Usage of Building Information Modelling in Quantity Surveying Firms in Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the enormous benefits of building information modelling (BIM) in the project delivery process, quantity surveying (QS) firms have the lowest level of BIM usage among other professionals in Nigeria. Also, beyond the generic importance of BIM to project delivery, in the context of developing countries, not much attention has been paid to investigating the importance that QS firms place on the benefits of BIM usage. Hence, it is necessary to assess the importance of BIM usage by QS firms in Lagos State, Nigeria to improve BIM adoption and consequently enhance project delivery. Primary data were collected using well-structured questionnaires that were self-administered to QS firms. The respondents were asked to assess the level of importance attached to the benefits of BIM usage. Eighty-six (86) valid questionnaires were used for analysis. The data collected were analyzed using mean ranking analysis and Student t-test. The results showed that only a small proportion of QS firms had adopted BIM. Also, all QS firms place considerable importance on the benefits of BIM usage, but QS firms that have adopted BIM attached greater importance to its usage at the post-contract stage. The essential benefits of BIM usage to QS firms are those related to the preparation of bills of quantities (BOQ), such as 'faster generation of quantity take-off' and 'ease of pre-estimation'. QS are often tasked with generating accurate and reliable BOQ, which can be mentally demanding and challenging. The recognized significance of BIM for BOQ preparation highlighted in this study can revolutionize QS tasks and motivate other QS firms yet to adopt BIM to invest in BIM. The study highlights the need for increased promotion of BIM adoption among QS firms, recognition of the varying importance of BIM benefits at different project stages, and the potential for BIM to enhance the capabilities and efficiency of QS firms in the construction industry. These implications can guide future efforts in promoting BIM adoption and its effective utilization within the QS profession.

Keywords: BIM usage, building information modelling, construction professional, quantity surveying firm, questionnaire.