2. Assessment Brief:

Whilst BSSC Developers are yet to go to tender and award the contract to a contractor, they have proposed the following timelines for the project so as to serve as guide for its planning:

Project Details

•    Estimate base date:                                      February 2025

•    Design & Tender preparation:                   32weeks

•    Tender issue:                                                 29th September 2025 (1 day)

•    Tender period:                                              9 weeks

•    Tender return date:                                      4 December 2025 (1 day)

•    Tender evaluation, reporting, post tender negotiations: 6 weeks

•    Contract award date:                                   29th January 2026 (1day)

•    Mobilisation period:                                    say 4 weeks

•    Construction phase commencement:      02nd  Marc, 2026

•    Construction period:                                    Say 52 weeks (1 year)

Task 1 Introduction

Write an introduction to the report stating the aim of the report, the scope of the report and topics covered  in  the  report.  Additional  guidance  on  writing  the  introduction  can  be  found  here:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe-writing-centre/organise-and-structure-your-writing/introduction

Task 2: Digital Strategies

Cost management is a major issue in the management of construction projects. Consistently, projects encounter issues such as cost overruns, budget inaccuracies, poor cost forecasting and a lagging cost monitoring approach. Emerging Digital strategies tools are argued to have the potential to enhance cost  management  (cost  planning,  monitoring,  and  control),  yet  their  integration  is  not  without challenges.

BSSC Developers wants to explore the use of digital strategies and tools for managing cost on their projects.

Provide a critical review of digital strategies and tools for cost management in construction projects and make a recommendation to BSSC Developers its adoption. The review should:

•    analyse existing challenges to cost management that necessitates the use of digital strategies.

•    identify and evaluate digital strategies and tools that are currently being used or emerging and their benefits to cost management

•    examine the challenges and barriers to implementing and integrating these digital strategies and tools in cost management

•    make recommendations on how digital strategies and tools can be effectively integrated into the cost management process of BSSC Developers.

Task 3: Cost Estimate & Life Cycle Cost

A.    Prepare a cost budget for the 3-bedroom semi-detached unit using the superficial method of estimating. The estimate should be produced in line with the requirements of the NRM

Guidance document:NRM1: Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Capital Building Works; see section 2.4. You can either make use of a manual method or the use of software (e.g. Bluebeam or Costx) to obtain the quantities from the drawings provided. An appropriate data source such as the BCIS database, SPONs Price Book, or any suitable one can be used in obtaining the cost data.

The estimate should make consideration for cost related items such as main contractor’s preliminaries, design/consultancy team fees, external works, risk allowance, and inflation. Any assumption(s) made in arriving at the budget should be stated and referenced.

Appropriate references should be provided for the data that has been used in arriving at the estimate.

B.   As part of the costing, BSSC developers is interested in undertaking Life Cycle Costing (LCC) for central heating components. Two options (A and B) are being considered for heating.

The LCC analysis is being undertaken for a 60-year period as the building is expected to last for 60 years. The associated cost for each of the buildings and provided below:

Analyse these two options from a LCC perspective and make  recommendations on which option you will propose to the client. Assume an average discount  rate of 4.5% over the period. Make relevant assumptions where any data has not been provided and state the basis of the assumption.

Task 4: Contract Type (Pricing Mechanism) and Form of contract

It is the case that the scope of work has been defined and conceptual drawings produced but detailed designs are yet to be undertaken. However, BSSC Developers intend to start marketing and sell the 3 bedroom units off plan and as such the need to adhere to completion timelines,  and prevent any cost overruns. Completing the project on time is thus essential to ensuring that the cost limit is not exceed. Whilst  conceptual  designs  are  completed,  the  detailed  design  is  to  incorporate  sustainability considerations such as energy performance, low embodied carbon and social value. BSSC Developers intends to also allow buyers of the units to make some modifications where possible. These elements are yet to be fully integrated in the design. Based on the client objectives and the nature of the project, recommended an appropriate procurement and pricing mechanism (contract type) for the project. Additionally, make a recommendation for a form of contract that aligns with the pricing mechanism proposed. Provide an explanation that justifies your recommended strategy.

Task 5: Cost Estimate

The Architect has specified the use of concrete mix 1:3:6 for the concrete foundation in trenches. Following measurements to the drawing, the QS has estimated that the volume of concrete required for the foundation is 22m3. Estimate the cost of mixing and placing this volume of concrete in the trench?

Assume the following  information  about  the  materials,  plant  and  labour;  and  make  reasonable assumptions where required:

Material Prices

•    Ordinary Portland cement - £167.55/tonne

•    Fine aggregate (sand) - £35.5 /tonne

•    20mm all in aggregate - £36.88/tonne

Plant

•    Cost of hiring a mechanical fed concrete mixer - £33 per day (8 hours in a working day)

•    Output of concrete mixer - 4m3 of concrete per hour

•    Cost of transporting concrete mixer to and away from the site: £25 per trip