In the data we collect from our practice during BIM design, the real cost savings range from 3 to 4.4% on a typical 36-month project. The key point is that these savings are not due to the “magic of technology” but by reducing chaos, which ultimately means fewer mistakes, less unmanaged changes, better coordination and faster decision making.
These savings include mainly costs associated with extra work due to collisions (e.g. demolition, core drilling, unnecessary dismantling of constructed structures, etc.), but also soft costs (e.g. loss of time associated with paperwork in the office and on site, chaos in communication, searching for changes in documentation, etc.), where BIM helps to keep the project clear, efficient, up-to-date and traceable, but also transparent.
“From our experience, we know that BIM and digitalization can save up to 176 hours per month within a ten-person team, which is equivalent to one employee who would otherwise have to devote to administration and paperwork in the form of defects and incompletions, checking test plans, or minutes from inspection days,” says Zdeněk Vondřička, Head of Engineering.
It is important to understand that BIM first requires an upfront investment. However, this investment in the design phase translates into the quality of documentation, data and shared information in later stages. The real economic and user benefits of BIM will be fully realised in the implementation and operational phases. However, in all phases of the project, BIM provides significantly higher quality, better visibility and effective control over the project, documentation, processes and communication. The BIM methodology creates a single, reliable source of data that eliminates information loss and ensures that it is up-to-date for all project participants.
Case study on the use of BIM technology: a residential building in Prague
Gross floor area (m²) 20.000
Investment costs (CZK/m2 HPP) 45.000,-
Total investment costs (CZK) 900 mil.
BIM efficiency 4% (3-5% is commonly quoted)
Expected savings in investment costs (CZK) 36 mil.
Cost of BIM implementation (1% of inv. costs) (CZK) 9 mil.
Expected net savings (CZK) 27 million (= 3% of the investment costs)
“We see BIM primarily as insurance against chaos. It is not a 3D model for visualisation, but project management in one common data environment: we know which version of the documentation is valid, who approved what, where the change occurred and what impact it has on coordination and schedule. At a time when every delay is costly, BIM is becoming an economic discipline,” adds Zdeněk Vondřička
“One environment = one truth”: why BIM reduces risk
Perspektiv builds the BIM approach on digital management within a common data environment (CDE) – with versioning, approval and a clear audit trail. The result is a clearer project flow, less risk of working with out-of-date documentation and better control over changes.
Practical implications for the investor and the implementation team:
- Fewer collisions and multiple works: collisions are detected early (not on site) and changes are traceable and controlled.
- Less administrative work, more time for design and construction
- Faster decision-making: comments, approvals and responsibilities are clearly assigned, traceable and transparent.
- Better schedule and cash-flow control: less likelihood of milestone slippage, handover and follow-up invoicing.
Public procurement: digital readiness will be a competitive advantage
In addition, the digitalisation of construction is moving from “nice-to-have” to standard. BIM is gradually becoming a requirement in the public sector as well. In over-limit state contracts above 135 million euros, the BIM system is becoming a key component of the modernisation process. Companies that are ready earlier will gain an advantage in speed, quality and the ability to prove project data. In practice, this means not only better handling of the coordination itself, but also smoother processes for documentation handover, inspections and change management.
