ARBE4308: Cost Planning and Estimating Assessment 4 – Project Scenario
Engineering
5th Jun 2025
3
ARBE4308: Cost Planning and Estimating
ASSESSMENT 4 – PROJECT SCENARIO
As has been previously noted, you have been working for a couple of years at “We Measure It & Associates Pty Limited”, a client-side Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS) firm based in the local area.
Your Managing Director, Dr Andrew Quentin Stihlwasser (known affectionately as AQS to the staff) has allowed you to assist with a builders tender and is now keen to stretch your skills as a Quantity Surveyor, by getting you to prepare an Elemental Cost Plan estimate for a project.
You have obviously made a good impression on Mr. Clawes, as he has specifically asked for you on his latest project. Following a meeting between Mr. Clawes and your MD, the following has been agreed and you are the person to do it.
From: Santos Clawes <Santos.Clawes@bigtimedevelopments.net.au>
Sent: Sunday, 27 April 2025 10:18 AM
To: Andrew Quentin-Smith <AQS@WeMeasureIt&Ass.com.au>
Subject: UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
Good morning Andrew,
As discussed last week, we have a proposed project that we need a preliminary cost plan done for in order to confirm project feasibility. As such, I would like you and your team to prepare this cots plan in accordance with industry standards so we can benchmark, etc accordingly.
As discussed and agreed I will require the following:-
Purpose
I need to have an Elemental Estimate complete for the proposed project based on the preliminary architectural plans and utilising your expertise as a Quantity Surveyor to make the relevant allowances for what is not shown on the plans. I would also like either Buildsoft Cubit and RIB Cost X software packages to be used to complete the estimate.
Information
I have included all of the information (as limited as it currently is) within our preferred document management system “Canvas”, which includes the following:-
Initial Architectural Brief including area schedules
Preliminary Architectural plans and elevations;
If there is any additional information required/you have any queries, I would request that you utilise our preferred document management system “Canvas” and include your request within the nominated ‘Request for Information’ (RFI) section.
Deliverables
In relation to the deliverables, I will require the following:
A professionally presented document including cover letter outlining the scope of the project and including what has been measured along with any assumptions or exclusions that have been made. All support materials should be included within your submission so that we have a good understanding as to all assumptions that have been made at this critical stage of the project.
A copy of either the Buildsoft .cbx of CostX .exf file so we can review and provide comments accordingly.
Deadline
As you are aware, construction projects are reliant on a number of moving parts and this deliverable is the first in the sequence. As such, any delay in the provision of this estimate will impact all subsequent stages. As such, I need this cost plan submitted in its entirety by 5pm Friday 6th June 2025 in order to get the project off on the right start.
I appreciate your assistance with this matter and look forward to receiving your document. Regards
Santos Clawes
Director
Big Time Developments
Suite 56, Level 8
George Street
SYDNEY, NSW, 2000
ASSESSMENT 4 – ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
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Assessment Criteria: ARBE4308 Assessment 4 |
Fail (0-49%) (failure to adequately address the main issues and lack of understanding of the basic principles) |
Fail (0-49%) (failure to adequately address the main issues and lack of understanding of the basic principles) |
Credit (65-74%) (all the main issues are addressed but limited evidence of independent thinking and analysis) |
Distinction (75-84%) (good exploration of main issues with high level of independent thinking and critical analysis) |
High Distinction (85-100%) (comprehensive exploration of main issues with outstanding level of independent thinking |
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Site analysis and management - 10% Site constraints Site management considerations Site management layout |
Serious misrepresentation of the nature of the site Layout proposed is not practical. The site analysis is not adequate to inform the pricing. Inadequacies that could lead to project failure. |
Few site constraints are identified and discussed. The site management approach provides reasonable insights for pricing preliminaries. The proposed site layout is practical. |
Most site constraints are identified. Site management issues that impact on cost of operations are noted Practical and workable site layout. Access, boundaries, storage, traffic management etc are discussed with regard to the tender cost. |
Clear and detailed account of site constraints. Excellent discussion of site management issues that impact on cost of operations. Practical and workable site layout. Access, boundaries, storage, traffic management etc are discussed with regard to the tender cost. Environmental management is considered. |
Clear and detailed account of site constraints. Excellent discussion of site management issues that impact on cost of operations. Very thoughtful site layout taking into account the progress of the project. Access, boundaries, storage, traffic management etc are discussed with regard to the tender cost. Environmental management is evident. |
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Cost Planning Strategy - 5% Overall cost planning strategy Overheads components Profit determination Escalation |
A strategy is not proposed or is inappropriate Overheads calculations and profit expectations are not clearly set out or are incorrect which can result in failure of the organisation. |
Proposed strategy is narrow in scope but valid. Overhead discussion is evident. Overhead and profit determination is calculated on a rational basis. |
Clear and detailed account of a strategy. Clear discussion of overheads. Clear discussion of profit expectation. Clear discussion of escalation potential. Overhead and profit determination is calculated on a rational basis. |
Clear and detailed account of a strategy. The strategy discusses economic conditions with a view to escalation. Assessment of risk exposure is included. Well justified mark up discussion. Profit expectations are clearly established. |
Excellent articulation of a strategy. The strategy discusses economic conditions with a view to escalation. Assessment of risk exposure and reduction is discussed. Well justified mark up discussion. Profit expectations are clearly established on a rational basis considering the strategy. |
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Project program (gantt chart form) - 5% Structure Technique |
The scope or activities are not clear. An overall duration is not established. Ineffective or confusing chart. Gantt chart not used |
Satisfactory scope and activities. An overall duration is established. Gantt chart is easy to follow. |
Good scope and activities An overall duration is established Gantt chart and sequence is easy to follow. |
Excellent depiction of scope and activities Durations are clear with an overall duration obvious Gantt chart and sequence is easy to follow. |
Excellent depiction of scope and activities Durations are clear with an overall duration obvious Gantt chart gives easy visual account with a logical sequence. |
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Pricing preliminaries and temporary work - 10% Identification and allocation Pricing Take-off software use |
Items are not adequately identified. Site analysis and program are not accounted in developing the preliminaries. Workings are not presented. No references. Take-off software used unprofessionally |
Some items are adequately identified Some links to site analysis and program Workings are presented Referencing is acceptable. Take-off software used to professional standard |
Most items are adequately identified. Good links to site analysis and program. Workings are presented. Referencing is acceptable. Take-off software used to professional standard |
Preliminaries build up is extensive and accounts for all non direct costs of the project. All temporary works are clearly identified and priced and linked to the site analysis and program. Clear easy to follow workings. Take-off software used to high professional standard |
Preliminaries build up is extensive and accounts for all non direct costs of the project. Innovative use of preliminaries to provide a project advantage All temporary works are clearly identified and priced and linked to the site analysis and program. Clear easy to follow workings. Take-off software used to high professional standard |
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Measurement and pricing elements - 50% Measure elements Resource identification Rate built up Take-off software use Project costs |
Elements are not all measured. Resources are not identified. Components of the rates are incorrect or incomplete. Workings are missing, not clear or are inappropriate Components not referenced. Take-off software used unprofessionally |
Elements are all measured. Resources are identified. Methods to build up rates can be followed. Source of base prices provided. Overheads, profits etc included. Some notes. Take-off software used to professional standard Project cost shown |
Elements are all measured Clear identification of components. Good methods to build up rates. Source of base prices provided. Overheads, profits etc included as separate items. Some explanatory notes. Take-off software used to professional standard Project cost detailed |
Thorough measurement. Clear identification of components. Consideration of construction method. Excellent demonstration of methods to build up rates. Easy to follow template Source of base prices provided Over heads, profits etc included as separate items Clear explanatory notes. Take-off software use d to high professional standard Project cost detailed |
Thorough measurement. Clear identification of components. Interaction between construction method, site constraints and rates. Excellent demonstration of methods to build up rates. Easy to follow template Source of base prices provided Overheads, profits etc included as separate items Clear explanatory notes. Take-off software use d to high professional standard Project cost detailed |
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Presentation, Scope of Work and documented requirements - 20% |
Overall submission is fragmented and difficult to follow. The total price is not calculated Detailed workings are not provided. There is no referencing. Failed to comply with all the requirements and the scope of work set out in the documentation. Presentation is incomplete Take-off software used unprofessionally |
The NPWC presentation is acceptable and can be followed. Professional presentation There is a logical flow resulting in a total price. Calculations for all aspects are provided Referencing is acceptable.Take-off software use d to professional standard |
Good presentation of the NPWC format Professional presentation There is a logical flow. Resulting in a total price. Calculations for all aspects are provided, easy to follow and appropriate Referencing is acceptable.Take-off software used to professional standard |
The submission is complete. The submission is well structured and well documented, all calculations for all aspects are in a logical order and easy to follow Professional presentation All cost items are referenced. Take-off software used to high professional standard |
The submission is complete The submission is well structured. And presentation is outstanding. All cost items are referenced Cost items are adjusted for time and position in the construction cycle. Take-off software used to high professional standard Client requirements reconciled Layout documented Professional presentation |