Intelligent construction specification, in the cloud. Work together on specs in real-time, across organisations and locations

A range of subscription options to make NBS Chorus work for you

NBS Chorus covers multi-discipline content, see all the content libraries available.

An NBS Chorus package created specifically for practices working on smaller works and projects

Perfect for design teams to view and annotate NBS specifications within their own modelling environment

A package created specifically for consultancies that write preliminaries

NBS offers a range of tools and services for specification and collaboration

A comprehensive online collection of construction related standards, regulations, technical advice and articles

The new specification writing and consultancy service from NBS

A range of tools to help you connect your specification information with Revit, Archicad & Vectorworks models

Digital plan of work and LOD resources

The latest findings from NBS tracking key insights into the Construction Industry

We surveyed almost 600 UK designers and specifiers about how they find the product information they need and their associated views.

Incorporating The BIM report, the Digital Construction Report gains a broader understanding of digital transformation

A valuable insight for all construction professionals, painting a picture of sustainability in the construction industry

Helpful tools, and downloads to help you make the most of NBS

Download sample specifications and see what's possible with NBS Chorus

Download a sample financial summary and see what's possible with NBS Chorus.

A five-part sustainable specification guide serving as a living, sustainability-focused document.

Thinking about moving NBS Chorus? Discover the benefits of moving to a digital specification platform.

PlatformResourcesSupportEventsAbout NBS for SpecifiersNBS for ManufacturersNBS ChorusNBS SourceUniclass 0345 456 9594 Sign in / Register

Platform

NBS Chorus Plans and features Scope and Contents Small works Designer New Preliminaries Book a demo Sign in to NBS Chorus NBS Source Browse by category Browse by manufacturer For manufacturers Go to NBS Source Uniclass Articles and updates Specifying with Uniclass Feedback and Support Find a code Other services Construction Information Service (CIS) NBS Schumann New Plug-ins Digital Plan of Work

Resources

Knowledge Case studies Authors Updates Reports Product Information Report New Digital Construction Report Sustainable Futures Report Resources Sample Specifications New Financial Summary Sustainable Specification Guides New Whitepaper

Support

Support NBS Academy New Downloads and updates

About

About NBS New Our team New Careers Partners Newsroom Sustainability

Platform

NBS Chorus Plans and features Scope and Contents Small works Designer New Preliminaries Book a demo Sign in to NBS Chorus NBS Source Browse by category Browse by manufacturer For manufacturers Go to NBS Source Uniclass Articles and updates Specifying with Uniclass Feedback and Support Find a code Other services Construction Information Service (CIS) NBS Schumann New Plug-ins Digital Plan of Work

Resources

Knowledge Case studies Authors Updates Reports Product Information Report New Digital Construction Report Sustainable Futures Report Resources Sample Specifications New Financial Summary Sustainable Specification Guides New Whitepaper

Support

Support NBS Academy New Downloads and updates

About

About NBS New Our team New Careers Partners Newsroom Sustainability

NBS National BIM Survey demonstrates business case for BIM

April 2014

70% of those using BIM believe it has given them a competitive advantage according to the fourth annual NBS National BIM Survey. The study found that awareness of BIM is now almost universal at 95% and adoption rates are accelerating with more than half of respondents (54%)now using it, up 15% on last year, and 93% predicting adoption by 2016, the Government’s deadline for BIM use on publicly funded projects.

More than 1,000 people from across the construction industry including architects, engineers, surveyors and contractors took part in this year’s survey making it the largest independent piece of research into usage of and attitudes to BIM in the UK.

Improvements in productivity, increased efficiencies, better coordination of construction information and higher profitability are among the benefits cited by adopters of BIM, with a mere 4% wishing they hadn’t begun the journey.

But while the construction industry feels more confident in its own knowledge of BIM (up from 35% in 2012 to 46% in 2013), there is still much scepticism around the wealth of information now available on the subject, with only 27% of respondents saying they “trusted what they hear about BIM”.

In addition, there is a clear need for greater standardisation with only one-quarter saying that the current levels are adequate. Further, there is still a widespread belief that the industry is still not clear about what BIM is, the figure of 73% barely a reduction on last year.

There is a clear divide between the awareness and adoption of BIM between small practices (defined as those with between one and five staff) and larger firms. In all measures, smaller practices are lagging behind their larger counterparts by around two years, with cost still being seen as a major barrier to adoption.

Given the Government’s mandate on BIM for publicly funded work, there is a risk that smaller organisations may be excluded from significant sources of revenue, however the survey does not suggest there is any great resistance to the Government’s BIM strategy with 58% agreeing that the Government ‘is on the right track with BIM’.

The survey also reveals a far more detailed understanding of BIM throughout the industry, with almost three-quarters now being aware of the different levels, up from only half last year.

51% reported having achieved Level 2 BIM on at least one project during the last 12 months, with usage of IFC – a platform neutral, open file format which allows models to be shared among the design team irrespective of software used – and COBie showing marked increases.

It is the latter, which allows the design team to use a Building Information Model to embed and then deliver the information that supports the use and maintenance of a building, which enables perhaps the greatest cost savings for the client.

“What this report clearly shows is an industry in transition from the stage when the early adopters are taking the lead to a position where BIM is becoming the norm.

“In the UK, through BIM, we are at the forefront of a significant change in how buildings are conceived, designed, built and maintained. This change has the potential to bring improved efficiencies and profitability to the construction sector, and better buildings to clients, something current users of BIM have reported in this survey.

“There remain significant challenges and investment of both capital and time are needed. However, there is a wide appreciation of the benefits BIM will bring and the projections of BIM adoption tell us that the UK can be world leaders in this.”


Richard Waterhouse, Chief Executive, RIBA Enterprises

The full NBS National BIM Survey will be released at BIM Show Live on 23 April 2014 and will be available on theNBS.com from 24 April 2014.