Mock Questions Flashcards
What is ratio analysis?
A way of understanding a companies liquidity by analysing its financial records and statements.
What are Liquidity Ratios?
Evaluate and business’ efficiency to settle its debts
What are Solvency Ratios?
Examines a companies ability to meet its long term debts and obligations
What percentages would you say are attributed to pipework, units and ductwork in a VRF system?
40% outdoor units (condensing units)
30% pipework
30% Indoor units (fan coil units)
What is SWOT analysis?
A study undertaken by an organisation to identify its internal strengths and weaknesses.
S - Strengths
W - Weaknesses
O - Opportunities
T - Threats
What is PESTLE analysis?
A study into the key external factors that influence an organisation
P - Political
E - Economic
S - Social
T - Technical
L - Legal
E - Environmental
What are SMART goals?
It’s a framework to use when defining goals.
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Relevant
T - Time-bound
Why were there several provisional sums included in the contract sum for Devonshire Square? Once they are expended, how would you show this in the cost report?
(Project finance and cost reporting)
- Expect them to be instructed
- Moved them from provisional sums to instructions
On Silbury House, how did the contractor’s cashflow compare with your own? What did this indicate?
(Project finance and cost reporting)
Their cashflow included for the design risk to be paid earlier in the contract rather then proportioned across the project. So, my cashflow showed less upfront costs.
Could indicate:
- Front loading
What can you include in a cost report to show a client any potential costs that may arise?
(Project finance and cost reporting)
Risks and expected instructions
Talk me through a sustainable technology that has been implemented on your project and how it works
(Sustainability)
- Light is absorbed and causes electrons to move
- Loose electrons flow, creating an electrical current
- The electrical current is captured and transferred to wires` through a solar inverter. Then into the building.
https://www.energysage.com/solar/solar-photovoltaic-cells/
In your experience, what impact does BREEAM have on cost?
(Sustainability)
BREAAM will always have an impact on the cost of the project, however the impact of this cost can be mitigated by designing for BREEAM early in the RIBA stages.
Give me an example of when conflict arose on a project and how you dealt with it.
(Conflict Avoidance)
On Silbury House the contractor and I disagreed on how to expend the design risk. So I managed the negotiation by:
- meeting face to face
- listening to their perspectives
- presenting my own arguments
- coming to a compromise and agreement
- recording that agreement in an email
What would you expect to find in a business plan?
(Business Planning)
- Turnover and growth
- Outlook on the sector
- New sectors to move into
- Risk analysis
- Implementation procedures e.g. staff training and investments
What are the six principles of GDPR?
(Data Management)
- Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
- Accuracy
- Integrity and confidentiality
- Data minimisation
- Storage limitation
- Purpose limitation
How do you keep client’s data confidential?
(Data Management)
Encrypt folders so that only those with access can see the project information.
What is unconscious bias? Can you give me an example?
(Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking)
Social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.
E.g. a group of graduates in the office suffering from peoples biases about their age for example.
What are the RIBA stages?
Stage 0: Strategic Definition.
Stage 1: Preparation and Briefing.
Stage 2: Concept Design.
Stage 3: Spatial Coordination.
Stage 4: Technical Design.
Stage 5: Manufacturing and Construction.
Stage 6: Handover.
Stage 7: Use.
Can you give me an example of how Part M of building regulations gives guidance on designing buildings for inclusion?
(Inclusive Environments)
On DSQ office fit out we are looking at adding a ramp for access from one floor plate to another. Because part M offers guidance around the ramp gradients, we are looking at the implications of adding multiple runs to the ramp.
Can you list the different Dispute Resolution methods?
(Contract Practice)
In JCT the contractual methods are mediation, arbitration, and adjudication. Arbitration is he default.
There is also negotiation, conciliation, and litigation.
Can you name some major updates in the JCT 2024 Standard form?
(Contract Practice)
- Actively encourages collaborative working
- Includes legislative changes including the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA)
- New insolvency grounds added to section 8
The JCT also released a new standard form of contract in 2024. What is it?
(Contract Practice)
Target Cost Contract
A contractor just filed for administration: Can you advise me as a client on what to do next contractually?
(Contract Practice)
- It is in the client’s right to terminate the contract
- Stop payment of any additional sums due to the contractor
- Notional final account
- Suspend works
- Liability for expenses incurred as a result of the termination is passed to the contractor
- Call the performance bond
- Secure the site
- Novate works to a replacement contractor.
What information would you expect to be provided with for a Stage 3 or 4 cost plan?
(Cost Planning)
- Full design pack containing site plan, GA’s, Elevations, Details from Architect, MEP and Structural Engineer
- Sustainability Requirements
- Specification
- Any other site specific details
Typical exclusions from a cost estimate?
(Cost Planning)
- VAT
- Phasing
- Asbestos removal
- Inflation
What is value engineering?
(Cost Planning)
An approach to provide the necessary functions of the building at a lower cost without detrimental affects to quality.
Why is a W:F ratio useful for advising clients?
(Cost Planning)
- it shows the relationship between wall to floor area
- is used to show cost efficiency of the building
- the lower the cost, the less external envelope to construction in comparison to the floor area.
What is the process for agreeing a final account
(Contract Practice)
- Get the contractor to issue their final account
- Not pay less notice
After PC what do the JCT contracts say about valuations
(Contract Practice)
They can continue issuing applications for payment after PC
What is the role of the EA?
(Contract Practice)
They act on behalf of the employer (unless the employer expressly states in writing to the contractor that they wish to act themself)
What documents would you include in D&B contract?
(Contract Practice)
- Contract and amendments
- Employer’s Requirements
- Contractor’s Proposals
- CSA
- Health and Safety Information
Which of those documents are you responsible for drafting?
(Contract Practice)
- Prelims
- CSA
Materials off site visit
(Quantification)
- vesting cert proves transfer of ownership
- materials adequately protected and set aside for the client and insured
- labelled for the client
- date and description
Feasibility estimate of industrial scheme? How would you price one of these without any design information?
(Quantification)
Try to understand the clients spec and site area if available
- use data from similar projects
- use BCIS
If you were costing some works to internal walls, where would you get your rates from?
(Quantification)
- benchmarked rates
- SPONS
-BCIS - speak to a contractor on site
What is the role of the CA?
(Contract Practice)
Manages the contract between a construction project’s employer and contractor, ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget
What documents would you include in JCT Intermediate contract?
(Contract Practice)
How have you used location factors?
(Quantification)
- cost estimate for industrial park in London, used rates from a recently tendered industrial park in Bognor Regis.
- using BCIS calculate the location adjustment factor
- dividing the target location by the base location index, then multiply by base cost rates.
- multiply the base rates from the job in Bognor Regis by the location adjustment factor to calculate a reliable adjusted rate.
How do you produce an order of cost estimate?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
On Screen House I used the architects area schedule and applied rates I benchmarked off other jobs by applying the rate to the cost per square metre of gross internal area (floor area method). I could also use BCIS.
Depending on the data provided, you could also use
- functional unit method, e.g. hospitals by bed.
- elemental method
How do you adjust a historic rate?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
- I would calculate the TPI using the base date of the historic cost and the current date (because the TPI is the calculated from actual tenders received).
- location factors too if necessary
What are some typical assumptions you would make on a cost plan?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
Cox Lane:
- no services running through the site that needed relocating
- no asbestos in the existing buildings
as design progressed I amended these as, for example, asbestos was identified in one of the industrial sites.
What are some typical exclusions you would make on a cost plan?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
Cox Lane:
- Inflation rates
- VAT
- Utility connections
Why did you recommend that the additional floorplate at DSQ be let as a variation?
(Contract Practice)
- Close in proximity to a live site with a connection being included in the scope between the two floors
- apply contract rates, they had competitively tendered for this job
- this contractor knew the building well
- no procurement and tender cost
- the works can commence asap using the contractors existing welfare
Talk me through how you produced the sensitivity analysis?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
Redhill:
- client wanted to understand the implications of either adding or omitting a floor so I prepped the cost of each floor plate type
- apartment type
- ext. walls and facade incl. windows
- concrete frame
- adjusted the foundation by a percentage
When might you recommend the use of a JCT Minor Works Building Contract?
(Contract Practice)
- smaller projects under £200/250k
- simple scope of works
- work is designed by or on behalf of the employer
When might you recommend the use of a JCT Intermediate Works Building Contract?
(Contract Practice)
- scope of works without complex specialist work
- when the contractor doesn’t need to design any works
When might you recommend the use of a JCT Design & Build Building Contract?
(Contract Practice)
-
What buildings are categorised as high risk buildings under The Building Safety Act 2022?
- 18m or 7 storeys high
AND - 2+ residential units
You say you undertook measures of the facade of your projects in accordance with NRM 1. How do you do this?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
- Element 2.5 External Walls
- Measure externals on a m2 basis
- Extra over for details such as cornices
- Extra over for forming of openings
You say you undertook measures of the facade of your projects in accordance with NRM 1. What facade types and rates did you use?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
Screen House
- Order of cost estimate
- Curtain walling at £1,000 m2
Cox Lane
- Cost plan
- Microrib cladding £60-80
- Trapezoidal cladding £40-60
Typical exclusions from a cost plan?
(Cost Planning)
- VAT
- Further site investigations and surveys
- Professional fees
Typical assumptions in a cost plan?
(Cost Planning)
- Base date of costs
- Procurement route
- works to be carried out in normal hours
Typical assumptions in a cost estimate?
(Cost Planning)
- Base date of costs
- Design elements e.g. floor finishes
- vacant possession at start on site
What design information would you expect to receive at stage 2?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
- Outline specification
- Architectual and services concept drawings
You say you produced a VE for Cox Lane, what is the process and what are 3 items you included at VE options?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
- met with design team to compile options
1. rationalisation of communal areas to maximise the useable space
2. alternative facade treatment, trapezoidal in lieu of microrib to the rears iof the units
3. omission of suspended ceiling
You say you produced a VE for Erith, what is the process and what are 3 items you included at VE options?
(Project Finance)
- met with design team to compile options
1. omission of suspended ceiling
2. omission of carpet tiles
3. impact of omitting reused steels for use as decorative canopies (could affect planning)
How did you produce the sensitivity analysis for Redhill?
(Design Economics and Cost Planning)
- Provided the client with a cost of adding or omitting each floor plate. I extrapolated the costs for each element which included;
- all internal finishes and fixtures
- costs related to external walls e.g. cladding, balconies, external doors
- services to each floor
- concrete frame cost for each floor
- calculated the potential impact on the foundation as a percentage
What are the 5 requirements for forming a contract?
- offer
- acceptance
- considerations
- intention to make it legal
- capacity
How do you agree a final account?
On devonshire house gardens landscaping works;
- used my latest financial reporting as the basis
- put it into the form of a statement of ifnal acct sent to contractor
- contractor responded with comments
- met up to agree
- issued a statement of final account to EA
What’s included in a statement of final account? (7)
- contract sum
- variable costs
- variations
- instructions
- loss and expense
- fluctuations (if relevant)
- risk allowances
What are the benefits of a D&B procurement procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Contractor as single point of contact for design and construction.
- Contractor expertise is harnessed during design.
- Potential for earlier start on site as design and construction can overlap.
What are the disadvantages of a D&B procurement procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Can be hard to produce a robust set of ER’s
- Tender comparison can be lengthy and time consuming
- Client looses ability to control quality
What are the Advantages of Traditional procurement procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Quality ensured through the design led process
- Transparent
- Competitive
What are the Disadvantages of Traditional procurement procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Longer pre con programme as design needs to be developed
- No design input from contractor
- Dual point of contact (design team and contractor)
What are the Advantages of the Construction Management procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Onsite works can commence earlier
- Design changes can be accommodated into future packages
What are the Disadvantages of the Construction Management procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- No cost certainty until the final packed is let
- Client has multiple points of contact
- Client holds risk for each trade package.
What are the Advantages of the Management Consulting procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Client has a single point of contact
- Onsite works can commence earlier
- Design changes can be accommodated into future packages
What are the Disadvantages of the Management Consulting procurement route?
(Procurement and Tendering)
- Little incentive for MC to scrutinize costs
- No cost certainty until the final packed is let
What is more expensive, Steel or Concrete?
Depends, some considerations are:
Steel,
- Higher upfront costs
- Additional costs to treat it with fire protection and additional costs to soundproof the walls
- Lighter, so less groundworks.
Concrete
- Cost of concrete may be cheaper as a raw product, but need to allow for formwork, and reinforcement.
- Inherently fire resistant and has good soundproofing properties.
- Heavier, so potential for more groundworks to hold the weight
What are the key differences between JCT Intermediate and JCT D&B?
JCT Intermediate
- Simple works involving recognised trades / no specialist trades
- Employer develops design and provides to contractor to build
- Contract Administrator
JCT D&B
- Contractor develops the design in line with the Employer’s Requirements
- Employer’s Agent
What does the Building Safety Act class as a ‘higher-risk building’?
One that is at least 18 meters high or 7 storeys, and contains at least 2 residential units, or is used as a care home or hospital.
What does Sir Martin Moore-Bick say about the definition of ‘high-risk buildings’ by the BS?
Suggests it should be reviewed to focus on the presence of ‘vulnerable people’ within buildings where evacuation may be difficult.
What are some of the recommendations from the Grenfell report by Sir Martin Moore-Bick?
- a single construction regulator
- more stringent regulation of products and materials
- a new regulating body for fire engineers
How have the JCT 2024 suite of contracts been updated to accommodate the Building Safety Act?
Incorporated the “dutyholder” requirements, allowing the parties to specify who in the contract will be undertaking the roles of the principal designer and the principal contractor.
Has Grenfell had an effect on material costs?
There has been a surge in demand for sprinklers since the Grenfell Tower fire.
What are
