The significance of Building Information Modelling to the Quantity Surveying practices in the UAE Construction Industry

Abstract

Quantity surveying is a significant discipline in the construction industry. Building Information Modelling (BIM) was defined at early stages as the development of Computer Aided Design (CAD). BIM has been developed and it has the potential to revolutionise construction process in the way how buildings are designed, analysed, constructed and managed. Several disciplines including quantity surveying profession are being extensively impacted by the emergence of BIM. The quantity surveyors’ roles in construction include a wide range of services. BIM offers numerous advantages to the quantity surveying practices. However, BIM adoption level in quantity surveying practice is comparatively less due to some of its current limitations and challenges. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of BIM adoption in quantity surveying practices in the UAE. The secondary data was collected through a critical literature review and whilst empirical data was collected through semi-structured interview and online questionnaire survey among the quantity surveyors in the UAE. It is highly recommended that the implementation of BIM in quantity surveying practices in the UAE is beneficial and would generate great opportunities for the development of the construction industry. It is also suggested that the uptake of BIM is more effective to survive in the competitive construction market.