In-House vs. BIM Consultancy Services: Find the Best Option
With reduced costs, improved risk management, and maximized profit margins, Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers benefits that are impossible to overlook. Therefore, more and more practices are integrating BIM to make project management more efficient. With the rise in importance of BIM, the decision-making process is also becoming more complex. If you are confused how to manage the integration of BIM and are unable to decide between establishing an in-house team or seeking external consultancy services, we are here to help.
There are no qualms that both options have their own set of merits. However, the choice often boils down to the unique needs and resources of your organization. But the advantages of seeking services of specialized BIM consultancy services in UK significantly outweigh those of establishing an in-house BIM team. Let us walk you through these advantages in detail.
Access to Specialized Expertise
When you opt for BIM consultancy services, you are not just hiring an individual; instead, you are gaining access to the expertise of seasoned and diverse experts. This combined depth of experience means you get the services of experts who are well-versed in latest BIM technologies, trends, and best practices.
Furthermore, BIM consultants have worked on projects of all sizes. Therefore, they are equipped with the knowledge and experience of applying BIM strategies across different project scopes. With the kind of experience they have, they have encountered and solved almost all types of problems. Therefore, when they join you, they offer BIM solutions that specifically cater to your project needs.
DDC Solutions have a proven track record of providing BIM solutions to companies of all sizes. Industry leaders like Higgins Partnerships, Stiff & Trevillion Architects, and David Kohn Architects have optimized their BIM practices. If you want to do the same, book your free consultation to ensure compliance with extremely complex BIM standards and make your project delivery a resounding success.
In contrast, an in-house will lack this breadth of experience. Their experience will be limited, and if you hire fresh graduates, there will be a steep learning curve (which, again, will add to your costs). So, the ability of an in-house tea to cope with new challenges will either does not exist at all or will be limited.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Establishing an in-house BIM team does not make any sense when it comes to cost-effectiveness. You must pay salaries, arrange training sessions, buy expensive software licenses, and set up a whole IT ecosystem. Additionally, there’s the time and expense involved in recruiting and onboarding new team members.
With BIM consultancy services, you eliminate all these additional expenses. You pay for the services you require, when you require them, without the overhead of a full-time team.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
Projects in the AEC industry can vary greatly in scope and complexity. An in-house BIM team might be sufficient for your current workload, but what happens when you land a larger project or one that requires specialized skills your team doesn’t possess?
BIM consultancies offer the flexibility to scale up or down as needed. They can quickly assemble a team with the specific expertise required for your project, ensuring that you have the right people in place at the right time. This scalability is difficult to achieve with an in-house team, which may require additional hires or retraining to meet the demands of a larger or more complex project.
Focus on Core Competencies
If your core business is not architecture, engineering, or construction, then managing an in-house team will divert your attention and resources from your core competence. Therefore, it’s better to outsource BIM management to a consultancy firm. It’s because BIM consultants offer tailored software solutions, information management solutions, training, and point cloud modelling that make your projects more efficient.
Thus, when you outsource BIM management to a consultancy, you focus on what you do best while leaving the intricacies of BIM to the experts. This allows your team to concentrate on design innovation, client relationships, and project delivery rather than getting bogged down in the details of BIM management.
Access to the Latest Technology
With the advent of generative AI, rapid evolution in machine learning and cloud computing, BIM is evolving at a rapid pace. Therefore, to keep with these changes, you require continuous investment in training and technology upgrades. But when you hire BIM consultants, you do not need to invest in training or technology upgrades.
It is because BIM solutions provides invest heavily in training and technology to gain competitive advantage over their competitors and to ensure that they are always up to date with current tools and methodologies. Working with consultancy means you are acquiring access to these tools without putting additional pressure on your finances.
Risk Management and Accountability
BIM is complex, and therefore, any error will be costly in terms of time and money. If you hire an in-house team, the responsibility for such errors will fall squarely on your shoulders. And if your team is inexperienced or lacks the expertise, your project will be at significant risk of cost overruns and delays.
With consultancy services, you can save yourself from these unpleasant surprises. This is because BIM consultants have worked on projects of all sizes, and thanks to this experience, they have put systems in place to keep errors at bay. And if a challenge does arise (the chances of which are significantly low), their experience across a variety of projects equips them to handle challenges more effectively.
Thus, you can keep your project on course in terms of cost, deadlines, and compliance.
Tailored Solutions and Best Practices
Experienced BIM professionals like Jimi Clarke understand BIM is not about ticking boxes or offering one-size-fits-all solutions. Every project is unique, and so are its BIM requirements.
It is very likely that your in-house team will develop a standard set of practices and deploy them on every project. This will kill the whole philosophy of integrating BIM: making your project cost efficient, improving risk management, and widening profit margins.
BIM consultancies, however, specialize in creating tailored solutions that fit the specific needs of each project.
BIM Consultancy – The DDC Way
Our approach to BIM is different because of
- Client-Centric Approach: Focus remains on achieving your project goals, not just ticking BIM compliance boxes. You get a bespoke BIM strategy to ensure maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Integrated Teamwork: We work alongside you as partners, not external consultants. Your projects directly benefit from our hands-on involvement, ensuring your unique requirements are fully met.
- Bespoke Solutions: Every project is different, so should be the BIM strategy. Therefore, we customize our technology and processes to support your specific goals.
- Holistic Approach: From start to finish, we integrate BIM into every aspect of your project, helping you comply with stringent standards.
- Customized Trainings: Your staff gets detailed training and support to effectively use BIM tools and processes, leading to a significant reduction in errors and time waste