ELEMENT METHOD OF COST CONTROL
Authors: Khan Tareef Hayat 
Published: October 2023

The ‘Element method of Cost Control’ introduces a hierarchical set of functional building elements. There are two groups of elements in building construction. The space delimiting elements are the elements, which are able to define spaces such as roofs, walls, floors etc. The space equipping elements are those, which furnish the space such as sanitary, electrical or air-conditioning elements. The elements are then sub divided into sub elements such as ground floor, curtain wall, internal wall etc. The first step of this method is to define each and every element as independently as possible. Late it it becomes feasible to select different solutions for sub elements without affecting the others. The main objective of this hierarchical system is to ‘create the possibility to obtain a large variety of solutions by combining parts’. The next step includes ‘Codification’. Each and every time in the element is codified for the regularization of the method and form the application in a computer model. The items can comprise its values from an authorized database of cost for example ‘schedule of rates’ can be used. The analysis is carried out beginning from the database. This database is used in the elaboration of the spreadsheets of each sub element. The spreadsheet for every individual sub element comprises detailed specification from the detailed drawings. As rates are linked with the database, a ‘Bill-of-Quantity’ is easily deducted from the spreadsheets. If, following this estimation, the project is within the budgetary constraints, the process can continue with phases like preparing specification, calling for tender etc. If not, the problematic part of revising major options of the project parts (macro elements, elements, sub-elements) is eased down by changing certain specifications. As they are all linked to he database with unit rates for construction costs, the whole process taken only minutes. The second important constraint other than budgetary, is the design constraint. The Architect’s job is to decide between different design alternatives for a particular project and select the one, which is the best. Always the best one is not the most economical one. The presence of the spreadsheet allows the architect to develop designs and simultaneously check the effect on the total cost. In certain circumstances, it helps the architect to decide the best cost-effective design solution. Another very important advantage of this element method is that it helps to make reliable predictions starting from the first phase of the design process and can be used when the project is being implemented. So cost - checking is not postponed for the time of completion of the project. The advantage of making a model is that we can easily understand the links between other elements of construction such as time and production. The more all those aspects are integrated in one bigger model, the more specific the model becomes. As a consequence, the model will never be suited to another context. But it eventually serves two main purposes: to enhance the insights in all those cross-links and to stimulate the elaboration of integrated models appropriate for a given context. Keywords: Element Method, Parametric models, Space delimiting elements, space equipping elements, codification, budgetary constraint, design constraint, schedule of rates.