Building information modeling, or BIM, allows builders, contractors, architects, designers, and anyone else involved in the home-building process to generate sophisticated 3D digital models of a home. The models aren’t just a 3D version of the 2D drawings though; they are made up of a collection of parametric objects — computerized versions of real-world items, such as wall panels, windows, doors, roof trusses, and so on — that contain all relevant underlying data (e.g, material, dimension, cost, energy performance, and even product availability) that allow builders, designers, and buyers to make informed decisions. In short, BIM allows a team to design and build a home before ever breaking ground. To date, the technology has been put to use mostly by large builders or on large projects. Smaller builders have shied away for any number of reasons, including cost and time involved with learning the software. But that’s starting to change. We reached out to several small- to mid-sized builders that have adopted BIM tools to see how they are benefiting from them. Here’s what they had to offer: • Fixing problems before they happen. Any project, no matter the size, can fall victim to design or construction errors. The 3D models generated using BIM software can make huge leaps toward recognizing and fixing any such errors before building even begins. Most programs call this feature “clash detection,” with the ability to recognize when elements of a design will conflict with each other. “We can see things quicker and before they become a problem,” says Brice Nelson of Heartland Custom Homes, Wausau, Wis., giving an example of conflicting rooflines. “Catching that in a 3D look at the house saved us thousands of dollars from trying to rectify the problem after it is already half-built.” • Component manufacturing. If you’re a builder that uses manufactured components, such as roof trusses and panelized systems, like Blenker Building