• More than three-quarters of mechanical contractors say owners and general contractors now require fabrication capabilities, according to newly released study
• “BIM and fabrication management software are now essential for efficiency, safety, and sustainability, with over 90% of firms using BIM and nearly half adopting AI for smarter, more productive construction,” said Ian Harney, Vice President, DEWALT Construction Technology.

Mechanical contractors are accelerating their adoption of digital fabrication technologies in response to escalating demands from owners and general contractors, according to new research released by Dodge Construction Network, in collaboration with DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and supported by Pinnacle Infotech. The study reveals an industry shift: 82% of mechanical contractors now report that fabrication capability is a prerequisite for winning projects, underscoring that digital fabrication has moved from a competitive advantage to an essential standard for contractor selection.

Contractors Embrace BIM for Fabrication—But Struggle with Consistent Implementation

Use of BIM is reported by 87% of mechanical contractors; however, usage varies depending on the size of the contractor.

• 100% of large (annual revenues of $100M or more) contractors use BIM, with the majority doing so on at least three-quarters of their projects.
• Use is less ubiquitous among medium and small mechanical contractors, with 33% of small contractors still not using BIM and more than 40% of midsize contractors using BIM on less than half of their projects.
• Over 90% of mechanical contractors who use BIM also use it to fabricate, even among the smallest companies.

“Our research confirms what leading contractors experience daily: BIM and fabrication management software have become indispensable for driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Mechanical contractors are leveraging integrated digital workflows to reduce costs, minimize waste, and improve schedules, quality, and collaboration,” said Ian Harney, Vice President, DEWALT Construction Technology. “According to the survey, over 90% of firms using BIM now use it to fabricate with most reporting substantial gains in productivity and resource utilization. The survey also highlights the expanding role of artificial intelligence, with nearly half of respondents adopting AI for design optimization, estimation, and error reduction—heralding a new era of smarter, data-driven construction.”

AI and Digital Fabrication

About half of mechanical contractors (53%) currently use artificial intelligence, largely for design optimization, analysis, and estimating, according to the study. Respondents cite having high expectations that AI will help them increase efficiency and reduce errors in the future.

Benefits of Digital Fabrication

Contractors report that digital fabrication delivers clear project and company-level benefits.

• The most common benefits are improved cost performance, reduced errors and increased labor productivity and profitability, critical factors for project and company success.
• In addition, many see improved quality of work, reduced waste, better collaboration, improved safety and increased ability to win new work

Opportunities for Improvement

According to the survey, one of the biggest opportunities to improve is in the integration of BIM and digital fabrication management solutions. Of those using both solutions, 86% have created integrations between BIM and digital fabrication, but only half (50%) report integrations as working well.

Most users also report that they want to improve forecasting and process tracking. They also need more BIM and fabrication staff, as their investments in these areas continue to grow.

Multi-Trade Fabrication Is Becoming More Common and Yields Significant Time Savings

Complex, multi-trade fabrication is not as common, but it also yields the biggest time savings.

• Over three-quarters (77%) do some amount of multi-trade fabrication, including 73% of small mechanical contractors (those with annual revenues of less than $10M).
• Small assemblies are fabricated by 78% of contractors, but more complex fabrication like skids and racks are only done by about half (49% and 53%, respectively), opening the door for deeper engagement.
• Over three-quarters (76%) of those who do multi-trade fabrication find that it yields significant time savings, with nearly one in five reporting time savings of 20% or more.

“The story behind these findings isn’t just higher adoption of digital fabrication tools, it’s a shift in how mechanical contractors think about control,” says Steve Jones, senior director of industry insights at Dodge Construction Network. “By connecting BIM and fabrication with process management systems, they gain earlier visibility into cost, constructability, and risk, and that’s changing how work gets planned, executed and optimized long before material ever reaches the shop or the field.”

The full research report, Optimizing Digital Fabrication for Mechanical Contractors: How BIM-Driven Processes Are Transforming the Industry SmartMarket Brief, is available for free download and provides an in-depth look at the fabrication market and the tools in use, BIM and digital fabrication practices and their benefits and future needs and trends.

To learn more about DEWALT’s construction technology offerings, visit: dewalt.com/construction-technology.

About Dodge Construction Network

Dodge Construction Network harnesses data, analytics, and industry connections to be the leading source of insights and opportunities in the commercial construction industry. With five trusted solutions – DCC, The Blue Book, Sweets, IMS, and Principia - Dodge connects construction professionals across all stages of the building process. Designed for both small teams and large enterprises, these tools simplify complexity, empowering you to build thriving businesses and communities. With over a century of experience, Dodge Construction Network is the catalyst for modern construction. To learn more, visit construction.com.

About DEWALT

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Pinnacle Infotech

Pinnacle Infotech is a global BIM and digital delivery partner supporting mechanical contractors with constructible design, coordinated MEP modeling, and fabrication-ready workflows. With over 30 years of experience, the firm delivers integrated AECO solutions that reduce clashes, rework and project risk across the full project lifecycle.

Get in touch: https://pinnacleinfotech.com/contact-us/

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