Are you buying a new flat and wondering how to ensure that everything will meet your expectations? A discreet but powerful technology is profoundly transforming property construction: BIM, or Building Information Modelling.
What exactly is BIM?
Imagine an ultra-detailed 3D digital model of your future property, but one that contains much more than just walls and windows. BIM brings together all the technical information about the building: materials, electrical installations, plumbing, costs, deadlines... All of this is accessible in real time by everyone involved in the project.
This technology has been around since the early 2000s, but its use has grown considerably in recent years in the construction sector.
Why should you care?
For buyers of new properties
BIM significantly improves:
- Transparency: You can see exactly what you are buying before construction begins
- Quality: Design errors are detected early on, reducing defects
- Deadlines: Better coordination between trades = fewer delays
- Energy performance: Accurate simulation of future consumption
For investors
The technology enables:
- Better assessment of actual construction costs
- Accurate monitoring of work progress
- Easier management of future maintenance
- Increased property value thanks to comprehensive technical documentation
Remaining challenges
Despite its advantages, BIM still faces obstacles that can impact your real estate projects. The study identifies several areas of concern: compatibility between different software programmes remains problematic, initial investment costs are high (particularly for small businesses), cultural resistance persists among some professionals accustomed to traditional methods, and legal and contractual aspects still need clarification.
The impact on your property transaction
If you are buying a property built using BIM:
- Request access to the building's complete digital file
- Ask to see the energy simulations that have been carried out
- Check that the warranties cover the technical aspects that have been modelled
- Keep all documentation safe for resale.
How this affects the value of your property: A building constructed using BIM has a complete "digital passport" that facilitates management, maintenance and future renovations. This is a significant selling point that can justify a higher valuation.
The "7D" dimension: thinking beyond construction
BIM does not stop at the delivery of the building. The "7D" dimension integrates the entire life cycle management: operation, maintenance, energy consumption, etc. This is valuable information for anticipating future costs and optimising the management of your assets.
Expert advice
When investing in a new property, don't hesitate to ask the developer about the use of BIM in the project. Their response will tell you a lot about their level of innovation and the quality of follow-up you can expect.
BIM technology is not just a tool for professionals: it is a guarantee of quality, transparency and performance that directly benefits savvy buyers.
Key takeaways
BIM is transforming the construction industry by bringing greater transparency, fewer errors and better traceability. For your future investments in new properties, it is a quality criterion that should not be overlooked.
According to the study by Elnokaly, A., & Dogonyaro, I. (2024). "Framework to assess connection of risk factors and management strategies in Building Information Modelling". Academia Engineering, 2024(1). https://doi.org/10.20935/AcadEng7392