Quantification & Costing SoE Q's

Question 1

What are the 3 documents in New Rules of Measurement?

Answer 1

• NRM 1 = Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works
• NRM 2 = Detailed measurement for building works
• NRM 3 = Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works

Question 2

What is ICMS?

Answer 2

International Cost Management Standard

International standard for benchmarking, measuring and reporting construction project costs

ICMS 3 used as a tool to decarbonise construction sector in the most cost-effective way

Globally consistent method for carbon lifecycle reporting across construction projects

Question 3

What document implements ICMS?

Answer 3

• RICS Cost Prediction.
• Implements ICMS for cost management professionals.

Question 4

How can this be a benefit to RLB?

Answer 4

• Allows us to collate data from our international offices in a consistent standard.

Question 5

How do you measure steelwork in a cost plan?

Answer 5

• As a tonnage
• Depends on level of information available

Question 6

How would you price preliminaries in a detailed cost plan?

Answer 6

• In accordance with Section 9 of NRM 1
• Include allowances as required from Section 9
• Use rates from previous projects and benchmark data for similar projects

Question 7

What is a provisional sum?

Answer 7

An allowance included within the contract sum for works that may not be sufficiently designed or detailed to allow accurate determination of costs

Work the employer may or may not wish to be carried out

Question 8

What is included within the guidance note Property Measurements (2nd Edition)?

Answer 8

This document reviews the application of IPMS1, IPMS2 and IPMS3, advising on how they used to be referred to as GEA, GIA and NIA.

It further looks at the Internal Dominant Face (IDF). This being the inside finished surface.

IPMS1 (GEA) – The sum of the areas of each floor level of a building, measured to the outer perimeter of the external wall.

Inclusions under IPMS1 but to be included separately are items such as balconies and rooftop terraces.

Exclusions under IPMS1 are items such as lightwells and open external stairways.

IPMS2 Office (GIA) – The sum of the areas of each floor level of an office building measured to the internal dominant face.

Inclusions under IPMS2 Office but to be included separately are items such as balconies and rooftop terraces.

Exclusions under IPMS2 are items such as open lightwells and upper level voids of an atrium.

IPMS3 Office (NIA) – The floor area available on an exclusive basis to the occupier, but excluding shared/common facilities.

Inclusions under IPMS3 are all internal walls and columns within an occupants exclusive area.

Exclusions are the shared/common facilities.

IPMS2 Residential (GIA) - The sum of the areas of each floor level of a residential building measured to the internal dominant face

Inclusions under IPMS2 Residential but to be included separately are items such as balconies and internal permanent mezzanines.

IPMS3 Residential (NIA) – The floor area available on an exclusive basis to an occupier

Inclusions under IPMS3, but to be included separately are attics, basements and garages.

Exclusions are items such as patios and unenclosed parking areas.

Question 9

What is the difference between IPMS and Code for Measuring Practice?

Answer 9

IPMS is measured to the Internal Dominant Face.
There are also a series of items included under IPMS that are measured under separate items, such as balconies and terraces.

Question 10

What is IPMS?

Answer 10

• International Property Measurement Standards

Question 11

What is IPMS used for?

Answer 11

• Measurement of areas, such as GEA, GIA and NIA.

Question 12

What is the difference between IPMS and NRM?

Answer 12

IPMS is relevant for all surveying disciplines, whereas NRM is focused on measurement for commercial and construction processes.

Question 13

What would you typically include within a cost plan?

Answer 13

• Front Cover
• Contents
• Executive Summary including basis for pricing, any assumptions and exclusions
• Drawing Register
• Area Schedule
• Measured Works

Question 14

Would your cost include or exclude VAT? Why?

Answer 14

My Cost would not include VAT. This is as differing clients pay varying levels of VAT. For example, charities pay no VAT.

Question 15

When costing a cost plan, how do you price prelims/oh&p?

Answer 15

These would typically be based on a %.

I would review similar past projects and apply a % that has been used recently on a scheme of similar value and design.

Question 16

How does the level of design detail differ throughout the RIBA stages?

Answer 16

The level of design progresses throughout the RIBA stages, with further detail provided by the architect.

Question 17

What uplifts may you need to apply to historical cost data?

Answer 17

• Time
• Location
• Inflation

Question 18

What is ‘overhead’?

Answer 18

Costs associated with the general management of works, for example, staff wages, building rent.

Question 19

What is the difference between ‘preliminaries’ and ‘overhead’?

Answer 19

They are more or less similar, although preliminaries are project specific, whereas overheads are generalised.

Question 20

What is a bill of quantities?

Answer 20

Based on detailed design and specification, whereby the client provides the contractor quantities for them to price.

Question 21

What are the advantages of using a bill of quantities?

Answer 21

• All tenderers are pricing the same document
• Simplifies tender analyses
• Detailed and comprehensive
• Ideal for post contract cost control

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of using a bill of quantities?

Answer 22

• Potential for errors when measuring the project
• Risk sits with employer

Question 23

What are the two types of BoQ?

Answer 23

• Firm BoQ
• Approximate BoQ

Question 24

When would you use an approximate BoQ?

Answer 24

• Best suited to a remeasurement form of contract

Question 25

What are dayworks?

Answer 25

Work recorded on a daywork sheet together with the labour, material and plant resources used to carry out the work

Question 26

Can you explain how you use the measurement software to assess variations on Wythenshawe Hospital?

Answer 26

The measurement software was used to complete measurement checks on the quantities submitted by the contractor.

One item for example, was looking at the amendment to the size of a window opening. I completed a measure against the external masonry claim to confirm whether it was acceptable or not.

Question 27

What do you understand by the term ‘change control procedure’?

Answer 27

A process for managing change on a project and ensuring all parties are aware of the outturn in cost. Reporting on the effect any changes may have to forecasted final account.

Question 28

How are loss & expense claims valued?

Answer 28

• Using bill rates
• Using star rates
• Using dayworks
• Schedule 2 Quotation

Question 29

What is meant by heads of claim?

Answer 29

This is how loss and expense is valued:
* Prolongation
* Disruption
* Interest Charges
* Loss of Profit
* Loss of Bonus
* Increased Site Overheads
* Increase in Cost of Materials

Question 30

What was the value of the sanitaryware change on the Innkeeper’s project?

Answer 30

• The value of the change was around £16,000.
• 28nr WC’s, with the difference in cost at around £300.
• 28nr WHB with the difference in cost at around £265.

Question 31

On the Innkeeper’s lodge project, can you explain the costing exercise you performed to determine the value of the sanitaryware change, and how this was reported back to the client?

Answer 31

I omitted the cost for removal and reinstallation of the WC’s – this was priced at £150 per item. I re added the cost at £450 for 28nr.

I omitted the cost for the removal and reinstallation of the WHB’s – this was priced at £85 per item. I re added the cost at £350 for 28nr.

The difference in cost was presented in a report format, to which the client agreed to proceed.

Question 32

What was your assessment of the variations on the Kenilworth project?

Answer 32

I agreed with the majority of the variations, adopting a collaborative approach with the contractor’s QS to come to and agreement that both parties were happy with.

A couple of the variations I reviewed were additional tiling and additional sockets. These were checked through measurement on site, with the bill rates used for pricing of the elements.

Question 33

Were you able to come to an agreement that both parties were happy with on the Kenilworth?

Answer 33

Yes, we had formed a strong working relationship on the project, and I adopted a collaborative approach to negotiations. We were both happy with the outcome and I deemed the negotiation to be successful. It was resolved in a timely manner and was delivered under the client’s budget.

Question 34

On the Kenilworth you mentioned that you performed your own assessment of the sockets replaced on site? Who asked for these changes and how were they authorised? Did you follow any formal procedures?

Answer 34

The client requested the change which was then formally instructed by the contract administrator.

Question 35

How did you firm up the provisional sums on the Kenilworth project?

Answer 35

The provisional cost was omitted, and the actual costs were priced within the final account.

For example, the external repairs item was included as a provisional cost, and this was priced on the basis of labour and materials. This is due to the fact that there were no agreed rates for these items with the contractor.

Question 36

What did value for money mean to the client on the Kenilworth project and how did you ensure this was achieved?

Answer 36

First of all, it is important to understand what value meant to the client on the project. In speaking to the client, value was described as a project that was delivered on time, to the right quality, whilst being on budget. It was also mentioned that they wanted to increase the pubs offerings.

I ensured that value for money was achieved as I made an assessment of the project costs and confirmed that the works claimed for had been undertaken at the agreed rates. The project was delivered on time and the CA confirmed that they were happy with the quality of the works.

The project also delivered an upgrade to the kitchen facility which allowed them to reopen this offering, creating potential for increased returns and therefore a return on investment

Question 37

How did the cost plan at Stage 3 on Alberton House, differ to that of Stage 1 and 2?

Answer 37

The service delivered between RIBA Stages 1 and 2 was more of an order of cost estimate than a cost plan. M2 rates were used as the level of detail provided was not as extensive as it was from RIBA Stage 3. This was more of a budget.

RIBA Stage 3 allowed for a more detailed breakdown of cost as the level of detail had significantly increased. The risk allowances had therefore reduced as the level of detail in the cost plan was more apparent.

Question 38

How did you decide on the allowance that was to be included for the leisure facilities?

Answer 38

One of my colleagues had been working on a similar scheme in Manchester and this included leisure facilities. I reviewed the costs that had been used and made an assumption that similar materials would be used.

I made the necessary uplifts in terms of time and inflation and included the costs within my cost plan.

Question 39

Did you have to make any adjustments to the costs in relation to the leisure facilities?

Answer 39

I allowed for uplifts in time and inflation. As the project I had taken costs from was also based in Manchester, there was no need to allow for an uplift in location.

Question 40

During the stage 3 design process for Alberton House, what your main considerations in relation to the finishes within the sauna and steam rooms?

Answer 40

My main consideration was that I included an allowance for a high quality design finish. This was to remain in keeping with the rest of the building as I did not want to sacrifice quality and have an allowance that was insufficient.