Quantification and Costing (Level 3) Flashcards
What is NRM?
New Rules of Measurement (1,2 and 3) provides a standard set of measurement rules and essential guidance for the cost management of construction projects and maintenance works.
What are the three NRM?
1 = Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works.
2 = Detailed measurement for building works.
3 = Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works
When were the new issues effective from?
The were effective from 1 December 2021
What is the RICS code of measuring practice?
The RICS code of measuring practice was produced to provide precise definitions of how to measure buildings. This includes GEA, GIA, NIA.
What is IPMS?
International Property Measurement Standard (IPMS)
Why was IPMS introduced?
To establish a consistent methodology for measuring buildings around the world.
What are the key differences between IPMS and RICS code of measuring practice?
COMP was the previous measurement standard which regulated primarily RICS member nations, whereas the IPMS is now a global measurement standard.
Some key differences in the methods of measurement is that COMP used NIA whereas IPMS uses NLA (net lettable area) - a key difference in this is that areas such as external balconies are included within NLA whereas would not be included in NIA
Internal Dominant Face vs Internal Face of External Wall
What is BIM?
Building Information Modelling - the process of creating and managing digital information about a built asset
What are the RIBA plan of works?
Stages 0-7:
0 = Strategic Definition
1 = Prep and Brief
2 = Concept Design
3 = Developed Design
4 = Technical Design
5 = Construction
6 = Handover
7 = In use
What level of design is required for cost plans?
Stage 3 - NBS outline spec
Stage 4 - NBS detailed spec
How do you provide cost information at various stages?
Stage 1-2 Cost Model
Stage 3-4 Cost Plan
Stage 5 Final Account
What is GEA?
Gross External Area is the area of a building measured externally at each floor level.
What is GIA?
Gross Internal Area is the area of a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level
What is NIA?
Net Internal Area of a building is the usable area measured to the internal finish of the perimeter or party walls
What are the sources of cost data?
Primary, Secondary, First Principles
What is Primary cost data?
Primary cost data is provided by yourself. This would be from market testing and project rates you have previously used. Accurate.
What is Secondary cost data?
Secondary cost data is data from other sources such as price books or rates from other projects you have not previously worked on. (SPONS)
What are first principles sorces of cost data?
First principles sources of cost are rates that you build up yourself from the key components.
What is an example of first principles source of cost?
Ductwork - galv duct, insulation, brackets, bends, dampers, grilles, Sundries & Prelims
What are schedules of works?
Schedule of works are ‘without quantities’ lists often produced for small projects and alteration work.
What are schedules of rates?
A quantified list included as part of the contract sum splitting out all the individual items of work e.g. staff, materials
How do you carry out valuations?
Receive Application, Visit Site and assess the works progression, Negotiate Value of works complete, Issue reccommendation
What is an addendum?
An addendum is a document that you use to add terms or make changes to an executed contract without invalidating the original.
What information is required to measure preliminaries?
- Contract duration.
- Location.
- Type of project (New Build vs. Refurb).
- The size of the project.
- Temporary works.
- Security.
- Methodology.
- Programme.
- Services.
- Employers accommodation.
- Contractor designed work.
- Sectional completion.
- Insurances / Bonds.
If it was found that a Bill rate was blatantly wrong for example £100
was included as a rate instead of £1, how would this be resolved?
- The works would be valued in accordance with the agreed rate contained within the contract.
- If identified within the tender documents prior to the contract being agreed then the rate could be amended in accordance with the Tendering rules in place, but otherwise both parties would have to stand by the rate.
What would you include within the BoQ where works are to be carried
out by Nominated Subcontractor?
- A prime cost sum would be incorporated including:
- An allowance for the cost of the Nominated Subcontractors work (based on the quotation).
- An allowance for the contractor to price for attendances such as accommodation, welfare,
storage, handling, materials & cleaning. - An allowance for a percentage addition for any other charges & profit.
What is Simpsons Rule?
Simpsons is a mathematical formula for approximating the area under a curve over a given interval.
How would your approach to measurement change if you worked in Dubai?
I would need to measure in accordance with the method of measurement appropriate for that country.
How do you measure something unique for example a statute of the client?
- If it could be broken down easily into the parts that are in accordance with the method of measurement, I would use this as the basis for measurement.
- Otherwise I would have to insert an item with a detailed description of the works with a section to include a Provisional Sum.
How do you deal with ground water under NRM2?
- Ground water is measured under Section 5 for Excavating and Filling.
- It is measured on an itemised basis with the original below ground level being stated and reference to whether the water is polluted.
- If the post contract water level differs from the pre-contract level the measurements must be taken and revised accordingly.
- The method and place of discharge is left to the discretion of the contractor unless stated otherwise.
What is a Preamble?
- A preamble is an explanation of a document that is commonly found in contracts, specifications and bills of quantities.
- It can help with the interpretation of the document.
- It includes a description of the parties to the contract.
- The background to the document.
- Measurement procedures that have been adopted.
What are method related charges?
- A method related charge is a one-off item related to the method of carrying out the work and does not form part of the permanent works.
- They are not considered proportional to the item of works to be carried out.
- For example provision of temporary propping required for a weakened elevation of an existing building.
What are time related charges?
Time related charges are method related charges that are considered proportional to time taken to carry
out the works for example plant hire.
What are fixed charges?
Fixed charges are method related charges that do not vary with time for example Service Connection Charges.
What are the typical £/ft2 for office buildings?
Repair - Minor Refurb = £100 - £180
Renew - Refurbishment = £180 - £300
Remodel - Major Refurb = £300 - £450
New Build £450 - £550
What are the 15 group elements of NRM1?
0 - Facilitating Works
1 - Substructure
2 - Superstructure
3 - Internal Finishes
4 - Fittings, Furnishings and Equipment
5 - Services
6 - Prefabricated Buildings and Building Units
7 - Work to Existing Buildings
8 - External Works
9 - Main Contractor’s Preliminaries
10 - Main Contractor’s OH&P
11 - Project and Design Team Fees
12 - Other Project Costs
13 - Risks
14 - Inflation
Why do we use NRM1 over NRM2?
NRM2 is too time consuming to build up the costs
What are the 4 parts of NRM1
Part 1 - Context and Definitions
Part 2 - How to prepare order of cost estimate
Part 3 - How to prepare elemantal cost plan
Part 4 - Tabulated rules of measurement for cost plans
What can GEA be used for?
Facade Measurment
Wall to Floor ratio
What is a good glased to solid ratio (window to wall)
0.4 - 0.5
How do you calculate wall to floor ratio?
(GEA at each floor level * storey height) / GIA
How do you calculate prelims?
Workout the weekly burn rate x programme
What are dayworks?
A way of costing works that are otherwise unquantifyable
When would you use dayworks?
If the quantity of work can’t be defined (excavating unknown ground conditions)
Why does it cost more to build in London?
Labour rates
Constrained sites / logistics
U-LEZ
Why have MEP Sub-contractors Prelims increased
Market Conditions, many sub-contrcators are going insolvent recently so this is a response to that.
