BIM technology has become a vital element for the construction industry involving people who can design 3D models for coordinating and managing projects. Many companies hire BIM Coordinators as part of their staff for handling tasks related to modeling not only for designing the appearance of a structure but also for determining its structural integrity. However, as with any skill set nowadays, many organizations also bring in freelance BIM Coordinators on an as-needed basis for managing aspects of modeling and structural analysis on construction projects. This article will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of working as a freelance BIM Coordinator by looking at how industries, specifically construction, approach hiring people responsible for working with BIM technology and what choices are best for a particular business.
Freelance Vs. In-house BIM Coordinator
Possessing skills with BIM technology may lead to having to decide between the types of employment that best fit an individual's lifestyle. This could mean that finding a place within a company specializing in construction, architecture, or engineering for providing needed skills on projects might require making choices about how to work. In construction, BIM Coordinators typically work on projects from start to finish not only for designing models and structural design but also for helping determine feasibility and adherence to appropriate codes. BIM Coordinators work throughout the life cycle of a particular project not only for establishing practicality with design structure but also for ensuring that construction progresses within the parameters of the agreed-upon plans determined through modeling and data analysis.
In-house BIM Coordinators
For companies that specialize in construction, hiring an in-house BIM Coordinator might be a necessity as part of a design team tasked with shaping building concepts as well as establishing practicalities. The title for the position defines its responsibility: coordinating. A BIM Coordinator’s main responsibility is to bring professionals working on a project together to move toward the same goal of completing a project on time and within budget.
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Working as a BIM Coordinator in-house provides several benefits for companies related to construction, architecture, and engineering for managing projects in a variety of capacities. An in-house BIM Coordinator works within an organization as a connection point for different parties involved on a project. BIM Coordinators are responsible for either directly handling designing or managing Designers working on 3D modeling for projects in terms of both appearance and determining structural integrity.
Organizations also use BIM Coordinators for clash detection on projects to determine whether different elements of a design such as a ceiling, staircase, counter, beams, or plumbing conflict with each other and must communicate those findings to Architects and Engineers to work together to find solutions to any issues identified. Clash detection using BIM technology is usually less expensive when done in-house than with hiring someone outside of the company to perform the task. As part of an organization, a BIM Coordinator collaborates with others by conveying data and other information through secure database systems or the cloud to keep everyone on the same page throughout the project.
The drawback of having an in-house BIM Coordinator, of course, is overall labor costs. Many companies try to avoid paying yet another employee a full-time salary along with the position likely being difficult to fill since it requires a skilled person capable of juggling a lot of tasks, including working well with others, having a strong technical background, and possessing good communication skills to connect with colleagues, managers, and clients. Working with colleagues to coordinate the BIM process might be less expensive and more consistent by employing a BIM Coordinator to work within the company. Hiring an in-house BIM Coordinator also makes the organization responsible for ensuring that their employee’s skills are consistently up-to-date, which might require financing ongoing training or sponsoring trips to conferences.
Freelance BIM Coordinators
For smaller companies involved in the construction industry, hiring a freelance BIM Coordinator might be a more practical decision from a financial standpoint. Freelance BIM Coordinators can get hired on an as-needed basis for performing specific tasks involving BIM technology, ranging from modeling and data analysis, informing Architects and Engineers on details related to structural design or clash detection, or providing quality assurance during the project after construction or production has started. A freelance BIM Coordinator provides organizations with an on-demand resource that can ultimately prove less expensive than hiring someone in-house.
Benefits & Potential Challenges of BIM Coordinator Freelancing
Working as a freelance BIM Coordinator offers several benefits, including a more flexible work schedule, more choices for working with different clients or on different types of projects that may better fit a person’s temperament, as well as opportunities for focusing on a particular area as opposed to working on projects from start to finish. The drawback to working freelance may be the uncertainty about when the next gig might come along. However, another benefit of working as a freelance BIM Coordinator is that while work may not be as assured due to the specialized occupation, the pay for performing the work is typically higher for an independent contractor than for an in-house employee whose salary is locked in.
As stated, freelance work does not guarantee any job security, which results in inconsistency with finding work and income. Additionally, part of a BIM Coordinator’s responsibilities involves working with other professionals within an organization, who may not necessarily gel with someone who just shows up in their closed working environment perceived as a know-it-all.
What is a BIM Coordinator?
BIM Coordinators are tasked with managing projects related to the construction industry. Their jobs typically involve developing strategies, coordinating modeling, facilitating collaboration among professionals like Architects and Engineers, and maintaining communication among those colleagues as well as clients. BIM Coordinators ensure that everyone involved in a project stays in lockstep with responsibilities for creating, managing, and coordinating BIM modeling from the planning stages through construction.
BIM Coordinators have to make sure that proposed concepts are viable for construction by thoroughly analyzing designs to ensure they’re not only aesthetically pleasing but structurally sound and compliant with local codes and zoning regulations by applying BIM processes. Their responsibilities involve the geometry of a design revealed through 3D modeling to examine shapes, lines, and points with structural design for determining overall integrity.
Once a plan goes forward, BIM Coordinators are responsible for supervising 2D and 3D modeling involved in construction projects related to architectural design and engineering. This requires working with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers to oversee models with an emphasis on structural design as well as MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering.
What is BIM Coordinator Freelancing Like?
There are opportunities for BIM Coordinators working as independent contractors or freelancers that provide flexibility with scheduling and work locations. Additionally, skills in BIM technology can also qualify individuals for work related to architectural design, engineering, and structural analysis. Training in BIM software and tools also facilitates collaborating with others involved with working on projects for at least getting people who have different responsibilities on the same page.
BIM Coordinators are responsible for overseeing modeling for building designs, structural analysis related to construction, clash detection with structural design, and quality assurance. BIM Coordinators can typically find work with industries like construction and manufacturing. The job requires good time management skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively in a working environment with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers on construction projects. Skills for working as a BIM Coordinator provide freelancing opportunities with salaries that are comparable to what a person might earn working in-house with a construction company.
Of course, anyone looking to work as a BIM Coordinator can find employment in the construction industry. However, some people who have skills and talent for working as a BIM Coordinator may chafe at the idea of having to work inside an office or under the direct supervision of a manager within an organization. Individuals who have training with BIM tools like Revit, Navisworks, Archicad, or Civil 3D, along with knowledge of engineering, architecture, time management, and communication skills, may decide to work as freelancers or independent contractors.
Working as a freelance BIM Coordinator allows someone who has the appropriate skills and experience the scheduling flexibility to apply their talents to construction-related projects without necessarily having to stick around as a permanent staff member. Some companies may want a BIM Coordinator on an as-needed basis, which can work for an individual who enjoys the income that comes from working with BIM technology and methodologies without the restrictions of a regular schedule.
In addition to possessing the skills needed for working as a BIM Coordinator, freelancers must also be able to take care of themselves regarding their finances and contracts related to their work as well as being able to market themselves to keep business flowing. Freelance work may not be for everyone, but for some people, working as an independent contractor provides the perfect balance to apply their skills along with having a more flexible schedule.
Is BIM Coordinator Freelancing Right for Me?
Freelance work may not be for everyone, but for some people, working as a freelance BIM Coordinator could provide a perfect balance to apply skills along with having a more flexible work schedule. There may be construction companies that need someone who has skills with BIM software and who feel comfortable in an unfamiliar working environment for collaborating with Architects, Engineers, and Project Managers to help streamline construction projects.
Freelance BIM Coordinators get to set their own schedules, which means that anyone who takes this approach to working must be self-motivated and disciplined. A BIM Coordinator’s main goal, whether freelancing or working in-house, is to help projects meet deadlines. Meeting deadlines and fulfilling expectations is important if a freelancer hopes to establish a good reputation for reliable work and to pick up more work in the future.
Steps to Become a Freelance BIM Coordinator
In addition to possessing the skills required for working as a BIM Coordinator, freelancers must be able to take care of themselves regarding finances and contracts related to their work, as well as market themselves to consistently gain employment. While working as a freelance BIM Coordinator offers flexibility with a work schedule, someone working on their own time could be tempted by procrastination, which is why possessing a self-motivated attitude is essential for this method of working. It’s a good idea for a BIM Coordinator to establish a good rapport with other professionals working on a project such as Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers to maintain open communication to keep all involved on the same page to complete a project on time and within budget. This can help establish when the client would like the work to be completed and assist in agreeing upon a realistic timeline with the client.
A good strategy would be to develop strict self-discipline to complete certain project stages and keep the schedule moving forward. Establishing a routine is a good way to stay on track with an assignment and avoid straying from the objective. A disciplined freelancer is more likely to be a successful freelancer.
As an independent contractor, a freelancer will likely not have the benefit of an HR or budgeting department to track income and expenses related to working as a BIM Coordinator. A freelancer must be able to grasp basic financial concepts that include taxes and budgeting for supplies and equipment costs. For example, people working on their own need to factor in the cost of software, software updates, training updates, and supplies such as paper or printer ink when determining their fees. These are literally the cost of doing business.
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In addition to possessing the skills required for working as a BIM Coordinator, freelancers must be able to take care of themselves regarding their finances and contracts related to their work, as well as market themselves to consistently gain employment. While working as a freelance BIM Coordinator offers flexibility with a work schedule, someone working on their own time could be tempted by procrastination, which is why possessing a self-motivated attitude is essential for this method of working. It’s a good idea for a BIM Coordinator to establish a good rapport with other professionals working on a project such as Engineers, Architects, and Project Managers to maintain open communication to keep all involved on the same page to complete a project on time and within budget. This can help establish when the client would like the work to be completed and assist in agreeing upon a realistic timeline with the client.
A good strategy would be to develop strict self-discipline to complete certain project stages and keep the schedule moving forward. Establishing a routine is a good way to stay on track with an assignment and avoid straying from the objective. A disciplined freelancer is more likely to be a successful freelancer.
As an independent contractor, a freelancer will likely not have the benefit of an HR or budgeting department to track income and expenses related to working as a BIM Coordinator. A freelancer must be able to grasp basic financial concepts that include taxes and budgeting for supplies and equipment costs. For example, people working on their own need to factor in the cost of software, software updates, training updates, and supplies such as paper or printer ink when determining their fees. These are literally the cost of doing business.
Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Coordinator at Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop offers training for learning BIM technology, software, and procedures through VDCI. VDCI is an authorized Autodesk training center that provides education and certification related to various technologies, including BIM. BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a digital process for designing, developing, and managing projects for working as Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and BIM Coordinators in various industries like construction and manufacturing. BIM Coordinators, in particular, have to manage projects by applying 2D and 3D modeling in construction and manufacturing with responsibilities for handling costs, collaborating with other professionals, and interacting with clients.
VDCI offers a Revit Certification Training Bundle that is ideal for students looking to learn the broad strokes of BIM skills that aspiring professionals need to master. This course covers introductory and advanced Revit skills, making it ideal for beginners and experienced designers alike. In addition, students enrolled in this course will be able to take the Revit Certification exam as a part of their tuition, making it a practical option for future professionals. VDCI also offers focused courses in the important daily tasks involved in BIM projects such as the BIM Construction Documents I course or the BIM Detailing course.
Anyone considering becoming a BIM Coordinator might want to enroll in a certificate program or get certification in the methodology or similar technologies. To be clear, certificate programs and certifications are not the same. Certificate programs provide hands-on training in BIM or similar technologies for working as Engineers, Architects, or BIM Coordinators. Certifications, on the other hand, verify an individual's expertise in a particular area such as a programming language, software, type of tool, or methodology like BIM. Education providers like Noble Desktop also offer various AutoCAD-related certification training, including the AutoCAD Certification Program that offers a comprehensive program that prepares candidates for Autodesk certification exams. Training involves learning the fundamentals of technical drawing along with skills for drafting and creating 2D and 3D drawings using AutoCAD.
Achieving certification requires passing an exam administered by an industry-recognized organization. Ambitious BIM Coordinators can pursue certification through Autodesk, which offers several paths contingent on a person’s career ambitions. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP), for example, confirms a candidate’s skills with AutoCAD, including being able to solve complicated problems with workflows and designs related to the design software. BIM Coordinators can also gain certification for improving career options through tools like Autodesk Revit for working in BIM modeling for designing and analyzing building structures. This can include taking on the Revit Certified Professional certification program to gain expertise in creating and managing architectural models using the Revit software.