When should an Irish project convert from 2D CAD to BIM?

An Irish project should convert from 2D CAD to BIM when: the project is above the ISO 19650 mandate threshold (OGP above €10m, HSE above €5m, DOE school builds); the project programme benefits from 3D clash detection that is not possible with 2D CAD; the client's EIR specifies BIM deliverables; the project involves significant M&E coordination complexity (data centres, hospitals) where BIM coordination reduces variation risk; or when the practice wants to produce higher-value deliverables that differentiate it from CAD-only competitors. For straightforward small commercial projects below BIM mandate thresholds, 2D CAD may remain the appropriate tool.

How long does a CAD to BIM conversion take for a typical Irish building?

A CAD to BIM conversion for a medium Irish commercial building (2,000–5,000m² with architectural, structural and MEP/ELV scope) typically takes 15–30 working days depending on: the quality and completeness of the source CAD drawings; the target LOD (LOD 200 takes less time than LOD 300); the number of discipline models required; and the complexity of the building form. ASDV's overnight turnaround model for Irish clients means that conversion progress updates are returned the following morning after each day's input, keeping the Irish project programme moving.

What is scan to BIM and when is it used on Irish projects?

Scan to BIM is the process of creating a BIM model from a 3D point cloud scan of an existing building — taken by a laser scanner (LiDAR) or photogrammetry. It is used on Irish projects where: no accurate CAD drawings exist (common for older Irish heritage buildings, OPW properties and 1960s–1990s commercial stock); the existing building is complex in form and manual measurement would be inaccurate; or the client requires a high-accuracy as-built model for refurbishment or extension planning. The resulting LOD 200–300 BIM model allows accurate design work to proceed without the risk of incorrect existing-building dimensions.

What are the quality risks in CAD to BIM conversion for Irish NDP projects?

The main quality risks in CAD to BIM conversion are: (1) incorrect interpretation of 2D CAD drawings (lines that represent annotation are modelled as elements, or vice versa); (2) dimensional errors from PDF-to-CAD conversion upstream of BIM; (3) missing elements not drawn in 2D but present in the building; (4) incorrect LOD — elements modelled at lower LOD than specified in the EIR; and (5) naming convention errors that prevent the model being integrated correctly in the project CDE. These risks are managed through internal QA against a discipline checklist before every model issue.

What is the cost of CAD to BIM conversion for an Irish commercial building?

CAD to BIM conversion for a medium Irish commercial building (2,000–5,000m² full ELV scope) typically costs €3,000–8,000 from an Irish consultancy or equivalent BIM practice, depending on scope and LOD target. ASDV's remote conversion model delivers equivalent output at 40–60% lower cost — typically €1,500–4,000 for comparable scope. For larger Irish NDP hospital or data centre projects, full ELV BIM scope conversion is costed per project based on the EIR LOD requirements and building complexity.

CAD to BIM Conversion Ireland — When & How

The question "should we convert our CAD to BIM?" is one of the most practically important decisions Irish practices face in 2025. ISO 19650 mandates on NDP projects above defined thresholds mean the decision is sometimes not optional. But for projects below mandate thresholds — the majority of Irish private sector commercial and hospitality work — the CAD-to-BIM decision is a genuine choice with real cost, programme and quality implications. This guide covers when CAD to BIM conversion is required for Irish projects, how the conversion process works, what scan-to-BIM means for Irish existing buildings, and what the quality risks are.

When Is CAD to BIM Conversion Required on Irish Projects?

CAD to BIM conversion is required when:

ISO 19650 mandate applies — OGP public works above €10m, HSE Capital Programme above €5m, DOE school builds, TII major transport schemes. For these projects, BIM is not optional — the Employer Information Requirements specify BIM deliverables at defined LOD levels.
Project complexity justifies 3D coordination — Data centres in Dublin and Cork, hospitals in Galway and Limerick, university campuses — buildings where MEP/ELV coordination complexity makes BIM clash detection economically justified regardless of mandate.
The client's EIR requires BIM — Even below OGP thresholds, private sector developers (particularly US technology company occupiers) may specify BIM as a lease or design management requirement.
Refurbishment/extension of an existing Irish building — Where accurate existing-building information is not available in CAD, scan-to-BIM from a point cloud survey provides the accurate base model for design work.

The CAD to BIM Conversion Process — Step by Step

Assess the CAD Drawing Quality

Review source CAD drawings for: accuracy (dimensions verified against site); completeness (all levels, sections, RCPs present); currency (drawings reflect latest design intent); and format (DWG preferred over PDF for conversion accuracy). Poor-quality source drawings produce poor-quality BIM models regardless of conversion skill.

Confirm the Target LOD and BIM Execution Plan

Confirm the LOD required at delivery (LOD 200, 300 or 400 depending on RIAI stage and EIR). Confirm the BEP requirements — naming conventions, shared coordinate origin, family standards and CDE platform. Starting conversion without a confirmed LOD and BEP produces a model that may need significant rework to meet EIR requirements.

Family Creation and Parametric Modelling

For ELV systems, ASDV creates Revit families for fire alarm devices, security equipment, structured cabling containment and BMS components — either from manufacturer Revit content or from scratch where none exists. This family library becomes the reusable asset for all future Irish NDP projects on the same building type.

Quality Checking and CDE Issue

Internal QA check against BEP naming conventions, LOD compliance and element completeness. Model issued through the project CDE in the agreed format (RVT, IFC, NWC) on the project issue schedule with correct information status.

PDF to CAD to BIM — The Multi-Step Legacy Conversion

Many Irish refurbishment and fit-out projects start with only PDF record drawings — no CAD source. This requires a two-step conversion: PDF to CAD (vectorisation, which can be automated to a degree but requires manual checking for accuracy) then CAD to BIM. The quality loss at each conversion step is cumulative — ASDV recommends requesting original DWG files from the original design team or building owner before commencing conversion, as this significantly reduces the quality risk and conversion time.

Scan to BIM — For Irish Buildings Without CAD

Scan to BIM is the process of creating a BIM model from a 3D point cloud — taken by laser scanner (LiDAR) on site. It is the most accurate route to an existing-building BIM model for Irish refurbishment, extension or fit-out projects where no accurate drawings exist. The point cloud is processed to create a LOD 200–300 Revit model that accurately represents the existing building geometry. Irish OPW heritage buildings, older HSE healthcare estate and 1960s–1990s commercial stock in Dublin and Cork are typical scan-to-BIM applications.

40–60%

The cost saving ASDV delivers on CAD-to-BIM conversion for Irish practices compared to equivalent Irish BIM consultancy rates — the same saving as on ELV design services. Converted models are delivered to your BEP standards, in your CDE, with overnight turnaround on revisions.

Quality Risks in CAD to BIM Conversion

Incorrect element interpretation — 2D CAD annotation lines modelled as physical elements, or physical elements missed
Dimensional errors from PDF upstream — PDF-to-CAD conversion introduces scale errors that carry through to BIM
Missing elements — items present in the building but not drawn in 2D CAD
Incorrect LOD — elements modelled at LOD 200 when the EIR specifies LOD 300
Naming convention errors — model elements not named to the project's CDE naming convention, preventing correct CDE integration

ASDV manages all these risks through internal QA against a discipline checklist before every model issue. See our BIM support services Ireland and CAD services Ireland pages for the full scope.

FAQs — CAD to BIM Conversion Ireland

When ISO 19650 mandate applies (OGP above €10m, HSE above €5m, DOE school builds); when project M&E coordination complexity justifies BIM (hospitals, data centres); when the client's EIR specifies BIM; or when refurbishing an existing Irish building without accurate CAD drawings (scan-to-BIM).

Typically 15–30 working days for a medium Irish commercial building (2,000–5,000m² full ELV scope), depending on source CAD quality, target LOD and number of disciplines. ASDV's overnight turnaround model keeps conversion progress updates returning to Irish clients the following morning.

Scan to BIM creates a BIM model from a 3D LiDAR point cloud of an existing building — the most accurate method when no CAD drawings exist. Used for Irish heritage buildings, OPW properties, older HSE healthcare estate and commercial refurbishment projects where existing drawing accuracy cannot be relied upon.

Incorrect element interpretation; dimensional errors from PDF upstream; missing elements not in 2D CAD; incorrect LOD; and naming convention errors preventing CDE integration. All managed through internal QA against a discipline checklist before every model issue.

€3,000–8,000 for a medium Irish commercial building (2,000–5,000m² full ELV scope) from an Irish consultancy. ASDV's remote model delivers equivalent output at 40–60% lower cost — typically €1,500–4,000 for comparable scope, with overnight turnaround on revisions.

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ASDV Design Team

BIM & CAD Specialists — ASDV Consultant Ireland

ASDV delivers CAD-to-BIM conversion for Irish projects — ELV discipline Revit models at BEP-compliant LOD, with internal QA and CDE issue. Remote delivery from New Delhi to Dublin, Cork, Galway and nationwide.