Moduel 13-16

Question 1

List three types of equipment that could be used for most excavation applications for building construction, municipal construction and environmental remediation work.

Answer 1

Excavator,  Backhoe,  Bulldozer  Front End Loader  Skid Steer Loader/Bobcat

Question 2

What is the term used to describe the amount of work that a piece of equipment can accomplish in an hour, under average operating conditions?

Answer 2

Productivity rate

Question 3

If excavation quantities are computed in cubic metres and the available published cost data is listed in dollars per cubic yard, which value in the equation would be converted before calculating the total cost?

Answer 3

It could be either- volume or unit cost

Question 4

What factors must be considered in determining a cycle time for trucks hauling excavated material from the site?

Answer 4

Fill time,  Travel time,  Dump/disposal time and  Return time

Question 5

How would you determine the optimum number of trucks required to remove excavated material from a site without causing waiting time for the excavator?

Answer 5

Divide the cycle time by the fill time

Question 6

Will adding more trucks decrease the duration of the excavation?

Answer 6

No, the productivity rate of the excavator determines the duration of the excavation operation. Adding additional trucks will not change the fill time or the cycle time, but will increase the waiting time

Question 7

Will using an excavator with a greater capacity decrease the duration of the excavation

Answer 7

Most likely yes, because each “bite” would be bigger and that would reduce the fill time, which in turn would reduce the cycle time.

Question 8

What unit costs would apply to a fill delivery operation?

Answer 8

Material: for the granular material Labour: for the equipment operators and any related labourers Equipment: for the cost of the necessary pieces of equipment

Question 9

Which types of equipment would most likely be required for an excavation operation where the material is stored on site but removed from the actual excavation?

Answer 9

An excavator to dig the hole; A front end loader to move material or A dozer to move material

Question 10

How is aggregate material priced?

Answer 10

By the metric tonne,  or by the cubic metre

Question 11

What is the term used to describe costs that are associated with the physical parts of the project work?

Answer 11

Direct Costs

Question 12

What are the two main components of unit costs?

Answer 12

Labour

Material

Question 13

The allowance for waste generally ranges between what two percentages?

Answer 13

5 & 10%

Question 14

Name the two methods or formats for recording cost data.

Answer 14

Two-page estimate

Consolidated estimate

Question 15

How many digits are used for a R.S. Means line number?

Answer 15

12

Question 16

Describe a composite crew.

Answer 16

List of individual workers & equipment required for a specific task or work item

Question 17

What is the Daily Output?

Answer 17

The typical number of units the designated crew will install in an 8hour day

Question 18

Describe the term Labour Hours.

Answer 18

The number of labour hours required to install one unit of work

Question 19

What is the term used to describe a cost with no overhead or profit?

Answer 19

bare cost

Question 20

Show the formula for using a city location index to convert U.S. national averages to Canadian dollars in Winnipeg.

Answer 20

(index for canadian city/100) x national average cost = Cost in Canadian City $CAN

Question 21

What information might be gained by using an R.S. Means Reference Number?

Answer 21

an estimating procedure that should be read before estimating  an alternate pricing method  technical information

Question 22

Indirect Costs are also known by what names?

Answer 22

Project Overheads  General Expenses

Question 23

What are the two types of overhead costs?

Answer 23

Head Office Overhead  Site Overhead

Question 24

What is the term used where the cost of running the head office is apportioned over all the projects undertaken?

Answer 24

Head Office Overhead

Question 25

What is a payroll labour burden?

Answer 25

The cost of fringe benefits

Question 26

List two examples of labour add-ons (payroll burden).

Answer 26

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rates –  Federal Canada Pension Plan (CPP) employer contributions –  Federal Employment Insurance (EI) –  Federal Employer Health Tax (EHT) –  Provincial Company Benefits (specific to each company)

Question 27

List three examples of miscellaneous head office expenses

Answer 27

Advertising,  Travel and entertainment,  Staff development,  Association dues,  Charitable donations, and Subscription fees for trade publications.  Premium for bid bonds

Question 28

What is the average range of project general expenses as a percentage of the total cost?

Answer 28

15% to 40%

Question 29

Provide three examples of miscellaneous site expenses for a masonry building built over the summer months.

Answer 29

Photographs,  Project signs,  Fire protection,  Masonry wind bracing,  Warranty work  Municipal charges

Question 30

List three examples of site overhead costs, excluding dewatering

Answer 30

Temporary office;  Temporary buildings hoarding,  Enclosures;  Temporary utilities;  Temporary sanitary facilities;  Site equipment,  Cleanup;  Tower crane;  Trucking;  Cash allowances;  Travel & accommodations; &  Miscellaneous costs

Question 31

Provide three examples of head office overhead costs. Page 279 to 280

Answer 31

Salaries; office space; professional services; vehicle expenses; depreciation, miscellaneous expenses

Question 32

What are the three categories of equipment on a construction project?

Answer 32

 Small tools & consumables  Site equipment  Task specific equipment

Question 33

List three of the six potential advantages to renting equipment

Answer 33

The contractor does not have to maintain a large inventory of specialized plant and equipment where individual items are used infrequently. b. The contractor has continuous access to the newest and most efficient items of equipment available. c. There is little or no need for equipment warehouse or storage facilities. d. There is a reduced need for the contractor to employ maintenance staff and operate facilities for their use. e. Accounting for equipment costs can be simpler when equipment is rented. f. There may be significant savings on company insurance premiums when a contractor is not maintaining an inventory of plant and equipment

Question 34

List four of the six categories of cost expenses associated with owning equipment, excluding taxes.

Answer 34

Depreciation expense b. Maintenance and repair c. Financing expenses d. Insurance costs e. Storage costs f. Fuel and lubrication costs

Question 35

What are the three types of depreciation calculations?

Answer 35

Straight-line  Declining balance  Production or use (Units of output

Question 36

Describe two possible drawbacks or criticisms regarding the most common method of depreciation calculation.

Answer 36

It does not reflect the fact that depreciation usually occurs at an accelerated rate in the early years of the life of an asset

 That method of calculating depreciation does not account for the intensity of use of the asset.

Question 37

Maintenance and repair costs are usually calculated as a percentage of what expense?

Answer 37

Depreciation

Question 38

An allowance for lubrication, (grease and oil) is usually what percentage of the fuel cost?

Answer 38

10%

Question 39

What is the engine operating factor?

Answer 39

An operating factor is an assessment of the load under which the engine is operating.

Question 40

Describe a piece of equipment’s hourly productivity.

Answer 40

The amount of work that could be accomplished in one hour (i.e. cubic meters moved)

Question 41

If the hourly cost is known for a piece of equipment, how do you calculate the unit cost?

Answer 41

Divide the hourly cost by the productivity rate to obtain the cost per unit