Design & Specification

Question 1

What makes up a Specification

Answer 1

1. Prelims
2. Material & Workmanship
3. Schedule of Works

Question 2

What are in the Prelims

Answer 2

“Preliminaries provide a description of a project that allows a contractor to assess costs which whilst they do not form a part of any package of works”

• Testing
• Management and Staff
• Site establishment
• Temporary Services
• Security
• Insurance
• Party Wall Requirements
• Testing
• Need for Building Notice
• Type of Contract
• Dispute Resolution Procedures

Question 3

What is the difference between Provisional Sum and Prime Cost

Answer 3

“they both relate to estimates made for certain costs in the absence of exact figures”

((Prime Cost Sum)) - an allowance for the supply of work or materials to be provided by a SUB CONTRACTOR or SUPPLIER that will be nominated by the CLIENT.

((Provisional Sum))- an allowance usually estimated by a cost consultant, for a specific element of the works that is not yet defined in enough detail for tendered to accurately price.

DEFINED - Have been described in sufficient detail (i.e Brick Repairs)

UNDEFINED- less well described as they refer to work which is not completely designed (EOT/ additional payment sort when actual works are undertaken)

Question 4

What specification of mortar did you use ? What are the risk if you use a hard mortar to point soft brickwork ?

Answer 4

• 1:4 Cement / Sand
• Pointing allows the bricks to breathe
• Hard cement prevents this and causes water saturation (eventually sprawling)
• NHL 2.5 Natural Hydraulic Lime Mortar is best ?