Estimating
Introduction
The module is taught by Ms. Azrina Md Yaakob as this is consider a totally new module that we have experienced this semester, estimating aims to teach students common practices among the industry on estimating the rates of construction components, teaching from the theory to practice. The purpose of this module is to develop estimating skills, a trait needed in the profession. As Consultant Quantity Surveyors, sometimes as contractor QS, we are required to estimate prices of our projects to check on feasibility, make preliminary cost estimates, prepare cost plan/budgets and analysis, all to advise the client on costing matters on the early stages of the construction, when the cost of the building has not yet been determined by the contractor.
The topics of this module consists of 15 chapters, with chapter 1-5 being theory chapters, teaching the introduction, methods, and components of estimating, whereas the rest of the chapters focuses on the components of a building to estimate such as excavation, concrete, roof, finishes and preliminaries. The module's assessment consists of a seminar, a group project and a final exam.
The topics of this module consists of 15 chapters, with chapter 1-5 being theory chapters, teaching the introduction, methods, and components of estimating, whereas the rest of the chapters focuses on the components of a building to estimate such as excavation, concrete, roof, finishes and preliminaries. The module's assessment consists of a seminar, a group project and a final exam.
Individual Assignment
The seminar is a group assignment where a group of 4-5 are required to explain answers to tutorial questions regarding the theory topics, with different groups recieving different topics. The reason it is called a seminar is because we are supposed to present our answers to each other as if we are teaching one another, therefore we are also required to ask questions to each other.
Group Presentation 1
For the first group presentation, we are required to form a group of 5-7 members as which we are also needed to present the topic that we had chosen during our lecture. The topic that we had chosen is excavation. We are required to present regarding the theory part such as the differences of measurement, estimating and tendering.
Group Report and Presentation 2
The group assignment for this module requires a group of 10 to estimate the build-up rates of components in a building using the latest material, machienary and labour rates, these can be found by checking websites or asking for quotation from suppliers, then using these rates to price a Bill of Quantities and submit the assignment as a complete tender document submitted by a competing tenderer. The second stage of the assignment is to present our tender document as if we are presenting it to a client.
This project aims to give the students exposure to the current market of building material prices as well as allowing students to imitate and imagine themselves as contractors competing to win a tender, thus exposing us to documentation of tender documents. The building up of rates would test us on our knowledge on the module. We are also very fortunate that we had selected as the lowest tenderer among so many groups.
This project aims to give the students exposure to the current market of building material prices as well as allowing students to imitate and imagine themselves as contractors competing to win a tender, thus exposing us to documentation of tender documents. The building up of rates would test us on our knowledge on the module. We are also very fortunate that we had selected as the lowest tenderer among so many groups.
Reflection
I would like to thank all my group mates for helping each other out during the process, and not forgetting the valuable guidance and advice given by our lecturer Ms Azrina throughout this semester. Lastly, I have also improved my communication skills as I always have to deal with a very big group of people so that we can achieve the same goal. I have also improved my email skills as I have to get all the quotations from the supplier which is very challenging.