Swaffield, L M and Pasquire, C L (1996) A critique of mechanical and electrical services cost planning: Existing methods and published information. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 1(3), pp. 23-42. ISSN 1366-4387
Abstract
This paper evaluates methods used for the production of budget estimates for mechanical and electrical (M&E) services, and examines the availability and suitability of historic cost data for M&E services. The paper discusses results from multiple linear regression analysis and statistical tests that examined the significance of building form parameters in determining M&E services cost. The paper argues that current methods of budget estimating for building structure and fabric work are inappropriate for use With the M&E services elements; and that there is a needfor an improved understanding of the factors that affect the cost of M&E services. The paper concludes that the format and detail of the cost data published by the Building Cost Information Service is inadequate for the production of budget estimates for M&E services; and that a method of collecting more appropriate information is required.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | mechanical and electrical services, budget estimating, services classifications, cost analysis, cost data, cost planning |
| Index terms: | critique, cost information, regression analysis, estimate, cost data, cost analysis, estimating, statistical test, cost planning, suitability |
| Subjects: | accounting and finance, evaluation and assessment methods, financial management, design criteria, statistical analysis, financial and cost management |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Research Practice, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here