Design Economics and Cost Planning

Question 1

what aspects of design affect the efficiency?

Answer 1

site density, wall/floor ratio, room size, lettable area, size, shape, height, grouping, circulation

Question 2

what is the wall to floor ratio

Answer 2

area of the external walls divided by the floor area - the lower the better

Question 3

whats included in a cost plan

Answer 3

executive summary, inclusions, exclusion, assumptions, elemental breakdown of costs, fees, prelims, OHP, inflation, location, basis of information, floor area

Question 4

what would be excluded?

Answer 4

VAT, client direct costs, land specific costs, building regs

Question 5

assumptions?

Answer 5

asbestos, ground conditions, design, quants, programme

Question 6

what are the 3 titles of the NRM?

Answer 6

1. order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital buildings works
2. detailed measurement for building works
3. order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works

Question 7

what elements would be found in NRM?

Answer 7

Fac. Works – sub – super – finishes – FFE – services – prefab – work to existing – ext. works – prelims – OHP – project/design fees – other - risk

Question 8

what is the MMHW?

Answer 8

part of the manual of contract documents for highway works - provides definitions and measurement standards for highways works

Question 9

what sections are in the MMHW?

Answer 9

definitions – gen. principles – prep of BQ – units of measurement

100 Prelims – 200 site clearance – 300 Fencing – 400 RRS – 500 Drainage & service Ducts – 600 Earthworks – 700 pavements – 1100 Kerbs Footways and paved areas – 1200 traffic signs and road markings – 1300 Road lighting columns, CCTV – 1400 Electrical work for road lighting and traffic signs – 3000 landscape and ecology

Question 10

whats in the MCDHW

Answer 10

specifications, guidance on spec, construction details, BQM contract documents, departmental standards

Question 11

VE process?

Answer 11

RICS guidance notes - understand, identify solutions and evaluate, develop, make recommendations

Question 12

whats an acoustic rating?

Answer 12

rating of sound insulation. Rw rating for the sound insulation in factors, is converted to the Dw rating of the room on site - clients and building regs require Dw rating

Question 13

whats the RICS code of measurement practice?

Answer 13

guidance note providing succinct definitions to enable accurate measurement

Question 14

international property measurement standards?

Answer 14

measurement standards formed by non profit and professional organisations

Question 15

international construction measurement standard?

Answer 15

formed by non profit and professional organisations for benchmarking and reporting project cost

Question 16

when have you completed VE exercise?

Answer 16

bus route / lounges

Question 17

difference between a cost estimate and cost plan?

Answer 17

cost estimate is an early stage prediction of costs to guide client on budget and feasibility using any known design info

cost plan typically at stage 3 or 4, presents costs in elemental breakdown showing how money will be spent across project - evolves with project

Question 18

RIBA stages

Answer 18

0 strategic definition
1 prep and brief
2 concept design
3 spatial coordination
4 technical design
5 manufacturing and construction
6 handover
7 in use

Question 19

changes to RIBA?

Answer 19

developed design is now spatial coordination

construction is now manufacture and construction

Question 20

OGC Gateway?

Answer 20

office of government commerce - plans project phases for public projects