ABB222 Construction Estimating
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ABB222 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | ABB122 or UXB113 or UDB113 or EGB273 |
| Antirequisite(s): | UDB213, UXB214 |
| Equivalent(s): | UXH315 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ABB222 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ABB122 or UXB113 or UDB113 or EGB273 |
| Equivalent: | UXH315 |
| Anti-requisite: | UDB213 or UXB214 |
| Coordinator: | Carol Hon | carol.hon@qut.edu.au |
Overview
An advanced construction management unit focusing on construction cost quantification techniques linking to previous years’ basic work and understanding. It includes an introduction to the interrelationship between professions in estimating and the techniques available to quantify cost; definition of the fundamental elements of cost and the methods of evaluating labour, materials, and equipment; assessing base estimates for major trades; assessment of offers from sub-contractors and implications for the tendering process; first principles estimating; review of an estimate; subsequent negotiations and application of estimating to variations and profit monitoring; outcome performance indicators; and introduction to current industry practice, tools, and technology.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply concept, principles and skills to estimate the cost of construction work and prepare the tender price.
- Critically apply estimating principles to construction cost problems.
- Critically apply estimating principles and provide solutions for tender preparation and bid evaluations.
- Professionally communicate and plan with peers.
Content
This unit covers the following:
- Introduction to interrelationship of the professions in estimating and to the techniques available to quantify cost.
- Definition of the fundamental elements of cost and the methods of evaluating labour, materials and equipment to realistic levels of accuracy.
- Development of the unit rate approach to assessing the base estimate for major trades.
- Assessment of offers from sub-contractors and the implications for the tendering process with respect to risk, quality and ethical responsibilities.
- Introduction to the concept of first principle's estimating and the significance of method, time and the assembly of information to estimating.
- The review of an estimate, determination of profit and the compiling of the letter of offer.
- Subsequent negotiations prior to award of contract and the application of estimating to variations and to profit monitoring.
- Linking best value procurement assessment to outcome performance indicators (including tender evaluation criteria).
- Introduction to current industry practicing tool/ technology.
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an approach that incorporates a blended learning approach (asynchronous and synchronous learning) and is designed to increase student engagement, ensure learning is active and provides opportunities for collaborative, inquiry-based learning. Learning experiences are designed to provide you with opportunities to practice estimating the cost of construction work, predicting the costs not represented by the physical work and preparing tenders and bid evaluations.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Asynchronous activities in preparation for lectures and tutorials, such as completion of readings, flipped learning, inquiry-based learning experiences
- Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and tutorials which include collaborative learning, Q&A discussions and forums, peer instruction, application of theory and skills to real world contexts
- Use of digital tools to facilitate collaboration on the LMS
- Self reflective practice.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Continuous formative assessment in the form of assistance and feedback will be offered by teaching staff during the course of tutorial workshops to answer your questions. Regular exercises will be undertaken in class to enable you to assess your progress in the unit through comparison with model answers.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project (applied)
Acting as an estimator, you will apply your knowledge of construction estimating to prepare a tender submission for a construction project.
Part A: A tender plan in mid semester (10%)
Part B: A tender submission in late semester. (40%)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (written)
You will be required to undertake an examination at the end of the semester based primarily on applying estimating techniques studied throughout the semester. Other theoretical work will also be assessed with short answer type questions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing FoE students are required to complete the Mandatory Safety Induction
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/lecture activities in this unit.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Project (applied)
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written)
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written)
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Examination (written)
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written)
Relates to: Project (applied)
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Project (applied)
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.AB01 Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours)
- Apply theoretical, practical and cultural knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines and specialist knowledge and skills in one built environment area.
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written) - Design and critically evaluate sustainable and creative solutions to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written) - Communicate knowledge, ideas and creative solutions in diverse modes, for a range of contexts and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written) - Plan, develop and complete research and other projects.
Relates to: Project (applied), Examination (written) - Strategically collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communities, including First Nations peoples.
Relates to: Project (applied)