Project Cost Management: Internal Walls, BoQ, and Skill Analysis

This report analyzes a Project Cost Management assignment, focusing on two key tasks. Task 1 involves creating a Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for internal walls, including detailed measurements, take-off lists, and the application of NRM2 standards. The report details the measurement of internal walls, including blockwork and stud partitions, and presents the BoQ with item descriptions, quantities, rates, and amounts. Task 2 explores the evolving role of Quantity Surveyors (PQSs), examining the need for new skills to replace traditional measurement techniques. The report discusses the current roles of PQSs, the changing landscape of construction measurement, and the expected shifts in PQS roles, emphasizing the adoption of new skills driven by technological advancements such as BIM and computerized systems. The report concludes that traditional measurement skills may become less crucial, while new technological and management skills will be essential for PQSs to remain competitive and relevant in the construction industry.

Project Cost Management 1
PROJECT COST MANAGEMENT
Name
Course
Professor
University
City/state
Date

Project Cost Management 2
Project Cost Management
Task 1
Task 1 (a): Marked-up drawings of items measured
This task involves taking off measurements to be used in preparing bill of quantities for
the internal walls work package. The items measured are the length and width of the internal
walls on the ground floor and first floor of the building in Plot 14 of the project. The marked-up
drawings of the items measured are provided below:
Figure 1: Plan of the building

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Figure 2: Plans of the first floor

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Figure 3: Section of the building
Task 1 (b): Take-off list of relevant items measured
The take-off list of items measured in the internal wall works package include the following:
 Internal block wall
 Plasterboard on dabs with 3 mm skim finish
 Proprietary stud partition with Gypframe ‘C’ studs
 Extra over for moisture resistant plasterboard to one side
 Extra over for forming openings not exceeding 2.5 m2
 Extra over for angles
 Extra over tee junctions
Task 1 (c): Query and assumption
My role in this scenario is to produce a bill of quantities (BoQ) for the internal walls
work package for the building in Plot 4 for the project. The client in this project is the

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owner/developer of the proposed residential development at Hawthorn, Broad Lane, Coventry.
The task required to be measured and produced in this activity is internal walls for the building
in Plot 14. The internal walls comprise of blockwork (mainly on the ground floor) and study
partitions (on the first floor). The drawings of items being measured are marked-up by
identifying the items to be measured on the plans of the buildings and determining their
dimensions (mainly length, width/thickness and height). The items that are relevant to measure
in this task are the sizes of the internal walls (length, width/thickness and height) and type,
description or specifications of materials used to make the internal walls. The take-off list is set
out by identifying the internal walls being measured, establishing the construction materials
needed to build the walls and understanding the construction method or process to be adopted in
building the walls. The main queries and assumptions relevant to the measure are the
specifications of the materials to be used in building the internal walls, such as the type and size
of blocks used, the type and size of studs used, the type and specifications of the plasterboards to
be used, and the specifications of skim finish used in making the internal walls. The take-off or
measurement should be laid out by establishing the devices used to measure the relevant
dimensions of the internal walls and taking measurements of each wall segment or section at a
time.
The items to be included in the BoQ include the description of items measured (blocks,
plasterboards on dabs, studs, and skim finish), unit of each item, quantity of the items, rate of
each item, the amount for each item and total for all the items. The standard method of
measurement used to obtain measurements in this task is NRM2 – Detailed Measurement for
Building Works. This method does not need to obtain UCEM approval. The information required
for the description of items in the BoQ is the specifications of the various materials used in

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building the internal walls. There are no abbreviations and shorthand descriptions that will be
used in this task by mistake. The BoQ prepared in this task will help the client know the items
and amount required to complete the internal walls work package. This will help him plan on
how to get the required resources for the work package on time and also identify measures that
can be put in place to reduce the cost without compromising the quality of the final work done.
Some of the assumptions made in this task include the following: the dimensions of
blocks used for the internal walls are 440x215x100mm, there will be no wastage when
undertaking the job, and the dimensions of internal doors used in the building are 900 wide and
2000 high.
Task 1(d): Measurements for the internal walls
The measurements or take-off for the internal walls (blockwork and stud partitions) are provided
in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Measurements/take-off for the internal walls
No. Description
Internal walls (blockwork)
100mm 3.5N Hemelite standard lightweight
blocks
234 No.
9.123
2.325 21.211
2.73
0.325 0.887
22.098
0.0946
233.6
12.5mm plasterboard on dabs 45 m2
9.123
2.325 21.211
2.73
0.325 0.887
2 22.098

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44.196
3mm skim finish 44.2 m2
9.123
2.325 21.21
2.73
0.325 0.88725
2 22.10
44.2
Internal walls (stud partitioning)
70mm thick Gypframe studs at 600mm
centres
53 m
12255/600
22
2.285 50.27
4247/600
8
0.285
2.28
52.55
15mm Gyproc soundbloc plasterboard 29 m2
12.255
2.285 28.003
4.247
0.285 1.210
29.213
3mm skim finish 58.42 m2
12.255
2.285 28
4.247
0.285 1.21
2 29.21
58.42
Task 1 (e): The BoQ for the internal walls work package is provided in Table 2 below
Table 2: BoQ for the internal walls
No Description Unit Quantit
y
Rate ($) Amount
($)
Internal wall (blockwork)
100mm 3.5N Hemelite standard lightweight
blocks
M2 23 52 1,196
12.5mm plasterboard on dabs on both sides of
the internal wall (blockwork)
M2 45 8.8 396

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3mm skim finish on the plasterboards M2 45 0.5 22.5
Internal wall (stud partitioning)
70mm thick Gypframe studs at 600mm centres M 53 5 265
15mm Gyproc soundbloc plasterboard M2 29 8.8 255.2
3mm skim finish on the plasterboards M2 59 0.5 29.5
Total for Internal Walls Carried to
Collection
2,164.20
Task 2: Need for new skills to replace traditional measurement skills
Quantity surveying is a very important profession in the construction industry. Different
types of construction projects including new construction projects, extensions, refurbishments
and maintenance projects require the services of a PQS. Over the past years, the roles of PQSs
have gradually changed. There have also been numerous changes in the construction industry
that have necessitated PQSs to possess and adopt new skills. The changes have also resulted to
increased roles of PQSs. This essay analyzes the statement that in the next five years, PQSs may
not need to possess traditional measurement skills and instead they should learn and adopt new
skills that are in line with the current quantity surveying needs in the construction industry. This
is important because the technological changes and other changes in the construction industry are
inevitable. These changes are gradually replacing traditional measurement skills with new and
technologically-driven skills. Therefore this essay will help PQSs learn about the new skills they
should possess so as to remain competent and relevant in the construction industry, and also
establish if they will still need the traditional measurement skills in the next five years or not.
Roles of PQS
Professional quantity surveyors (PQSs) are one of the major stakeholders involved in
successful delivery of construction projects (Oladotun & Edosa, 2017). These professionals play
a very key role in all stages of a construction project’s lifecycle, including feasibility, planning,

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design, construction/delivery, restoration, extension, maintenance and demolition (McDonnell,
2011); (Olanrewaju & Anahve, 2015). They are usually involved in the procurement (Stargatt,
2015), cost planning and management, and contractual issues related to the construction project
they are implementing (Towey, 2012). Some of the current roles of PQSs are: prepare and assess
construction tenders using information that has been provided by design professionals and
consultants such as engineers and architects (Association of South African Quantity Surveyors,
(n.d.)); negotiate contract agreements and participate in contract awarding to successful
tenderers; coordinate, manage and administer different types of construction projects including
construction progress schedules, contracts and subcontracts, work measurements and cost control
systems (Arumugan, 2018); monitor initial estimates of works packages and contractual
obligations of various stakeholders as the delivery process continues based on variations and
additional works; provide advice about cost implications of the requirements of the client and
decisions of other stakeholders (Cartlidge, 2011); prepare progress invoices, submit and manage
them; provide advice and participate in dispute resolution issues (Canadian Institute of Quantity
Surveyors, 2018); coordinate work efforts on and off site; value work that has been completed by
the contractor and making arrangements for payments (Careers in Construction, 2013); monitor
cost of ongoing construction works to ensure that they are completed within planned budget
(Dixon, W, 2018); and prepare interim reports. Therefore the roles of PQSs are not limited to
measurements and estimations only but are also involved in other tasks at different stages of the
project.
What Measurement of construction entails
Measurement of construction works entails several elements including, but not limited to:
interpreting drawings; analyzing specifications of different components; preparing estimates of

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materials, equipment/plant and labour needed to complete construction activity; pricing the
materials, equipment and labour required to complete construction works; estimating and valuing
the amount of work completed; monitoring progress of ongoing construction works; preparing
invoices; estimating and valuing variations and extra works; predicting factors that are likely to
affect completion of construction works and estimating their financial impacts; cost control;
reviewing project performance and dispute resolution. In general, measurement of construction
work mainly entails drawing information from drawings and customer requirements and
transforming it into quantities and descriptions for the purposes of valuing, costing and pricing
construction works and also enable effective financial control and management of the work. This
means that measurement of construction work does not end at providing information necessary
to price items in the bill of quantities (pre-contract) but it goes beyond tendering (post-contract)
where the quantity surveyor is involved in assessing ongoing work, value the work completed by
contractors or subcontractors and prepare invoices to make payment for the work done. In other
words, measurement of construction work entails estimating cost of planned work and variations,
cost control, calculating the value of work completed by nominated suppliers and subcontractors,
and assessing and preparing interim valuations for the purposes of making payments for the work
done by contractors. Measurement in construction is very useful as it helps the client avoid
losing money and prevents budget overruns (Pierce, 2014); (Smart Sheet, 2018).
Expected changes in PQS roles and skills
Several changes in the role of PQSs are expected to occur in the next five years. PQSs are
expected to provide more technical and management services. Previously, PQSs mainly provided
technical services particularly those related to taking measurements and estimating costs. In the
next five years, PQSs will play more roles including providing advice on a wide range of issues

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such as building economics, financial management, mitigation of risks, providing support for
litigation process, taxation of properties, construction environmental issues, construction
technology, construction contract practice, etc.
In the next five years, it is true that the need for PQSs to possess traditional measurement
skills may not be necessary and instead they should adopt new skills. This is because
construction industry has significantly transformed over the past years and so are the skills for
PQSs. This transformation is mainly driven my technology and therefore measurement methods
of construction works are changing from traditional methods to modern methods. Technology is
driving the need for high level new skills for various stakeholders in the construction industry.
New methods and ideas such as lean construction, building information modelling (BIM),
prefabricated structures, nanotechnology, computer aided design (CAD), and micro-generation,
among others are what are now being applied in the construction sector (Vokes & Brennan,
2013). Increased use of computerized systems has significantly reduced the need for traditional
measurement skills (Lee & Trench, 2010). These new techniques have great efficiency and are
now the core drivers for successful delivery of construction projects. As a result, PSQs will
require to adopt new skills of how various technological tools and processes work.
Measurement of construction works is now transforming from manual where traditional
measurement skills were applied, to electronic where computerized systems are now being used
to take measurements. Most measurements are now being taken using CAD software that can
generate BoQs instantly with the help of other information technology (IT) tools (Reddy, 2015).
This has reduced the complexity of taking measurements manually meaning that in the next few
years, the traditional measurement skills may not be necessary. Instead, PQSs need to adopt new

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skills of using CAD software and IT tools to take measurements of construction works (Shafiei
& Said, 2013).
BIM has become a very essential tool in the construction industry (Bryde, et al., 2013).
The tool has completely transformed the manner in which stakeholders involved in a
construction project interact, extract and share information (Vineeth & Jenifer, 2014). Since
PQSs are involved throughout the project’s lifecycle, they are required to adopt new skills of
using BIM. They have to learn how this technological tool works so that they can use it
effectively and efficiently. In the next five years, use of BIM may become compulsory hence
only those PQSs that can use it will remain relevant in the construction industry. Use of BIM
eliminates the tedious and time-consuming traditional methods of measurements as well as
minimizing human error. With use of BIM, it becomes easier to extract measurements from
drawings, use them to estimate cost and establish the impact of each component of the project on
its total cost (Zainon, et al., 2016). PQSs must possess and adopt BIM skills in the next five
years.
Another new role/skill that PSQs must adopt in the next five years is understanding and
interpretation of green building codes. Sustainable construction practices have been very
essential in the construction industry (Building and Decor, 2017) and many countries are
enacting laws to make adoption of these practices mandatory so as to improve efficiency and
reduce environmental degradation. This means that PSQs need to learn new skills on how
green/sustainable construction works and use them in their activities.
Other news skills that PSQs may need to adopt in the next five years include:
construction economics, financial management, asset advisory, risk mitigation, facilities
consultancy, litigation support, building surveying, property taxation, property economics,