The construction industry has long suffered in a productivity decline. Even with the multiple technologies that have come to the scene in the past decade contractors have been slow to embrace and combine them to get their full effects on productivity.
The video below is an example of a multi trade integrated project delivery. Premier Mechanical Inc. used its BIM & Fabrication resources to save the owner time, and money, while increasing the overall quality of the delivered product. Lets examine the IPD process in the estimating, and BIM phase of the project to see how it can benefit your next project.
In the estimating phase one of the key things to understand is that there are secondary savings to the project that might not be realized if you solely examine the bottom line of each trades quote. Project proposals cannot be reviewed in a silo method of only examining mechanical quotes by themselves.
For instance, in the video above it was a savings for the electrician to be able to do his work in a controlled environment. The general contractor realized saving in having us provide an enclosure rather then build an entire penthouse for this pumping station. These types of values need to be accounted for in the estimating phase as a project whole to ensure the owner gets the best product.
Here are a list of some of the multi discipline savings that we often see overlooked:
- Elimination of Concrete Pads
- Decreased on Site Manpower
- Elimination of On Site Waste
- Critical Path Schedule Savings
- Decreased Management Cost
- Decreased Deliveries
BIM plays an integral role in the IPD process. BIM allows for an early review of multi-trade collaboration opportunities. The following are examples of items that we like to make sure get discussed in BIM:
- Integrated Hanger Systems (Shared Racks)
- Electrical Connections (Disconnects & Starters on Prefabricated Skids)
- Site Logistics with Prefabricated Materials
- Continuous Flow Installations
We recommend establishing a method of evaluating the cost, and time savings on each project so these historical savings can be carried forward into the next project. While the IPD process may seem complex at first because it breaks the traditional mold of purchasing, designing, and installation; the end result is a net benefit to all participants (Owner, General Contractor, and Contractor).
If you would like more information on how we can bring this process to your next project please contact us!
ahubner@premier-mechanical-inc.com
630-543-3500
