BIM in Façade Engineering: A Comparative Analysis of Project Schedule and Cost Performance

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is increasingly adopted in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Yet, few studies provide comparative, data-driven evaluations of its practical benefits, particularly in specialized façade design and installation. This study addresses these limitations by conducting a structured comparative analysis of ten façade projects, five delivered using BIM and five using traditional non-BIM methods, all executed by the same supplier. The projects were matched in scale, material, complexity, and delivery methods to ensure fair comparison. Performance was measured using objective metrics: schedule growth, cost growth, and unit cost per square foot during the preconstruction and installation phases. The results show that BIM-enabled projects tend to perform better than non-BIM counterparts in preconstruction schedule and cost efficiency. Although BIM projects sometimes incurred longer design durations, they achieved significant savings in fabrication time and cost. Installation outcomes varied but often favored BIM, particularly in larger or more complex projects. Statistical analysis showed that the differences between the non-BIM and BIM projects were not statistically significant. BIM projects demonstrated reduced variability and more predictable performance outcomes. These findings offer actionable insight for suppliers, contractors, and project teams evaluating the return on investment of BIM in façade construction.