It looked perfect in Revit… then the demo started. Brian and Alex dig into what happens when BIM models are built on old drawings, wishful thinking, and unchecked assumptions. From LOD confusion to fabrication finger-pointing and field fixes with a sledgehammer, this episode is your reminder that 3D coordination is not the same as reality. 

Leave feedback for Brian and Alex 

⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

LINKS:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://buildableish.com/⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildableish⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/Buildableish⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildable-ish/

Show Notes 

Chapter 1 – Trust issue in design 

• Models based on old drawings without field verification. 

• Levels of Development (LOD 300 and beyond) and what they actually include. 

• Why small tolerances and hidden conditions still cause clashes. 

Chapter 2 – Fabrication meets Fiction 

• How connected fabrication models reveal design oversights. 

• The risk of unclear responsibility for verifying existing dimensions. 

• A steel fabrication example where incorrect assumptions caused installation failure. 

Chapter 3 – Field Clashes and Finger Pointing 

• Conflicting drawing versions with different dimensions and quantities. 

• Coordination breakdowns when documents are reissued without clear revision tracking. 

• The importance of ownership and accountability during installation. 

Chapter 4 – The Model vs. the Record 

• Reconciling installed conditions with inspection requirements. 

• The value of maintaining model updates throughout construction. 

• COBie data extraction and how small errors can impact facility operations. 

Key Takeaways 

• Verify existing conditions before relying on any model. 

• Define who I s responsible for model accuracy and field verification. 

• Maintain revision clarity and update models during construction. 

• Treat BIM as a coordination tool, not a guarantee of reality. 

It sounds harmless. It’s everywhere. And it’s quietly responsible for RFIs, field rework, and at least one contractor staring out the window questioning their life choices. In this Hold for Clarification minisode, we break down why this catch-all phrase turns clear drawings into scavenger hunts – and how to stop using it as a loophole. 

Leave feedback for Brian and Alex 

⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 

LINKS:

Website: ⁠⁠https://buildableish.com/⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildableish⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/Buildableish⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildable-ish/

Show Notes 

The phrase assumes: 

• Everyone reads every sheet. 

• Everyone understands the note hierarchy. 

• Everyone interprets “otherwise” the same way. 

In practice, it becomes: 

• A scavenger hunt. 

• A coordination gamble. 

• A very expensive Saturday. 

Takeaways: 

• Be explicit. 

• Call out exceptions clearly. 

• Stop hiding hierarchy in the general notes. 

“If your drawings rely on “Unless Noted Otherwise” to hold them together…it won’t.” 

This episode is part of our Hold for Clarification series – short dives into the phrases that sound helpful but secretly cause chaos. 

When ducts, lights, sprinklers, and structural all fight for the same ceiling space, someone is losing – and it’s usually the schedule. Brian and Alex break down above-ceiling coordination, BIM promises, and why “it fit in the model” does not mean it will fit in the field. 

Leave feedback for Brian and Alex 

⁠[email protected]⁠ 

LINKS:

Website: ⁠https://buildableish.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildableish⁠

X: ⁠https://x.com/Buildableish⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildable-ish/

Show Notes 

Chapter 1 – Welcome to the Cage Match 

• How multiple systems compete for limited plenum space. 

• Why above-ceiling coordination becomes a conflict between trades. 

• The role of structure in defining what is physically possible. 

Chapter 2 – The Return of the BIM that Lied 

• The difference between modeled coordination and field installation. 

• Assumptions made during design that do not translate on site. 

• Why clashes still occur even after coordination meetings. 

Chapter 3 – Who Gets to Win? 

• How the order of installation impacts final layout. 

• What happens when one trade installs before others are ready. 

• The practical consequences of limited space above the gird. 

Chapter 4 – Inspections and the Great Hideaway 

• Issues discovered during inspection above the ceiling. 

• Conflicts between installed systems and required clearances. 

• Why above-ceiling problems are difficult to correct late in the game. 

Key Takeaways 

• Above ceiling space is critical infrastructure, not leftover volume. 

• BIM coordination is only as good as the assumptions behind it. 

Welcome to Buildable {ish}! A podcast about the messy, maddening, and occasionally miraculous process of turning drawings into buildings. In this episode, your hosts Brian and Alex are setting expectations about what we’re here to talk about. We’re not doing leadership lessons from your C-suite or perfect hindsight from the guy who’s never worn a hard hat. We’re breaking down real life project problems from design to construction, with the field fixes, scope gaps, and “how did this get approved?” moments that actually happen on site. And yes, we’re going to laugh about it, because if you don’t laugh in this industry, you’ll cry. 

Leave feedback for Brian and Alex 

[email protected] 

LINKS:

Website: https://buildableish.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildableish

X: https://x.com/Buildableish

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildable-ish/

Keywords: Buildableish, Buildable, Buildable ish, Buildable(ish), Buildable (ish)