Cost Impact Factors

Information below is provided by the role Building Design or the role Cost Modelling through the functional part fp_define_quantity (count)

Various factors may be provided for the element groups to identify their expected impact on the approximate estimate cost in comparison with reference costs. These might include (amongst others):

• Site complexity
• Construction complexity
• Structural complexity
• Services complexity
• Fire safety provision (fabric/structure protection, sprinklers etc.)
• Labor resource availability
• Delivery complexity (logistics)

It is anticipated that locally extended exchange requirements will define standard names for cost impact factors that may be applied.
A factor is applied to a group as appropriate. The factor is applied as a quantity which acts as a multiplier for the cost value initially applied to the group. The results of applying these factors to a cost value will be a further cost value that is the modelled cost for the group.

All factors defined within this part of the exchange requirement are considered to be 'count' quantities without units. That is, all factors are considered to be dimensionless and the 'Unit' attribute should not be asserted. Count quantities may be applied as either integer (whole) number values or real (decimal) number values.

For each factor, the following information should be given:

Information Needed	MAN	REC	OPT
The method of measurement If a local method of measurement is applicable to approximate estimate costing then this should be stated. Otherwise, it is recommended that the value of this attribute should be set to 'Preconstruction Estimate'
The name of the factor If there are local measurement rules that identify the factors that may be applied then names used within these rules should be applied. Otherwise, it is recommended that a naming convention should be agreed between the sender and receiver of information identified in this Exchange Requirement.
The value of the factor The actual value to be applied for the factor may be set either during the provision of information for costing or during the actual process of defining costs. A value must however be provided whenever a factor is set. In the absence of particular guidance regarding the setting, a value of 1.0 should be used (so as to have a neutral impact on cost when used as a multiplication factor).
A more detailed description of the factor may be given. This is useful to qualify the name and the value given to the factor in the context of the specific project concerned.