- 01LOD describes how developed a BIM element is — from conceptual (100) to as-built (500) — covering both geometry and attached data.
- 02LOD 300 (accurate geometry and position) and LOD 350 (with interfaces to other systems) are the workhorses of coordination.
- 03LOD 400 is fabrication-level; LOD 500 is verified as-built. You rarely need one LOD for the whole model.
- 04Specify LOD per element and per phase — this is the single biggest lever on BIM cost and value.
LOD — Level of Development — is the language you use to say exactly how much detail and reliability a BIM element carries. Misusing it is the most common source of BIM disputes ("I thought that was fabrication-ready"). Used well, it’s the precise dial that controls both cost and usefulness, element by element.
The LOD levels
| LOD | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Conceptual — symbolic, approximate | Massing, early feasibility |
| 200 | Approximate geometry, size, location | Schematic design |
| 300 | Accurate geometry, quantity, position | Design development, coordination |
| 350 | LOD 300 + interfaces with other systems | Multi-discipline clash coordination |
| 400 | Fabrication & assembly detail | Shop drawings, prefabrication |
| 500 | Field-verified as-built | Facilities management, handover |
Choosing LOD by element and phase
You almost never need a single LOD across a whole model. Structure might be LOD 300 while a congested plant room is modeled to LOD 350 for coordination and a prefabricated riser to LOD 400. Specifying LOD per element (and per project phase) in your BIM Execution Plan is what stops you from either overpaying for unnecessary detail or under-modeling the areas that carry real risk.
The right detail in the right place
Spetia Engineering helps you specify LOD per system and phase, then delivers to it precisely — so coordination-critical areas get the detail they need and everything else stays lean.
