BIM tools and resources for better project decisions

BIM cost depends on the project area, disciplines, level of development (LOD), coordination requirements, deliverables, location and delivery model. This calculator uses those inputs to produce an indicative planning estimate. It is not a fixed quote; share your drawings, required LOD, disciplines, schedule and deliverables with OneClick BIM for a scoped proposal.

Compare the estimated BIM investment with the project costs and delays your team expects BIM coordination to help avoid, such as design conflicts found late, rework, incomplete quantities or handover gaps. The calculator provides an assumption-based three-year scenario, not a guaranteed saving or independently verified forecast. Review its assumptions with your project and finance teams before using it in a business case.

Prepare the project type and location, approximate gross floor area, disciplines, current drawings or point-cloud data, required LOD, BIM standards, deliverables, project programme and any coordination or handover requirements. If some information is not yet known, identify the assumptions that need confirming. A clearer scope makes proposals easier to compare.

Agree deliverables in the scope before work starts. Depending on the project, these may include discipline models, a federated coordination model, clash reports and issue records, drawings, quantity schedules, a BIM Execution Plan, as-built information or structured asset data. Also agree the authoring software and versions, file formats, review milestones, model ownership and handover method.

Specify the information and geometry needed for each model use and project milestone rather than choosing a high LOD by default. LOD 200 is generally suitable for approximate design development, LOD 300 for defined design geometry, LOD 350 for interfaces and coordination, and LOD 400 for fabrication-level information. More detail, data and coordination usually increase effort, so define the required LOD by element and deliverable.

Compare expected workload and continuity with the cost of recruitment, software, training, management and spare capacity. An in-house team can suit a steady pipeline and close day-to-day integration; an external team can add specialist capability or scale for a defined project. Many companies combine an internal BIM lead with external modelling and coordination capacity. Evaluate the delivery model against your own forecast and governance needs.

Set a BIM Execution Plan or equivalent delivery brief before production. Define model uses, responsibilities, coordinate systems, naming and exchange rules, software versions, level of information, review gates, issue resolution and approval authority. Provide controlled access to the agreed common data environment, review sample deliverables early and document model ownership and permitted reuse in the contract.

Use the calculator as an early planning and discussion aid, not as a quotation, committed saving or substitute for procurement review. Its outputs depend on user-entered quantities and configurable assumptions. Confirm scope, rates, schedule, exclusions, taxes, currency and risk allowances with the delivery team before approving or comparing project budgets.