Implementation of BIM in Small Home-Building Businesses

Abstract

Implementation of building information modeling (BIM) in all levels and types of building projects in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can considerably improve cost, time, quality, and sustainability outcomes. Despite the potential benefits, upfront costs required to implement BIM hinder its diffusion in small home-building businesses. These costs mainly include consultancy fees, hiring/training and retention of BIM experts, and software license fees. Based on the small business management and innovation implementation literature, this study presents a framework for effective BIM implementation in small home-building businesses. The framework posits three phases with their associated business practices: (1) initiation phase: preliminary BIM adoption setup via external and internal support, and creation of in-house BIM experts; (2) stabilization phase: retention of in-house BIM experts via business practices improving their skills and motivation; and (3) progression phase: scanning and exploiting external innovative BIM knowledge to sustain or gain a competitive advantage. The framework was qualitatively analyzed and verified via interviews. The findings can help facilitate BIM implementation in small home-building businesses as well as in other small construction firms.