Examination Question Paper

Subject :

Cost Studies of Buildings

Batch

SHU

Instructions

Answer 04 questions
Question no. 05 is compulsory
Time 02 hours
All question carry equal marks

Question 01
Cost planning is a system of procedures and techniques used by quantity surveyors. Its purpose is
to ensure that clients are provided with value for money on their projects; that clients and
designers are aware of the cost consequences of their proposals; that if they so choose, clients
may establish budgets for their projects; and that designers are given advice which enables them
to arrive at practical and balanced designs within budget.
The cost plan provides a frame of reference and this is established during the sketch plan stage. It
is not an estimate, but a working document for action.
I.
II.
III.

How does a traditional estimate differ from a cost plan? (7marks)

Name the six stages (plus one) required by the RIBA
(6marks)
Briefly describe the cost planning aim of each stage named in I above. (12marks)

Question 2
Approximate estimates are produced to forecast the probable cost of a future projects. Three
types of approximate estimates are given below
a). Floor area or superficial method
b). Unit method
c). Elemental cost planning method
I.
II.
III.

Explain the each methods of above approximate estimating (6 marks)

Discussed the advantages and disadvantages of above mentioned estimating
methods'(9 marks)
Based on the given information, calculate the approximate cost of the following
building by using floor area technique. Clearly mention any assumptions you made.
(10 marks)

A typical unit rate per Square meter of floor area follow to indicate the range of price,
but it must be emphasised that wide variations on these rate occur in practice.
Schools (secondary /middle)
Hospitals (ward block)
Factory workshop
Shops(Small)
Office Blocks (medium rise A/C)
Office Blocks (low rise non A/C)
Hotels(4 star)

500-630/m
780-960 / m
480-770/ m
400-510/ m
1050-1300/ m
860-1120/ m
1170-1400/ m

3000
3000

60, 000

22, 000

10,000

4,000

FACTORY WORKSHOPS

OFFICES

Question 3
The term life cycle costing is sometime referred to as 'ultimate life cost' or 'total cost' a technique
of cost prediction by which the initial constructional and associated cost and annual running and
maintenance costs of a building, or part of a building, can be reduced to a common measure.
The term 'cost in use' which was used by quantity surveyors is replaced by life cycle costing
I.

Define following terms (6 marks)

a) Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA)
b) Life cycle cost management (LCCM)

II.
III.

c) Life cycle cost planning (LCCP)

Explain difficulties in assessing life cycle costing (9 marks)
discuss in detail the practical problems which affect Life cycle costing (10 marks)

Question 04
Value Management (VM) is defined as a systematic process of review and analysis of a project, during
the concept and design phases, by a multidiscipline team of persons not involve in the project, that is
conducted to provide recommendation for:
providing the needed functions safely, reliably, efficiently and at lowest overall cost:
improving the value and quality of the project: and reducing the time to complete the project.
I.
II.
III.

State the minimum six reasons for the client commissioning value management(6 marks)
Explain the six phases of value management strategy(12 marks)
Explain in detail Functional analysis as a Value Management technique (7 marks)

Question 05
A Client is considering two choices for windows of his new house. There are 8 windows of
similar size. The life of the house is intended to be 50 years and assume the discount rate as 5%
per annum.
A soft wooden window will cost 250.00 including fixing. Life of a softwood window is 30
years and redecoration will be done in every 10 years at 300.00 per window.
A plastic window will cost 400.00 including fixing with a life span of 25 years. Redecoration
and maintenance will be done in every 15 years at the rate of Rs. 150.00 per window.
Cleaning for both types of windows will be 75.00 per window per annum.
The additional cost for removing existing window, cleaning away, preparing the surface to
receive a new door and making good is 150.00 per window
Ignoring inflation;
a. Advice client on selecting windows for his house using Life Cycle Costing principle.
(20 marks)
b. List any factors, other than those given above, which should be taken into account before
deciding on which window type to be used.
(5 marks)