Technical - Design Economics and Cost Planning Flashcards
What are the New Rules of Measurement?
A coordinated suite of measurement rules that give a consistent approach and is best practise to us.
Name the three NRM documents?
NRM1 – cost estimating and planning.
NRM2 – Detailed measurement for building works.
NRM3 – Cost estimating and planning for maintenance.
What NRM document would I use for cost planning?
NRM 1.
What does NRM2 do?
A guide and template to produce bills of quantities and schedule of works for capital projects.
How does NRM deal with risk?
By not allocating a standard percentage as a lump, but by trying to assess in four different categories.
1. Employer change.
2. Employer other.
3. Design development.
4. Construction.
What are the four levels of elements in NRM?
Group element.
Element.
Sub-element.
Component.
Name some of the standard preliminaries in NRM2?
Employer’s requirements.
Site accommodation.
Management and staff.
Temporary services.
Security.
Records and manuals.
Insurances/ bonds/ guarantees.
What is an Order of Cost Estimate?
High level cost based on m2 or per functional unit. Applies to RIBA 0 and 1.
What is the purpose of an Order of Cost Estimate?
To help work out if the project is financially viable by providing an initial estimate using appropriate data. Avoid the client wasting their time on design and legal fees if it’s not affordable.
How do you include professional fees in an Order of Cost Estimate?
As a percentage.
What is the difference between a cost estimate and a cost plan?
An estimate is a high level cost based on the employer’s requirements and is calculated on a m2 basis. Used at RIBA 0 or 1.
A plan is more detailed and provides and elemental breakdown of costs. Used at RIBA 2 and 3.
What is a pre-tender estimate?
A costed BoQ or SoW from RIBA 4 information and using costed data. To provide the client with an idea of what the contractors will tender.
How would I prepare an estimate for M&E works?
Either ask our M&E QS to assist for that section, use historic data for simpler items. Consult with the M&E Engineers for more specialist items.
What is a provisional sum?
An allowance included in the tender documents or contract for a specific element of work that does not have enough detail for tenderers to accurately price.
How can a provisional sum be expended?
Via an instruction from the Contract Administrator for JCT contracts.
How are provisional sums dealt with in the final account?
By omitting the provisional and adding the actual cost.
What are the risks of using provisional sums?
You include an insufficient amount and the cost is higher.
The nature of the work changes as more information becomes available and it takes longer than allowed for at tender stage.
Name the two types of provisional sums.
Defined and undefined.
What is a defined provisional sum?
A specific piece of work that the contractor has accounted for in their price and programme. The contractor takes the risk that their estimate will be sufficient.
What is an undefined provisional sum?
The client takes the risk and the contractor does not account for them in their price and programme. The client may have to grant an extension of time or additional payment.
Can the contractor claim an extension of time or prelims costs for a defined provisional sum?
No. It should already be factored into their programme and tendered prelims.
What are the RIBA stages of work?
0 – Strategic
1 – Preparation & Brief
2 – Concept Design
3 – Spatial Coordination
4 – Technical Design
5 – Manufacture & Construction
6 – Handover and Close Out
7 – In Use
What are the main tasks of the cost manager?
Prepare initial cost advice.
Produce cost estimates and cost plans.
Prepare pricing documents for tender.
Evaluate and adjudicate tenders.
Prepare interim valuations.
Value instructions.
Analyse and comment on contractor’s claims.
Manage expenditure of the risk allowance.
Review ongoing costs and take action to avoid budget overspend.
Negotiate final account.
Issue financial reports.
What is the purpose of cost planning?
To ensure employers are provided with value for money on their proposed projects.
Help designers and clients arrive at a practical and balanced design to suit their budget.
Provide information that helps the client make informed decisions.
What is a base cost estimate?
An estimate of all known items or items that have a degree of certainty.
What is a works cost estimate?
Capital works, prelims and OH&P.
What is a cost plan?
An elemental breakdown of the works with an estimated cost. Helps with the design development by showing areas of risk, high costs and unknowns requiring development. Can provide different options to help give the client an understanding of the project costs as a whole.
What are the stages of cost planning?
Order of cost estimate.
Formal cost plan 1 – RIBA 2 information with dependence on assumptions. Use historical data to estimate and base it on a £/m2 rate.
Formal cost plan 2 – RIBA 3 information with a detailed breakdown of the works. Quantities are measured and rates applied using historical data. Sub-contractor quotes can be included. May still include some assumptions.
Formal cost plan 3 – RIBA 4 information with the ability to send information out to tender. Can complete a BoQ or SoW and carry out a pre-tender or post-tender estimate.
What is included in a cost plan?
Cover.
Report details.
Report summary including summary of cost changes since last report and why this has happened.
List information/ drawings used.
Basis of costs.
Summary of costs.
Notes on costs.
Elemental summary estimates.
Allowance for prelims.
Allowance for risks.
Allowance for contractor’s OH&P.
Allowance for professional fees.
Inflation estimate.
How should fees be included in the cost plan?
If you have a confirmed fee quote or percentage then include it. If not follow the NRM guidance on how to include fees as a percentage.
Why is the location of a project important when cost planning?
The location factor can affect the costs. London prices tend to be higher, but so do really remote areas where there is less competition and materials and labour are harder to source.
What other information could you include to support the cost plan?
Value engineering options.
Assumptions.
Exclusions.
Costed risk register.
Cash flow forecast.
Covering letter.
What is a pre-tender estimate?
A QS costs the tendered BoQ or SoW to give the client an idea of cost for the tender returns. This estimate can be compared against the returned tenders.
What is TPI?
Tender Price Index.
What do TPI’s show?
The current index of tender prices compared to a predicted future index. Based on previous data, current market conditions and forecasted market conditions.
What is risk allowance?
A sum included in the cost estimate to cover unknown expenses or underdeveloped risks.
What fees should be included in the cost estimate?
Professional fees: Design team, project manager, consultants, surveys.
Contractor pre-construction fees: staff fees, design fees, OH&P.
How can design and construction processes impact cost?
If it’s complex to build and requires specialist skills to construct it, then it will cost more. May require value engineering to bring it back within the client’s budget. Assigning more risk to the contractor will also increase costs as they mitigate unknown factors.
How does cost planning benefit the client?
Tells them if their project is affordable. Helps them find a way to achieve their goals within their budget. It’s not necessarily about the cost, it’s about the value. Can they construct a building that meets their needs within their budget.
How can a QS help control the design to keep the project within budget?
Explain how changes in the design can increase or decrease the budget. Discuss areas that are viable for value engineering and draw attention to aspects of the project that are not economically viable or do not offer good value.
What are some reasons that costs overrun?
Project creep – the client or design team getting overly excited and straying away from the original goal/budget.
The QS has provided unrealistic cost estimates and tenders come back too high.
Risk allocation isn’t clear.
Uncoordinated designs leading to variations.
Poor change control processes.
Underdeveloped tender information.
How would I deal with a cost plan that is over the client’s budget?
Communicate clearly the main reasons why the estimate has exceeded their budget. Offer positive solutions to reduce the cost. Include the design team to utilise their knowledge of alternatives to find a collaborative solution.
What sources do I use for cost data?
Previous project data stored in-house on our server.
BCIS
SPONS
Client data from previous projects, if available
Quotes
What is BWIC?
Builders Work in Connection. An allowance for the contractor to carry out any supporting construction works whilst the services are being installed, such as drilling and cutting. Set as a percentage during the cost planning stages.
Why is VAT excluded from the cost plan?
Different types of construction work have different levels of VAT. We are not qualified to advise on VAT.
What is benchmarking?
Using historical data from similar projects to compare against my project to see if they’re comparable. If not, it may highlight a clear reason why (i.e. location or complex design).
How are sub-contractor OH&P calculated in cost plans?
Deemed to be included in the unit rates.
What are the issues with estimating the cost of piling?
Don’t know how long they’re going to need to be. The risk of the piling works depends on the procurement route.
What is the BCIS?
Building Cost Information Services. Provides construction cost and price information through online services, price books and other publications.
What are the four types of pricing documents?
Bill of Quantities
Schedule of Works
Contract Sum Analysis
Schedule of Rates
What are the different prices we can get for work?
Lump sum.
Cost reimbursable/ prime cost.
Re-measure.
Target cost.
Guaranteed Maximum Price.