Design Economics and Cost Planning Flashcards
(43 cards)
Q. What is NRM1? What does it cover?
NRM1 is the New Rules of Measure 1, Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Capital Building Works.
Q. Can you talk me through the Design Ratios you’re aware of?
Wall:Floor
Net:Gross
Q. Can you talk me through what percentages you’d expect to see for each of those?
Wall to Floor – 50% (0.5)
Net:Gross – 80% for commercial offices, slightly lower for residential
Q. Noting that you’ve collated a number of Cost Estimates / Plans at varying stages, how did the Design Information deliver as you progressed through the RIBA Stages?
Stage 2 - GA’s, Elevations, Some broad specifications, reports etc
Stage 4 - Fully coordinated design, GA’s, Reports, Schedules, Schematics, Bay studies, Details, Sections.
Q. On either Dorking, Quad 3, or 3B, can you give me an example of a VE item you identified?
3B = Brick specification, more uniform, less changes and less glazed brick
Quad 3 = Change of BOH floor finishes from polished concrete to standard painted finish
Q. Can you also explain how the VE Process was run on one of those projects?
I included a VE register in my issued cost plans to be presented to my client
This enabled them to choose the options they wanted to progress with.
This was then provided to the contractor to price these.
Q. How did you determine best value for your Client?
Ultimately understanding their key client requirements for the building and where the value comes from
For example, Quad 3 = key aspects were sustainability and cost of the building for future value
Q. On Quad 3, how did you go about identifying the increase in your Cost Estimate (the External Wall)?
Tracking it through the reconciliation as part of my cost plans issued.
Q. Was there anything you could have done as the QS to prevent that from happening in the first place?
Perhaps more engagement during the design meetings with the team, although the client confirmed this was something that they wanted to explore further so was introduced.
Q. For your Vauxhall Bridge Project, where did you obtain the data from to complete the functional unit estimate? Did you have to do anything with that data?
Obtained it from in house benchmarking data
Rebased for both time factor and location factors
Q. How did the £23.5m contract sum benchmark against projects of a similar nature you have delivered? Being Quad 3, I assume there might have been others you had delivered on the development already?
The cost per m3 for Quad Three was £3,200 all in
This was slightly higher than other schemes delivered as it was also lab enabled, meaning thicker slabs, larger risers and lab specified pipework.
Q. Was this good value?
Yes, it was good value. It allowed for the key client lab requirements to be fulfilled whilst also achieving BREEAM sustainability targets.
Q. Did you not include a risk allowance for ground risk in your PTE? (Brownfield)
Yes this was included, but again as a provisional sum.
Q. How did you price this?
Priced it using first principles
Using the existing information from the site
Labour
Prelims / on costs
Cost for removing obstructions and removing from site.
Q. Similarly with volatility in the market did you not consider how to price steel fluctuations?
Ultimately the steel volatility in the market was not as large as it had been previously.
o This was not explored as we had a fixed price already proposed as part of the package and therefore would not be required.
o Although if used, it would be Fluctuation option B. Labour, materials and tax.
Q. How was the curtain walling system for Quad 3 installed?
o Stick built system, individual components installed to the façade and glazing panels craned up.
Q. When producing your estimates and cost plans, what cost data do you think is best to use/ most reliable?
o In house cost data
Q. Ask a pros and cons based on above response
Pro’s
o The data is more accurate that data obtained elsewhere
o The data is based on projects that have been completed already (which could also be a con) may not reflect actual market conditions. (for example steel inflation)
Q. Can you talk me through the contents of your RIBA 3 Vauxhall Bridge Road estimate?
o Main summary page
o Information used
o Assumptions, clarifications and exclusions
o Detailed breakdown
Q. Was this your PTE? What is the purpose of PTE?
o This was not a PTE no, it was an early feasibility estimate.
o The purpose of a PTE would be to update the latest issued cost plans to incorporate any further design changes or market conditions.
Q. What is the most efficient shape for a building? Why isn’t it used?
o Circle
o Not used as it is not the most commercially viable
Q. What design efficiency ratio looks at façade efficiency, what do we aim for? Anything else?
o Wall to floor
o Glazed to solid ratio – ultimately the greater solid panels the more commercially viable it will be
Q. Benchmarking - Are you aware of how cost and design economics change as you increase the height of a building?
o Stairs, lifts, risers, structure
Q. What are AtkinsRéalis inflation forecasts for 2025 and 2026?
o 2025 – 3.75%
o 2026 – 4%
o 2027 – 4.25%
