Building Economics: Appraisal And Control Of Building Design Cost And Efficiency

This book provides students of quantity surveying and building with a sound knowledge of key aspects of precontract cost management and their application in a variety of practical situation. Practitioners in quantity surveying and other construction-related disciplines will also find much of value within its pages.
The fourth edition of this standard text has been completely revised, extended and reset to a new convenient format. Its broad coverage is intended to equip the reader with the background necessary to satisfy the contemporary client's demands in such areas as budget fulfilment, value for money, timescale, quality and function.
The coverage extends into the wider field of initial site selection, development and financing, through the cost control activities of the design team, including life cycle costing and value management - a new chapter - to the ultimate disposal of the building at the end of its effective life. There is also a new introductory chapter on cost modelling. The study is underpinned by an analysis of land and building values and their determinants, an analysis of the construction industry, and economic and European concepts.
Due attention is paid to factors highlighted in the RICS Report: QS 2000 (1991), such as the need to provide more accurate and robust forecasts of construction costs and prices, and the development of the techniques for early cost advice, construction cost and market forecasting.
Environmental aspects also receive full consideration; energy conservation, environmental management, rehabilitation and refurbishment, building conservation and urban regeneration all feature in the book. In addition, the number of supporting tables and diagrams is significantly increased in comparison with the previous edition.
Formerly Professor, Head of Department of Surveying and Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, Ivor H. Seeley was Emeritus Professor of The Nottingham Trent University. Throughout his professional career he held many external examining and advisory appointments with universities in the UK and overseas, as well as being external examiner to several professional bodies. He was a member of the RICS General Council continuously since 1970 and served on many other RICS councils and education committees over the years.
Professor Seeley was a former local government chief technical officer, in which capacity he was responsible for extensive housing and other building developments; he also served at the Headquarters of the former Central Electricity Generating Board on power station contracts and with two firms of consultants.
Author of 15 technical books, Professor Seeley was also Series Editor of the Building and Surveying Series