ABQ 2403 ESTIMATING & COST PLANNING
Lecture 2: Influence of Design Variables on Construction Cost
Design Variables in construction (building & civil engineering structures) design: size, shape, total height, storey height, construction
technology, specifications & site conditions. They are cross-sectional.
Overall Influence: levels of the variables affect the construction quantities - measured works &/or preliminaries - or the contractor’s
all-in rates (i.e. construction prices).
Explanation & Implications**
Item Design Variable Influence
1 Size Size is indicated by gross floor area
Small buildings – total cost low but
cost per SM is higher up to a certain
point.
Compare: 10 x 10 m and 5 x 5 shed;
linear related substructure work.
2 Shape Shape of floor area
Irregular shapes are more expensive
Compare: three shapes of 100 SM;
10 x 10 m; 12.5 x 10 less 5 x 5
corner void; and circle r = 5.64m
Linear related substructure work is
least cost in the circular shape
Lecturer: Qs Dr Titus KIVAA P. M., PhD, MA, BA, CIQSK, RQS
13th October 2016
Explanation & Implications Provisions in
Measurement Principles &
the SMM
Perimeter/floor ratio is Cubic content of every
higher item in description & unit
Linear related items cost columns
more.
All sections of SMM
Perimeter/floor ratio is Circular works – e.g.
higher in the irregular shape. formwork stated.
Work around corners more
involving
More windows may be
required
Constraints of circular
shapes: plot shapes, most
conventional materials
(bricks, etc), greater finesse
required, household
furniture, roofs for circular
structures are more
challenging.
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ABQ 2403 ESTIMATING & COST PLANNING
Lecture 2: Influence of Design Variables on Construction Cost
**Note: Refer to:
 Seeley, I. H. (1996): Building Economics, London; pages 18 – 37
 AAK (1996): Standard Methods of Measurements of Building Works.
Explanation & Implications** (Cont’d)
Item Design Variable Influence
3 Height; total Plant – e.g. cranes required
Greater lengths of service pipes
Stronger foundations required
Stronger form of construction – e.g.
framed construction
Lifts required
4 Height; storey Formwork more difficult
Painting & decorating more difficult
Longer walls
Longer stairs cases
Longer lift shaft
Greater volume for air conditioning
5 Technology – materials & Form of construction for the
techniques structure
Masonry
Reinforced concrete
Steel structures
6 Specifications Quality standards
7 Site conditions Preliminaries – water, power, etc
Access roads
Sites clearance
Foundations
Lecturer: Qs Dr Titus KIVAA P. M., PhD, MA, BA, CIQSK, RQS
Explanation & Implications
More quantities of material,
plant and labour required
13th October 2016
Provisions in
Measurement Principles &
the SMM
Difficult variables stated
e.g. height of roof above
the ground floor level
Difficult variables
Heights of formwork to
soffits and painting to
ceilings above 3 m stated
Specifications of form of
construction in the overall
description of the works
Specifications of materials,
construction techniques
and quality standard in the
item descriptions
Captured in the
Preliminaries section of the
BQ
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ABQ 2403 ESTIMATING & COST PLANNING 13th October 2016

Lecture 2: Influence of Design Variables on Construction Cost

&
Substructure
measurements

**Note: Refer to:

 Seeley, I. H. (1996): Building Economics, London; pages 18 – 37
 AAK (1996): Standard Methods of Measurements of Building Works.

Lecturer: Qs Dr Titus KIVAA P. M., PhD, MA, BA, CIQSK, RQS