As the construction industry pushes toward faster, smarter and more predictable project delivery, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for digital construction. BIM is no longer a “value-add”—it’s becoming the foundation of how projects are planned, coordinated and executed across Australia.
At Draftech, we’re seeing clear shifts in what builders, engineers and clients expect from digital deliverables. Here are the major trends shaping the year ahead—and how we’re preparing to support our partners through every stage.
- Early Prefabrication Integration Will Become Standard Practice
Prefabrication is moving from an efficiency strategy to a core delivery requirement. Builders want certainty, suppliers want repeatability, and engineers want fewer late-stage design changes. The only way to achieve this is to integrate BIM, service design, and prefabrication workflows much earlier in the project lifecycle.
In 2026, we expect:
- MEP trades engaging earlier with coordination partners
- Increased use of modular kits, plant skids, risers and prefabricated service racks
- Builders requesting “prefab-ready” BIM models to speed up manufacturing and reduce site risk
How Draftech is preparing:
We’ve strengthened our workflows to support early-stage coordination, and our team is working more closely than ever with fabricators and suppliers to ensure models are not just coordinated—but constructible.
- Higher Model Accuracy Standards (LOD 350–500 Will Be the New Normal)
Gone are the days of loose, schematic models. Contractors and clients now expect highly accurate, installation-ready models.
In 2026, LOD 350–500 deliverables will become standard for:
- MEP services
- Architectural fit out
- Structural penetrations
- Installation sequencing
- As-built verification and digital handover
These expectations will place pressure on project teams to ensure models are coordinated the first time—minimizing clashes, reducing RFIs and giving builders confidence during procurement and installation.
How Draftech is preparing:
We have invested in advanced QA processes, multi-platform clash detection workflows, and highly skilled modellers who specialise in service accuracy and constructability.
- Clients Will Demand Asset Data and Digital Twins, Not Just Drawings
Owners are now looking beyond construction. They want long-term value.
In 2026, clients will increasingly request:
- Structured asset data
- COBie or custom data deliverables
- Connected models for operations and maintenance
- Digital twins for real-time monitoring and facility management
This shift means that the BIM model must become a data-rich digital asset, not just a visual one.
How Draftech is preparing:
We’re enhancing our data management capabilities, improving metadata consistency across models and partnering with clients to understand their asset handover requirements from day one.
- Coordination Between Disciplines Will Be Tighter Than Ever
As buildings become more complex—especially in sectors like hospitals, data centres, universities and defence—tight coordination between disciplines is no longer optional.
In 2026, we’ll see:
- More integrated design workshops
- Earlier conflict resolution
- Less tolerance for “design by RFI”
- Shared models are becoming the main source of truth
- Greater accountability for coordination accuracy
This will put greater importance on the quality and consistency of coordination models.
How Draftech is preparing:
Our teams are working within unified coordination environments, ensuring every discipline—mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, fire and structural—has clear alignment throughout the project. We manage clashes, track changes and maintain audit trails to ensure project transparency.
- Faster Delivery Cycles Will Drive Greater Reliance on Specialist BIM Teams
As timeframes tighten, builders and engineers will look for specialist modelling partners to deliver high-quality BIM outputs quickly, accurately and consistently.
Expectations will include:
- Faster modelling turnarounds
- More accurate shop drawings
- Rapid coordination cycles
- Immediate clash resolution
- Scalable resourcing for peak project phases
Projects that rely solely on internal resources will struggle to keep pace.
How Draftech is preparing:
We’ve expanded our team, invested in advanced BIM technologies, and implemented scalable delivery systems to support fast-moving projects without sacrificing accuracy.
The industry is shifting rapidly, and those who embrace early integration, better data and higher standards will lead the market. Builders, engineers and clients are seeking partners who understand these expectations and can deliver digital certainty from concept to construction.
Draftech is Ready for the Future
With our 25th anniversary approaching in May 2026 and a proven record across some of Australia’s most complex projects, Draftech is fully ready for the next wave of digital construction.
In 2026, our focus remains on:
- Delivering highly accurate, constructible BIM models
- Supporting early prefabrication and manufacturing workflows
- Enhancing data-rich digital deliverables
- Strengthening cross-discipline coordination
- Providing reliable, scalable BIM support for any project size
As the industry evolves, we’re committed to helping project teams build smarter, faster and with more confidence.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
Testimonials
Thank you for all your efforts on our projects; they have been an invaluable contribution to their success. We look forward to working with you on future projects.
Ian Ferguson MPM Group
Jess and Karl at Draftech were amazing. The communication from the start was prompt, and the entire process was extremely easy. We needed their knowledge on Air Schematics, and they had made one up for our buildings that we service. Thanks so much, and we will be using you guys in the future. Cheers, Air Control Australia.
Greg Colebrook AirControl Australia
With Draftech’s thorough understanding of building services modelling and close attention to detail, Forth has been afforded the opportunity to outsource some of our BIM projects with absolute confidence in the accuracy of the final product.
Gary Murdoch Forth Consulting
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
