Estimating - QSB 2134

The topics covered in estimating were Intro to Principle of Estimating, Project Cost Estimating, Component of Build Up Rate, Intro to various methods of estimating, Sub-contracting works, Excavation Works, Concrete Works, Brickwork, Roofing Work, Glazing Work, Plastering and Tiling works, Carpentry and Joinery, Painting Works,  Plumbing Works, External Works and Preliminaries.

In this module, we learnt how to build up rates for BQ. We learnt how to build up the rates of every single element in a construction project. In order to build up rates, we had to first calculate the material cost and then add the labour cost to get the total cost as a rate for the particular element. In calculating the material cost, there are various steps as well. Our rates can be obtained from suppliers, past BQ as well as from CIDB/JKR price lists. If we obtain the rates from supplier and from price lists, we would have to build up the rates as the rates given are raw rates without labour cost added to them. However if the rates are taken from past BQ, the rates only have to be built up by adding a certain percentage of inflation rate based on the year difference and the span of period between the project being calculated for and the project referred to.

This module seemed difficult to me at the beginning but slowly I managed to pick up the ways of building up the rates as we were given lots of practises to work on. Besides, in the Software Application assignment, we also needed to use our Estimating knowledge of building up rates. Through that I managed to slowly master the building up steps and remember them.

In estimating, we had group assignments. The first group assignment required us to get into groups of 5 where we were then given a specific topic. After we were given the topic, we were given a question related to the topic and we had to work on the question as a group. After one week when we came back for tutorial, we were asked to explain the question and its solution in the class, to our fellow classmates. The marks were then allocated through peer assessment by our friends whom we taught.

The second group assignment was an assignment where we were given a construction project with all the quantities but we were asked to build up the rates for all the elements. This assignment was quite tough as we needed to get all the rates by ourselves whether it was through suppliers or through past BQs, or through price lists from CIDB/JKR. Upon getting the rates, we had to build them up one by one and insert the rates into the BQ. Then, we had to sum up the elements with their rates and obtain the Grand Total which is the Tender Sum. Upon obtaining the tender sum, we also had to fill in the daywork rates, preliminaries and fill up different parts of the tender as well. Our group as a company really had to work together to put the assignment together.

Our excavation build up rates by using rates we obtained from past BQs.

Our brickwork build up rates by using rates we obtained from past BQs.