Evolution of Quantity Surveying Practice in the Use of BIM – the New Zealand Experience

The research reported in this paper investigated the current state of evolution of quantity surveying practice in New Zealand (NZ) in the use of BIM. Following a literature review that included surveys by others of BIM usage in NZ a form of purposive non-random sampling was used to identify and interview people considered by the NZ industry to be at the leading edge of practice. It was found that where BIM modelling is being practiced on larger projects in NZ it is generally at level 1 or 2 as defined by Bew and Richards’ maturity model (2008). In this environment it is not necessary for quantity surveyors to change existing practices as they can continue to measure from 2D drawings derived from the 3D model. Only one instance of a QS firm measuring directly from the 3D model was found. Derivation of quantities from 3D models and linking of object quantities with costing rates contained within rate libraries is possible using estimating software that is available in NZ however this has not happened to date. Barriers to this practice being adopted are the need to develop description and coding systems and the need for the firms to develop formal libraries. Keyword: Building Information Modelling, Cost Modelling, 5D, Quantity Surveying