Unit 10 Measurement & Estimating Assignment Brief
| Qualification | Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Construction |
| Unit Number | 10 |
| Unit Title | Measurement & Estimating |
| Unit code | T/618/8089 |
| Unit level | 4 |
| Credit value | 15 |
Introduction
The techniques explored in this unit are essential skills in maintaining the competitive position of a construction firm in obtaining work through the procurement routes of construction. Mastering the skills of measurement and estimating is essential for the quantity surveyor and estimator.
The overall aim of this unit is to give students an understanding of the quantity surveying techniques of measurement and the estimation of rates for the compilation of tender information. This is a vital activity in achieving a successful outcome for a contracting company in tendering and winning work.
Topics included in this unit are: estimating techniques; standard methods of measurement; taking- off dimensions; preparation of bills of quantities; estimating data collection; the assembly of an estimate for a work package.
On successful completion of this unit, students will be in a position to take- off quantities from drawn information and to prepare estimates for work packages. Students will have the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to progress to a higher level of study.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
LO1 Define standard measurement techniques used for taking-off quantities for estimating purposes
LO2 Perform taking-off techniques in the production of a range of quantities for a structure
LO3 Interpret the principles and techniques of estimating in compiling a final price
LO4 Prepare an estimate for a work activity.
Essential Content
LO1 Define standard measurement techniques used for taking-off quantities for estimating purposes
Techniques for quantifying budgets
Preliminary, intermediate and final estimates for clients’ budgets
Project Comparison Estimating using historical project cost data
Use of Building Cost Information Service (BCIS)
Square metre and cubic metre estimates
Elemental estimating
Approximate quantities techniques
Measurement using dimension paper
Measurement using software packages
Standard methods of measurement for taking-off quantities
Construction and Building Services (e.g., New Rules of Measurement (NRM), NRM 1 – quantification of building works for the purpose of preparing cost estimates and cost plans, NRM 2 – preparation of bills of quantities and quantified schedules of works, NRM 3 – quantification and description of maintenance works)
Civil Engineering (e.g., Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement 4
(CESMM4) – procedure for the preparation of a bill of quantities)
International Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS)
International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS)
Standard Method of Measurement (e.g., (Legacy) SMM7 – detailed information, classification tables and rules for measuring building works)
Coding schemes
Measurement rules
Dimension sheets
Project stages
Client’s budget setting
Preliminary stages
Project comparison stages
Final design stage
Preparation of bills of quantities for the tendering for work (e.g., sub-contract and supply chain packages)
Final account
Maintenance and refurbishment works
LO2 Perform taking-off techniques in the production of a range of quantities for a structure
Measurement techniques and processes
Traditional (using dimension paper)
Abstraction of quantities
Associated working up processes
Preparation of bill of quantities pages
Computer aided systems
Use of digitisers
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Taking-off
Facilitating works (e.g., toxic/hazardous/contaminated material removal, major demolition works, temporary support to adjacent structures, specialist groundworks, temporary diversion works, extraordinary site investigation works) Substructure (e.g., excavation works, standard foundations, specialist foundations, lowest floor construction, basement excavation and retaining walls) Superstructure (e.g., frame, upper floors, roof, stairs and ramps, external walls, windows and external doors, internal walls and partitions, internal doors)
Internal finishes (e.g., wall finishes, floor finishes, ceiling finishes)
Fittings, furnishings, equipment
Services (e.g., sanitary installations, mechanical and electrical installations) External works (e.g., site preparation works, roads, paths, pavings and surfacings, bridges, culverts, soft landscaping, planting and irrigation systems, fencing, railings and walls, external fixtures, external drainage)
LO3 Interpret the principles and techniques of estimating in compiling a final price
Collection of data
Characteristics
Labour and labour costs
Plant rates data
Company data (on output levels)
Material costs (e.g., terms of supply, delivery, handling, wastage)
Processes and procedures for estimate
Factors affecting prime costs
Method statements (effect on estimating)
Use of standard reference documents
Coverage rules for units of work (e.g., SMM, NRM, CESMM etc.)
Calculation of unit rates in building up an estimate
Labour rates (e.g., direct, sub-contractors, labour-only sub-contractors [LOSC])
Materials (e.g., purchase price, delivery costs, wastage rate)
Plant (e.g., purchase or hire options, output and capacity)
Overheads and margin
Outputs (e.g., recorded historically, use of price books)
Adjustments to unit rates in building up an estimate
Historical rates adjusted for time
Inflation
Risk
Technology
Alternatives (plant, material, process)
Location (labour costs, material costs)
LO4 Prepare an estimate for a work activity
Estimating techniques for budgeting purposes
Preparation of approximate quantities for cost budgets
Elemental cost estimating from given historical cost data
Use of preliminary design drawings
Preparation of estimate using comparative cost data
Other forms of local cost data
Adjustments for time, size and quality, inflation and overheads
Estimating techniques
Application of all in rates to quantities
Total net value
Overheads and profit
Preliminary items
VAT
Calculating cost of risk (e.g., factors affecting risk)
Inclusion of sub-contracted elements
Effect of location
Contract period
Inclusion of provisional items
Use of standard templates and forms
Use of ISO 9000 company devised systems
Preparing a bill of quantities
Types of BOQ (e.g., approximate, elemental, work package, work section, ‘unpriced’ (Tender Pricing Document))
Standard forms of BOQ (e.g., New Rules of Measurement (NRM), Civil
Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM4), International
Construction Measurement Standards (ICMS), International Property
Measurement Standards (IPMS), Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7) – legacy)
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Define standard measurement techniques used for taking- off quantities for estimating purposes | D1 Critically evaluate an estimating technique to its accuracy in the production of quantities. | |
| P1 Explain the techniques used in the production of accurate quantities. P2 Explain how a rule of measurement supports accurate quantities. |
M1 Compare techniques used for production of quantities against the lifecycle of a project. | |
| LO2 Perform taking- off techniques in the production of a range of quantities for a structure | ||
| P3 Take- off quantities for a range of construction activities. P4 Abstract a range of quantities for construction or civil engineering activities. |
M2 Accurately apply a standard method of measurement to the production of quantities. | |
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO3 Interpret the principles and techniques of estimating in compiling a final price | D2 Produce an accurate bill of quantities work section from final design drawings for a construction or infrastructure project.
D3 Evaluate estimating techniques used for the different stages of a project’s lifecycle. |
|
| P5 Calculate labour unit rates for an estimate by compiling and processing rate build- up data. P6 Calculate ‘all in’ rates for a range of construction or civil engineering activities. |
M3 Analyse the factors that have an effect on the compilation of unit rates for an estimate. | |
| LO4 Prepare an estimate for a work activity | ||
| P7 Produce a comprehensive estimate for a work section or activity. P8 Explain the reasons for the level of variation in estimates received by stakeholders. |
M4 Compare the techniques used for the formulation of budgets with estimating final design costs. | |
Recommended Resources
Print resources
BROOK, M. (2016), Estimating and Tendering for Construction Work, Routledge
CARTLIDGE, D. (2019), Estimator’s Pocket Book Second Edition, Routledge
GREENHALGH, B. (2013), Introduction to Estimating for Construction, Routledge
OSTROWSKI, S. (2013), Estimating and Cost Planning Using the New Rules of Measurement, John Wiley & Sons
RICS (2012), Nrm 1 Rics New Rules of Measurement, RICS Books
SCHMID, K. (2011), Construction Estimating, Momentum Press
Links
This unit links to the following related units:
- Unit 7: Surveying, Measuring & Setting- out
- Unit 8: Mathematics for Construction
- Unit 12: Tender & Procurement
- Unit 25: Quantity Surveying Practice
- Unit 29: Contracts & Management
- Unit 36: Value Engineering & Cost Control
- Unit 43: Advanced Surveying & Measurement
- Unit 54: Advanced Quantity Surveying Practice.
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