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May 31, 2004

Role Of A Quantity Surveyor : Part I

INTRODUCTION

Its stated way back to the 17th century where the english started the job quantifying resources and there comes the occupation Quantity Surveyor(QS).

What is a QS?
What does a QS do?
Do they count bricks?

These are the usual questions they asked. Parents came to the open day, came forward to the Building Studies booth, mostly aquiring about Architecture but when the counsellors mentioned about QS, they will be like "QS? Whats that?". The job nature of a QS is secluded which deals with contracts(procurement), costs estimation, cost advisory, materials advisory and more.

Many had jumped into conclusion that QS are accountants or a brick counter. But they do way more than that and one thing, they ARE NOT accountants.

A QS usually assists the project manager, usually the Architect to advise the client on costs and materials offered. They studies the drawings from the architect and engineers to calculate the cost and quantities of materials, labour and hiring of plant & machineries. The consumption of materials, hire of workmanship and usage of plant must be at optimum to avoid wastages and also prevent from having unreasonable high costs.

They are then needed in the procurement system, which is the contractual system that largely affects the construction industry. The best procurement system should the QS advise to the client in a way to suit the management style and in the other way to have the client's money spent efficiently.

If the advisory cost plan for the client fails, should the QS provide an alternative route to achieve the requirements of the client. The reason behind is, QS offers time line or time structure of a certain project, where the budgeting and cost planning comes into place.

The job is not done yet, QS is there to evaluate the after construction costs to get the value of the project. If say the project initiated by the client or the design of the architect is too costly and the cost does not match the value reasonably, should the QS suggest an alternative and advice.

Read more on ISM, Career.edu.my

Posted by crooked at 06:00 AM | Comments (8)

May 28, 2004

Case I : Dana Harta

Ive recently indirectly get to experience some problems that are related to the problems Dana Harta is having. There is a townhouse project around OG Heights area, its a guarded community. My brother in law wanted to purchase a unit in that area.. which he had picked a unit.. it is from a first hand buyer but its new tho..

Upon paying the deposit.. by luck, my brother in law consulted a legal authority.. and found out that, the residential area is under Dana Harta, which the company had mortgaged the entire piece of land to the bank which makes it is impossible for future buyers to get housing loans to purchase units in that area.

Dana Harta is a company that is started by the government to deal with properties in the country to manage assets..

The above is their motto.. they should be performing WITH it.. not against it!!
It seems they are now troubling the public with these kind of unnecessary financial problems.. is this management system we are going to apply when we are coming out? what could be the possibly solution to this?

Some started to doubt whats the real function of Dana Harta.
Please do correct me where im wrong.

Posted by crooked at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)

World's Tallest Bridge

Many have heard lots of the 'est around the world which brought the whole construction technology into a new era and explores into the complexity of it.
France is going to open their almost complete World's Tallest Bridge over the Tarn River which is part of an expressway connecting nothern and southern Europe.

There is a familiar guy behind the design of this bridge, Norman Foster. The bridge costs around €260m ($300m) which will take approximately 75 years to collect back from bridge toll.

This has again made its name on its own and creates a 'monument' as tourist attraction as well as a step ahead in construction..

Read more on BBC News

Posted by crooked at 01:03 AM | Comments (19)

May 24, 2004

Deterioration of Construction Quality?

In today's paper, the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris has a part of their vaulted ceiling massively collapsed due to a reason that the technical officials will investigate thoroughly.

The question now is, who is to blame? The engineers? the project management ? or generally the developer will swallow the whole responsibility to cover up.

Read more on The Star and CNN


I remembered once, some Taiwanese apartment-like residentials collapsed and revealed that there are tins and cans inside the supposed-to-be reinforced concrete structure.. but instead of proper reinforcement bars, they used crackers' tins. What a world of constrcution is this? Even one of two similar cases could well enough plague the image of the professionals in this field...

Image taken from http://www.cnn.com

Posted by crooked at 03:22 AM | Comments (5)

May 22, 2004

Redang Fever

Some of us might have receive these pics from a forwarded mail as i did from a friend. The sceneries and atmosphere in this resort is so mesmerizing that gives me a resemblence of the majestic resort of Pangkor Laut. However, i have no idea where this is... there are no location attached with these photos in the mail.. anyone who knows where this is.. do let me know...

I want to go to these places!!! You can see the sea bed in the dining area in the chalet...
Its possible to see the sea creatures swimming below you even at night as it is litted.

While these are some images of Pangkor Laut...

The Sea Villas are built on stilts and spans over half the island. It is rated one of the best resorts in the world.. its kinda expensive tho..
These just make me more eager to go for a trip like this.. now im looking forward to end of the year for a full-scale vacation..! Anyone's up??

Feel free to visit --->http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/

Images taken from http://onlineimages.ytlhotels.com/RESORTS/PLR1/

Posted by crooked at 10:44 AM | Comments (9)

May 19, 2004

the ghost of you

I have since wondered, why would the star is right above us, why is the sun rises and falls, why do we have feelings and such a complex one? yet, i still have an answer.

Exams over, assignments are all handed in. My second last semester in Taylors has just ended.. abruptly. Many says this semester seems to be the shortest semester as holidays interupts the academic week by week by week. Ended up, it seems we only have barely 12 weeks of lectures and classes. Usually, towards the holidays, the inner fire seems to be very hot and strong.. but it seems to be cold this time.. boredom, loneliness fills the air around... its so gloomy and dark... however its kinda dry.. it might be a good thing? i might be able to find my way our of this... this.. cave!!

Things do happen.. either way.. bad or good, negative or positive, however, at one moment, i just feel lost...i dropped into a well.. which i had not visited since 2 years ago.. but this time, i might realize myself earlier.. and prevent myself from dropping further. Too many things happened at the same time.. and it is still going on.. which really really strain myself.. into the realm of misery...

There are lots of things to be solved out there.. those mysteries out there remain untouched.. its so mysterious and risky to go forward.. would i go? or should i ask... must i go? Once i pose this question, lots of answers keep pouring in... who should i listen to? my own instincts? haha.. nevermind me, im lost again..

I realize that constant pouring of positive factors sometimes isnt good, its the same case of drugs overdosage. Too much is not good... do you agree on this?

Posted by crooked at 11:14 AM | Comments (9)

May 16, 2004

In the waters

Its been a busy month...for the past 4 weeks, its been only WORK in our head..of a total 6 subjects, 8 assignments consists of both group and individual work. Has been in the stress and pressurized atmosphere but all in all, its over. Presently, its only left the finals examination in two days' time

However, it doesnt mean that this coming exam is pressure free.. it consists of 60% of the total marks!! adding, the results for this sem is kinda important cause its used to apply for universities.. sigh.. talking about universities, im still in doubt where to go..but my dream to go to Loughborough University is fading away due to the high exchange rate of sterling. But seriously studying in UK is really a new and wild experience!!

That is the university issues, the thinkings and considerations are yet to be decided. Holidays are here.. but should i go for training? or just find a nice job? or stay at home enjoy? (i doubt lol) guess its another month of work i guess...

Posted by crooked at 02:03 AM | Comments (7)

May 07, 2004

Why Cry?

Its weird to see lots of couples, old, young and newly weds, they were once friends, neighbours or even enemies or rivals.. but fate and love pulls them together and for one purpose - lead a harmonious and wonderful life ahead. Each of them are unique and the special bond ties them up with just one single word.. passion.

They could match and mix together well and understands each other eventho they arent from the same family background, bringing up conditions and personalities...

I envy lots of those couples that are loving and care so much for each other where they sacrifices so much to treasure what they have.. its so special and gives such a nice and warm feeling to me. However, some are just too greedy and unrationally just leave their partners away.. just like that... its so hurt!!

Im not that lucky that i have someone to care for me until that level so treasure those who are in front of you!!!!

Posted by crooked at 02:11 AM | Comments (12)

May 04, 2004

The End of Pirate's Plank

Its time where exams, assignments due and so on. It seems everyone is rushing for their work, studying and preparing for their exams. So are we.

Usually based on what normally relates to Pirate's walk on the plank is a death punishment in the world of piracy long time ago. but here, im trying to make it positive and links back to Redang trip back a month ago. Some of us jumped into the water from the anchored boat to snorkel.. with the plank as the assignments/work we are rushing, jumping into the water is paradise and relaxation!!! =)

So be prepared for the holidays and enjoy!!!

Posted by crooked at 05:08 AM | Comments (4)