Module name

Introduction to Building
Surveying
Module code
BSU4BSU
Assignment
1
Level
4
Programme start month and April 2016
year
Assignment due time and
10.00 a.m. (UK time),
date
Wednesday 17 August 2016
Pass mark
40
Word count
2,500

Learning outcomes
Code

Description

A1

identify the fundamental issues associated with the design of building work for
both new construction and the adaption of existing buildings, and relate this to
performance across the lifecycle

A2

demonstrate the ability to develop specification details for a range of simple

development works

A3

describe the key issues relating to the maintenance of buildings

B1

describe the theoretical and practical knowledge in relation to the design,

adaption, maintenance and specification of works in building projects

B2

apply and use appropriate terminology to communicate to other professionals in

the building lifecycle

C1

recognise and discuss the critical aspects of development and maintenance of

buildings detailing the role of building surveying

D1

demonstrate a systematic and structured approach to analysis and decisionmaking

D2

identify effective communication and collaboration strategies with relevant

stakeholders within the development and maintenance of buildings

Scenario
You are a Chartered Building Surveyor working for a medium-sized, RICS-regulated building surveying
company. The company has been asked to give initial advice to a private client regarding their purchase of
a commercial building.
The client is acquiring the building as an investment and will retain the freehold of the building and let it out
either to a single tenant or multiple tenants. The client wants to refurbish the building externally to ensure it
is windtight and watertight, and refurbish it both externally and internally to make it more attractive to
potential tenants and maximise the amount of rent that can be charged. Their finances, however, are not
unlimited and expenditure needs to be carefully considered.

Task
For the purposes of the assignment, use the building in which you work as an example to study (or another
suitable building with which you are familiar if this is not practical). Imagine this building is empty and has
been marketed for sale for some time. Your client has made an offer to purchase, subject to contract, and
wishes you to inspect and report with your professional assessment of the building, taking into account their
plans for it, if successful with the purchase.
Whilst an in-depth building survey is not required, the client wants a report on various aspects of the
building. Prepare a report for your client to cover the following:
a. Describe the position, location and orientation of the building and the likely effects of these factors
on use. For example, are there any future maintenance issues resulting from the buildings
orientation, or any environmental issues such as the proximity of rivers, any noise factors or
industrial pollution?
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b. Describe the type of building, its age and the nature of its construction. For example, does it have
any structural framing and cladding or is it more traditionally constructed; what provides the
structural support; and, what materials is it made from? Describe, for example, the construction of
the roof and its covering, how rainwater is drained, and comment on the nature of the windows and
doors.
c. Describe briefly whether you think there may be planning issues; for example, if it is a listed
building, situated in a conservation area, the affect of nearby development sites, etc. Identify any
areas of work to the building you have suggested which may require planning permission and
advise the client on the procedure to be followed.
d. Describe any alterations that have been made to the building or extensions that have been built
their age, construction and purpose.
e. Comment on the design of the building and its suitablity for use; for example, any alterations which
could be made to make it more flexible and desirable, and therefore, improve its value.
f. Highlight any issues there may be with deleterious materials, if any, and what impact these may
have on occupation of the building and its refurbishment.
g. Highlight any issues there may be in relation to Building Regulations and other relevant legislation,
particularly to do with fire safety and accessibility, and what impact these may have on occupation
of the building and its refurbishment.
h. At the end of your report, explain briefly what your companys services are and what it could offer
your client going forward, relating to the advice you have already given.
i. Use appendices to include a location plan, any photographs you consider relevant to highlight the
location of the building, its construction, any defects in the building, and issues relating to
compliance with legislation, such as poor access, or anything you believe is relevant to your client.
Photographs should be relevant and reference the report.
These instructions are not exhaustive and you are free to role-play and include any matters you think are
important. Seek the permission of the office manager/owner of your place of work or the building you use
before using and photographing it. If photography is impossible, then include a mitigating paragraph at the
beginning of the script for the attention of the tutor.
The report should be fully-referenced with a bibliography/references included as an appendix.

Your answer should show that you have:

adhered to a written report format, role-playing as a professional adviser to a client and

understanding the role of a chartered building surveyor in the scenario;
covered all the points set out in the task, where they are relevant to your chosen building, and show
that you have fully considered the issues involved and sought solutions;
referred to appropriate theory and practice contained both within the study material for the module
and within your wider research, and observations of the property and surrounding area. Use the
study material as the main source of information and then any other relevant sources to illustrate
your work.

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Marking criteria

1. STRUCTURE, PRESENTATION and

GRAMMAR

There should be a clear analysis of the

issues you raise in your report.
These need to be carefully evaluated in
relation to the clients requirements,
compliance with legislation and cost
considerations.

510

1115

Some attention
paid to the
structure and
organisation/cohere
nce.

Limited discussion.
Evidence of
discussion.
Did not comply with
report format
Report format
requirement.
needed developing
with greater crossreferencing.

25

07

818

Limited relevance
Addressed the
to the area of study aims of the area of
and practice.
study with some
originality and
creativity.
Does not meet
requirements or
focus of the
question(s).
25

07
Answer was based
on standard texts
with no real
application to the
requirements of the
task.

The report must reflect evidence

obtained from within and outside the
UCEM material.
The report must show an understanding
of the areas of reading and application
to the scenario and task described, not
just repetition of these texts.
Wider research and reading should
inform and challenge your
understanding and this should be
reflected in your answer.

4. ANALYSIS and INTERPRETATION

04
Poor organisation
and structure.

Answers need to clearly show you have

applied learning materials shown to you
during the teaching of the module and
as set out in the Module Descriptor.
Specific requirements relating to the
brief and application to professional
practice as would be representative of
an RICS-Regulated firm and a
Chartered Building Surveyor.

3. KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING

INFORMED BY READING

15

The report must be clearly structured

and presented, and be in a professional
report format.
The introduction must state the name of
the client, name of the surveyor, details
of the inspection and purpose of the
report.
The report should be in a coherent and
structured format.
There should be cross-referencing of
material contained in the appendices to
support justification of the content of
these appendices.

2. CONTEXT

Marking

score

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
MARKING GUIDE

Weighting
%

LEVEL 4

25

07
Wholly or mainly
descriptive. No
objective analysis
of the issues or
understanding of
how these relate to

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Good structure,
presentation and
coherently expressed.
Report sections clearly
linked and logical
progression.
Report format provides
a client perspective
and sets the context
well with crossreferencing to support
findings and
recommendations.
1925
Clearly relevant.
Original and creative
with a clear reference
to professional
practice.

Applied to practice.
Meets some of the Clearly meets all the
requirements of the requirements of the
question(s).
question(s).
818

1925

Signs of reading
around the subject,
with some
application to the
tasks and has
some
understanding of
how the areas of
reading relate to
the task.

Articulate and fluent.

Clear link to referenced
evidence outside
UCEM material that
supports section 4.
Clear understanding of
the texts that have
been read and good
ability to relate these to
the task set.
Requirements of
question(s) clearly
answered by the
evidence.
1925

818
Shows some
critical thinking and
the beginnings of
synthesis and
evaluation relating
to the objectives of

Well-integrated study
with clear evidence of
critical
analysis/synthesis, and
evaluation relating to
the objectives of the

Page 4 of 6

5. REFERENCING and BIBLIOGRAPHY

the clients
requirements.

These should lead to clear conclusions

and recommendations for your client to
consider so that your client is aware of
any options there may be.

All key sources must be cited and a

consistent and accurate use of the
Harvard referencing system must be
maintained.
A separate reference list and
bibliography should be provided.

10

04

the client, the

issues found and
the relevance of
these having
considered the
options available.

client, the issues found

and the relevance of
these having
considered the options
available.

57

810

Main key sources

not cited.

Most sources cited All key sources cited.

using an accepted
referencing system. Consistent and
Limited or no use of
accurate use of an
an accepted
accepted referencing
referencing system.
system.
TOTAL

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Submission of assignments
Online

You may submit your assignment online through the VLE. Refer to the Online submission
guidelines (Go to Student support > Student services > Coursework team > Assignment
information).

You will need to be familiar with these guidance notes prior to the submission deadline. Please note
that it is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment is successfully received on time.

By post

You may submit your assignment by post at any time up to and including the due date. Please
complete a coursework submission form and staple it to your assignment.

You must retain proof of postage until after you have received the marked assignment.

Please refer to the submission guidance on the VLE for more information.

Word count
The overall word length for this assignment should be within 10% either way from the stated word count.
You may incur a penalty if you exceed the upper value. You must state the total number of words used at
the end of your assignment; however, the content of appendices and references/bibliographies may be
excluded from your word count.
Warning
Plagiarising someone elses work, whether copying from the internet, UCEM study materials, a textbook, a
fellow student or elsewhere, is a serious offence. Before you submit your work for assessment, you must
check it to ensure that you have fully cited within the text all the sources of information you have used and
that all your sources are listed in a reference section at the end of your submission. Quoted text must not
be excessive in length. You will find guidance on correct citing and referencing in The Harvard System
The UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation in the Study skills section on the VLE.
Be aware that your work may be checked using anti-plagiarism software. If plagiarism is identified, this will
result in a severe penalty ranging from loss of all or part of the mark to exclusion from your course.

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