Costmodelling

Online Help

This page provides answers to many common questions and the gateway to online support.

Read the frequently asked questions section below for answers to many topical questions.

To purchase or renew your licence you will need to contact us to obtain a quotation and order your licence. Payments should be made by BACS or cheque if possible, however we can accept credit card payments as described opposite.

To download a fully-functioning trial version of the full program go to our Downloads page and follow the instructions.

Extensive help manuals are provided within the program and should provide all the necessary operational information.

If you have a question and cannot find the answer on the website then please get in touch and we will help.

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Purchase

Purchase your licence

Costmodelling Works is sold under licence renewable annually. Two versions of the program are available, Professional intended for commercial use and Academic for educational establishments. Each version can be supplied with a range of features according to your needs.

Licences include full product support comprising free program updates, quarterly price and index updates, access to Costmodelling Works' cost model databases and customer support, and are valid for 12 months. Product support can be renewed after 12 months to maintain these services.

Prices start from £499.00 for a single licence, with discounts available for multiple licences and academic users.

Training workshops can be provided to ensure users are fully conversant with operating the program.

To obtain a quotation, ask any questions or purchase a licence please contact us.

Make a Payment

Pay your invoice

Our preferred method of paying your invoice is through BACS - details of which were sent with your invoice.

However, we can accept credit and debit card payments using a secure payment server. All major credit cards are accepted. If you wish to make a payment by this method, click the button and follow the screen instructions.

To make your payment, simply click the Make a payment button below and you will be taken to our secure PayPal page. Enter the amount you wish to pay, enter your credit card details, and follow the screen instructions to process your payment. Your payment will be deducted from your credit card and once we have received the payment we will send you an acknowledgment that your invoice(s) has been paid.

If you have any questions or require any further information, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain the software?

Costmodelling Works is installed via the Internet. You will need to download and install the trial version. The trial version works for 30 days and is converted to the full version by the installing a key, which we will send you if you decide to purchase a licence for the software.

Is there a time restriction on running the software?

The trial version will run for 30 days and then cease operating. However, this can be converted to a full version at any time by the purchase of a licence and key. The full version will operate without time restriction, but you will need to renew your licence annually to maintain program, cost and library updates and obtain product support. As a guide the cost of licence renewals is currently set at 20% of the full licence price.

How do I install?

Costmodelling Works is installed by a small Microsoft ClickOnce® setup program. As the name implies, just one simple click is all that is required to install this powerful program and all its associated components.

Can I install it on multiple computers?

You can install the program on the number of computers covered by your licence. The program's installation procedure registers your licence and the installation with us.

How do I update the software?

Subject to a valid licence the program updates itself automatically via the Internet whenever a new version of the program is released. The program will update its databases and libraries with the latest costs automatically when these are published every quarter, again subject to a valid licence.

Can several people work on a cost model at once?

Yes. Each person's work can be imported into a combined master cost model. The program is totally transportable and does not require to be linked to a central server. Users can therefore carry the cost model with them and work in any location.

Can I really produce construction cost models in a few minutes?

Yes. Detailed cost models for common buildings can be produced extremely quickly with impressive results. For example, this construction cost model and report for a proposed new office development and this whole life cost model and report for a proposed 4 bedroom house were produced in less than 5 minutes each.

Do I need much information to produce a cost model?

Not necessarily. In the example above, the only information known about the proposed office development was that it would be 977m2 gross floor area in 2 storeys on a 1834m2 site to be built in Yorkshire commencing in April 2010. Even with this little information, the projected costs can be impressively accurate. Obviously,the more information you have the better, but detailed cost models can be produced from very little information.

Can I create cost models for any type of building?

Yes. Wizards are included to generate cost models very quickly from first principles. In addition databases created from existing cost models can be used to create detailed cost models based on current information.

Is the program RICS New Rules of Measurement compliant?

Yes - totally. Cost models are produced in the 68 NRM construction elements, with a separate cost plan for each element:

• Group element 1: Substructure
• Element 1.1: Foundations
• Element 1.2: Basement excavation
• Element 1.3: Basement retaining walls
• Element 1.4: Ground floor construction
• Group element 2: Superstructure
• Element 2.1: Frame
• Element 2.2: Upper floors
• Element 2.3: Roof
• Element 2.4: Stairs and ramps
• Element 2.5: External walls
• Element 2.6: Windows and external doors
• Element 2.7: Internal walls and partitions
• Element 2.8: Internal doors
• Group element 3: Internal finishes
• Element 3.1: Wall finishes
• Element 3.2: Floor finishes
• Element 3.3: Ceiling finishes
• Group element 4: Fittings, furnishings and equipment
• Element 4.1: General fittings, furnishings and equipment
• Element 4.2: Special fittings, furnishings and equipment
• Element 4.3: Internal planting
• Element 4.4: Bird and vermin control
• Group element 5: Services
• Element 5.1: Sanitary appliances
• Element 5.2: Services equipment
• Element 5.3: Disposal installations
• Element 5.4: Water installations
• Element 5.5: Heat source
• Element 5.6: Space heating and air conditioning
• Element 5.7: Ventilation systems
• Element 5.8: Electrical installations
• Element 5.9: Gas and other fuel installations
• Element 5.10: Lift and conveyor installations
• Element 5.11: Fire and lightning protection
• Element 5.12: Communication, security and control systems
• Element 5.13: Specialist installations
• Element 5.14: Builder's work in connection with services
• Element 5.15: Testing and commissioning of services
• Group element 6: Complete buildings and building units
• Element 6.1: Prefabricated buildings
• Group element 7: Work to existing buildings
• Element 7.1: Minor demolition works and alteration works
• Element 7.2: Repairs to existing services
• Element 7.3: Damp-proof courses/fungus and beetle eradication
• Element 7.4: Facade retention
• Element 7.5: Cleaning existing surfaces
• Element 7.6: Renovation works
• Group element 8: External works
• Element 8.1: Site preparation works
• Element 8.2: Roads, paths and pavings
• Element 8.3: Planting
• Element 8.4: Fencing, railings and walls
• Element 8.5: Site/street furniture and equipment
• Element 8.6: External drainage
• Element 8.7: External services
• Element 8.8: Minor building works and ancillary buildings
• Group element 9: Facilitating works
• Element 9.1: Toxic/hazardous material removal
• Element 9.2: Major demolition works
• Element 9.3: Specialist groundworks
• Element 9.4: Temporary diversion works
• Element 9.5: Extraordinary site investigation works
• Group element 10: Main contractor's preliminaries
• Element 10.1: Employer's requirements
• Element 10.2: Main contractor's cost items
• Group element 11: Main contractor's overheads and profit
• Element 11.1: Main contractor's overheads
• Element 11.2: Main contractor's profit
• Group element 12: Project/design team fees
• Element 12.1: Consultants' fees
• Element 12.2: Main contractor's pre-construction fees
• Element 12.3: Main contractor's design fees
• Group element 13: Other development/project costs
• Element 13.1: Other development/project costs
• Group element 14: Risks
• Element 14.1: Design development risks
• Element 14.2: Construction risks
• Element 14.3: Employer change risks
• Element 14.4: Employer other risks
• Group element 15: Inflation
• Element 15.1: Tender Inflation
• Element 15.2: Construction Inflation

Whole life costings are relatively new and I am not sure of the best way to produce them. Is it complicated?

No. All the hard work is done by the program.Replacement, maintenance, occupancy and operational costs are entered in a similar way to initial construction costs. The post-construction costs are produced in the 39 elements, with a separate cost plan for each element:

• Major refurbishment costs
• Subsequent refurbishment and adaptation costs
• Redecoration costs
• Minor replacement, repair and maintenance costs
• Unscheduled replacement, repair and maintenance costs
• Grounds maintenance costs
• Client-definable maintenance costs
• Internal cleaning costs
• Specialist cleaning costs
• External works cleaning costs
• Fuel costs
• Water and drainage costs
• Property management costs
• Staff engaged in servicing the building costs
• Waste management/disposal costs
• Overheads costs
• Client definable operation costs
• Internal move costs
• Reception and customer hosting costs
• Security costs
• Helpdesk costs
• Switchboard/telephone costs
• Post room costs
• ICT and IT services costs
• Library services costs
• Catering and hospitality costs
• Laundry costs
• Vending costs
• Occupier's furniture and fittings costs
• Internal plants and landscaping costs
• Stationary and reprographics costs
• Porters costs
• Car parking costs
• Client definable occupation costs
• Disposal inspection costs
• Demolition costs
• Reinstatement to meet contractual requirements costs
• Client definable end of life costs

Each post-construction cost is entered into the cost plan in a similar way to construction costs (you can use the drag and drop libraries as well). For example, redecorating walls would be entered as the specification of the paint, and brief description of the works, the quantity, rate and the period the redecoration works are carried out (every three years for example). The program does the rest and calculates the total cost of these works over the life period of the building and converts the cost in to a net present value.

For such a impressive program is it easy to use?

Yes. Even a complete novice following the tutorial will be able to create a cost model in just a few minutes. Costmodelling Works operates just how you would expect it to and using it will become second nature. A full help section is supplied, which will guide you through its operations.

How accurate is the cost information produced by the program?

Surprisingly accurate. Costmodelling Works will produce realistic and robust estimates and budgets. The in-built Monte Carlo Risk Analysis will greatly assist in including proper cost allowances for unknown or unforeseeable items.

Are the costs always up to date?

Yes. All the databases, indices and libraries are updated automatically via the Internet every quarter.

How does the program cater for the differing unit costs between building a small house and a large multi-millionpound hospital for example?

All costs in the program are benchmarked using a complex formula to reflect the economies of scale according to project size. The costs within the cost model will always be applicable for the size and location of your project.

How detailed are the cost plans?

They can be as simple or detailed as you want them to be.The simplest level is to use all-in element rates using the supplied wizards. However, comprehensive libraries are provided comprising composite and base rate items -all fully priced at current rates, items from which can be dragged and dropped into the cost plans.

Can I produce tender documents with the program?

Yes. Information can printed out without prices. Documents can be sent to tenderers for pricing. Bills of Quantities can also be prepared using the software. A full SMM7 drag and drop library is available for use.

Is it easy to measure digitally?

Extremely easy and very quick. A few clicks and you are done. Throw away the paper drawings and scale rule and join the digital age.

Are other people using the program?

Yes. The program is being used by various UK quantity surveying firms. The program is also used by Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Glamorgan and the University College of London in their degree and masters curricula and for research. References and contact details can be provided if required.

Can't find an answer?

If you cannot find the answer to your question here please get in touch and we will help.

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