News I published 27 November 2023 I Jeroen de Gruijl
BIM is used less by contractors than by architects, but usage is growing
After years of steady but quite slow growth, the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has now reached substantial levels, and for good reason. It allows increasingly complex buildings and installations to be built efficiently, reducing clashes and failure costs and allowing other technologies like prefab to be used. In some areas, regulations demand working in BIM as well.
Consequently, BIM usage has grown significantly, especially among architects. On average, about half of European architects are currently using BIM, and in some areas, usage is so common that it has become a license to operate for architects. However, if you follow the business value chain beyond the architects, the usage of BIM decreases significantly.
BIM usage is not as common among contractors
Looking at contractors, for instance, the share of contractors using BIM is significantly lower than the aforementioned share of architects. As the results of USP Marketing Consultancy’s Contractor Monitor show, the share of contractors working in BIM varies from 35% in the Netherlands to a mere five and four percent in Germany and Poland, respectively.
Company size matters, though
To put these low shares in perspective, it is important to note here that these results are based on our biannual monitor results, for which we research contractors with five or more employees in eight European countries. Company size generally has a strong relationship with BIM usage, as BIM is more often used in larger projects and less likely to be used in smaller projects.
Since large contractors are more involved in larger projects, it is also more likely they are using BIM. Smaller contractors are generally more involved in small projects and also more often in renovation projects. BIM is not often used in those types of projects, which is why the smaller contractors are least likely to use BIM. Given that we focus on mid- to large-size contractors, those small contractors are already filtered out.
The Dutch case shows other drivers of BIM usage
Besides the size of a company, many other factors influence and stimulate BIM usage. The situation in the Netherlands, with the highest share of contractors using BIM, shows many of these factors. Not surprisingly, the share of architects using BIM is also highest in the Netherlands, where using BIM has truly become a license to operate for them.
First of all, the level of digitalization in construction processes in the Netherlands is very high to begin with, which makes the step to start using BIM smaller. Secondly, the Netherlands has a culture of new-build construction that involves a lot of serial construction and prefabrication, which means BIM is not just very useful but often a must.
On top of that, BIM usage is stimulated top-down, as it has been obligatory for certain projects since 2011. Also, there is a network of governmental and educational institutions that stimulate BIM usage and integration, for instance, by offering BIM instruction courses. Consequently, the level of BIM usage among construction professionals further down the construction value chain is higher than in other countries as well, albeit generally lower than BIM usage among contractors and especially architects.
Regardless of these factors that make the Netherlands such a rich breeding ground for BIM usage, some contractor companies still find reasons and experience barriers that prevent them from starting to work in BIM. To find out about these and about details of BIM usage among contractors in eight European countries, we refer you to USP Marketing Consultancy’s Contractor Monitor.
Read more
16 October 2024 I Henri Busker
The Building Blocks of Prefab: Key Materials
11 October 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Rethinking European Construction: Prefab Trends
24 September 2024 I Jeroen de Gruijl
Blockchain, AI, AR and IoT – Architects’ Outlook
24 September 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Future Developments in Construction Still Far Away
Fresh Insights Await
Our latest reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our latest reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.
Construction
Home Improvement
Installation
Special reports
Construction
Prefab H1 2024
2024 63 pages
Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Sustainability 2024
2024 72 pages
Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.
10,815 Euro
Construction
Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024
2024 62 pages
This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,
8,400 Euro
Construction
Future of construction Q2 2024
2024 82 pages
Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Trends in material usage Q1 2024
2024 102 pages
Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Media orientation H2 2021
2024 161 pages
Explore the media engagement patterns of contractors to optimize your marketing strategies. Dive into a pool of insights that unveils how contractors interact with different media channels.
6,300 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2024
2024 90 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 81 pages
Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021
2024 113 pages
This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY or DIFM Q4 2023
2024 70
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Branding Q3 2023
2023 93 pages
This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2023
2023 114 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euros
Installation
Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024
2024 120 pages
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart and connected products Q2 2024
2024 129
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
BIM Q1 2024
2024 84 pages
The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.
2,650 Euro
Installation
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 99 pages
The European Electrical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the sustainable solutions in the installation industry. This report specifically focuses on sustainability aspects in the industry.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Challenges toward sustainable future Q4 2021
2024 111 pages
2,650 Euro
Installation
Purchase channels Q4 2021
2024 106 pages
Delve into the training needs within the electrical installation sector. Understand the areas requiring skill development to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
3,150 Euro
Special reports
European Sustainability Report 2024
2024 51 pages
This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.
3,950 Euro