BTEC HND in QS & BE

Unit / Module Construction Economics B

Assignment 01: Cost Significance of Building elements, cost

Assessment
planning of cost control process

Lecturer Mr. Suranga Chandrathilaka

Student Name ID QS/D…/….

Date Handed Over Date Due

Re-Submission
Initial Submission Date
Date

Criteria Met?
Attempted
Student to

Grading
Assessor Feedback
Tick if

Opportunity On
Initially
Resubmission

P3.1

P3.2

P3.3

P3.4

P4.1

P4.2

P4.3

P4.4

P4.5

P4.6

P4.7

P4.8

M1

M2

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

D1

D2

Assessed By(Name):

Signature: Date:

Student Signature & Comments:

Important Information for Students

• The criteria each task relates to are shown against that task where possible.

• Please note that plagiarism is treated as a serious offence and therefore the work you
produce must be individual and original although may work in groups in some
instances (Please refer to Student Handbook on Plagiarism & Cheating).

• All sources of information must be referenced using “Harvard referencing” where a

reference list/Bibliography should be included at the end of the assignment.

• Please note that the submission date given for this assignment is the final date that you
can hand over the assignment. A one week grace period maybe extended with prior
approval from the Program Manager – Undergraduate. However, note that
submissions handed in one week late will be graded lower (Please refer to the Student
Handbook on Assessments - Late Submissions & Penalties).

• Assignments returned to students for re-working must be re-submitted within 10 days

(Please refer to Student Handbook on Assignments – Re-submission).

• Failure to re-submit the previously marked assignment with the re-submitted

assignment will mean that results cannot be released for the respective unit.

• Please read, follow and reference both the contents of the unit outline and the grading
criteria of the assignment before completing this assignment.

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

Plagiarism:

While research and discussion are an essential part of an assignment, the deliberate copying of
someone else’s work or unacknowledged copying from printed or electronic sources is NOT
permitted. You may be subject to disciplinary procedure if you do this. You should sign this
sheet to show that you comply with these regulations.

Student’s Signature: ……………………………….. Date: .…………………

Student’s Comments:
………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Assessment has been internally verified for use.

Internal Verifier Name: Dr. Lesly Ekanayaka

Signature : Dr. Lesly has Approved Date Verified : 14/05/2010

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

Assignment – Construction Economics B

Description of the unit

This unit provides a detailed examination of the methods used to aid economic decision making
during the development, design and production stages of construction facilities.

After completing the unit students should be able to;

1. Investigate the basic macroeconomic principles such as national income, inflation, and
unemployment
2. Explore techniques of achieving macroeconomic objectives of a country
3. Analyze and evaluate the cost significance of different building elements and design
parameters
4. Understand and apply the knowledge of the cost planning and control process of a
construction project

Task

• Identify the significance of design parameters in relation to the cost in buildings and its
components. You should refer to site factors, size of building, plan shape, grouping of
buildings, storey height etc. (P3.1)

• Compare the different design elements of a building. In relation to their cost. You should
refer to building elements such as substructure, frame, upper floors, roof, stairs, external
walls, windows and external doors, internal walls and partitions, internal finishes.
Describe how such cost is varying against the highest of the building. (P3.2)

• Select a building at your choice & analyze the cost significance of alternate types of
materials used in buildings. You should compare the cost of construction for three
different materials (such as concrete, steel and timber). (P3.3)

• Using two examples evaluate the cost significance of alternate designs. Select single
storey building with identified (constant) foot print and evaluate the cost differences for at
least two different plan shapes. (P3.4)

• Describe the cost control process of a construction project from start of the construction
to completion. Refer to the sample exercise which you have studied in the class.(P4.1)

• Identify the types of cost information and their practical applications in practice (P4.2)

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

• Explain the use of cost analysis, in cost planning and cost control in construction projects
(P4.3)

• Prepare cost analysis for a selected building (which has two stories or more). You must
produce the plan, section and other information of the building that you identified. (P4.4)

• Carry out preliminary estimates for a two storied house using two preliminary estimation
methods. Take dimensions of the structure as 6m X 25m in plan and storey height of
3.0m with concrete flat roof. (P4.5)

• Briefly explain the process of cost planning and prepare a cost plan for a selected project.
You should refer to the sample exercises which you have studied in the class. (P4.6 and
P4.7)

• Identify the need for cost control in construction projects. You should refer to the process
of cost control and its usefulness to construction projects (P4.8)

You can refer to the following documents

• LIPSEY, R.G. 1983. An introduction to positive economics, 6th edition, Weidenfeld &
Necolson, London
• PUGEL, T.A. AND LINDERT, P.H. 2000. International Economics, McGraw-Hill,
Boston
• ASHWORTH, A. 1999. Cost studies of Buildings, 3rd edition, Longman,
• SEELY, I. 1997. Quantity Surveying Practice. 2nd edition. Macmillan, London.

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

Grade Descriptors for Merit

Grade Grade Descriptor Indicative Characteristics Contextualized

Evidence

• Effective judgments have been made • Show the

• Complex problems with more than one variable importance
Identify and apply
of matrices
M1 strategies to find have been explored
when solving
appropriate solutions
• An effective approach to study and research has simultaneous
been applied equations.

• Relevant theories and techniques have been applied

• A range of methods and techniques have been • Correctly use
applied formula,
standard
• A range of sources of information has been used form and
Select/design and engineering
• The selection of methods and techniques/sources
M2 apply appropriate units in all
methods/techniques has been justified the design of methods/techniques your
has been justified calculations

• Complex information/data has been synthesized

and processed appropriate learning
methods/techniques have been applied
Present and • The appropriate structure and approach has been
communicate used
findings
• Coherent, logical development of
principles/concepts for the intended audience
• A range of methods of presentation have been used
M3 and technical language has been accurately used
• Communication has taken place in familiar and
unfamiliar contexts
• The communication is appropriate for familiar and
unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been
used

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

Grade Descriptors for Distinction

Grade Grade Descriptor Indicative Characteristics Contextualized Evidence

• Conclusions have been arrived at through • Compare the

synthesis of ideas and have been justified effectiveness of
Use critical different methods to
reflection to • The validity of results has been evaluated
determine
D1 evaluate own using defined criteria approximate areas
work and justify and volumes.
• Self-criticism of approach has taken place
valid conclusions
• Realistic improvements have been proposed
against defined characteristics for success
• Autonomy/independence has been • Assignment has
demonstrated been prepared
Take systematically.
• Substantial activities, projects or investigations
responsibility for • Each task has been
have been planned, managed and organized presented
D2 managing and
organizing • Activities have been managed independently.
activities • The unforeseen has been accommodated
• The importance of interdependence has been
recognized and achieved
D 3Demonstrate • Ideas have been generated and decisions taken
convergent/lateral/ • Self-evaluation has taken place
creative thinking
• Convergent and lateral thinking have been
applied
• Problems have been solved
• Innovation and creative thought have been
applied
• Receptiveness to new ideas is evident
• Effective thinking has taken place in
unfamiliar contexts

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

Grading Matrix

Assignment No Assignment 1 Assignment 2

P1.1  9
P1.2  9
P1.3  9
P1.4  9
P2.1  9
P2.2  9
P2.3  9
P2.4  9
P3.1  9
P3.2  9
P3.3  9
P3.4  9
P4.1  9
P4.2  9
P4.3  9
P4.4  9
P4.5  9
P4.6  9
P4.7  9
P4.8  9
M1  9 9

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology 

 BTEC HND in QS & BE

M2  9 9

M3  9

D1  9 9
D2  9 9
D3  9

Construction Economics B – Assignment 01 International College of Business and Technology