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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: ENGM027 Module Title: ESTIMATING, PURCHASING AND COST CONTROL (CEM004)
Module Provider: Civil, Chemical & Enviromental Eng Short Name: SE1M44
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: MATTHEWS MC Dr (C, C & E Eng)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Autumn Semester
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment

 

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)

 

3 hour unseen examination

 

70

 

Coursework

 

30

 

Qualifying Condition(s) 

 

An overall mark of 50% is required to pass the module.

 

Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
None
Module Aims

To gain a clear understanding of how design and construction work is priced and the use that is made of these prices to control the costs for the firms involved.
Learning Outcomes

 

On successful completion of this study the student should be able to:

 

  • Define the problems in estimating for professional services and to explain solutions

     

  • Improve efficiency using value engineering

     

  • Estimate for construction work and build-up rates for construction work

     

  • Convert an estimate into a tender and understand the decisions required

     

  • Describe methods of selecting contractors by price and by “value”

     

  • Define the limitations of bidding strategies based on statistical methods

     

  • Explain the requirements for the purchasing of materials and subcontractors

     

  • Produce and use information for controlling and reporting on costs

     

  • Explain procedure for reporting costs in a way that relates to company accounts

     

  • Forecast cost and value for the contractor or the client

     

  • To demonstrate an awareness of the importance of controlling costs during both design and construction

     

  • To appreciate the difficulties associated with the appointment of consultants
  • To gain the knowledge and ability to use financial management tools
Module Content
  • Production of a bill of quantities

     

  • Estimating and pricing of construction works

     

  • Cost control during design and construction

     

  • Controlling costs using tender information

     

  • Forecasting cost and value for the contractor and client

     

  • Appointment of consultants for professional services

     

  • Use of Value Management

     

  • Purchasing of material and sub contract services
  • The use of bidding strategies and statistical methods
Methods of Teaching/Learning

10 hours pre-reading, 21 hours lectures, 6 hours tutorials and 110 hours independent learning.

 

Total student learning time 150 hours.
Selected Texts/Journals

Fellows, Langford, Newcombe and Ury, Construction Management in Practice. 2nd ed, Blackwell Science, 2002

 

Skitmore RM, Contract Bidding in Construction, Longman, 1989.

 

O’Brien JJ, Preconstruction Estimating, McGraw-Hill, 1994.

 

Pilcher R, Project Cost Control in Construction.  2nd ed, Blackwell Science, 1994.

 

Haahtela, Kiiras, Talonrakennuksen kustannustieto (Cost Estimation in Construction), Rakennustieto oy. Latest Ed.

 

Purchasing in Construction, several items in Productivity and Improvement in Construction-serie, Rakennustieto oy.

 

Haapanen M, Logistic for Management, Karisto oy., 1993

 

Turk C and Kirkman J, Effective Writing, 2nd ed, Spon, 1989

 

Britton W, Davies K and Johnson T, Modern Methods of Valuation, 8th ed, Estates Gazette.
Th. Lazaridis, Estimations and Economical Elements of Structural Projects, 2nd ed.
Last Updated

05 February 2009