FRIDAY 24/02/2012 WWW.BDONLINE.CO.UK MANAGEMENT18

GRAHAM DAVIES(graham.davies@ubm.com)TEL: 020 7560 4096FAX: 0151 353 3501

4jobs.comLIZ BURKE(elizibeth.burke@ubm.com)TEL: 020 7560 4096FAX: 0151 353 3501

We have seen a numberof bim software

providers but we’re worriedwe don’t know enough aboutbim to make the rightdecision. What do youadvise?

Investing in bim andchoosing the right system is

a big decision. Getting itwrong can be a very expensivemistake, so it is worth getting toknow more about bim.

Bim software developmentand market uptake is currentlyequivalent to the “VHS/Betamax” stage of the develop-ment of videos in the 1970s.There are competing softwaresystems, some based on 2D and3D cad systems, being over-soldas all-singing-all-dancing bimsystems. So the first piece ofadvice is: be sceptical about any“snake oil” claims from softwareproviders.

Start by seeing bim not as a 3Ddrawing system or technical tool,but rather as an approach or away of thinking. Bim is aboutintegrated design, developing,visualising and testing a designin collaboration with the designteam, suppliers, constructorsand the client. This virtual proto-typing reduces mistakes andincreases certainty of outcomes.This can lead to completelydifferent forms of designprocesses, procurement andconstruction. For example, theRIBA is now working on radi-cally changing the RIBA OutlinePlan of Work (Stages A to L) totake account of bim’s impact.

Before thinking about “whichbim system”, you should radicallyreview how you can make yourways of working more effective,efficient and profitable. Do some

Beating the bim scrambleWith building information modelling ever-more prevalent, our expertsadvise how to choose a system and the legal pitfalls to watch out for

research on what clients,constructors, suppliers and otherdesign professionals will need, aswell as exploring the opportuni-ties that new technologies canbring. With bim you can be aninformation owner/manager/synthesiser, not just the designer.Where do you see your future?

Your investigations andknowledge building can includebim conferences, seminars,books and web-searches, talkingto peers, looking at competitorsand sampling bim systems. Alsoresearching regulatory andprocurement changes, such asthe UK government’s declaredintentions to use bim on allpublic construction projects withreduced carbon and improvedperformance.

Then develop a game plan forthe future of your practice, start-ing with improving your designand business processes. Fromthat you will be able to develop abrief for what you want your bimsystem to do within these widerambitions. Only then will you beable to test the available bimsystems and make the rightchoice for your practice.

We’ve read some horrorstories about architects’

liability regarding bim. Is thisjust scaremongering or willbim make architects morevulnerable to being sued?

Building informationmodelling shares project

information between all thoseinvolved in designing a building,facilitating co-ordination of theirinput and making it easier to spotdesign problems. To this extent itcould be seen as something thatmight reduce architects’ liability.

However, there are potentiallegal problems. These largelyarise from the way bim combinesinformation from those involvedin the project into a single model,blurring the lines between whohas done what.

The first issue surrounds whoowns the bim model and the

information within it. As designsfrom different consultantsbecome part of the model,ownership of designs and infor-mation becomes much less clear.The employer may require thearchitect to retain overall designresponsibility, but the architectmay be unwilling.

Other liability worries includepotential failure of the softwarethrough corruption of informa-tion or incorrect processing, andconfidentiality of information.

Architects working on a bimproject need to ensure contrac-tual documentation is clear onthe issues above, delineates theirareas of responsibility and risk,and addresses any future use thatcan be made of the bim model. Itis also important to informprofessional indemnity insurersthat the architect is undertakingthis type of work.

In light of these issues, theinsurance industry has had someconcerns about the use of bim.However, in November thegovernment announced it wouldtrial a “no-fault” project insur-ance on a Ministry of Justice bimprogramme.

DISCLAIMER This column is for general information only. It should not be relied on or treated as a substitute for specific legal advice relevant to particularcircumstances. Neither BD nor the contributors’ employers accept any responsibility for the personal views expressed in this section.

Professional

Richard BrindleyExecutive director,RIBA ProfessionalServices

LegalPatrick PerryPartner with Londonlaw firm BarlowLyde & Gilbert

While the cost of bimsoftware will vary accordingto an individual practice’srequirements, it is fair to saythat it represents asubstantial outlay and onethat could have greaterfinancial implications fromApril.

Because the software willbe used for a number of years

How will investing in bim affect your tax bill?

MoneywiseMark Twum-AmpofoPartner with chartered accountantKingston Smith

Now could be the best time formajor capital expenditure.

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While the cost of bim softwaremay well fall within thisreduced allowance, you alsoneed to consider all othercapital items purchased in the

it represents capital ratherthan revenue expenditure. Thisis important because of theway in which companiesreceive tax relief on theirspend.

Until the end of March,practices are entitled to anAnnual Investment Allowance(AIA) enabling them to claimfull tax relief on the first £100kof capital expenditure in a year.That means that for mostarchitects the cost ofpurchasing bim software willbe set against profits in theyear of purchase.

However, from April the AIAwill decrease to £25,000.

financial year — such aslaptops, iPads and desks —which together could take youover the £25,000 threshold.

The excess will be eligiblefor capital allowances whichis a far less generous regimeand only allows a firm to writeoff 20% of your expenditureagainst profits each year.

Cash flow permitting,practices expecting to makethe move to bim in the nearfuture should considerwhether it would be beneficial to make theinvestment before the end ofnext month in order toaccelerate their tax relief.