Property World #23: A More Effective Approach to Pricing Construction Projects with Uniform Coding and Measurement Standards

Estimating construction projects using Building Information Modeling (BIM) software significantly improves efficiency and results in improved value for clients. BIM provides three-dimensional building models and maps specific components to material, labor and equipment cost data. This sophisticated process is seeing more use in projects each quarter.

In an exclusive RICS Americas Property World podcast, Andrew Mann FRICS, Managing Director for U.S. operations of Gardiner and Theobald Inc., explains the classifications of projects that utilize BIM, and how to produce the basic documentation for bidding on projects. As a construction economist and expert in project and cost management, with particular experience in large construction projects, Mr. Mann shares best practice from project estimating throughout the development activities.

Property World #22: In the United States, foreclosures are preventing price gains in housing market

According to the RICS Global Real Estate Weekly Comment, in the United States, foreclosures are preventing price gains in housing market. Existing home sales increased 6.8 percent in March and RICS suspects the April figures will continue this positive trend on the back of better pending home sales.

Property World #21: Challenges and solutions in managing construction of the World Trade Center Memorial

A number of RICS member firms were selected to manage the construction of the World Trade Center Memorial, including Bovis Lend Lease Ltd., a global firm operating in 30 countries. In a brief interview with RICS Americas, Colin Parkes, MRICS, of Bovis Lend Lease's New York office, discusses some of the exceptional features of the Memorial as well as the challenges he's encountered in managing the project.