CE3QBC: Quantification and Costing: Buildings and Civil Works

Module code: CE3QBC

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Upeksha Madanayake , email: u.h.madanayake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CE2CTQ OR TAKE CE2QCT (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is designed for students who already have some knowledge of construction technology and the introductory measurement and quantification skills of building work for procurement and cost management purposes. This module develops these introductory quantification skills to a more advanced level, sufficient to demonstrate expertise in a quantity surveying role. The module further explores the costing aspect of building elements which gives rise to commercial management practices. On completion of the module, the student should be sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable to fulfil a productive junior QS role in preparation for more intricate practice. 

The aims of the module are to develop an understanding of the principles and practice of measurement of building work, applied to more advanced forms of construction including aspects of civil works (e.g. Roads/Pavings and Piling Works) and to develop a critical understanding of measurement and documentation as key skills of the quantity surveyor. The students should be able to demonstrate ability to measure, define and cost construction works, and produce project information that supports the design, construction and commercial management of projects. 

The Module Lead at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Malaysia is Dr Bruno Lot Tanko (b.tanko@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Understand advanced processes of measurement and be able to measure building work for complex forms of construction. 
2. Measure building work for more complex forms of building construction for the purposes of tender document production. The process will include use and interpret plans, drawings and specifications. 
3. Assemble information and data from a variety of cost information sources relating to the costing and pricing of building work, synthesise them, discern and establish connections with quantified data. Produce pricing documents such as bills of quantities and schedules of rates. 
4. Present quantitative and qualitative information; produce professional reports; proposals; professional documentation in accordance with published conventions for the purpose of tackling problems, generating effective solutions and make well-considered costing decisions. 

Module content

• Quantification and costing of more advanced measurement; such as: 
  • Advanced foundations and sloping sites 
  • Basements/ External works 
  • Concrete framed buildings including staircase 
  • Steel framed structures 
• Advanced cost estimating, preparation of tender documents & pricing of BQs cost planning and cost analyses of construction works 
• Advanced use and application of CostX or other similar computer programmes 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered in 2-hour lecture sessions, supported by additional Practical classes/ workshops over the Semester-1 as follows: 

• Lecture sessions - Lectures will be held on a weekly basis (2 hours) in class as detailed in the university timetable.  
• Practical classes/ workshops – Interactive Practical classes/ workshops will be held in class (subject to university guidelines) (1 h