Written by a cost-control expert with more than thirty years of design and building expertise, this volume in the Professional Practice Essentials Series gives you practical, user-friendly guidance on how to better manager costs through all phases of a project. Dell'Isola first explains the basics of cost management-from estimating costs during the design phase to managing costs during construction and even after occupancy. He then covers all of the tools and techniques available to architects/designers and explains how best to use them. A number of useful case studies clearly show how the author's principles work in real-life situations.
An accessible, practical survey of cost management methods Essentials of Cost Management provides an unbiased survey and explanation of the cost management approaches and methods currently available for immediate application in day-to-day activities. Rather than advocate a particular method, this book assists readers in choosing the best approach or blend of cost management strategies to address specific business problems. The expert authors also discuss cutting-edge topics such as target costing, capacity management, and activity-based costing/management.
Written by two leading experts in the field this essential volume offers a step-by-step guide to understanding and evaluating the goals, risks and the rewards of starting a firm. Covers the basics of firm organisation, personnel requirements, legal considerations, fee setting, marketing issues and the essentials of strategic and business plans Addresses how to get started including how to create your first business plan, evaluate initial needs and costs, create a budget and a produce a list of action items to get started This volume is practical, applied, concise, portable, affordable and user-friendly
Architects must be proficient in a variety of business practices to contribute to, manage, or launch a successful firm. They are responsible for the same kind of legal, financial, marketing, management, and administrative activities as any other professional. Within these broad categories, however, there are many details, including professional standards and documents, that are unique to the profession of architecture.
Cost management of all building projects has become increasingly important as clients in the public and private sector demand the highest quality cost planning services with accurate budgeting and cost control. All members of the design team must integrate their activities to ensure that a high quality project is delivered on time and within budget. This book considers building cost planning and cost control from the client and the design team's perspective, where all decisions whether concerned with design, cost, quality, time, value or sustainability are taken as being interrelated. The latest Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work and the New Rules of Measurement for Early Stage Estimating and Cost Planning issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have been incorporated into this new text. The book follows the building design cost planning process from the crucial inception stages and then through all the design stages to the completion of the technical design, contract documentation and the tender. It provides a template for good cost planning practice. An essential addition to this third edition is the introduction of integrated design and documentation processes captured in building Information modelling (BIM), on-line cost databases and computerised methods of cost planning. The integrated approaches are explained and provide vital information and knowledge for practitioners involved in building projects. All stakeholders involved in development and design and client teams in public and private sector policy making and implementation need to understand the new approaches to design management processes and how cost planning and design approaches are adapting to using the new technology in practice. The interactive style, using in-text and review questions makes this ideal for students and practitioners alike in property, architecture, construction economics, construction management, real estate, engineering, facilities management and project management.
The design and construction of building projects is a complex and demanding process. It involves a variety of disciplines, including architecture, quantity surveying, engineering and construction management. The common objective is to deliver, on behalf of clients commissioning construction work, buildings of the right quality at the right price and within the right time-scale. This introductory textbook explains the development, application and pivotal role of design cost management from inception through to completion of a project, and considers its context and relevance within current construction procurement arrangements, including design and build. The text discusses the need for improvements in communication between all those involved in the process, and outlines how to achieve better information management, underpinned by information technology, to help overcome the criticisms of the industry for too often delivering projects late, over budget and of poor quality. Building Design Cost Management will benefit all those involved in the design and construction of buildings - in particular students of architecture, quantity surveying and construction management, as it: · takes an innovative approach to explain the process of design cost management, using a practical case study to demonstrate its application, supported by a dedicated website (www.bdcm.co.uk) · includes on the website selective information from the nationally available Building Cost Information Service, to give students a dynamic modelling tool to examine and carry out design cost management
Successful project management of construction projects is largely dependant on the confident handling of construction costs and schedules. For contractors, the ability to reliably plan costs is an essential quality feature of a good architect, and hence one of the most important basics of project preparation. Cost estimation is also vital in preparing project budgets, and it particularly requires an efficient methodology that can immediately reveal possible planning-related cost overruns. Central key concepts such as cost variables or life-cycle costs, costing methods, and cost control methods form an essential repertoire for all practicing architects. Basics Budgeting explains cost planning processes during the planning and construction phase step-by-step and on a practical level, and describes in a clear and structured manner how to estimate and evaluate cost impacts and risks. Supported by practical tips, examples, and illustrations, the inexperienced planner learns the tools of the trade in order to enter the field of budget management informed and in step with actual practice
The core task of the classic architect, in addition to architectural design and planning work, is management of the construction project: from planning operations and tendering, to scheduling and cost planning and construction management. These important practical tasks are usually only covered during studies by one subject: Construction Management or Construction Economics, and thus treated as less significant. But every architect must master these abilities in order to manage and realize his or her own projects successfully.
