how to gain and retain BIM talent

[BIMpioneer]

I'm trying to find some statistics on industry standard for compensation, specifically vehicle allowance and mileage requirements for BIM personnel in construction, and I'm not having any luck. I figured what better place to go than where all the BIM managers look so here I am. We are trying to learn how to attract and retain talent and want to know what is typically offered in a compensation package. Do most BIM managers and coordinators get a vehicle allowance? Or do they just expense mileage to and from various jobsites? Or do they receive a company vehicle?
I have a surveymonkey survey and would really love if people would take answer the 6 questions. It is anonymous.


Thanks.

[Wanderer]

Interesting... that's not something I'd typically think of as a benefit to ask about in the salary survey.
My travel for any company I've been with, tends to be only a few times a year, though, so it is covered by the travel policy standard to the org, using standard rates for mileage and other expenses.

But, maybe I'm just not negotiating hard enough. Alas, a vehicle allowance is a bit much to expect when everyone in my company works from home.

[tedg]

I don't have an answer for this either.

But to me, a BIM manager / coordinator seems to be more of an in-house thing, and wouldn't require a lot of travelling.
This job requires management of files, procedures and maybe people in and office environment, more like a cad manager.

Unless you're thinking a BIM manager is out in the field a lot for some reason, or maybe needs to commute to other offices on a regular basis?

I wouldn't expect anything special for vehicle allowance other than travel expenses when needed for this type of position.
Just my thoughts.

[CAtDiva]

I concur with the previous responses on travel expenses as specific benefits.

Regarding the overall concept of getting & keeping skilled BIM managers, I would recommend providing opportunities for training & networking such as Autodesk University and Revit Technology Conference (including travel & lodging expenses) as those will have a direct impact on the skills & tools your BIM Manager will bring back to your company.

[Brian Myers]

Assuming you are in the United States, vehicle allowances are actually tax deductible. So rates are fairly standardized across all fields, not just BIM talent.
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p46...blink100034124

In my experience, most BIM managers do not get a vehicle allowance unless they are traveling to a project then coming home at the end of the week. I should clarify, yes they get reimbursed for mileage, but that's the same as any other employee.

I'll add that if we are essentially discussing a Per Diem then it gets very interesting, because once you pay for their expenses it may have been just as easy (actually, cheaper) for you to lease a car for them. A car lease is also a tax deductible business expense.

[david_peterson]

So I'm not sure what others do as I'm the same boat as the previous posters.
I don't travel much, but when I do, they rent the car for me and pay for gas and travel time.
If I'm flying, they buy the flight and rental car and hotel if needed.
That said if I was working for a construction firm and not a Brick and Mortar Office, I'm sure a lot more travel would be required.
For our office when people do travel and some do travel a lot, that's paid for.
If you're required to travel to a job site on a daily basis, that's where it gets a little tricky.
Say you live 2 blocks from the Job Site but the office is 30 miles away, I believe travel to your office wouldn't be included, but travel from the office to the job site would be.
But yes, there is a typical mileage that's more or less set in the US. This year I believe it's 54 cents per mile for personal automobile.

[Wanderer]

So I'm not sure what others do as I'm the same boat as the previous posters.
I don't travel much, but when I do, they rent the car for me and pay for gas and travel time.
If I'm flying, they buy the flight and rental car and hotel if needed.
That said if I was working for a construction firm and not a Brick and Mortar Office, I'm sure a lot more travel would be required.
For our office when people do travel and some do travel a lot, that's paid for.
If you're required to travel to a job site on a daily basis, that's where it gets a little tricky.
Say you live 2 blocks from the Job Site but the office is 30 miles away, I believe travel to your office wouldn't be included, but travel from the office to the job site would be.
But yes, there is a typical mileage that's more or less set in the US. This year I believe it's 54 cents per mile for personal automobile.

It's not the same industry, but, my mother-out-law has to do a lot of running around town for her job. They don't provide the vehicle or insurance or anything like that, but, they do give her a credit card purely to be used for gas, which she can use at any time, so she's at least getting a bit back for the wear and tear on her car.