later, with rough in work complete and finally through inspection, the drywall is now up, and cabinets are going in. The tile that was ordered a year ago has 100 sf in the order. The space it needs to cover is actually 140 square feet and the tile is no longer returnable or in production. A new tile must be found; more expense, more delays. The cabinets are finally in, and the interior designer (homeowner) realizes they need outlets and lighting in places they hadn’t considered; more expense, more delays. This couple, convinced they would get their dream house done for $700,000 wound up spending over $1 million, plus soft costs which are now growing as they are in litigation. The couple feels that there have been several missed deadlines, missed expectations and added costs. Unfortunately, what was missed was the creation of a realistic budget, a complete preconstruction team and the information to plan for a more successful and less stressful outcome.
The Economic and Aesthetic Impact of BIM
The economic disparity here can’t be overstated. Both couples, with substantially the same goal had very different approaches. The Strategists played their hand with precision and foresight, thanks to BIM. They invested in expertise and technology that pays dividends in terms of time, material costs, and stress. Their home? A masterpiece of modern design and efficiency.
The Economizers, though? They spent almost the same amount of money per square foot as the Strategists did but ended up with a home that’s a monument to missed opportunities. It’s not just about aesthetic mishaps; it’s about the long-term value of the property. They’ll likely face higher maintenance costs, potential retrofitting down the line, and a lower resale value.
The Net-Net
In the age of information, ignorance isn’t bliss; it’s painfully expensive and emotional. BIM isn’t just changing the game; it’s the new rulebook for efficient, effective home building. For those building a home, embracing BIM and investing in the right expertise isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in getting it right the first time.
Look, I wouldn’t build a friggen doghouse without an exacting plan, but that’s just me. And it's easy to overlook or rush, after all, planning every detail of the home is hard and it takes a lot of work. But without it, your builder will go slow, while you are forced to make panicked decisions instead of good decisions. Suddenly, the cheap comes out expensive and looks like shit.
Technology like BIM doesn’t just save you money—it makes sure every dollar you spend works harder, smarter, and more efficiently. The tale of these two homes isn’t just a story about construction: it’s a lesson in strategic investment and technological leverage. It's a lesson about information management in construction.
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