Building Cost Studies AutumnBLDG3010

SchoolofEngineering,DesignandBuiltEnvironment

BLDG3010 Building Cost Studies Autumn2025

Western Sydney University acknowledges the peoples of the Darug, Dharawal, Eora and Wiradjuri nations. We also acknowledge that the teaching and learning currently delivered across our campuses is a continuance of the teaching and learning that has occurred on these lands for tens of thousands of years.

SubjectDetails

Note: Students with any problems, concerns or doubts should discuss those with the Subject Coordinator as early as they can.

Subject Coordinator

Name: JunWANG

Phone: (02)47360954

Location: RoomY.3.37,BuildingY,KingswoodCampus Email:jun.wang@westernsydney.edu.auConsultationArrangement:

Duringweeklytutorialtimeand/orviaemailoutsideclasstime.

Inpersonconsultationand/orzoomconsultationcanalsobebookedoutsideclasstime.

Deputy Subject Coordinator

Name: SepaniSenaratne

Email:S.Senaratne@westernsydney.edu.au

ConsultationArrangement:

By appointment

Teaching Team

Name: WeiqiXing

Email:30060392@westernsydney.edu.au

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Edition:Autumn2025

Copyright 2025 University Western Sydney trading as Western Sydney University ABN 53 014 069 881 CRICOS Provider No:00917K No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission from the Dean of the School.Copyright for acknowledged materials reproducedherein is retained by the copyright holder.All readings in this publication are copied under licence in accordance with Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968.

(Continued)

ConsultationArrangement:

By appointment

Contents

• AboutBuildingCostStudies2
  • AnIntroductiontothisSubject2
  • WhatisExpectedofYou2
  • ChangestoSubjectasaResultofPastStudentFeedback3
• Learning and Teaching Activities4
• Assessment Information6
  • Subject Learning Outcomes6
  • Assessment Summary6
    • Quiz8
    • Professional Task10
    • Report12
  • Readings and Resources14
    • Essential Readings14
    • Recommended Readings14
    • Other Teaching and Learning Resources14
  • Key Teaching and Learning Policies15

1AboutBuildingCostStudies

1.1 An Introduction to this Subject

This subject provides students with advanced quantity surveying techniques for the evaluation of construction costs in the construction management and built environment context. Students learn to perform various cost studies, consider sustainability issues and make whole life cost choices that contribute to cost effective construction projects. The tools and techniques students learn are essential in dealing with increasing complexity in the industry.

1.2WhatisExpectedofYou

Study Load

A student is expected to study an hour per credit point a week. For example a 10 credit point subject would require 10 hours of study per week. This time includes the time spent within classes during lectures, tutorials or practicals

NoteforSummerTerms:AsSummersubjectsdeliverthesamecontentandclassesoverashorterperiodoftime, thesubjectsareruninamoreintensivemode.Regardlessofthedeliverymode,thestudyhoursforeachsubjectinSummerwillbearound30hours.

Attendance

It is strongly recommended that students attend all scheduled learning activities to support their learning.

Approach to Learning

The subject comprises weekly 2-hour tutorials that include hands-on engagement activities aimed at providing thelearner with good practical experience in applying the knowledge gathered. All of the theoretical content relevant tothe subject are pre-recorded and provided in vUWS for download and review prior to weekly tutorials. The tutorialengagement activities predominantly involve hands-on practice on cost estimation and planning. Weekly learningresources will be added to the vUWS site for the subject for students to refer and engage as directed in class. Thesemay include lecture notes, additional reading material, video clips, prerecorded lectures, tutorials, websites, reportsamong others.

Online Learning Requirements

SubjectmaterialswillbemadeavailableonthesubjectsvUWS(E-Learning)site(https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/). You are expected to consult vUWS at least twice a week, as all subject announcements will be made via vUWS. Teaching and learning materials will be regularly updated and posted online by the teaching team.

Special Requirements

EssentialEquipment:

NotApplicable

LegislativePre-Requisites:

Not Applicable

1.3ChangestoSubjectasaResultofPastStudentFeedback

The University values student feedback in order to improve the quality of its educational programs. The feedback provided helps us improve teaching methods and subjects of study. The survey subjects results inform subject content and design, Subject Outlines, teaching methods, assessment processes and teaching materials.

You are welcome to provide feedback that is related to the teaching of this subject. At the end of the semester you will be given the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Subject questionnaire to assess the subject. If requested by your subject coordinator, you may also have the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT) questionnaire to provide feedback for individual teaching staff.

Asaresultofstudentfeedback, thefollowingchangesandimprovementsto thisSubjecthaverecentlybeenmade:

• Simplify assessment briefs and ensure they are clear and concise
• Break down larger assessments(i.e.Assignments 2&3)intosmaller,manageableparts toreducestudent overwhelm.
• Develop detailed guides or supplementary materials for Assignments 2&3 to clarify expectations and procedures
• Encourage tutors to provide clear, concise responses to student emails and offer more direct assistance rather than redirecting students to modules or recordings

2 Learning and Teaching Activities

The above timetable should be used as a guide only, as it is subject to change. Students will be advised of any changes as they become known on the Subjects vUWS site.

3AssessmentInformation

3.1 Subject Learning Outcomes

3.2 Assessment Summary

The assessment items in this subject are designed to enable you to demonstrate that you have achieved the subject learning outcomes. Completion and submission of all assessment items which have been designated as mandatory or compulsory is essential to receive a passing grade.

To pass this subject you must:

Complete ALL assessment items and achieve at least 50% overall.

Feedback on Assessment

Feedbackisanimportantpartofthelearningprocessthatcanimproveyourprogresstowardsachievingthelearning outcomes.Feedbackisanywrittenorspokenresponsemadeinrelationtoacademicworksuchasanassessment task,aperformanceorproduct.Itcanbegiventoyoubyateacher,anexternalassessororstudentpeer,andmay begivenindividuallyortoagroupofstudents.AsaWesternSydneyUniversitystudent,itisyourresponsibilityto seekoutandactonfeedbackthatisprovidedtoyouasaresourcetofurtheryourlearning.

Assessment1isaquiz,andyouwillreceiveyourscoreandfeedbackimmediatelyuponcompletion.Writtenfeedback for Assessment 2 will be provided within two weeks of submission.The grade and feedback for the final assessment willbewithhelduntilthefinalsubjectresultsareformallyreleased.

Academic Integrity and Student Misconduct RuleWestern cares about your success as a student and in your future career. Studying with academic integrity safeguards your professional reputation and your degree. All Western students must:

• befamiliar withthe policieslisted below;
• applyprinciplesofacademicintegrity;
• act honestlyandethicallyinproducingallacademicworkandassessmenttasks;and
• submitwork that is theirown and acknowledge anysources used in their

Eachtimeyousubmitanassessment,youwilldeclarethatyouhavecompleteditindividually,unlessitisagroup assignment.Inthecaseofagroupassignment,eachgroupmembershouldbereadytodocumenttheirindividual contribution if needed.

TheStudent Misconduct Ruleapplies to all students of Western Sydney University including Western Sydney Universityprogramstaughtbyothereducationproviders.Youmustnotengageinacademic,researchorgeneral misconductasdefinedintheRuleoryoumaybesubjecttosanctions.TheUniversityconsiderssubmittingfalsified documentationinsupportofrequeststoredo,resitorextendsubmissions,includingsittingofdeferredexaminations,asinstancesofgeneralmisconduct.

MoreinformationisavailableintheAcademicIntegrityGuidelines. It is your responsibility to apply these principles to all work you submit to the University.

Disruption to Studies and Requests for Extensions

Westernrecognisesthattheremaybetimeswhenthingsoutsideofyourcontrolimpactyourabilitytocompleteyour studies.

You can complete the Request an extension or apply for a Disruption to Studies Provision to request that you are:

• granted an extension,
• excused from a compulsory teaching activity,
• provided an alternate assessment such as a supplementary, or
• awarded another DisruptiontoStudies

Before you fill in the form, you should:

• Compile any documentary evidence that you have which demonstrates that you have been impacted by an eventoutsideofyour
• TheSupportingDocumentation website outlines the type of documents that you can submit to substantiate any impact.

Please note that if you dont have documents, you should still submit the form but you may be asked for documentation at a later stage.

Needhelp?

If you are having difficulties with understanding or completing an assessment task, contact your Subject Coordinator as soon as possible. Western also has a range of academic support services, including:

• Library Study Smart:bookaone-to-oneZoomconsultationwithaliteracyYoucandiscusshow todevelopyourassignmentwritingandstudyskillsorseekassistancetounderstandreferencingandcitationrequirements.ChecktheLibraryStudySmartwebsiteforhow-tostudyguidesandtools.
• Studiosity: Upload your assignment draft to Studiosity within vUWS to receive writing feedback within 24 hours.

• Online workshops, programs and resources:From maths and stats help to academic literacy and peer support programs,theUniversityhasarangeofresourcesto

Pleasealsorememberthatthereisarangeofwellbeingsupportavailable -fromcounsellinganddisabilityservicesto welfare.

• Quiz

Instructions:

Students will be required to complete a series of multiple-choice questions and true/false questions (30 questions worth 1 mark each). Questions will assess the students knowledge about cost management and control, cost data, cost-benefit analysis, and indices and trends (The content covered during Week 02 - 05). The quiz will be 60 minutes in duration and will be held online through the vUWS Portal during the tutorial time in Week 6. Only a single attempt will be allowed for the quiz.

Marking Criteria:

• Professional Task

Instructions:

This assessment requires the student to prepare a preliminary estimate for the owner of a proposed residential building to be constructed in Sydneys CBD. There are two schemes being considered. You have been given the responsibility to make sure that the design team and the client are aware of the cost of the two alternatives. Upon completion of this assignment, students are expected to be able to Provide an Indicative Cost Plan (Elemental Cost Plan) for the two design options, and Compare the two options to make a recommendation base on cost merits. The Assignment Brief and detailed instructions will be provided on the date as indicated in the Activity Summary. Further details will be provided in vUWS by the date of handing the assignment.

Marking Criteria:

• Report

Instructions:

With Australias net zero 2050 targets, it is essential to reduce the embodied carbon in the construction industry. Students are required to conduct an embodied carbon estimation for the proposed residential project and a life cycle cost analysis of a solar PV system installation for the same project. Upon the completion of this assignment, students are expected to be able to:

• Perform an embodied carbon analysis for the proposed project, referring to the EPiC database 2019 for the carbon footprint. The embodied carbon analysis should include:
  • Embodied carbon rate for each construction material
  • Embodied carbon estimation for each construction material
  • Total embodied carbon estimation of the project

• PerformalifecyclecostanalysisfollowingthetemplateandtherequirementsofAssessment3and recommendtotheclientthemosteffectivesolarpanelsystemfortheproposedresidentialThe lifecyclecostanalysisforoptionBshouldinclude:
  • Calculationofinvestmentcost
  • Calculationofthepresentvalueofoperationcostsforeachyear
  • Calculationofthepresentvalueoftheresidualvalue
  • Calculationofthelifecyclecost

Marking Criteria:

4 Readings and Resources

4.1EssentialReadings EssentialReading

Ashworth,A&Perera,S2015,CostStudiesofBuildings,6thedn,TaylorandFrancis,Florence.

AustralianInstituteofQuantitySurveyors(ed.)2000-2008,Australian cost management manualAustralian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Canberra, ACT.

4.2Recommended Readings AdditionalReading

Pica,M&Montanari,F2016,ProjectLifeCycleEconomics:CostEstimation,ManagementandEffectivenessinConstructionProjects, 1st edn, Taylor and Francis, London

Towey, D2013,Costmanagementofconstructionprojects, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK

4.3 Other Teaching and Learning Resources

5 Key Teaching and Learning Policies

The University has several policies that relate to teaching and learning. Links to important policies affecting students are below. It is your responsibility to ensure you familiarise yourself with these policies so that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

• AssessmentPolicy
• AssessmentPolicy-ReviewofGradeProcedures
• BullyingPreventionPolicy
• DisruptiontoStudiesPolicy
• EnrolmentPolicy
• ExaminationsPolicy
• Learningand TeachingPolicy
• ProgressionPolicy
• StudentCodeofConduct
• StudentMisconductRule