Specifics of determination of budgeted costs at the construction enterprise

The artcle is dedicated to the features of the budgeted costs calculation at the construction enterprise with the use of three techniques of establishment of budgeted costs (on mechanisms, on work, on materials) which are systematized in the Technique of the use of the budget prices (costs) for the construction resources, approved by the order of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation, known as the "Technique 77". The author summarizes that the cost estimate has both general elements (the rules of regulation), and depends on the object and the subject of regulation.

Assessment of Construction Project Cost Estimating Accuracy in Egypt

Background: The accuracy of the cost estimate is a key success factor for any construction project. It is the base for an effective tendering process. It can also be considered as the cornerstone of the cost control process. Objective: This paper aims to develop a model that can be used to assess the expected cost estimating accuracy of construction projects. This model is named as Construction Cost Estimate Accuracy Index (CCEAI). Methods: A questionnaire survey that contains fifteen factors clustered into four categories was carried out among 90 experts based on the construction cost estimate. Only sixty-six questionnaires were returned. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to identify the relative weights of the different cost estimates. Results: The questionnaire results were analyzed using the AHP technique to calculate the relative weight for each of the input factors and categories. A Construction Cost Estimating Accuracy Assessment model (CCEAI) was developed based on the calculated relative weights. Then, three projects were used as case study applications to check the validity of the proposed model. The results showed that the CCEAI model is greatly reliable in predicting the expected accuracy of the cost estimate. Conclusion: The results of this research and the developed model are very important and can be considered as a powerful tool to predict and improve the expected accuracy of any future construction cost estimate.

Economic effectiveness of cost indicators of land expertise activities

The article discusses the establishment of the actual costs of land surveying expertise in the Russian Federation nowadays. The standard indicators of the cost in a typical land management examination for state forensic institutions of the Russian Federation were determined in this paper. The actual calculation of the cost estimate for the land management examination was made here as well by example of the division of a land plot for land share allocation in accordance with the title documents of the owner. The potential economic benefit of expert institutions (commercial allowance of organizations) was calculated in this paper as well.

Strategies to Improve Conceptual Cost Estimates Accuracy of Flyover Development in the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta

This study identifies the dominant factors in the conceptual cost estimate process of flyover development in the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta that affect accuracy, based on the relationship model between the conceptual cost estimation process of flyover development in the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta with the accuracy. Furthermore, this study also develops strategies to improve the accuracy based on the dominant factors. Two parts of the method are used in this study. The first method is to obtain the dominant factors in estimating the conceptual cost of flyover development in the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, which affects accuracy using the SEM-PLS method, which involved 151 respondents. Second, the method to obtain strategies to improve accuracy based on these dominant factors, using the gap analysis. The result shows that four dominant factors affect accuracy: information quality, project definition, cost information, and project characteristics. Improving strategies are obtained based on those identified dominant factors. The finding of this study suggests that these strategies can be compiled into the guideline of the conceptual cost estimate process, which can be a tool to assist relevant agency personnel in carrying out the stages in the process of conceptual cost estimation of flyover development.

Solar Power: Stellar Profit or Astronomic Cost? A Case Study of Photovoltaic Installations under Poland’s National Prosumer Policy in 2016–2020

In Poland, the development of photovoltaic (PV) installations is an important element in the development of the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) sector and supports the prosumer power industry. The purpose of the article is to present a case study of the PROSUMENT program. It analyzes the data available to date on the development of the PV market in Poland. Apart from the costs of installing the PV systems, the article analyzes the profitability of investment for different micro-power installation capacities. A calculation for micro-power installations subsidized under the PROSUMENT program for various PV capacities is presented, along with the actual amount of the subsidy. The adopted calculation methodology is a comparative verification analysis of the investment cost estimate for a for the two studied PV facilities, i.e., Micro-power installation 1 and Micro-power installation 2. The building’s annual energy demand was adopted at the same level for both examples, with fixed active energy and distribution fees. The study includes a cost estimate for installing the PV systems and the profitability of the investments for various micro-power installation capacities. The analysis of the subsidy under the PROSUMENT program demonstrated that, in the analyzed period of 2016–2020, the best results were achieved by investments with a capacity of 10 kWp. In terms of the net subsidy value, the best results ranged between 27.20 and 19.10% of the total investment costs. Development of the Polish prosumer power market requires building public awareness of prosumer power production as an opportunity for the growth of the Polish economy.

18. Experts and Expert Evidence

This chapter focuses on the role of experts in civil actions. It considers when expert support is needed—whether as part of the evidence submitted in the action or as part of the advice sought to prepare the client’s case or perhaps for both situations. It discusses the role that the expert will take in both of the situations identified; when permission of the court is needed to engage and submit expert evidence in the action; the need to provide a cost estimate of using an expert and the costs consequences for the client in engaging expert evidence; the management and suitable direction of steps taken in advising clients and proceeding with an action to meet the court’s overall discretion to control the evidence; and the important matters to consider in engaging an expert and in managing several experts in a case.

Sustainable Practices Improving the University Campus: Feasibility of A Photovoltaic System

This article aimed to discuss the principles of sustainability applied to the built environment, highlighting the importance of universities as replicators of these practices. To respond to a demand from the campus for more security in the energy supply, the work proposes the implementation of a solar photovoltaic energy system. For this, it carried out an economic viability analysis through bibliographic review activities, characterization of the study area, dimensioning of photovoltaic systems, budgets, cost analysis and payback calculation. The research evaluated the system’s implementation considering two energy demands, for the entire campus and for a smaller building. It was found that the CSL-UFSJ consumes, on average, 27,300.38 kWh, at a cost of US$ 2,736. Thus, an annual savings of US$ 32,833 is calculated. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 139,784 for the implementation of the system. The return on investment time was calculated for 4.3 and 4.9 years considering simple and discounted Payback respectively.It is estimated that the consumption of the DECEB building is 13,187.1 kWh with a cost of US$ 1,322 per month, which results in an annual savings of US$ 15,860. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 40.601 for the implementation of the system and values of 4.3 and 4.9 years were obtained as return on investment time considering the calculations for simple and discounted Payback, respectively. The research demonstrates that the implementation of the photovoltaic solar energy generation system is feasible for both cases analyzed.