Professional Documents
Culture Documents
0 !
1
HAND BOOK
FOR
By
W.F.S.E. Fernando
Supervised by
Dr. A.A.D.A.J.Perera
624^-5"
67981
The Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment
of
in
University of Moratuwa
September 1995
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
i
Tables
r ill
I
Figures
r iv
Hand Book for Sri Lankan House Builder
T h e house builder is defined here as the person who plans, invests, builds.(organises the
construction personal and material) owns and make use of the facility after completion of
construction.
I
The theme "Hand Book for the Sri Lankan House Builder"' was selected due to the lack of
literature available lor the potential literate Sri Lankan house builder, with an aim to convex'
the knowledge of project management.
The house builder who is planning to build his unique home visualising a --[-goal, could lx
benefited by saving time and money finally achieving a satisfactory end-result.
A literature survey was canied out to identify the available books written for the house
builder. Out of these identified books, a set of activities (topics) were differentiated and
sorted out to be incorporated under the heading of literature survey.
The house builders hand book was prepared with the help of these available literature, the
knowledge gathered from the post graduated construction management course and geared
for the activities selected according to the questionnaire.
The booklet was curtailed mainly to preliminary stage in order to limit the report bulkincss.
The technical data, cost saving alternative designs and standard practices, new cost saving
materials, formats etc. to be used for book keeping and account purposes were omitted and
left for future continuation of the hand book.
VI
I
Chapter 1
1.0 Introduction to the Project
Although Sri Lankans have a high level of literacy and thus can read and understand
books , the average Sri Lknkan house builder has little or no written g u i d a n c e in this
respect and is generally unaware of the many different activities i n v o l v e d in the
construction of a house.
1.2 Objective
* " T o make available the knowledge of project management among Sri Lankan house
builders in o r d e r to e n a b l e t h e m to identify the p r o b l e m areas in the p r o j e c t
management process and| to improve their capabilities and techniques in c o m p l e t i n g
house constructions economically and efficiently to their satisfaction. "
1.3 Sub-Objectives
1.4 Methodology
Analysis and compilation of the data obtained from the questionnaire survey and the
literature survey
Work-done
T h e book was written in an acceptable and easily readable format while including the
essential collected literature pertaining to activities which w e r e m o s t c o m m o n l y
encountered. >
S u m m a r y of Results
T h e collected literature which was mainly in respect of small scale projects are listed
in Chapter 2 of this report.
T h e results of the questionnaire indicate that the requirements of house builders were
mainly in relation to management, decision making and funding of projects.
i
T h e manual was written accordingly to guide the house builder from inception stage
to the completion stage of a project. This contains information required for the house
builders managerial involvement to construct an economical house to a pre-planned
schedule.
G u i d e to this R e p o r t
Chapter 1 - Introduction.
4
L i t e r a t u r e Survey
Introduction
The literature search was commenced before preparation of the questionnaire to trace
the literature available for the house builder and to identity the house building
activities that could be vital in the house building industry.
The books that are available directly to the house builder are listed below.
The best of these books is the one written by the Filipino architect Mechaud. This
book guides the house builder in obtaining bank loans, communication with the
architects at conceptualisation and design stages.
The advantages of the book is that the houses are for tropical countries. The books
written by the American firms are to sell complete working plans. These working
blue prints consists of frontal sheet, foundation plan, detail lloor plan, house cross
sections, interior and exterior elevations and material lists.
There was a scarcity of books written on project management methods wluch could
be used by the house builders except the book "Cost Planning of Buildings" by
(Ferry i 9 9 i)
Fleming (Training Consultant to I C T A D ) has written the only article that has been
for the Sri Lankan building industry.
" Developers expert ideas to build your dream house" article, appeared on Sunday
m
Island on 12 June 1994, discourage the home builder and encourage the clients to
I
buy built houses. It point out the weaknesses and lack ol'know ledge of h o m e builders
in Sri Lanka.
The activities that were selected from literature suivey are as loilow.v
(1). Selection of specialised personal involved in house construction industry and the
roles played by them.
(2). Literature available lor land selection.
(3). Mouse builders approach to house construction personal
(4). Planning methods used in building industry and documentation made lot
« construction purposes.
(5). Methods offmancing ol the projects.
(6). Relationship of Money lime and investment.
( 7 ) . Cos! modelling and estimating methods.
Search of relevant literature and group them systematically to iaeiiilaie the reader.
The following specialised personnel were selected from the house building industry
for the puiposc of literature collection.
(a) Project Manager Role Played' Useful in what way/ Guide to lee stmcture.
(b) Architect Role played/Useful in what way/Guide to fee structure.
(c) Structural Engineer and foundation Engineer.
(d) Quantity Surveyor.
(e) "Mason" . ••Carpenter" and the gangs.
(f) Electrician.
(g) Decoration and Landscaping Architect.
Prom tlie research and suivey of books in these areas of services in house
construction, it was identified that there was a need for a book, which explain the
above services in House construction. Construction of Houses nowadays involve a
host of different professionals and specialists. The architect, engineer, quantity
suiveyor. estates surveyor and specialist sub contractors as well as the main
contractor. Their integration, co-ordination and the resulting decision making process
are fundamental to effective project management.
(a) Project Manager
It is obvious that any group of talented people place in work situation will p r o d u c e
something. The manager's j o b is to increase the group effectiveness and efficiency in
producing the kind of results desired. (Wadell 1973)
The management of a house construction has been carried out since the man first co
operated to erect buildings yet there is little documented knowledge of h o w p e o p l e
interact in this process. It is revealing that historical and contemporary accounts of
construction work pay little attention to how people worked together and m a n a g e d
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their activities. (Halpin 1^90)
T h e Sri Lankan architects have had developed their own styles of involvement prior
to 1977- H o w e v e r with the time n u m b e r of professional b o d i e s e m e r g e d and
formulated standards forms of contract and methods of measuring work for specific
use by their respective m e m b e r s . M o s t of it is very close with Royal Institute of
British Architects' methods and fees. (Flemming 19$4)
T h e first circular to guide the Architects role and fees was issued by the Treasury
circular 850 which c a m e into action in M a y 1983. This was revised in D e c . 1983.
This is prepared for architectural services. (Treasury circular 850,1993)
Institute of Architects of Sri Lanka, came out with a architects role and fee structure,
which is also very similar to what was in practice. T h e fees range from 5% to 8%.
A b r e a k d o w n of the services provided by the architect as per the Institute of
Architect are given below. (SLIA 1989)
A . Inception.
Which contain brief information to be provided by the client, site appraisal advice on
other consultants services, design work by specialist firms, site staff, time table and
fee basis.
B . Feasibility.
Carry out investigation, review with the client alternative design and construction
approaches and cost implications, advice on the need to obtain planning permissions,
approvals under building acts or regulations, s t a t u t o r y requirements.
C. Outline Proposals.
Analyse the clients requirements with other consultants, prepare outline proposals
and a p p r o x i m a t i o n of the p r o b a b l e c o n s t r u c t i o n cost for the client's p r i m a r y
approval, based on current area, volume or other unit costs.
8
D. S c h e m e Design.
E. Detail Design.
Develop the scheme design obtain the client's approval of the type of construction,
quality of material and standard of workmanship,co-ordinate design work, statuary
approval for building .
H. Tender action.
Advice on and obtain the client's approval to a list of tenders, invite tenders from
approved contractors, appraise and advice on tenders submitted.
K. Operations in Site.
Administer the terms of the building contract during the operations on site.
Visit the site as appropriate to inspect generally the progress and quality of the work
Produce financial request to client.
L. Completion.
Therefore, engineers have to develop the method and definition of the role in each
engineering work and a fee structure. For example, preparation of design intent, by
the designers before the design calculation c o m m e n c e for the client to give approval
for design intent and a payment for the intent, makes cost control better.
M a n y years ago a quantity surveyor was often not appointed until the architect had
prepared his working drawings of the final building, or if he were appointed earlier,
he would play no part in things until this stage was reached and he could start work
on the Bill of Quantities. Things have changed since those days, and now the
quantity surveyor is sometimes appointed before any other professional advisor and
takes over total responsibility for the client's financial interests in the house building.
However, most appointments fall between these two extremes. (]iiiclic- 1981)
W h e n the quantity surveyor is appointed, there are a number of questions which will
have a bearing on his concern with the budget, and which needs to be answered.
10
(2) , W'hal is his role lo be? This may well be established by (he nature of the
appointment, as above, bui it is important to establish whether the quantity
surveyor will be concerned. With the total budgeting of the project or
whether he will be limited to particular areas, such as capital expenditure, or
building and furnishing costs, or net building costs, or indeed whether he will
be expected lo do anything more than merely prepare a hi]] of Quantities.
(3) Who else has been appointed? If other appointments have not been made.
The quantity surveyor could assist the cost-oriented client in setting up his
team of advisers, and this would obviously be of assistance in the context of
total cost control. (Birdie 1981)
hi Sri I.anka "Mason and Carpenter" are the gang leaders who supervise, works, at
the same time he works with them and controls the quality of the building. In my
literature search i could not lind literature defining the masons or carpenters role.
In Sri 1 ankan building industry Mason carries out most of the work in building
construction.
1. Setting out
2. equality control of works
3. ()rganising labour ai site
4. (hganising material at site
5. Quantity calculation of materia! needed for site
6. Decide steel lor beam and lintels.
Although it is shown in the book "Managing people at Work" (Thomas 1979) that
1/3 of the cost of construction goes for labour, in Sri Lanka the labour cost represents
1/4 of the cost of consturction (derived from the I C T A D cost formulae) if the labour
is controlled properly the savings are considerable. Controlling or handling labour is
the most difficult job, which usually a gang leader carries out.
The quantum of work that a mason, carpenter and barbender could carry out per day
are written in books with a time studies. These books are called "Norms". The
norms are used to prepare, building schedule of rales and to judge the work carried
out by the w o r k m e n . ( N A V F A C 1988)
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CO- Electric ians
T h e s e fields are new to Sri Lanka. There are very few specialised interior and
exterior decorating architects and the landscaping architects in Sri Lanka. O n e of the
most useful b o o k s on this subjects is written by Ingels and Reiley in 1978
"Landscaping Principles and Practices". It states in preface, "In the past landscaping
w a s c o m m o n l y regarded in one of two w a y s ; as a luxury for wealthy, or as a
cosmetic for masking mediocre architecture. The individual pursuing a landscaping
career is primarily a service person whose major goal is to satisfy the needs of those
who use and enjoy landscapes. T o determine exactly what these needs are and how
they can be satisfied without harming the lives of others or the environment is the
challenge of the trained landscapes" (Ingles 1978)
It also feeds an educational need for those who wish to enter the landscaping field as
trained professionals. T h e book progress from the basic principles of landscape
design, installation, choosing enrichment items for the landscaping and developing
cost estimates. The reader learns exactly what constitutes a well-balanced, attractive
landscape in harmony with its surroundings, and how such a landscape is developed.
The term landscaping has many different meanings to different people. S o m e picture
a business that grows and installs plants. Others see l a n d s c a p e s sitting before large
drawing boards planning beautiful gardens. Still other see landscapes as those who
m o w lawns, prune shrubs, build patios and erect fences. These and other tasks are
a part of landscaping. For learning purposes, landscaping will be presented in three
categorise, design, installation and maintenance. (Ingles 1978)
Griffiths landscape and Garden price book contains unit rates for landscape, works
12
I
2.2.2. T h e L a n d Selection
Advising for the land selection is carried out mainly by the land valuers, town and
country planners and architects.
Like the prices of other commodities, land values are effected by the laws of supply
and demand. However, unlike a commodity eg. sugar, the amount of land available
in any o n e area is finite and cannot be increased at times of high d e m a n d by
manufacturing at a higher rate, or bringing some in from outside. This means that, if
there is a high demand in a particular area the prices of land in the locality will rise
very steeply, even though similar land m a y still be c h e a p fifty mile away. (Ferry
1991)
Building development of any kind requires a plot of land on which it can take place
and which, once used, will no longer be available for any other development, unless
the first one is either demolished or converted. T h e "development value" of a price of
land is the difference between the cost of erecting or conferring building on it and the
market price of the finished development, (including the land). (Ferry 1991)
T o illustrate how the value may be determined by position, we can d o a simple cost
benefit analysis showing the cost effect of a family house in an inner London suburb
c o m p a r e d to a similar house in the outer c o m m u t e r area, from the point of view of
somebody employed in London.
Annual Cost £ •( Sterling Pounds)
London house, building society repayments 3500
Annual season ticket to city 20
Travelling time say 1 1/2 hrs per day
2 0 0 days per annum = 3 0 0 hrs at £ 5 1500
5250
13
Similarly outer area house, building society payments 1500
Annual season ticket to city 500
Travelling time 3 hrs per day
2 0 0 days per- annum = 600 hrs at £ 5 3000
5000
This b o o k covers, m a n y methods how a location for the house, could b e decided,
with cost calculations.
T h e land valuers, value the land to suit the d e m a n d and supply. W h i c h is not the
reality. Property developers also increase the land prices by advertising and creating
a land scarcity. So that buyers are compelled to buy the land, at a higher price. Ferry
1991. !
1. Site description
2. Client description
3. Concept
4. Construction
5: Distinct separation of public and private areas
i
These factors should be given by the client to the architect, veiy clearly. For example
client's description should be as follows.
Similarly it is very clear that a good understanding should be develop between the
H o u s e construction personnel and the House Builder. One architect or mason could
match one group of H o u s e Builders, while another set to a another group of H o u s e
Builders. (Mechaud 1987)
T h e r e f o r e it is important to k n o w h o w h o u s e b u i l d e r a p p r o a c h e d to h o u s e
construction personnel. A question was incorporated in the questionnaire to find out
how the house builder approach the house construction and planning personnel.
F r o m the earliest times people needed some idea of what a new building was going to
cost before they started work on it. Forecasting the cost of a building, however, is
not the same thing as planning the cost. Weather forecaster on television can be said
to be forecasting the weather. In both cases things may turn out very differently from
what was expected for reasons quite outside the forecaster's control Nevertheless,
until the early nineteenth century rough and ready forecasting satisfied the need fairy
adequately. Most major building was undertaken either as an act of religious faith or
by the very rich for their own pleasure and gratification and in both c a s e s the
necessary resources were likely to be forth coming in the end. T h e building process
itself comprised a series of dos and don'ts of which the costs had b e c o m e established
and k n o w n over a lengthy period of time. Even so miscalculations occurred the
building of Blenheim palace almost bankrupted the Duke of Marlboroug, and it was
not at all unknown for prospective owners of building to suffer the faith of the man
in the Bible. (Ferry 1991)
15
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, however, something better was clearly
needed for three reasons. Firstly, the people commissioning large building projects
were increasingly cost conscious, being either industrialists concerned with
profitability, government bodies concerned with accountability, or joint stock
companies concerned with both. Secondly, the projects themselves were of- an
increasing technological complexity. Thirdly, the traditional settled economic and
social order was turning into something more sophisticated and dynamic. (Ferry
1991)
In order to deal with this new situation, the price-in-advance system was developed,
where responsibility for the execution of the whole project was handed over to a
"general contractor" a! a previously agreed price. (Ferry 1991)
For over a century this system worked veiy well indeed, and it is still in widespread
use today although much of the simplicity of the original concept has been lost in
recent years. However, it did place one additional burden upon the architect,
complete drawings and specification of the work had to be prepared before prices
could be sought. (Ferry 1991)
Author Cushman 1990, brings all the latest and most successful construction
management forms used in the industry to-day, explains just what types of seivices
should and should not be provided, for in agreements, answers your questions on
everything from the ideas behind construction management of evaluations of its
effectiveness, and then guides you step by step (with all the appropriate form)
through the complete construction process. (Cushman 1990)
After reading this book it gives the idea of how to write a standard forms and tailor it
to our special needs. These could be used to provide better quality and cost controls
and at the same time monitor the performance of construction personnel. (Cushman
1990)
16
M c C a f f e r (1984) and B a l d w i n s b o o k , gives list of q u e s t i o n s to follow before
V
purchasing material from suppliers.
This kind of series of questions are very useful to the house builder to remind before
ordering material. Therefore introducing the above list to the Hand book is useful
with few changes, when the necessity arises.
i
P e o p l e in Sri Lanka arejused to build.there own houses, to one's own design. So
they don't like to repeat a s a m e house. It is c o m m o n sight in Sri L a n k a that house
o w n e r s do not design their houses through any resemblance of the houses in their
area or outside. Hence house builder in Sri Lanka spends quite lot of time searching,
creating ideas to m a k e his a speciality. (Senaratne 1983)
A h o u s e builder's b o o k is s o m e t h i n g for his confidence. T h e r e f o r e , a b o o k of
variable front elevation will q u e n c h their thirst. For e x a m p l e the b o o k written by
¥ Welikala "Perspective Views"
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2.2.6. Money, T i m e a n d Investment
V
If you w e r e asked "Would you rather be given Rs. 1000 now, or in five years time?"
you w o u l d almost certainly say "Now", particularly if inflation w a s r a m p a n t , but
even if you w e r e living in time of zero inflation you would still prefer to h a v e the
money right away. Afterjall, you might be dead in five year's time, or there might be
a revolution or world war before you had the opportunity to collect. Alternatively,
the man w h o w a s going to pay you might have died, or d i s a p p e a r e d , or g o n e
bankrupt, or forgotten hi$ promise. Even if you were not going to need the m o n e y
^ for five years you would still do better to have it now and place it in a savings bank
where it could accumulate interest. (Ferry 1991)
W e can therefore see that a s u m of money in the future will always b e worth, less
than the s a m e , a m o u n t Of m o n e y today and the difference will d e p e n d upon the
length of time involved and the probable interest rate. In doing the calculation one
might a s s u m e an interest rate that would reflect likely inflation and any special risks
rather than a rate which might actually be obtainable at the dme. (Ferry 1991)
Just as a future l u m p sum is worth less than its equivalent today so are future
recurrent e x p e n s e s or receipts. If you had to put a sum of m o n e y aside to pay
somebody Rs. 1000 a year for ten years the amount required would be m u c h less than
Rs. 10,000, b e c a u s e the u n e x p e n d e d balance of the sum would be e a r n i n g interest,
each year and in the earlyj years in particular this would be quite a lot of m o n e y . (In
fact if interest rates werei as high as 10% the Rs. 10,000 would p r o v i d e R s . 1 0 0 0 a
i
T h e economist newspaper, 1st August 1987 Inflation's return article first para states
"Nobody over the age of 25 should need to watch horror films about inflation. They
can hardly fail to r e m e m b e r the gruesomeness of the real thing, of prices in the rich
countries rising by more than 10% a year and halving the value of m o n e y in less than
seven years. Yet even the 18 year old, (not yet teenagers when the last p e a k of
inflation was reached) must now be sensing that something sinister is stirring in their
pay packets and their small savings. (Economist 1987)
•r
.18
67981
§dODSS)(§C3
In another words, the model attempts to represent the significant cost items of a cash
flow, building or component in a form which will allow analysis and prediction of
cost to b e undertaken according to c h a n g e in such factors as the design variables,
construction methods, timing of events etc. In terms of quantity surveying practice
this usually means estimating the cost of a building design at an early stage to
establish its feasibility. (Ferry 1991 >
i
Traditional cost models - jlf the above definition is understood it b e c o m e s clear that
quantity surveyor have been using a form of modelling technique for a n u m b e r of
years. In their measuremjent for Bill of Quantities they have been representing the
building in a form suitable for the contractor's estimator, and when prices are applied
to the measured quantities! the Bill becomes a representation (or model) of the cost of
the building by altering the quantity of the measured items or c h a n g i n g the price
19
67981
according to variations in specification manipulating certain design variables. (Ferry
1991)
(cost/bed. cost/seat)
Brief Stage (cost.--m2, Floor area)
(cost of functional element)
Detail Design (cost of grouped s.m.m. items)
(B.O.Q)
Working Drawings (cost per nei'.sork operation)
(cost of labour, material, plant,
supervision)
Building M o r p h o l o g y
Unfortunately, insufficient research has been under taken to date to give clear
indications of the degree to which changes in the parameters of the building (or by
implication its model) will have on the cost of that building.
There is however, a very great depth of knowledge gained by builders which provides
us with some general "rules of thumb". In some cases we can be quite specific about
how cost varies. For example, if we change the shape of a single story building so
that the area of external brick cavity, wall is increased, then we can be reasonably
sure that, all other things being equal the wall cost will probably have increased in
direct proportion to the increased areas. Similarly, if the standard of facing brick is
increased and the shape of the building is fixed, then the wall cost will have increased
by the extra material cost of providing the better appearance. Whilst we can probably
rely on this kind of simple wisdom for small brick buildings, it may not be adequate
for dealing with more complex multi-stoiy concrete clad structures.
If we change the shape of height of the building it may not be just the extra quality
I
and quantity that we have to pay for. but indirect costs such as different lifting
equipment, improved fixings (o deal with increased exposure, access and
manoeuvrability and dispersal of plant on site etc. Some very useful studies have
been undertaken in areas such as these, but anyone who has attempted research in the
field of cost will tell you that every, research project opens up a whole series of new
research proposals! Cost research is still in its infancy and it may be many years,
before we reach the scientific knowledge on which to base our judgements. (Ferry
1991)
2.2.7.3. Estimating.
The estimator, in respect of each different estimate will need to decide the principal
operations lo be undertaken and their methodology and duration. The operations
cannot be considered in isolation since they will be inter-related by iwo factors.
(1) The need to use labour and plant effectively so that neither men nor
machines stand idle for long periods between tasks, nor are they required lo
be working in two different places at one time or spend too much lime
moving from one pari of the site to another.
(2) The inescapable sequence of building, so that, lor example, the wall and
columns cannot be built until the foundations are completed, and the first
lloor cannot be placed until the ground lloor walls and columns have been
built.
There are various techniques in common use to assist him in this task, which tends to
rely in the first instance upon graphic methods. ( W o o d 1982)
The traditional American method is the "bar chart". On. this chart a horizontal time
scale is used, often divided into weeks, and the various operations comprising the
project are listed vertically down the left-hand side. The timing and duration of each
operation is then indicated by a horizontal bar spanning the relevant period of weeks
and shown on the same line as the operation it refers to. Bar chart is simple and easy
lo follow. It gives quite to good picture of the way in which the various operations fit
into the lolal contract period and is very popular. ( W o o d 1.982). (This method may In
applicable for Sri Lankan house builders also.)
On building sites for the purpose of monitoring progress and forward ordering, it is,
21
however a heller communication tool than a planning tool. Ii does not help in
-
determining the duration oi' operations. Nor does it bring then interdependence, or
otherwise, to the notice of the planner. ( Wood 1982)
For a house, a good Quantity suiveyor could give all the cost break down with his
experience. Some highly experience Quantity Surveyors give a break down of labour
required per each day and material to be al site on particular dales.
Conclusion?.
* The books published in Sri Lanka does not cater for the Sri Lankan house
builders' needs
* The books published for house builders in foreign countries are oriented for their
needs and backed by different motives.
fhe books available in project management are highly advanced for house
builder to understand
* Estimating methods available in the books are easily understood by the house
builders
22
Chapter 3
3.0 Data Collection and Analysis
3.1 Introduction
- 3 incomplete
- 6 unsatisfactorily answered
T h e Q u e s t i o n n a i r e w a s distributed to t h o s e in the f o l l o w i n g s t a g e of h o u s e
construction,
(1) Planning to build
(2) On construction
(3) Complete c6nstruction
At the same time three income levels were selected (1) low, (2) middle and (3) high.
23
3.2 Land Selection
The Questionnaire raise the question to find out the land location, people prefer to
live, to there own requirements. The results are tabulated as follows.
1
Suburbs of Colombo 10 33%
-7
! Village 23%
/
! Town 23%
7
. Colombo City 20%
6
The suburb was selected as the highest priority area for home builders. The manual
could contain more information relevant to the suburb House builders. The Village.
T o w n and city have almost equal weights. Therefore the manual could cover in these
areas with lesser weight.
A discussion and comparison of living in these areas might be useful for house
builder, with topics such as cost oHiving, neighbourhood, Pollution.
Nine persons of the above sample, inherited the land, who did not have a choice.
This question was developed for the house builder to identify, further information he
was willing to have in related to land selection.
24
Table 3.2 Guidance for Land Selection
4
Land Selection Guidance Number of As a
Persons agreed Percentage
out of 30
Persons who' . want's 9 30%
to k n o w
?
Persons w h o . do not 18 60%
want
Persons who have 3 10%
not answered
3 . 2 . 3 Priorities in L a n d Selection
T h e basic requirements that were considered for land selection were raised in the
questionnaire. So that high priorities in land selection could be identified. The
results are as follows.
-4
Table 3.3 Basic need on the Selected Land
4
Basic need on the Selection of Land N u m b e r of Persons As a
agreed Percentage
out of 30
1.Electricity/Water supply/Sewerage 21 70%
2. Security 21 70%
3. Children schooling 20 67%
4. Good neighbourhood 16 53%
5. Access/Distance to work 43
6. Development of the area 13 43%
7. The place they are born 11 37%
8. Availability of Buses and 10 33 %
Trains at Walking Distance
9. Landscape at the location 9 30%
lO.Land value escalation 9 30%
11 .Communication facdities 6 o 20%
12.Business Place 6 20%
13.Religions Place 4 13%
14.Recreation areas 3 10%
T h e above needs were divided into two categories by taking 3 0 % as the cut-off
point. 3 0 % and above category was to be included in the manual. N o . 11, 1.2, 13
and 14 items will be rejected.
3 . 3 . 1 C o n s u l t a t i o n of Professionals
This queries, whom the house builders have consulted for professional services.
26
T a b l e 3.4 Consultation of Professionals
i
3 . 3 . 2 P a t h of Contact to C o n s t r u c t i o n Professionals
This was to find out the p a t h of contact house builder used to contact the m a s o n s ,
Architect, Carpenter, Contractor, Electrician and Structural Engineer.
M o d e of Approach N u m b e r of Persons As a
i
agreed Percentage
i
I out of 30
!
28
Table 3.6 Selection of Carpenter
5 0 % of the house builder have selected the electrician from know for a long t i m e
method. This shows that a simplified interviewing methods, should be introduced in
the manual to select the electricians.
29
Table 3.9 Selection of Architect
Architect was selected by 4 0 % using known for a long time method. T h e manual
should introduce the architect to the house builder, defining the role and advantages
of selecting the architect. T h e other m e t h o d s (Interview etc.) of selecting the
Architect could be useful to the house builder.
1
M o d e of Approach No. of Persons As a
1
agreed Percentage
Known for a long time • 8 26%
Someone recommended 1 3 %
Those who have not used services 21 71%
The majority of house builder w h o m have selected the structural engineer was m a d e
by known for a long time approach. Therefore the other methods of selecting the
structural e n g i n e e r could b e useful for the h o u s e builder. 7 1 % have not used
structural services. Importance structural engineering services should be introduced
to the house builder.
3 . 4 . 1 A p p r o a c h to S t a t u t o r y Approvals
This checks the person who appeared to the Authority to get statutory approvals.
T h e results were as follows.
30
T a b l e 3.11 Approach to statutory approval
T h e documentation that were m a d e for the project and the legal documents prepared
were surveyed and the results were as follows:
T h i s shows the layout plans were produced by 24 persons i.e. 8 0 % from the sample
of 3 0 . T h a t w a s those w h o h a v e c o m p l e t e d c o n s t r u c t i o n and w h o w e r e on
construction. Totalling to; 22 persons out 30.
The legal documents were hardly signed. Only 4 persons have signed a agreement
with the contractor and only one person had signed a agreement with the architect.
Although question No. 5 showed that 11 persons have consulted an architect. This
shows that people were not aware of the legal side of the Architectural service.
Therefore the hand book may contain the standard agreement* the client's should
have with the contractor and client. A brief guidance how this agreement should be
signed, and how house builder could consult a Project Manager and gel his services
to prepare contracts may useful in the manual. Stamp duties and cost of preparation
of Documents taxes may also useful in the manual. Further to above, the risks and
problems the house builder face, when the house construction carried out without
proper contract may be discussed in the manual, written for high income groups.
The question was raised to find out whether the house builder willing to live in a
partially built house. The answers were as follows:
Questionnaire was to find out what sort floor space, number of rooms, number of
toilets the house builder prefer to have.
32
4r
Table 3.14 T h e floor requirements
T h e answer for less than 500 sqft houses were zero in the survey. Therefore there is
no need to give information to the house builder of house floor area less than 5 0 0
sqft.
N o one went for single bejd room. T h e single bed room requirement could be deleted
in the manual. \
i
The number of toilets required for house builder was answered as follows.
' 3 3
Table 3.16 Toilet Requirements
i
Security of the house 20 67% 1 3% 9 30%
Natural lighting is 60% 1 3% 11 36%
Outside appearance 13 43% 4 14% 13 43%
Annex with separate 19 30% 11 36% 10 34%
entrance
!
Mosquito free house 8 27% 9 30% 13 43%
Servant Quarters 7 23% 8 27% 15 50%
Drivers Quarters 3 10% 9 30% 18 60%
Annex built into |2 7% 12 40% 16 54%
Security for the house w a s wanted by 67% of the sample. T h e methods available to
i m p r o v e the h o u s e security, c o u l d be given in the m a n u a l , specially the theft
preventive s y s t e m s . T h e next on the priority were natural lighting and o u t s i d e
appearance.
34
A n n e x e s with separate entrances 3 0 % wanted to have, could b e a c c o m m o d a t e d in
house plans, but with less priority.
3 . 4 . 5 H o u s e finishes
Floor types
N o . of Persons Percentage
agreed out of 30 from sample
1. Colour
12 40%
2. Ordinary cement
7 23%
3. Terrazzo
7 23%
4. Ceramic Tiles
5 . 17%
5. Wooden
1 3 %
Clay tiles have a demand of 4 7 % . Therefore data such as clay tile selection, from the
suppliers, quality control, reaper spacing and roof slopes could b e useful information
for clay tile layers. Asbestos comes next with 2 7 % demand. Therefore a similar to
tiles, a description of fixing methods could be useful in the manual.
A m a n o steel sheets and asbestos covered with clay tiles h a v e very low d e m a n d .
Therefore no need to have on the manual.
35
Table 3.20 Wall Material
T h e book should guide the house builder, the way of how to select the best bricks.
36
T a b l e 3.22. Door/Window Material
Roof frame also shows alhigh percentage of Grade I timber. Coconut rafters c o m e s
second with 3 0 % . Therefore, a knowledge of timber, strength characteristic could be
useful for house builder. \
37
3.5 Cost and Estimating Methods
3 . 5 . 1 Accuracy of Estimating
This clarifies the estimating accuracy the house builder expects. T h e results of the
questionnaire was as follows
This was to survey the house builders requirements in estimating. Question was put
forward as given on the table.
38
Table 3.26 Cost,and Estimating Methods
4 Labour rate per unit work, material cost per unit work had 5 7 % dem
39
list of material with rale and work norms could be accommodated in the manual.
The Door/window square foot and roof square fool 6 4 % and 6 1 % demand. These
can be given, but the high variation of timber prices brings the problem of changing
rale.
Break down Analysis of labour, material in highly used item such as concrete. Brick
work needed by only 4 0 % and 4 3 % of the sample respectively. Therefore this could
be neglected in the manual.
Rate for cube of concrete. Rubble masonry, limber prices had a demand of 50%.
2 0 % have not answered. Therefore it is better lo give these rates.
This will shows how people allocate the funds for the land and Building.
4- 40
Table 3.28 Investment on Building
F r o m the above results, what could be gathered was that the people spend more on
building than for the land. Maximum number of persons (8 persons) spend on Rs.
100.000 to Rs. 250,000 to buy a land and they spend Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 500,000 to
build the house on it. Therefore the book should contain the relevant data to cater
for buildings, in the range of Rs. 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 / - to Rs. 5 0 0 . 0 0 0 / "
The lands of Rs. 100,000A= to Rs. 250,000/-- have the highest demand with 2 7 %
have purchased it. Therefore in land selection in area that conies lo this category
could be explained. Because the date of purchased was not given in the questionnaire
and due to very high land value escalation it was difficult the comment on it.
Therefore the new questionnaire should have the date of purchased.
3.6.2 M e t h o d s of F u n d i n g
This queries, the method house builders used to get funds, for his house.
41
(a) Table 3.31 Quality of Finishes
(b) When the question raised, whether the house builders like to know about the
standard in practice, the answers were as follows.
(a) Quality Control w a s carried out by the persons as given on the table.
43
Table 3.33 Persons involved in quality control
i out of 30 Percentage
1. H o u s e builder himself 18 60%
2. H e a d Bass 10 33%
3. Architect 5 17%
4. Engineer 3 10%
5. Friend 3 10%
6. Contractor 3 10%
T h e direct labour control' the most difficult part of construction w a s always handed
over to head mason or the contractor. In another method of handling labour was to
pay per unit of work after agreeing per unit. In that case of the house builder should
have a idea about the quantity of work a average labourer or skilled person should do
per unit time. Therefore the b o o k should include a list of labour i n v o l v e m e n t in
h o u s e construction, price rate and sample of labour a g r e e m e n t form and s a m p l e
contract document.
44
(c) Plan Reading
This shows that plan reading was done by a combination of two. Majority of cases
Head mason and house b|uilder get-to-gather and read the plan. Literature that could
i
help the h o u s e b u i l d e r and mason which makes the plan reading e a s y for t h e m ,
should be incorporated in the book.
45
(e) Measurements
(0 Pavmenls
1 Contractor 5
2
17%.
! 3. Architect 7%
4Engineer 1 3%
i -
'j5. Friend 1 3%
Payments was the most important thing followed alter measurements. Maximum
involvement of the house builder comes here with 24 persons out of 30(80%). Only
house builder himself can rely on his own money. Therefore ii is advieeble to annex
Standard Payment Certificates, Basic Book Keeping, ledgers methods etc. (These
annexes were kept away to avoid bulkiness of the hand book.)
46
3.7.3 R e q u i r e m e n t s o l ' T e c h n i c a l Advice, Material .Availability and C o s t
More than 5 0 % (i.e. 16 persons) supported "Yes" for technical advises. The technical
problems were very c o m m o n in house building. Appropriate advises were needed
depending on the case. There were seines of Books in technical literature. The roof,
the foundation were two element of a house where technical problems were
concerned. These two elements needs specialised technical advice, covered by
several specialised books. Therefore giving of full technical detail was out of this
book. A brief simple, basic technical problems that comes day lo day house building
industry could be entertained discussed on this house builders book.
The knowledge of material availability, was rejected by majority (11 persons). The
traditional, basic material for house construction was known to c o m m o n man for a
long lime. Only the sophisticated, latest invented material were not known to house
builder. 'This shows the house builder was not interested to get introduced, to new
material that don't have enough past data to judge the quality. Sometime these newly
invented or introduced material were expensive for a average middle class house
builder. Therefore there was no necessity to introduce a new material to the book.
Anyhow 9 persons have not answered the question. Further investigation suggested.
Cost of alternative methods, was at interest of the house builder, with 13 perions
supporting with "Yes". Therefore the manual should contain information of
alternative method cost, to makes the house builder himself to decide on what
alternative method or material should be used in his house.
3.7.4 M a i n t e n a n c e Prediction
This was a suivey to find out whether the house builders wish lo know about annual
cost of maintenance of the house after construction.
4 47
The answers were
T a b l e 3.40 K n o w - h o w of maintenance cost.
T h e final Question was to find out the house builder's satisfaction to the house that
he has built.
This shows that, majority were satisfied with what they have built from the m o n e y
they have. A n y w a y 3 persons were not satisfied, out of 11 p e r s o n s w h o h a v e
c o m p l e t e d the construction. Out of the 3 persons, o n e person b l a m e d the Architect
and Contractor both, for inferior quality in construction. This h o u s e o w n e r w a s
clueless in house building] Therefore a house builders manual must guide them.
(1) T h e remedial measures the house builder should adopt to rectify the minor
defects.
(2) Variation and alteration that could cover the defects.
(3) The ways and means of consulting, a Engineer to identify t h ^ ^ l & t s - . ' ^ ^ .
(4) H o w h e should consult a lawyer to take legal action a n d ^ l kjfto.wledg^pf
Agreements that could protect from trouble.
48
Chapter 4
4.1 Conclusions
4 . 1 . 1 L a n d Selection
T h e suburbs had the highest d e m a n d , than the village, town and city r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Thirty percent of the sample were interested in learning the methods and factors of land
selection. Priorities in land selection, were given to security of the area, electricity,
water supply and seweragei availability in the area and children schooling. Recreation
^ areas
and religious places had the|least demand with respective land selection priority list.
T h e Draughtsman in the most popular highly demanded person among the Sri Lankan
house builders with percentage of 7 7 % , then was the Architect with 4 3 % . Path of
contact
of these specialised p e r s o n n e l w e r e d o n e by the Sri Lankan house b u i l d e r s w i t h
"recommendation from another person" or "known the person for a long time of his
-*- talent on the job."
4.1.3 Planning a n d D o c u m e n t a t i o n
v
4.1.4 Basic House R e q u i r e m e n t
Highest demand was for the floor area of 1000 to 2000 sq. ft. ( 5 0 % of the sample) and
lowest was for 500 sq. ft. house builders. T h e most acceptable functional r e q u i r e m e n t s
of a house were 3 bedrooms and 2 toilets. House-builders were highly concerned about
of inside appearance and ventilation.
T h e finishes that were in d e m a n d were coloured cement for floors, clay tiles for roof,
^ b r i c k s for w a l l , G r . I t i m b e r for d o o r s / w i n d o w s and roof, e m u l s i o n for w a l l s .
49
Therefore these activities could be incorporated in planning and estimating.
4 . 1 . 5 Cost E s t i m a t i n g M e t h o d s
4.1.7 Project M a n a g e m e n t
4.2 Recommendations
4 . 2 . 1 L a n d Selection
4 . 2 . 4 Basic H o m e R e q u i r e m e n t s
The manual should contain housed with floor plans and details mainly consists of
T h e houses of less than 500 sq. ft. and more than 2 0 0 0 sq. ft. should be covered under
different hand books. For e x a m p l e , houses less than 5 0 0 sq. ft. should c o m e under l o w
cost housing manual.
4 . 2 . 6 F u n d Allocation and M o n e y H a n d l i n g
T h e priority should be given to expenditure on land, in the range of 0.1 million to 0.25
million. Similarly for house construction 0.25 million to 0.5 million range should b e
given priority on every aspect. Specially in bank loans, project scheduling, cash flow
diagrams, etc.
51
4 . 2 . 7 Project Management i
Introduction of the project manager was the most important part of the book. Therefore
the project manager's definition, role and fee structure should b e given with a brief
i n t r o d u c t i o n of his i n v o l v e m e n t and the a d v a n t a g e s in a p p l i c a t i o n of project
m a n a g e m e n t in house building in Sri Lanka.
i
4.3 F u t u r e Researches
4 . 3 . 1 New H a n d Books
i
(1) H a n d book for low cost house builders.
(2) H a n d b o o k for luxury house builders.
4 . 3 . 2 New Activities
Further literature survey should b e carried out to identify the new construction activities
that is use full for the house) builders.
52
References
53
.American Society of Civil Engineers "Construction ( \ * \ Control"
Howard 1951
Chairman: Howard P. Paxton. ( 1951 fust edition. 1979 third edition>.
Ingrals 1978 Ingrals J. and Consulting Editor. Riely E.. "Land Scaping Principals and
Practice". Published in 1978 by Van Xostrand Reinoid C o m p a n \
Kharband 1980 Kharbanda O.P.. Stall worthy- E.A.. Williams L i ' . "Project Cost
Control in .Action". Gower Publishing Company Ltd. ( 1980 first
publication. 1983 reprinted)
N A V F A C 1988
Naval Facility Publications.
N A V F A C 1988 :
54
4
Turner 1992
Coker A.. Turner W.. and Scadden B.. "Electrical Wiring Domestic-
London 1992.
4 55
APPENDIX A
1. Introduction
4. Interest on money
56
Introduction
H o u s e is a shelter for all, seeking for protection from the climatic and w e a t h e r
conditions, such as sun, wind, rain and fire etc., also from living competitors, such as
animals, parasites possibly humans.
Builder is a person w h o collect, select the material form the available resources and
place t h e m in the appropriate order to create a structure to the users/or his o w n
requirements.
T h e house Builder have to m a n a g e the men, material and money to create the Best,
cheapest house. T h e most important requirement for a house builder is " m o n e y " .
M o n e y can buy all most everything. All mistakes, errors that you m a k e could be
rectified.
W o u l d any of you think of Building a house first sit down and Draw a plan, itemised a
list of components of the Building and price each item of material and labour required
for it. Total all the item cost to see whether he could afford to finish it. Otherwise, if
he has laid its foundation and he is not able to complete it, all the on lookers will laugh
at him. There are professionals w h o can do this for you. People get specialized in
section and these role in defined specially.
Therefore, why not pay to a Estimator/Engineer who can forecast the cost of a Building
and also he can help to cut clown cost to the requirements. Forecasting the cost of a
Builder, however is not the same thing as weather forecasting on T.V. In both cases
things may turn out very differently from what was expected, for unforeseen reasons
quite out side the forecasting control.
T h e buyer buys the land and Seller sells the land to the value. The word "value" of a
land means the market value; Scarcity give rise to value, and generally speaking when
scarcity increases, so will value increase.
As there are many factors which can effect property values and w h i c h should be
considered by property inve$tors, if is essential for valuers to study the property market
at considerable length, and also the underlying factors which effect it.
59
Factors which causes change in the value of property. Applicable to the whole country
are,
1. Increase or decrease in population
2. Change in the age distribution
3. Any change in the proportion of married people to unmarried people
( C o l o m b o fnake population is 3 0 % more than female population in
1987)
4. Changes in fashion and Taste
5. Change in the type of society
6. change in technology
7. Change in Building methods.
8. Buying powjer
i
T h e site conditions that have to be looked into
I
i
i
2. Peoples Bank
3. Bank of Ceylon
4. Sampath Bank
5. Haton National Bank
6. The Finance Ltd.
7. Ceylinco Housing and Real Estate
8. The Central Finance Ltd.
60
Table 2
Initial Expenses Calculated for Rs. 100.000/= on Oct. 1994
Advisable in trie
Ceyhomes - - 1717 - 18% 24000/= range of 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 / =
to 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 / = .
1. Most of the private institutions and all government institutions calculate loan repayment
instalments on reducing balance.
2. Biggest disadvantage of private institutions are that land should be transferred to the
institution. It is a risk and transfer fee is 4 % of the land value.
61
4 0 % of the monthly salary should be more than the monthly instalment, (common to all
institutions.)
Loan is limited to 5 0 % to 7 5 % of the land value.
All the b a n k s and lending institutions have to follow the Central B a n k rules and
regulations.
Any how private B a n k s have a speedy way of getting all clearances. The Bank
m a n a g e r s have more p o w e r s , therefore large loans c o u l d be h a n d l e d at l o w e r
management levels by private banks. Bank securities are much relaxed. Therefore for
bigger loans, quick return money private Banks are preferred. For smaller loans, long
term loans, State Mortgage b a n k is preferred.
Interest on Money
"The House Builders" do n6t recognise the benefit from optimizing payment in relation
to time.
a. L u m p sum tp-day
b. L u m p sum in the future
c. S u m of money occurring at regular intervals during the period, under
consideration, (wages, rents)
W e could not compare these, one with the other unless we modify them in some way in
order to put them on a c o m m o n basis. There are two basic methods, and as usual they
are just different ways of expressing the same thing.
Cash handling to-day is a expertise j o b . Cash you get end of the year and the cash you
have in your pocket have a different value, specially in a country as Sri Lanka, where
the depreciation of currency in very high.
The exact annual equivalent of a monthly interest rate i is not 12i, but (1+i,
we ignore the monthly compounding. K
Example 1 % per month = 12.68% annual
0 . 9 4 8 8 8 % per month = 12.0% annual
Compound interest
Say Rs. 1000/= paid every month or invested every month (take annual interest
rate 18% i.e. 1.5% monthly) for 5 consecutive years.
If the saving in made at the beginning part of the month then whole months
interest would have been added, that is 1.5% of
= 0.015 x 96,215/= = Rs. 1443.23
Total will be = Rs. 96215 + 1443.23 = Rs. 97,658.23
63
! 3
c . Present value of Rs . 1000. l / d + i r
Example: What is (he present value of Rs. 1000/= in 20 years time, discounted
i
This mean of you have 26 in your pocket its worth Rs. 1000 at the end of 20
years. If the interes't rate prevail at 2 0 % this 20 year period.
= Rs. 1543.00
T h e early times layout of t h e Building was decided by the owner of the H o u s e after
inspecting the other n e i g h i o u r - h o o d houses. T h e village mason built the h o u s e to the
House Builders requirements.
i
T h e latest innovative world specialized fields propped up. For e x a m p l e , due to the
scarcity of high build able land, the marshy land development was c o m m e n c e d . The
foundation Engineers necessity aroused.
64
Services required for Building industry
Recent years services used The latest development in service
1. Architect 1. Architect
2 Civil Engineer 2. Estimating/Cost Engineer
3. Electrician 3. Structural Engineer
4. Mason 4. Foundation Engineer
5. Electrical Engineer
6. Water Supply Engineer
7. Quantity Surveyor
8. Contractor
Consulting a Estimating Engineer at the inception saves times and money. This is a
modern concept where the house Builder have a idea of the cost of the Building and his
Budget limitations. Therefore the cost overrun could be judged on time.
If expenses are more than what was estimated, it must be know what items cost more
than expected and why, long before, the j o b is completed and all the m o n e y spent for
partially built house.
P r e l i m i n a r y Estimating
1. Electricity availability
2. Water supply availability
3. Sewerage and drainage availability
4. Parapet wall/fence availability
5. Access road availability
66
Preliminary Estimate per square foot
THole 5
E x a m p l e : If the area of the building is 1000 square foot for middle income group, the
cost of house will be
67
6.2 M e t h o d s for further closer estimates
Z
3. Doors and w i n d o w areas are included M 2,322.00
i
for this rate.
2.
4. R o o f Ceiling and Floor rates are is M 912.00
included for this irate.
T h e breakdown of the above four items are given below for reference and updating the
above Table 6.1.
Item 1 .
Cost of outer wall per meter (3 m height is taken)
1. 225 m m thick wall = 1 x 0.225 x 3.0 =0.675 x 1556 = 1050.30
2. Excavation = 1 x 0.45 x 0.6 =0.27 x 77.00 = 20.79
3. Rubble upto G.L = 1 x 0.45 x 0.6 =0.27 x 1673.00 = 451.71
4. Rubble above G.L. = 1 x 0.35 x 0.3 =0.105 x 1673.00 = 175.67
5. D.P.C. = 1 x 0.35 =0.35 x 136.00 = 47.60
6. External Plastering = 1 x 3.0 =3.0 x 70.00 = 210.00
i
7. Internal Plastering • =1 x 3.0 =3.0 x 87.00 = 261.00
8. Skirting =1 = 1.0 x 46.00 = 46.00
9. Plinth plaster = 1 x 0.4 =0.4 x 98.00 = 39.20
10. Pavement = 1 x 0.9 =0.9 x 209.00 = 188.10
11. Drain = 1.0 = 1.0 x 229 = 229.00
12. Wall plate = 1.0 = 1.0 x 120 = 120.00
13. Gutters = 1.0 = 1.0 x 142.00 = 142.00
14. Down pipes =0.3 =0.3 x 161.00 = 48.30
15. Roof = 1.0 x 0.9 =0.9 x 4 8 5 . 0 0 = 436.50
16. Valance board = 1.0 x 0.25 = 0.25 x 984.00 = 246.00
17. Painting walls = = 6.0 x 40.00 = 240.00
3,951.00
Item 2
Cost of internal wall 112 m m thick (3 m height is taken)
1. Excavation = 1 x 0.45 x 0.45 =0.20 x 77.00 = 15.402.
Rubble work upto G.L = 1 x 0.45 x 0.45 = 0 . 2 0 x 1673.00 = 334.60
1760.25
4
69
I
Item 3
Cost of Doors and windows
1. Doors and windows = 1.0 x 1.0 = 1.0 x 2693.00 2693.00
2. Reveals = 2.0 = 2.0 x 10.0 20.00
3. Painting doors = 2.25 = 2.25 x 56.00 126.00
4. Lock and 3 hinges 500.00
5. Lintel 6" x 9" = 0.7 = 0.7 x 170.00 119.00
3458.00
Less
1. Brick work = 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.225 0.225 x 1556.00 350.10
2. Plastering = 2/1.0 x 1.0 2.0 x 80.00 160.00
3. Painting = 2/1.0 x 1.0 2.0 x 40.0 80.00
4. Skirting = 1.0 1.0 x 46.00 46.00
- 636.00
Item 4
Cost of roof ceiling floors etc.
1. Excavation
1
= 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.15 = 0.15 x 77.00 = 11.55
2. Filling = 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.45 = 0.45 x 77.00 = 34.65
3. Paving and rendering ' = 1.0 x 1.0 = 1.0 x 209.00 = 209.00
4. Floating coat = 1.0 x 1.0 = 1.0 x 11.00 = 11.00
5. Ceiling = 1.0 x 1.0 = 1.0 x 111.00 = 111.00
6. Roof = 1.0 x 1.0 = 1.0 x 485.0 = 485.00
7. Ridge = 0.25 m = 0.25 x 200.00 = 50.00
912.20
70
I
3 m
f •t
3^
so.
Grn
SQ
/
gtfbsi 2000 x /t?oo
<2 Nos. ZOOOx/SGo
71
6 . 2 . 2 Estimating Method two
Estimating through functional element wise.
T&dle 2.
Square foot rate
Low income Middle income Luxury
i
Multiply each type of area With the above factor and add up.
For example:
Middle income person built a house with 2 bedroom of 10' x 12' one toilet of 4' x 5',
living/dining area of 12' x| 14' and Open Varrendah of 10' x 14'. T h e house will cost
him
6.3 A c c u r a t e Estimating
The cost of other services also available in the B.S.R. such as,
6.4
Cost Data
Cost of each item should bfe from a market survey. This type of survey is done by the
Engineering Consultancy jOrganization and G o v e r n m e n t Organization involved in
construction industry and contractors with the discount rates from suppliers.
House builders, walked to a Hardware or two and decide the price of the material.
*- (semi skilled and skilled labour) for house building industry are given in norms such
as N A V F A C 1973.
Properly analyzed operations enable the builder to adjust his m e t h o d s , material and
personal for greater e c o n o m y . Arrangements for Financing are as important to the
continuing success of a Builder as the correct assembly of men, material and tools.
(Paxton 1951).
73
Early reports are valuable. Cost statement and official Estimate up to a certain period
deserves special consideration.
What is Planning
* Deciding what will take place, how, when and which order work will proceed.
* W o r k i n g out labours, plant and material requirements to suit the timing and
order of work.
Control Means
74
7.2 T h e Control of Costs
T h e control of costs is the life time of any competitive business; no business can
i
such unit have element of control. The structure should be broken down into structural
elements. That is excavation, foundation, concrete steel etc. and into controllable items
of cost such as labour, material, T o o l s , e q u i p m e n t etc. T h i s b r e a k d o w n of cost
accounts will be determined, as to detail, at the beginning of construction and must, in
general, follow the same pattern originally set up in the Estimating.
Estimating in the first phase of the construction cycle and is followed by construction
^ accounting and cost keeping. The accounts must be set up to coincide with the estimate
and will in turn be used for n e w estimating. T h u s , e s t i m a t i n g and c o n s t r u c t i o n
accounting is a continuous [cycle for a cost Engineer.
1. Procurement schedule
2. Daily payroll and force report
3. Progress schedule (Paxton 1951).
75
Quality Control, S t a n d a r d s and Specifications
In Sri L a n k a , Engineers follow the British system and use British s t a n d a r d s and
specifications in construction industry. At the same time mason used the traditional
methods and standards without any consideration of the quality.
Recently Sri Lanka Bureau of standards prepared the Local standards. Similar to our
practice British standards* Gradually the Local standards are c h a n g i n g to suit our
requirements. Very recent time, cement products were standardized, still Bricks are not
standardized.
T h e high quality, competitively priced item have a good demand. There can be always
a short supply specially in a country like Sri Lanka. W h e r e people rely on Brand name,
who had build up a reputation.
Therefore before the material orders are placed it's better to follow the following steps
1 to 8.
Specifications
Where
How and
in what order (What sequence)
Therefore forecast and foresee the activities or operations what have to be performed, to
action.
Be-aware, Builder should think of the maintaining cost of the building. It's effectless
Building a Mansion and finding difficult to maintain.
Builder should allow at lea$t 1/50 of the Building cost for maintenance of the Building
in Sri Lanka per annum. This figure is 1/20 in U.S.A.
Say for example that you have build a house for Rs. 1000,000/= T h e annual maintain
request will be
Rs. 1000,000/= x 1/50 = Rs. 20,000/= per year
Monthly expenditure = Rs. 2,000/=
Basic method to calculate the electricity bill is to use the figure 20-30 watts/sq.m. per
hour. '
Your 100 sq.m. floor area building monthly power consumption
= 30 x 100 sq.m. x '30 days/month x 6 hrs/day = 540000 watts
i.e. = 540 units
79
HOUSE BUILDERS' INFORMATION QUESTIONNAIRE
03. Where you prefer to live : City ^3 Town L3-I Suburb Village LU
a o %
^3% 337. c53»%
04. Present Status of your Home:
05. Have you consulted or are prepared to consult the following personnel:
1 1 1 1
Do you need guidance for land selection : Yes — No —
3o% £c£ IO%
80
What were considered in Land Selection :
i
1. SL\ 8. Good for Business m
Security of the area
IG The place born
2. Neighbours 9.
Layout plan m
Detail plans \s 1
B.O.Q. m
19
Estimate
81
10. How much you prepairedito spend on (in Million of Rupees)
linear E ^ [D 3 * Q ] ^ LI]3'< [ 7 ] ^
Salary LTD - 3 ^
Bank Loan
Interest rates
'3/;
Monthly installments
1
Yes No
16. Do you like to know the relationship of present money value, future value c
cash in hand related t!o interest rates.
Yes No
47/ 14
Floor Area (Scj.ft.) upto 500 ^ 500 to 1000 l=J 1000 to 2000 ^ 2000 & above
, 2 > x
Number of Toilets one S two Three Four & above
Yes No
i
Doors/
Grade I « o
Imported f Aluminium j Grade II i Coconut,-,
Windows ;
Timber Timber timber
Timber
Roof Grade l i Imported. Steel | Grade II Coconut,-.
Frame Timber i'" Timber ' Timber Rafters-^
3 0 %
Wall Lime Snowcem Emulsion^Q
Paint
2. Standards in practice
(8 IO 3 5 3 2>
Quality Control
5 O l O Q
Labour Control
l 2 1 2. ^ 3 5"
Plan reading
Material purchassing ,
IG O O l 2 S
id H 3 l 5
Setting out the building
II / 3 5
Measurements
Payments
O / 2 / 5
Do you like to know the cost of
Yes No
Breakdown of Labour/Material in
concrete/Brick work
Timber
Are you planning to build your house in stages & live in a partly
complete House
Yes No
4cv; Y2
4^> >1
Do you Need
Yes No
Material Availability m
Cost of Alternatives Methods
Do you like to know the cost of maintenance of your home per year
Yes No
3.1 7
Are you satisfied with the HOME you have built
Yes No
3