ABSTRACT

Building information modelling (BIM) is an emerging technology in the construction industry, although the concept has existed for more than two decades. With more BIM pilot projects in place, the industry has an increasing interest in and body of BIM knowledge. The experience and findings using BIM in materials take-off in a Hong Kong project are presented in this chapter. A common current contention is that BIM could replace quantity surveyors in construction projects. To examine the possible veracity of such a statement a study has been made of the differences between model quantities and bills of quantities according to the stipulated standard methods of measurement. The examples and illustrations are taken from a project in which the authors are involved, together with an intensive literature review. The findings clearly show the limitations of BIM in materials take-off and the importance of quantity surveyors in that process. Quantity surveyors were observed to have a strong involvement with BIM in the project design process, stronger and more pertinent than those involved in the traditional two-dimensional drafting practice.