Construction Management and Pre Contract Studies
Marking Criteria:
Using University Level 4 performance descriptors listed below, marks will be awarded for: evidence of professional and logical approach; technically correct calculations; accurate methodology and approach to basic cost estimates and measurements backed up with all quantities, cost data and calculations. See the more detailed guidance given for each task.

L4
90-100%

Outstanding Focused and comprehensive engagement with the question, showing evidence of in-depth understanding of the issues. Extremely clearly structured and demonstrating a coherent discussion throughout.
Evidence of wide, independent reading.
No obvious errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
80-89%

Excellent Detailed identification of the issues with evidence of clear understanding of the issues.
Well-structured with evidence of independent reading supporting the discussion.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
70-79%

Very good Identification and very good understanding of issues in the assessment. Full answers to all questions/task. Very clear discussion with relevant examples used to illustrate response. Clear evidence of reading outside the module list.
Few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
60-69%

Good
Good understanding of the issues. Engages directly with the question. Clear discussion with good examples used to support it.
All main points and important issues of the question/task covered. Some evidence of reading outside the module list
Some small repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate
50-59%

Sound Generally sound understanding of basic theory and concepts. Content relevant to the question/task. Competently deals with main issues. Reading based on main texts or materials, but not always fully utilised in supporting discussions.
Some repeated errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
40-49%
Basic Some evidence of understanding of basic concepts/issues. Content broadly relevant but with limited or little application of theory. Almost totally descriptive.
30-39%

Retrievable fail Some learning outcomes and / or assessment criteria not met.
Superficial treatment of issues. Some is relevant to topic set. Material merely repeats taught input. Lacks understanding of basic theory or concepts. Possible use of extensive quoted passages and class examples.
Evidence of sufficient grasp of learning outcomes to suggest that the participant will be able to retrieve the module on resubmission.
20-29% No learning outcomes fully met. Little evidence of attempts to engage with module materials.
10-19% Little attempt to engage with assignment brief and has not met learning outcomes. Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
0-9% No real attempt to address the assignment brief or learning outcomes

In order to achieve an excellent/ outstanding (highest pass) the student must produce a piece of coursework in the correct professional format showing an extensive well researched knowledge of the subject area, expressing competent opinions and justified methodology. The submission must be technically accurate and relate to the project scenarios given. It must also include relevant, correctly referenced sources of information to indicate additional research and a demonstration of in-depth of knowledge overall. The calculation of the quantities must be accurate and include all resources, calculations and costs used in the work.

You should state ALL assumptions clearly and should make it very clear what sources of information have been used. Where material/information from these sources is quoted it must be clearly referenced using the Harvard Referencing System. (Details can be obtained from University Web Site – Learning Centres).

Further details on indicative marking scheme broken down to the specific tasks:
The marking scheme is only indicative of the amount of time and effort that should be devoted to completing the work. A single grade for this coursework will be published in e:Vision which will then be combined with coursework 2 grade to calculate an overall average grade.
Task 1 – academic essay on the pre-contract process for a traditional construction project (LO1)

Scenario for task 1

One of the main processes at the pre contract stage by both the client and contractor is to set a budget estimate for the project. This should also be sufficiently robust to be controlled and adjusted throughout the project life cycle. The budget cost data is manipulated, disseminated and broken down by all the construction professional team members to reflect their contributions to the estimates. This then creates the final agreed costs for all the professional services, construction costs and finance costs. The expectation by the client is that all the totalities of the various budgets remain within the overall estimate. This is an important process and the RIBA Plan of Works 2013 is an important industry document that helps define the key milestones and tasks required for any project.

Submission components for Task 1

This task involves undertaking a literature research using the RIBA Plan of Works as a starting point to produce a word processed essay using in text citation to answer the following question below. Ensure you keep an appropriate record of all sources you have used (even if you read an article or text book but did not quote from it in your final essay). The guidance word count is between 600 and 1000 words:

1. Using a minimum of 6 academic sources of literature, discuss the different types of cost estimating techniques that could be used during inception right through to mobilisation which is linked to the correct RIBA Plan of Works 2013 appropriate for a traditionally constructed and procured housing project. Under each of the required RIBA work stage headings, you are to briefly identify the key tasks, practitioners involved and in depth discussion of the format(s) of the estimate chosen. Conclude with a short paragraph on your opinion as to whether the client or the architectural design should dictate the budget cost.
Marking scheme: Marks
Task 1 – Academic essay.
1a General presentation including grammar, logical structure, coherently and accurately written. Accuracy and appropriateness of cost estimating technique presented which are contextualised to project scenario and correct RIBA work headings
1b Conclusion – well informed and structures discussion using in text citation to justify
1c Correct use of Harvard referencing including in text citation, using a minimum of 6 published sources of information must be cited from a diverse range of sources. Provide separate reference and/or bibliography lists for Task 1 and 2.
• NB. DO NOT CITE YOUR LECTURE NOTES.
35%
10%
5%
Total 50%

Task 2 – Manipulation and use of cost data (LO2)

Scenario for task 2

During the site immobilisation, the client or their representative will hand over the project documentation to the contractors’ site team. Typically this will include drawings, specification, pricing document (see below extract measured in accordance with NRM2), form of contract, and health & safety plan. The site team’s first task is to interpret all the design and cost information and evaluate the buildability of the design and that measurements are accurately recorded. They will also need to extrapolate and manipulate the cost data so that the material quantities can be broken down and convert into the exact quantities of materials ordered.
Extract from bill of quantities:
14 Masonry brick/block walling
Brick/block walling
A Brick wall in skins of hollow wall in LBC multi coloured facings basic price £650/1000 (delivered to site) laid stretcher bond in c:m (1/3) and pointing with bucket handle joint as work proceeds.

102.5 mm thick

150

m2

B Block wall in skins of hollow wall in 3.5 N concrete blocks 440 x 100 x 215 mm in c:m (1/3)

100 mm thick
150
m2
C Form 100 mm wide cavity including 5 Nr 250 mm long galvanised twist ties per m2, at 900 mm horizontal and 450 mm vertical.
150 m2

B4/1 To summary £

Submission components for Task 2

This task involves manipulation and adjusting cost estimates, as well as converting and calculating the total quantities of materials to be purchased from a bill of quantities project document. You must clearly show all working out, otherwise this will affect your marks. There is no word count as this is a technical calculation but the task is equivalent to 1000 words. From the extract of the bill above, calculate:

1. The contractor’s tender price for a 4 bed traditional built 2 storey house was £156,000 in April 2014, however the project has been delayed for 2 years, calculate and adjust the tender price to reflect a start on site of December 2016. You must append all sources of data/assumptions used.
2. Using quantities from the above bill extract, calculate how many brick pallets (1000 bricks/pallet) are required and the total cost allowing 5% wastage;
3. How many concrete blocks are required and the total cost allowing 5% wastage. You are to source the cost of a block from a building merchants website and append the cost data used;
4. The quantities and total cost per bag of cement and sand required to construct the brick and block wall allowing for 10% wastage. You are to source the cost of the materials from a building merchants website and append the cost data used;
5. The labour cost of constructing the cavity wall. You are to source the cost data from a price book.

You MUST include all supporting notes, researched production data/assumptions e.g. pages used from the website, material schedule list and quantities, material cost and calculation sheets e.g. material conversions for each item of work so that your calculations can be checked, otherwise this will severely affect your grade.
Marking scheme: Marks
Task 2 – Technical calculations:
2a Technical layout and accuracy of adjusted cost estimate using appropriate sourced cost indices and formulas used
2b Technical layout and accuracy of quantities, conversions and costs of materials
2c Technical layout and accuracy of quantities, conversions, costs of material using appropriately source of cost data which MUST be appended
2d Technical layout and accuracy of quantities, conversions, costs of material using appropriately source of cost data and assumptions which MUST be appended
2e Technical layout and accuracy of costs of using appropriately source of cost data and assumptions which MUST be appended
2f Correct use of Harvard referencing and depth of reading material used.
10%

10%
10%

10%

5%

5%
TOTAL: 50%