Effects of Different Design Decisions on Building Cost and Pricing Preliminaries

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Effects of Different Design decisions on Building Cost and Pricing Preliminaries
a) Cost estimate for a 40-storey building
Since a 40-storey tower is a tall building construction it will comprise considerable financial
uncertainty. Therefore, to minimise such financial risks it is important to accurately estimate
the schematic construction cost. Indeed, the schematic costs estimation model involves a
number of practices such as floor plan, elevation views of the exterior, site plan, roof plan,
and building section. The schematic plan for the floor plan is on a program which offers a
diagram of every room which illustrates its equipment and furniture (Brook, 2016). Certainly,
this programs includes statements regarding room adjustments of each room and it is possible
to locate every room in the building. Similarly, the schematic plan for the floor has the
capacity to demonstrate the location of every room in the building as well as the correct
adjustments which justify the sensibility of the floor. Also, it projects the amount of space
required for the wall and corridors. Important to note that is the schematic plan should not be
substantially bigger than what was initially agreed to during the approval of the program.
Elevation views of the exterior provide the overview of the entire building wall sides, which
shows the shape style and the necessary material to be used. Certainly, the material has to be
durable and of low maintenance cost. On the other hand, the site plan provides an illustration
of the building placement location. The site is supposed to clearly exhibit safe and efficient
response pattern space for outdoor recreation. Roof plan should be simple with an accurate
estimate of possible construction cost (Smith, Jaggar, and Love, 2016). Building section is a
portion through the building which enables the project owner and the estimator to better
realise the internal space of the building and the way in which dissimilar part of the building
work together.
b) Using precast façade to situ concrete walls for residential blocks

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Precast concrete has been in use for many years because of its aesthetic resourcefulness and
durability. In addition to the wide-ranging importance of concrete, precast concrete has other
unique strengths. Accordingly, other than being flexible and durable precast concrete is eco-
friendly and significantly minimise the time of construction. Some of the major significances
related to precast concrete include control, easy installation, and top quality and durable,
fireproof, and aesthetic value.
c) Using steel formwork instead of timber formwork for concrete
In the recent past steel, formwork has been gaining popularity in the construction sector
because it can be used for a long period and can also be reused for quite a long time (Lloret et
al., 2015, p. 41). Despite the fact that steel is costly it has the capacity to be utilised within a
wide range of projects. As a result, that means that the use of steel formwork shall be of great
significance to developing a 40 story tower since it will be able to last for all that period.
Therefore, unlike the use of timber formwork which is the most common formwork used in
the construction industry. Accordingly, the use of steel shattering provides charismatic
finishes to concrete surfaces, whereas the use of timber formwork though easy to produce but
it is time-consuming when it comes to big constructions like the 40 storey tower. On the same
note, timber formwork cannot be used for long as it can only be utilised for at most six times
while steel formwork can be used for up to 100 times. In this case, steel is the most suitable
option for a 40-storey building because it is able to cater for curved structures like columns,
tunnel, sewer, tanks, and retaining wall. Similarly, steel formwork shattering is strong, lasting
and durable. It is also waterproof thus it minimises the effect of honeycombing. Moreover, it
is easier to install and dismantle steel formwork with a lot of ease.
2. Pricing preliminaries