NBC2006 Assessment 2 Help: VU Professional Estimating BOQ Guide
Quick answer
NBC2006 Professional Estimating is a 12-credit-point undergraduate unit at Victoria University (VU) in Melbourne, part of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours). It has three tasks: an individual assignment on girth calculations and contours (25%), a group project measuring and pricing a case study building and preparing bills of quantities under the Australian Standard Method of Measurement (50%), and an individual viva (25%). Most marks sit in the group bill of quantities, so accurate measurement, clear dimension sheets and defensible rates matter most.
NBC2006 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unit | NBC2006 Professional Estimating, Victoria University |
| Level and credit | Undergraduate, 12 credit points |
| Course | Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) |
| Prerequisite | NBC1113 Measurement and Estimating (or approved equivalent) |
| Assessment 1 | Individual assignment, 25%: girth calculations, contours and mapping for measurement |
| Assessment 2 | Group project, 50%: measure and price building elements of a case study and prepare BOQs under the ASMM |
| Assessment 3 | Individual viva, 25%: presentation and questions on measuring and estimating the case study |
| Key reference | Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (published with the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) |
Details come from VU's published unit page; weights and task wording can change by study block, so check your brief and VU Collaborate.
Section-by-section approach hints
Assessment 1: girths, contours and mapping
This task tests whether you can turn drawings and site levels into reliable quantities. Two methods carry most of the marks.
Centreline girth. For strip footings and walls, quantities are taken along the centreline. For a simple rectangle measured to external faces, the centreline girth equals the external perimeter minus four times the width of the element, because each corner is otherwise counted twice.
Worked method example (not an answer): Invented building, external dimensions 12.0 m by 8.0 m, trench 0.6 m wide and 0.9 m deep. External perimeter = 2 x (12.0 + 8.0) = 40.0 m. Centreline girth = 40.0 - (4 x 0.6) = 37.6 m. Excavation volume = 37.6 x 0.6 x 0.9 = 20.30 m3. Show each step on a dimension sheet (timesing, dimension, squaring, description) so a marker can follow it. For L-shaped or recessed plans, break the outline into rectangles or adjust for internal corners, and explain the adjustment in a note.
Contours and cut and fill. Overlay a grid on the site plan, read existing and design levels at each grid point, and calculate depth of cut or fill. For a grid square, a common approximation is the average of the four corner depths multiplied by the square's area. Example with invented depths of 0.4, 0.6, 0.5 and 0.3 m on a 10 m by 10 m square: average 0.45 m, volume 45 m3. State whether you allowed for bulking and which method your lecturer prefers.
Assessment 2: group BOQ project (50%)
Agree on roles early. A practical split is substructure and siteworks, superstructure and finishes, services and preliminaries, with one member as checker and editor. Use one shared take-off template and one set of rate assumptions so the final bill reads as a single document.
| Stage | What to produce | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Read the documents | List of drawings, specification sections, scope notes | Record drawing numbers and revisions you used |
| Take-off | Dimension sheets or measurement software output by element | Follow ASMM units and measurement rules for each trade |
| Descriptions | Item descriptions that match ASMM conventions | Describe what, where and how, so pricing is unambiguous |
| Abstract and bill | Quantities collected and rounded into the BOQ | Cross-check totals against your sheets |
| Pricing | Build-up rates for labour, plant, materials and waste | Show the source of each rate (quote, cost guide, assumption) |
| Preliminaries and margin | Site establishment, supervision, insurance, overheads, profit | Price as time-related or fixed items with reasons |
| Tender summary | Trade summary and total tender price | Add a short note on risks and exclusions |
A rate build-up is where groups lose marks. Present it in a small table: for example, invented concrete placement rate per m3 = material (with a waste allowance) + labour (crew hours x hourly rate / output) + plant (pump hire / volume placed). Explain each assumption in one line.
Assessment 3: individual viva (25%)
Expect questions on your own section and on the method overall: why a quantity is measured in a particular unit, how you handled a measurement rule, how a rate was built up, and what would change the tender price. Prepare a one-page summary of your section with key quantities and assumptions, and practise explaining one calculation from start to finish without notes. Markers also look at your contribution to the group, so keep your own take-off sheets and meeting notes.
Common mistake
Measuring from the wrong drawing revision or mixing units (m2 in one trade, m in another for the same item). Markers check a sample of items against the drawings, and one systematic error can affect many lines. Agree on a revision list and a unit table before anyone starts measuring.
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How assessors judge NBC2006
| What is checked | Where it shows up | How to reach the top band |
|---|---|---|
| Reading drawings and conventions | Assessments 1 and 2 | Correct interpretation of architectural, structural and contour information |
| Accurate quantities | Assessments 1 and 2 | Clear dimension sheets, correct girths and volumes, consistent units |
| ASMM compliance | Assessment 2 | Descriptions and units follow the standard method |
| Pricing and judgement | Assessment 2 | Rate build-ups with sources; reasoned preliminaries and margin |
| Communication | Assessments 2 and 3 | Professional BOQ layout; confident explanation to technical and non-technical audiences |
| Teamwork | Assessments 2 and 3 | Visible individual contribution and coordinated final document |
Pre-submission checklist
- ☐ Drawing numbers and revisions are listed
- ☐ Every quantity traces back to a dimension sheet
- ☐ Units and descriptions follow the ASMM
- ☐ Centreline girths and cut and fill calculations are shown step by step
- ☐ Each rate has a build-up and a source
- ☐ Preliminaries, overheads and profit are priced and explained
- ☐ Group contribution record is complete
- ☐ Viva summary sheet is ready
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NBC2006 answer hints and sample structure
There is no NBC2006 answer to copy: case study projects change, and markers check quantities against your drawings. A clear structure for the group report helps more:
| Section | Suggested share of effort | Linked task |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction, documents used, assumptions | 10% | Assessment 2 |
| Take-off sheets by element (appendix) | 30% | Assessment 2 |
| Bill of quantities by trade | 25% | Assessment 2 |
| Rate build-ups and pricing notes | 20% | Assessment 2 |
| Preliminaries, margin and tender summary | 10% | Assessment 2 |
| Risks, exclusions and reflection on method | 5% | Assessment 2 and viva preparation |
Follow any page or word limits in your brief, and keep the BOQ itself in the format your lecturer provides.
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Frequently asked questions
What is NBC2006 at Victoria University?
NBC2006 Professional Estimating is a 12-credit-point VU unit in the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) that builds on NBC1113 Measurement and Estimating and covers measurement, the ASMM, bills of quantities and tender pricing.
How is NBC2006 assessed?
According to VU's unit page: an individual assignment (25%), a group project preparing bills of quantities (50%) and an individual viva (25%). Check your brief for current details.
What is a centreline girth?
It is the length measured along the centre of a wall or footing. For a simple rectangle measured externally, it equals the external perimeter minus four times the element width.
What is the ASMM?
The Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works sets the rules, units and descriptions used to measure building work for bills of quantities in Australia.
Can I use measurement software?
The unit description includes computer measurement software, so it is usually allowed, but you must still show your measurements clearly and follow your lecturer's instructions.
How do I prepare for the NBC2006 viva?
Know your own section's quantities and rates, practise explaining one calculation fully, and be ready to say how changes in scope or rates would affect the tender price.
Can a tutor help with NBC2006?
A tutor can explain measurement rules and rate build-ups and give feedback on your own take-off, but the quantities and report you submit must be your group's own work.
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Academic integrity note: This guide explains methods and structure for learning purposes. It is not a completed assessment and must not be submitted as your own work. Under the TEQSA Act, providing or advertising academic cheating services is illegal in Australia, so our support is limited to tutoring, feedback on your own drafts and proofreading. Always follow your provider's rules on referencing and the use of AI tools.