General Flashcards
Normalisation methods for tendering
1 - Use average of submitted costs
2 - Use the highest price
3 - Use cost plan allowance
What happens if contractor fails to issue interim payment application under D&B vs SBC in JCT
QS have to make an interim valuation under D&B and SBC if the contractor fails to issue a interim payment application
What is VE and does it always result in initial cost saving
VM - Process of defining value and what value means to the client in terms of cost quality and time
VE - Forms a process under VM the process of identifying items or methods to produce best value for the client
Value depends on each client time, cost and quality
What piled foundations are you aware of?
CFA Piles - Excavate and concrete poured simultaneously
Bored Piles - Excavated then concrete is poured after
Driven Piles - Pre cast piles driven into the ground creates noise and vibration not suitable for built up environments
Updates to Fire safety regulations?
Ban of combustible materials 11-18m residential
Sprinklers for buildings 11m+
Wayfinding signage for firefighters 11m+
Evacuation Alert Systems over 18m+
Second Staircases 30m+
What is Golden Thread?
Information is stored digitally showing the building is compliant with building regulations
Identify, understand and manage how the building mitigates fire risks
Purpose - Ensure design is recorded and any changes need formal review ensuring it meets building regulations
What are the Gateways to Golden Thread?
1 - Planning Application / Principal Designer
2 - Construction Phase / Principal Contractor
3 - Occupation / Accountable Person
Risks defined under NRM1
Design development risk ( unclear brief, unclear design team responsibilities, unrealistic design programme)
Construction risks ( underground obstructions, inadequate site investigations)
Employer change risk ( changes in design /impact on programme)
Employer other risk ( funding/inflation)
How did you know the cost plan was correct?
Benchmarked with similar schemes within London cost was £280-£400sqft and HRW was £360sqft
How to did you identify building inefficiencies?
Net to Gross 70% Lower range and 80% Higher range HRW was 78%
Wall to Floor (Lower the better)
0.5 Good and 0.6 above not as good
What on costs did you allow for in the cost plan?
Prelims 20%
OH&P 5%
Contingency 5% (Design development and risk allowance)
What did you exclude from cost plan?
VAT
Site fees
Design fees
Surveys/Reports
Changes in building regulations
Loose FF&E
Insurances under JCT
A - Contractor takes out and maintains joint names all risk insurance for new build
B - Employer takes out all risk insurance of the works for new build
C - Employer takes out all risk insurance for renovations/existing structures
What did tenderers submit as part of the first stage of the two stage
Construction programme
Prelims 15%
OH&P 3%
Pre Construction service / design fees
What does a PCSA do and what is the benefits?
Contractor can input into design process
Advise on buildability
Collaborative working from an early stage better understanding of the client
Where is there guidance on provisional sums
NRM2
What is JCT Tendering alternative 1 and 2 and where would this be stated?
The option would be stated in the instructions to tender
Alternative 1 - Contractor has to agree with errors or withdraw
Alternative 2 - Contractor given chance to amend errors
How did you understand clients objectives?
Scoring matrix was created
Time, cost and quality triangle
How do you benchmark?
Previous tender submissions
Contract sum allowance (CSA)
Building construction information services (BCIS)
SPONS
Market testing
Do you adjust rates when benchmarking?
Rates would need to be adjusted based on the base date of the cost plan I would look at Tender price indexes
Location factor - Costs in London and Leeds would be difference
What are suites of contracts under JCT
Standard
Intermediate
Minor works
Design and Build
Management contracting
Construction Management
JCT VS NEC Differences?
JCT - Building / NEC - Building and Civil engineering
JCT - Standard set of clauses / NEC - Bespoke
JCT - Variations/Change / NEC - Compensation event
JCT - Provisional Sums / NEC No provisional sums
JCT - Has QS identified / NEC Has project manager
JCT - Programme not a contractual document / NEC Programme contractual document
JCT - Payment in section 4 / NEC Payment in various sections
How are valuation payments certified calculated?
Gross - Retention - Previous certified to get net payment
Who does risk sit with in a D&B
Design responsibility is transferred to the contractor (client pays a premium)
Other risks would be agreed/discussed before entering contract
When does CDM regulations apply?
Work is longer than 30 days
More than 20 workers
Exceed 500 person days
Factors to consider when selecting dispute method?
Cost/Time/Reputation
Difference between Mediation and Conciliations
Conciliator will give suggestions/recommendations
Mediator acts as a messenger
5 Rules of Conduct?
1)M&F must be honest act with integrity and follow RICS obligations
2) M&F must maintain professional competence and ensure services are provided by competent individuals with the necessary expertise
3) M&F must provide good quality and diligent service
4)M&F must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
5)M&F must act in public interest and take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession
Examples of Rules of conduct?
1 - Conflict of interests / bribes
2 - Develop knowledge CPD / Complex valuation using senior surveyor to undertake rather than junior grad
3 - Understanding clients requirements/agreeing scope providing limitations/timescales
4 - RLB D&I events EID Black history month/Treat others with respect/ do not discriminate, bully or harass/ check supply chain doesn’t use modern slavery
Professional obligations for members
1) CPD Requirements 20 hours 10 must be formal
2)Cooperate with RICS
3) Provide information as reasonable requested to the standard regulation board
Professional obligations for firms
1) Complaints handling procedure
2) Professional indemnity cover
3) If sole principal arrangements need to be made in place for work to be continued due to their absence sickness or death
4) Cooperate with RICS
5) Provide information to RICS
6) Display business literature in accordance with RICS published policy designation
7) Report to RICS any matters under the Rules for registration for firms
Duty of care and client care difference?
Duty of care - responsibility towards client ensuring work is completed to a high standard
Client care - Going above and beyond
What is a composite window and what other items could you consider?
Composite windows - Made from two different materials typically timber and aluminum
UPV - UnPlasticised polyvinyl chloride
If you market tested, why was it so far out?
Overbudget due to inflation
Event occured which was Ukraine War causes a spike in various packages
Items such as steel surged 20-30%
Why was the VE products not affected by Ukraine war?
Products were not sourced abroad
VE products meet the functionality needed by the client at a lower cost
How did you assess and manage the cost at the 2nd stage to determine value for money?
Open book basis
Contractor would send costs from 3-4 different suppliers.
What is International property measurement standards?
Created to have consistency in measuring
Applies to four sectors
R-esidential
R-etail
I-ndustrial
O-ffice
How do you check accuracy of cost plans?
Benchmark against similiar schemes cost per sqft
Reconciliate against previous cost plan stage 2-3 check quants
Third party rights and Collateral warranty differences?
Third Party - Legislation (right of third party act)
Collateral warranty - A document which creates a contractual link between two parties
What happens if work is defected?
There is a defects liability period within the contract
Contractor has to amend within that time frame
Patent defects - discovered whilst inspecting site
Latent defects - Shows up later after a few months/years
How would you settle a final account?
All provisional sums would need to be expended and agreed
How do you administrate sectional completion and partial possession?
Sectional completion - Agreed within contract)
Partial Possession - Not agreed within contract , client has to ask contractor.
Retention is released upon completion certificate
Defect Liability begins
Liquidated damages reduced in proportion
Steel and concrete what’s cheaper?
Depends on the project and how much of each is required
What is a Z clause under JCT?
Special amendment to the contract
Fluctuations under JCT contract
A- Contribution, levy and tax fluctuations
B - Labour/material and tax
C- Formula adjustment
Liquidated damages list as NIL/0
0 - Means none stated
Blank/Nil - Can claim unliquidated damages has to be proven in court
Liquidated damages - Genuine pre estimate of financial lost suffered by client due to contractor not meeting completion date
How do you value materials off site?
Check if materials listed within the contract
Check against programme if items are due
Check the vesting certificate (transfer ownership of materials to client)
Check the items are stored safely, labelled with clients name and insured
How would you calculate risk
Cost impact and Probability
Quantitative - Costs
Qualitative - Impact/Likelihood
Monte Carlo - Simulation likeliness of impact/ expensive to use
Reviewing anticipated changes
Advantages of using a Design and Build?
Contractor input into the design can advise on buildability and use there expertise and experience
Transfers design risk to contractor
Overlap design and construction
Concrete vs Steel differences
Steel quicker to assemble less labour intensive unlike Concrete
Steel needs fire proofing , intumescent paint is sprayed on and expands when there is a fire concrete does not need fire proofing
Steel longer spans so more Net to Gross area less need for columns such as concrete
Concrete takes times to cure to reach its full strength
How would you measure concrete, rebar and formwork
Concrete measured as m3
Rebar measured as tonnes
Formwork measured as m
How do you assess variations under the valuation rules?
Using the rates and prices in the contract sum analysis where they are applicable and reasonable
If there are no applicable or reasonable rates or prices, variations should be valued using new rates or prices derived from the contract sum analysis or based on fair market rates or prices
If works are not comparable to CSA rates then daywork would have to be applied (Plant, labour, materials and OHP)
Modular Construction advantages/disadvantages
Advantages
Faster construction time and reduced site disruption
Improved quality control and reduced waste
Enhanced design flexibility and customization
Potential cost savings and environmental benefits
Disadvantages
Higher initial costs and transportation costs
Limited design options and standardization
Potential issues with site access and installation
Challenges with coordination and integration of services
What is the difference between a provisional sum and a prime cost sum in a contract?
A provisional sum is an allowance for work or costs that are not yet defined or certain at the time of tendering. A prime cost sum is an allowance for work or materials to be supplied by a nominated sub-contractor or supplier, excluding any profit or attendance by the main contractor.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Two-Stage design and build
Contractor is appointed in two stages
First stage, the contractor is selected based on their fee, preliminaries, overheads and profit, and their ability to develop the design and provide cost certainty.
In the second stage, the contractor finalises the design and tenders for the works packages, and agrees on a lump sum price with the employer. Some benefits of this method are
It allows an early start on site and an overlap between design and construction
It enables early contractor involvement and input into the design and buildability
It reduces the risk of design changes and variations during construction
It provides cost certainty and value engineering at an earlier stage Some drawbacks of this method are:
It requires a high level of trust and collaboration between the parties
It may result in higher tendering costs and longer tender periods
It may create uncertainty or disputes over the scope of works and responsibilities
It may reduce the employer’s control over the design quality and specification
What is the purpose of a schedule of areas in a cost plan?
A schedule of areas is a document that shows the breakdown of the gross internal floor area (GIFA) of a building into different functional areas, such as residential, retail, office, etc. It also shows the net internal area (NIA) and net lettable area (NLA) of each area. The purpose of a schedule of areas is to provide a basis for calculating the cost per m2 of each area and to compare the efficiency and performance of different buildings.
How do you advise the client on selecting the most appropriate method for their project?
To advise the client on selecting the most appropriate procurement method, I would first discuss with them their objectives and priorities in terms of time, cost, quality, and risk. I would then analyse the project characteristics, such as size, complexity, design responsibility, and market conditions. Based on these factors, I would present the client with the advantages and disadvantages of various procurement methods, such as traditional, design and build, management contracting, construction management. I would also provide examples of similar projects that have used these methods and their outcomes. I would then recommend the most suitable procurement method that meets the client’s needs and expectations
What are the main components of a contract sum analysis under the JCT Design and Build Contract 2016
A contract sum analysis is a document that shows the breakdown of the contract sum into different categories, such as preliminaries, overheads and profit, main works, provisional sums, prime cost sums, fluctuations, etc. It is used to provide transparency and clarity on how the contract sum is calculated and to facilitate valuation of variations and payments