Module Details

Module Code: BULD8024
Title: Mech & Elect Cost Planning
Long Title: Cost Planning of Mech and Elect Services
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2022/23 ( September 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5821 - Building Science
Module Delivered in: 5 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will enable the student to understand and use cost data and resource information for the purpose of cost planning and control of mechanical and electrical services.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Distinguish and interpret the different phases involved in the design process for mechanical and electrical services and the importance of the client's early involvement in economic aspects of this process.
LO2 Describe the processes used in cost planning of mechanical and electrical services. Evaluate pre-contract cost planning for these elements from inception to contract acceptance.
LO3 Strategically apply Whole Life costing techniques in the evaluation of mechanical and electrical services.
LO4 Discuss how costs can be controlled for mechanical and electrical services, both pre- and post-contract; manipulate and modify historical cost data.
LO5 Prepare simple interim valuations and final accounts for mechanical and electrical services sub-contracts.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Economic design
Critical evaluation of the factors that affect the design and cost of mechanical and electrical services; form and function, plan shape, enclosing ratio, number of storeys, storey height, internal partitions, etc.
Methods of cost planning
Critical analysis of the unit method, area/m2 method, elemental method and approximate quantities methods of cost planning. Different sources of cost data, cost and price indices and other trends. Using worked examples.
Manipulation of data
Analysis of previous projects to be used for cost information. Adjusting cost data to allow for changes in size, time and specification between historic and proposed project costs for mechanical and electrical services.
Life Cycle Costing
Appraise the benefits of life cycle costing for mechanical and electrical services; the criterion rate, the involvement of the client throughout the process in order to arrive at the optimum solution, IRR, client requirements, client Information, life of investment, capital cost, rental values and capital values. Principles, applications and benefits of value management, establishing targets with the client and project team value engineering techniques.
Interim Valuations and Final Accounts
Critical examination of the procedure involved in the preparation of interim accounts and different types of final account, i.e. adjusted, ascertained, cost plus etc., for mechanical and electrical services sub-contracts.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework60.00%
End of Module Formal Examination40.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Produce early stage costs of mechanical and electrical work by manipulating and modifying historical cost data.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Prepare and apply life cycle costingss for mechanical and electrical works.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and worked examples. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Learning Non Contact Review, augmentation and application of course material. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory on course topics and worked examples. Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Learning Non Contact Review, augmentation and application of course material. Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Kirkham, R. (2014), Ferry & Brandon's Cost planning of buildings, 9th ed.. Wiley-Blackwell, [ISBN: 978-111996862].
  • Swaffield, L & Pasquire, C. (2000), Improving early cost advice for mechanical and electrical services, RICS Foundation: Research Paper Series, [ISBN: 978-1842190458].
  • BS/ISO 15686-11:. (2014), Buildings & constructed assets – Service life planning – Part 5: Life cycle costing, British Standards Institution, [ISBN: 9780580738524].
  • Franklin & Andrews. (2008), Spon's Irish Construction Price Book, 3rd. Taylor & Francis, [ISBN: 978-0415456371].
  • Davis Langdon. (2021), Spon's Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book 2012, 53rd. CRC Press, [ISBN: 9781032052267].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Cartlidge, D. (2017), Quantity surveyor's pocket book, 3rd ed.. Routledge, [ISBN: 978-113869836].
  • Buchan, RD, Fleming, EFW & Grant. (2016), Estimating for builders and surveyors, 2nd. Routledge, [ISBN: 9781138139534].
  • Bryan, T. (2010), Construction Technology, 2nd. Wiley-Blackwell, [ISBN: 978-1405158749].
  • Kelly, J & Hunter, K. (2009), Life Cycle Costing Of Sustainable Design, RICS Research, [ISBN: 978-1842194362].
  • Hawkins, G. (2011), Rules of Thumb: guidelines for building services, 5th. BSRIA, [ISBN: 9780860226918].
  • Langmaid, J. (2004), Choosing building services, BSRIA, Bracknell, Berks., [ISBN: 978 0860226433].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Swaffield, L & Pasquire, C. (1999), Examination of relationships between building form and function, and the cost of mechanical and electrical services, Construction Management and Economics, Vol 17, No 4, p.pp 483 – 492, [ISSN: 0144-6193].
  • Swaffield, L.M. and Pasquire, C.L.. (2000), Improving early cost advice for mechanical and electrical services, RICS Research Papers, Vol 3, Nr 15, p.49, [ISSN: 1354-506X].
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_CCNMG_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management 7 Elective
CR_CQTSU_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying 7 Elective
CR_CMEQS_8 Certificate in Mechanical & Electrical Quantity Surveying 1 Mandatory
CR_CCOPM_9 Master of Science in Construction Project Management 1 Elective
CR_CCNPM_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Construction Project Management 1 Elective