Building Information Modeling is a 3D modeling process that combines architecture, engineering, and construction data into a single shared digital model. It allows all trades to see where pipes, ducts, and structural steel will go before anything is built. Project managers use it to detect physical clashes early, estimate material quantities, and manage the building's lifecycle after handover.
Heard on the job
The mechanical contractor found a clash in the BIM where the HVAC duct runs right through a structural steel beam.
Insider tip
On large commercial jobs, the BIM coordinator is often the most important person in the trailer, as they stop expensive mistakes before materials are even ordered.