Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by chenwei89

BIM - Threat or Opportunity to the QS roles?

chenwei89 — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 12:30:04 +0800

Dear all (surveyors, contractors, developers, etc),

I'm a final year student doing my degree in Quantity Surveying.

In less than 2 months time I will be graduating. I have some questions to ask. With the advancement of technology nowadays, softwares have been developed to aid people in completing their task easier, faster, and probably more cost efficient.

What are the impacts of BIM to the Quantity Surveyor's profession? How does it affect the consultant QS and the contractor's QS? In my university, my lecturer told me that machines can never replace a man.

However, during my internship, I heard there is a structure engineer telling the client how much does their superstructure works will cost at the pre-contract stage, but the QS is still the one who is in-charge of the cost aspect of the project. However, the engineer are able to produce their structural design quantity for a remeasurement contract which I believe they are using a software to measure.

My universities invited two QS's from Singapore (not mentioning them here). They say if BIM is implemented, then the QS roles can be reimagine. The 7 reimagined roles of the consultant QS that they mentioned are:

1) Procurement Strategist

2) Technology - BIM

3) Value profilling - (Value Management facilitator)

4) Sustainability - (M&E cost management, Whole Life cost, embodied carbon studies) According to them, QS might prepare the cost for M&E because client wants single point responsibility for the cost aspect, thus the QS take over.

5)Tax reduction/relief on capital expenditure incurred by client tax payer (working with client finance team, reduce corporate income tax)

6)Client support roles - (Project management)

7) Dispute resolution - (Arbitration, Adjudication and Mediation)

Despict hearing all this, somehow I'm still not confidence on whether to embark into the QS profession. My concern is the technology impact that is still uncertain. However, in this article link related to BIM here , >>> http/www.suranga.net/publications/2013_bim_qseffectiveness.pdf
It was mentioned in page 6 that 'BIM tools are not advanced enough to be capable to substitute the experience and expertise of the QS.

On the other hand, in Dubai, a massive mall construction called 'Dubai Mall' was a massive project costing $1.3 billion & 12 million sq.ft, uses BIM (the engineer) by automating the QS task. They are able to save $7million and improved efficiency of 86%. This is found in this link >>> http/www.scsi.ie/members/quantity_surveying/scsi-autodesk-talk-september-2011

To summarise my questions here:

1) What are the impacts of BIM to the Quantity Surveyor's profession?
2) How does it affect the consultant QS and the contractor's QS?
3) Does that mean that traditional QS roles will be replaced by different roles such as the 7 roles mentioned above?
4) Is there a possibility that the engineer take over the cost advice role of the QS with the aid of technology?

I would be much appreciated if you could kindly advice me in these areas.

You can also privately reply me via email at sleightlymagical@msn.com. In this way, you are being assured that your responses and answers will remain confidential. Thanks and hear from you all soon!

Best regards.

Final year student.

demand

chenwei89 — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:14:05 +0800

Hi folks! May i know what is the current demand for properties in Setapak. Does the supply match the demand? If so can you provide me the figures? in my opinion, we need more high raise like condo, apartment to cater the number of students in KTAR and UTAR because once they are graduated, they might continue to live in Setapak and get a job somewhere around KL. Every year TAR College alone produces more than 10,000 graduates and I believe around 30-40% of them will continue to stay in KL, unless they already from KL. But I believe they will continue living in Setapak. According to current market trends, PV10 has increased it’s valued from developer price of RM150,000 to RM320,000 now. Those who are bought PV10, now has doubled up their assets value. Therefore, i believe the reason behind this is the demand for properties in Setapak has increase. Lets just assume that Mr. X, a developer is planning to build another condominium in Ayer Panas, Setapak. Will it help to cater the demand? Will he able to make his profit? Imagine me being his advisor says yes, based on my reason above. This is my own opinion and observation,as I see no banners around the apartment or condo that says "To sell". Do you agree or otherwise? Please justify. if you can provide me the figure that's better. Any suggessions and personal ideas are welcome. Thx.

I need some refference books 4 Quantity Surveying.

chenwei89 — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:31:42 +0800

I need to know where can i get "Pengukuran kuantiti Bangunan" edisi kedua by Ahmad Abdullah/ Khairuddin Abdul Rashid. I've search places like University Bookstore, porpular..but no luck..anyone owns this book? Or maybe some of u can recomment some refference book that based on SMM 1 or 2. Thnx.

"Berkhidmat Untuk Negara"