If your BIM quote came back higher than expected, the problem often starts with the request. Many requests we receive just say “LOD 400, full model” and attach a set of drawings. That sounds simple. However, it often means you pay for detail your project does not need.
In fact, two companies can ask for a BIM quote on the same building and get very different prices. The difference usually comes down to scope: which areas, which systems, and how much detail each one really needs. This guide shows you what to send, what you can leave out, and how to get a price that matches your budget.
Why “LOD 400 everywhere” can inflate your BIM quote
LOD 400 is fabrication-level detail. It includes real fittings, spool breaks, hangers, supports and insulation at true thickness. That detail takes time to model, so it adds hours to any quote.
Some areas need it. For example, a tight plant room or a hospital corridor full of services will benefit from full LOD 400. On the other hand, an open warehouse or a simple office floor rarely does. Our guide to what LOD 400 includes explains the difference, and the BIMForum LOD Specification sets out each level in full.
So instead of one level for the whole job, ask for the level each area needs. As a result, you keep the detail where it saves money on site and drop it where it does not.
What to include in your BIM quote request
The more clearly you describe the job, the more accurate your price will be. For instance, a strong request covers these points:
- Project type and size. Tell us the building type, the number of floors and the rough floor area.
- Trades and systems. List what you need modelled, for example ductwork, plumbing, fire protection, electrical or structural steel.
- Areas in scope. Mark the floors, zones or rooms you need, so we do not price the whole building by mistake.
- LOD per area. Say where you need LOD 400 and where LOD 300 or 350 will do.
- Items to include or exclude. Tell us if you need hangers, supports, sleeves, insulation, equipment pads or seismic bracing.
- Deliverables. State whether you need a Revit model only, or also shop drawings, spool sheets, clash reports or NWC files.
- Coordination meetings. Let us know if we need to attend weekly meetings with the GC and other trades.
- Drawings and documents. Send the current drawings, specs, equipment submittals and the GC’s BIM execution plan if one exists.
- Software and version. Confirm the Revit version and any company templates or families we must use.
- Schedule. Give the start date, key milestones and the install date for each area.
- Budget. If you have a target number, share it. That way we can shape the scope to fit it, rather than guess.
Scope items you can often remove to lower a BIM quote
Not every client needs every item. In fact, some clients work strictly to budget and are happy to drop certain elements. The table below shows common items, what they add, and the risk of leaving them out.
| Item | What it adds | Risk if you leave it out |
|---|---|---|
| Hangers and supports | Placed and sized supports tied to the structure | The field sets supports, and they may clash with other trades |
| Insulation at true thickness | Real clearances around ducts and pipes | Tight spaces may not fit once insulation goes on |
| Spool breaks and sheets | Ready-to-fabricate pipe sections | The shop or field must measure and cut on site |
| Small-bore piping | Pipes under a set size modelled in full | The crew routes small lines on site, usually with little impact |
| Sleeves and penetrations | Openings located before the pour | Core drilling later, which costs time and money |
| Shop drawings | Printed sheets for the install crew | The crew works from the model or your own drawings |
Removing an item is a trade-off, not a free saving. Still, it is often the right call. For example, small-bore piping in an open ceiling rarely causes problems. Meanwhile, hangers in a crowded corridor usually do. So tell us your budget and your concerns, and we will suggest where to cut and where to hold.
A simple BIM quote request example
Here is the kind of request that gets a fast, accurate price:
“Three-storey medical office, about 4,000 m² total. We need ductwork and plumbing modelled in Revit 2024. Level 1 plant room at LOD 400 with hangers and spool sheets. Levels 2 and 3 at LOD 350, no hangers, no small-bore piping under 1 inch. We need clash reports and attendance at weekly coordination. Drawings and the GC’s BEP are attached. Install starts in March, and our target budget is X.”
That short message tells us the areas, the level for each, what to leave out, the deliverables and the budget. Therefore we can quote it in days instead of going back and forth for weeks.
Before you send your BIM quote request
It also helps to know who will run the work on your side. Our post on the BIM coordinator vs BIM manager explains the usual roles. If you are new to modelling, our guide to BIM for small contractors covers the basics.
Finally, compare more than the price. Our list of questions to ask before you outsource BIM coordination helps you check standards, file security and communication. For the wider picture, see the real cost of in-house BIM staff and when outsourced BIM support makes more sense than a hire.
BIMBAM Designs prices every project to the scope it actually needs, from full LOD 400 plant rooms to budget-focused coordination models. You can see examples on our recent BIM projects page, or send us your project for a BIM quote.
