Design Economics and Cost Planning Flashcards
What does BCIS stand for?
Building Cost Information Service
You mention you have knowledge of how net to gross ratios impact a cost estimate, please can you explain this to me?
Shell and core refurb – larger core area mean more WCs which would increase the costs to that area.
How would wall to floor ratio be used in a benchmarking exercise?
Shows how efficient a design is, by comparing to similar projects you can benchmark a cost.
Another example is net to gross.
What are the key differences between a stage 3 and a stage 4 cost plan?
Increased design detail.
A stage 4 cost plan uses the stage 3 as a basis and then includes the additions and omission below the line.
Note your commentary on Hopton Street - What have been the biggest events that have affected material/ labour prices recently?
What was the cost of the lift on SMT? What can cause variances in the cost of lifts?
What is nrm 1? How did you split the nrm1 into work packages? Were there differences between the nrm1 and work packages? Where did you get the work package list from?
What is the difference between an order of cost estimate and a cost plan?
- A cost estimate is prepared earlier on in the design process typically between RIBA Work Stages 0 to Stage 2
- This is when the level of design information is more limited and allows a cost estimate to be prepared on a cost per m2 basis or cost per functional unit basis.
- A cost plan is produced typically at each RIBA Work stage from Stage 2 onwards.
- As the design progresses more information can be included to eventually breakdown the estimated cost of the development elementally into each of the components parts such as sub structure, superstructure, services & professional fess into an elemental cost plan format.
what is the difference between cost and price?
- The cost is the total cost of labour plant, materials and management deployed for a certain activity
- The price is the amount a purchaser or client will pay for an item or product and is made up of the cost plus the main contractors profit margin.
How do you proceed if the cost plan exceeds the project budget?
- I would analyse the costs to assess the source of the increase and identify whether any element of work is abnormally high against the order of cost estimate.
- When the reason for the overspend is identified I would then look to propose value engineering options to my client and design team to being the forecast back in line with the project budget.
What is buildability?
Buildability is harnessing the contractors expertise and knowledge during the design stage to generate ideas for effective and efficient methods of constructions.
What are the advantages of buildability?
- Buildability can result in better programming, sequencing and construction methods.
- A quicker more efficient programme can be acheived.
- Reduced capital and life cycle costs of the building can be obtained
What is wall to floor ratio?
- this shows the relationship between the wall area and the floor area.
- It is used to show the cost efficiency of the building
- The lower the ratio, the cheaper the building is to construct as there is less external envelope to construct in comparison to floor area.
What is the most efficient shape?
- In theory a building with a circular floor plate would offer the most efficient design as there is less wall to floor area
- However a circular floorplate has poor lettable floor area and is difficult to fit out therefore a square floorplate is considered to be the most efficient.
How would you prepare an estimate for M&E works?
I would ask an M&E specialist surveyor to undertake the estimate.
For feasibility estimates the M&E amount would be included in the m2 rate or functional unit rate.
What is a section 106 agreement?
S106s are agreemetn between local authorities and developers that are negotiated in the context of granting planning consent
What is construction to shell and core?
- Shell and core is the basic structure, services and envelope of the building
- This normally includes the fit out of landlord and common areas for example the reception toilets, lifts and stair cores.
- Base services are typically terminated at entry points to each of the lettable floor plates however life safety services infrastructure is normally provided.
What is a CAT A fit out?
- CAT A is also known as developers fit out
- This provides generic fit out items to suit most developers for example life safety elements and basic fittings such as suspended ceiling tiles, raised floors, carpets, lighting and power distribution to floor plates.
