Portfolio Semester 5 Building Economic (QSB 3214)

Building Economics (QSB 3214)

Lecturer:  Mr Ho June Khai 

                  Miss Dianne Kok Hui Wen

This subject will provide an overview of the Quantity Surveyor’s role during the pre-tender stage of a project development. Students are introduced to practical situations of the various methods of controlling the cost of buildings at the design stage. Students will also be introduced to the relationship between building morphology, design variables and life cycle costing of a building. Lastly, students are also given the opportunity to learn and apply information technology in the cost planning. 

Objectives:

1. To develop students awareness of the nature, content and significance of cost control, cost planning and understanding of the project reams roles in fulfilling client needs.

2. To develop students awareness of the provisions of the effect that design variables have in obtaining an economical design and to appreciate the role of a Quantity Surveyor in pre and post contract stages.

Learning Outcome:

Through the study of this subject,

1) I am able to identify the role and responsibilities of Quantity Surveyors in the overall development process.

2) I am able to match the relationship between cost and design to a value outcome.

3) I am able to explain various methods of pre-tender estimating. 

4) I am able to outline the importance of cost studies to enhance the role of Quantity Surveyor in the development process

5) I am able to implement Elemental Cost Analysis to estimate building cost. 

6) I am able to produce an estimate at pre-tender stage to proposed project and a cost plan based on historical data in group or independently. 

Test 

The mid term test contributes to 20% of the overall marks. This test consisted mainly of subjective questions as well as practical problem questions (where recall, analysis,valuation and application of concepts learnt are necessary to answer the questions competently).

Assignment

This assignment was to be completed in a group of 6 students and will contribute 30% of the overall marks. The objective of this assignment is to help students develop a deeper appreciation of the concepts learnt in the module by applying them in the problems given in the assignment. 

Group assignment was 60% and students had to update cost plans, prepare updated preliminary estimates, provide comments on pricing and also advice the client on matters pertaining to costs.

Individual assignment was 40% and students had to give a recommendation to the client on which tenderer should be awarded the job. Students also had to advice the client on whether his request to the tenderer is reasonable or not.