QUANTITY SURVEYING

Topics included in this unit are project phases, construction drawing, detailing, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM), schedules, specifications, bills of quantities and information collaboration. On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to analyse scenarios, make decisions and produce drawings and specifications to achieve appropriate, creative and innovative home design proposals.  

In this unit, you will explore the make-up and the impact of the construction industry on the environment and society. By exploring the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations in the construction sector, you will gain an overview of the organisational and the personal ways in which the construction sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment, while maintaining economic sustainability and growth.  

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the use of data in the planning, construction and operation of built assets has become commonplace for both large and small projects. The ability to manage projects throughout their lifecycle, using a common data set, has the potential to impact on the built environment in numerous ways such as supporting efficiency, reducing costs and driving sustainability.   While BIM is, effectively, a process of information management through a project lifecycle, it is most often based on the use of digital applications to generate project data. In this, the model is central in the process of designing and producing information that will facilitate construction and, later, the operation of the built asset. In this unit, you will explore the key processes in using digital applications to produce data and construction information that will enable the BIM process. 

The techniques explored in this unit include essential skills in maintaining the competitive position of a construction firm in obtaining work through procurement routes of construction. You will in this unit gain an understanding of the quantity surveying techniques of measurement and estimation of rates for the compilation of tender information. On successful completion of this unit you will be in a position to take-off quantities from drawn information and to prepare estimates for work packages.

This unit aims to give you the knowledge to be able to select a procurement route and an appropriate tendering method in the awarding of a project to a main contractor. You will learn how to prepare a tender package to procure a contractor for a construction project. Topics included in thit unit include tendering constraints, documentation needed to send out a tender, the factors that affect procurement and procurement methods to select a contractor. On successful completion of this unit you will be able to obtain an estimate for a project at the design stage using a suitable procurement method.

n this unit you will gain insight into the ways that political, social and economic factors influence construction. You will consider the relationship between these factors and how they are reflected in a project and in the broader economy. To integrate this knowledge, you will examine projects to evaluate the way that construction economics, combined with societal and political factors may influence construction costs and procurement route.

The quantity surveyor plays an important role in the administration of a contract for both the client and the main contractor. They are involved initially in the feasibility studies when an initial cost is determined so the client is aware of the costs of the overall project. Once a design is produced, the quantity surveyor supports the tendering and procurement to appoint the contractor. During the construction stage they are involved with the valuation of the works and payments to the contractor. They can also be involved in the resolution of any disputes or claims. All these aspects of the quantity surveyor role will be outlined to you as part of this unit.

This unit will develop your knowledge of the role the quantity surveyor must do to act in accordance with appropriate legislation for all stakeholders. You will look at the legal context and property legislation in relation to quantity surveying including the management of confidential data. In addition, you will gain an understanding of dispute mediation to resolve contractual issues. On successful completion of this unit, you will be familiar with the key legal frameworks and processed that inform and govern activities of quantity surveying.