You work for a cost consultancy firm and have been appointed to the pre-contract team of surveyors at stage 2 – Concept Design of a project.

The client proposes to construct a development of six residential blocks on a green field site, providing accommodation for a total of 280 students. The rectangular blocks are identical and comprise three storeys. The total gross floor area of the whole development is 7,860m2. Associated provision for car parking is also required.

The client requires the buildings to be low maintenance and to utilise the latest sustainability technologies.

You have prepared an elemental order of cost estimate (see Appendix 1), based on information received from the Architect. However, it exceeds the £12.5 million budget set by the Client. There are no known ground conditions that have been allowed for.

The client has asked you to identify possible changes that could be made to the specification to reduce the total cost. Changes in specification alone will not provide the required savings.

Task

Write a report to the Architect describing and justifying the chosen specification changes to reduce costs. You do not need to provide a revised cost estimate.

Also include in your report a critical analysis of at least three possible design factors which the Architect should consider changing to try to reduce costs further, highlighting any impact the changes might have on the project as a whole. You could include sketches to illustrate your proposed changes. There should be an equal amount of words between the two main sections of your report.

Reference list and bibliography

You should include a reference list with a minimum of six separate relevant and appropriate sources that you have written about and cited within your work.

A bibliography of uncited sources is not required