News I published 17 November 2021
Major differences in electrical installers’ awareness and usage of BIM in Europe
Over the past decade or so, BIM has played an increasingly important role in the digitalisation trend in the construction sector. That is why we have continually researched BIM usage among all sorts of construction professionals. We have followed the growing usage of BIM among European architects, for instance, from 10% in 2009 to 44% in 2021. To a lesser extent, BIM usage has also increased significantly among contractors, while HVAC installers still seem to be rather at the start of the BIM adoption curve.
What about electrical installers though? How are they experiencing the slowly but steadily increasing role that BIM plays in construction projects? Are they still rather unfamiliar with BIM, like the HVAC installers, or are they picking up BIM like an increasing share of contractors do, and using it to their advantage? That is what we asked electrical installers from seven European countries for the Q3 2021 report of USP Marketing Consultancy’s European Electrical Installation Monitor, which focuses on BIM in the electrical installation market.
Vast differences in BIM awareness and usage among European installers
Of all interviewed European electrical installers, four out of ten at least know about BIM’s existence and at best work with it. That leaves six out of ten European installers who have never even heard of BIM. Also, only about one out of ten European installers have ever done one or more projects in BIM. It has to be said though that there are substantial differences per company size. Of the largest European installation companies (15+ FTE), about a quarter has already used BIM.
Just like major differences between different sized companies, there are vast differences between the seven countries as well. BIM is least known among electrical installers in Spain, where three-quarters of them has never heard of it. In Germany, that percentage is around 70%, followed by Belgium (63%). In France, Poland and the UK, however, about half of the installers are aware of BIM, and about one out of every eight installers has already worked with BIM.
The Netherlands is a frontrunner in electrical installers’ awareness and usage of BIM
At the very top of this image, we find the Netherlands. Of all European electrical installers, the Dutch are the most likely to be aware of and use BIM. A whopping 70% is aware of BIM, a world of difference when compared to Spain where only 24% of installers know BIM. In the Netherlands, BIM is already being used by 24% of electrical installers, a percentage that rises to 41% among the large installation companies.
In a way, this is not very surprising, as digitalisation in construction and trends related to BIM, like prefab usage, have a strong presence in the Dutch construction sector. But a strong presence does not mean knowledge and usage of BIM is shared in the same way by all installers. Also in the Netherlands, BIM is not known or used much by the small (1-4 FTE) installation companies, of which only about half know BIM and one out of ten uses it.
All this shows that merely knowing the differences in installers’ BIM awareness and usage per country is not adequate to know how manufacturers of installation products can increase their brand image by fulfilling the BIM needs of installers. For that, more detailed splits per country and additional answers about their application of BIM are necessary, for which we refer you to the Q3 2021 report of USP Marketing Consultancy’s European Electrical Installation Monitor.
Read more
16 October 2024 I Henri Busker
The Building Blocks of Prefab: Key Materials
11 October 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Rethinking European Construction: Prefab Trends
24 September 2024 I Jeroen de Gruijl
Blockchain, AI, AR and IoT – Architects’ Outlook
24 September 2024 I Dirk Hoogenboom
Future Developments in Construction Still Far Away
Fresh Insights Await
Our relevant reports
Delve into the newest findings across various market segments, crafted for a cutting-edge overview. Explore our insightful reports, brimming with up-to-date data, trend analyses, and in-depth examinations, all tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current market dynamics.
Construction
Home Improvement
Installation
Special reports
Construction
Decision making process Q3 2024
2024 87 pages
Unveil the decision-making processes in the construction industry through the lens of European architects. Discover the factors that influence crucial decisions and the interplay among different stakeholders.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Prefab H1 2024
2024 63 pages
Discover the adoption rate and benefits of prefabrication technology among European contractors in H1 2024. Understand the driving forces behind prefab usage and its impact on project efficiency and cost-saving.
6,300 Euro
Construction
Sustainability 2024
2024 72 pages
Painter Insight Monitor 2024 will focus on understanding the specific needs, preferences, and challenges faced by painters when it comes to sustainable products.
10,815 Euro
Construction
Importance of branding & branding funnels 2024
2024 62 pages
This report offers a comprehensive overview of importance of branding and branding funnels with a specific focus on European handymen. Brand behaviour is covered for each country, showing purchasing power, differences regarding quality, sustainability, online shopping, innovation-habit and private labels,
8,400 Euro
Construction
Future of construction Q2 2024
2024 82 pages
Explore the evolving future in construction sector among European architects in Q2 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Construction
Trends in material usage Q1 2024
2024 102 pages
Explore the evolving trends in material usage among European architects in Q1 2024. Delve into the factors driving material preferences and the impact on construction aesthetics and sustainability.
1,850 Euro
Home Improvement
European Garden Monitor
2023 43 pages
Explore the European Garden Monitor, a comprehensive platform dedicated to garden health monitoring in Europe. Access valuable resources and expert advice today.
12,000 Euro
Home Improvement
Purchase channels Q2 2024
2024 90 pages
The European Home Improvement Monitor offers valuable insights on purchase channels in the European home improvement industry, examining the evolving preferences and behaviors of consumers across traditional retail and emerging online platforms.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 81 pages
Delve into sustainability trends in the home improvement sector in Q1 2024. Discover consumer preferences and the shift towards eco-friendly home improvement solutions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY versus DIFM Q4 2021
2024 113 pages
This report is a must-have if you’re in the home improvement industry. It provides a wealth of information on the behaviour of DIY and DIFM consumers, their motivations, and the factors that influence their purchasing decisions.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
DIY or DIFM Q4 2023
2024 70
Explore the prevailing trends between DIY and DIFM in Q4 2023. Understand consumer preferences and the factors influencing their choice between DIY and DIFM.
3,150 Euro
Home Improvement
Branding Q3 2023
2023 93 pages
This report offers an extensive overview of the home improvement industry, with a focus on branding and the most popular brands within different categories. Within this report, you will gain insights into how customers perceive home improvement brands and what motivates them to buy certain products.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Branding Q3 2024
2024 74 pages
Discover the power of branding in the home improvement sector. Explore how strong branding influences consumer preferences and purchase decisions.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Prefab Q3 2024
2024 119 pages
This report offers a comprehensive view of the installers’ involvement and needs regarding prefabricated electrical installations.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart & Connected Products Q2 2024
2024 120 pages
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among electrical installers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
Smart and connected products Q2 2024
2024 129
This report provides a comprehensive view of the attitudes of installers toward smart building solutions, specifically among HVAC installers, plumbers and their clients. In the report, you will find insights into the installers' experiences with installing smart products and the willingness of end users to invest in such solutions, as well as their motivations and pain points.
3,150 Euro
Installation
BIM Q1 2024
2024 84 pages
The European Mechanical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the plumbing and HVAC industry. This report specifically focuses on BIM adaptation in the industry.
2,650 Euro
Installation
Sustainability Q1 2024
2024 99 pages
The European Electrical Installation Monitor report provides a detailed analysis of the sustainable solutions in the installation industry. This report specifically focuses on sustainability aspects in the industry.
3,150 Euro
Special reports
European Sustainability Report 2024
2024 51 pages
This report provides in-depth insights based on triangulation of key market information and data as well as data from USP Marketing Consultancy’s key monitors that are carried out year in, year out. The focus of this report is on the most important stakeholders within the construction industry, namely architects, contractors, electrical and HVAC installers within The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, and Spain.
3,950 Euro