Quantification and costing Flashcards

1
Q

What software do you excel in using for quantification?

A

CostX measurement software.

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2
Q

What training have you undergone to proficiently measure quantities?

A

Comprehensive training to proficiently measure quantities from CAD drawings and BIM models.

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3
Q

What expertise do you have regarding BIM?

A

Understanding the benefits and limitations of BIM, particularly in clash detection and expediting costing processes.

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4
Q

What document do you value for BIM execution planning?

A

The employer’s information requirement document.

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5
Q

What aspects of quantification do you adhere to during construction stages?

A

Adherence to the Code of Measuring Practice, covering aspects like Net Internal Area and Gross External Area.

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6
Q

What standards are you well-versed in regarding quantification and costing?

A

The RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM 1, NRM 2, and NRM 3).

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7
Q

How do you discern the specific applications of RICS New Rules of Measurement?

A

By understanding their specific applications in different types of work.

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8
Q

What quantification tasks have you been involved in across different project stages?

A

Contributing to the development of area schedules, cost plans, pre-tender estimates, pricing documents, and contract variations.

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9
Q

What was your role in the 1 Triton Square British Land Project regarding quantification?

A

Supervising the measurement of design drawings throughout the cost planning process, advancing from an area schedule and elemental quantities to a more detailed measure by design stage 3.

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10
Q

How did you handle discrepancies in your assessments during the Canary Wharf Project?

A

Any discrepancies underwent discussion and resolution before agreement, ensuring accuracy and fairness in pricing.

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10
Q

How did you integrate costs into the estimate for the 1 Triton Square project?

A

By leveraging past projects, benchmark data, and market testing, resulting in a comprehensive, market-tested cost plan.

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11
Q

What pivotal role did you play in the Canary Wharf Project regarding quantification?

A

Providing estimates for post-contract change requests and reviewing contractors’ cost breakdowns to ensure accurate measurement and fair pricing aligned with the contract.

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12
Q

How did you ensure the inclusion of all items in the pricing schedule for tender documents?

A

By playing a pivotal role in creating the pricing schedule and ensuring the inclusion of all items.

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13
Q

What was the outcome of your quantification efforts in these projects?

A

Comprehensive area schedules, cost plans, pricing documents, and contract variations that contributed to the successful execution of the projects.

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14
Q

What did you provide on the Citi Bank project regarding specific measurements?

A

Detailed explanations to the client and addressed discrepancies with the architect’s measurements.

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15
Q

What Measurement discrepancies did you identify on the Citi Bank project?

A

Instances where the architect’s measurements deviated from the RICS Code of Measurement.

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16
Q

What action did you take to reconcile differences in measurements on the Citi Bank project?

A

Reconciled differences as per the client’s request.

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17
Q

What was your task in the post-contract phase on the Citi Bank project?

A

Examining the Contractor’s variation cost breakdowns in comparison to the design information to guarantee a fair valuation.

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18
Q

What action did you take when the design exceeded the budget on the Triton Project?

A

Recommended value engineering and facilitated a workshop with the design team to provide guidance on cost reduction while preserving the design’s integrity.

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18
Q

How did you handle the drywall partition package on the Citi Bank project?

A

Generated a pre-tender estimate, compared tender returns to the estimate, and raised queries about observed disparities.

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19
Q

How did you handle variations in rates during the post-contract phase?

A

Consulted the contract sum analysis if deemed necessary and communicated any disparities to the contractor, offering marked-up drawings as supporting evidence.

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20
Q

What was the limitation of the previous Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7)?

A

It was purely designed for the production of bill of quantities for tender purposes.

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21
Q

What issue arose from using SMM7 for cost estimates and cost plans?

A

There was a lack of guidance and uniformity around preparing cost estimates and cost plans.

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22
Q

Why were the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) introduced?

A
  • To provide a common and consistent basis for the production of order of cost estimates and cost plans.
  • To give Employers more confidence around their inclusions.
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23
Q

How many key sections are there in the NRM1 ?

A

4 Parts and one appendices

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24
Q

What is Part 1 of the NRM1?

A

General introduction explaining the purpose of the document and how it should be used.

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25
Q

What is Part 2 of the NRM1?

A

Measurement rules for the production of order of cost estimates.

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26
Q

What is Part 3 of the NRM1?

A

Measurement rules for the production of elemental cost plans.

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27
Q

What is Part 4 of the NRM1?

A

Tabulated rules of measurement for elemental cost planning.

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28
Q

What is included in the appendices of the NRM1?

A

With references to the definitions for GIA, functional units, NIA, elemental breakdowns, templates and general information required for cost plan production.

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29
Q

What does the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) provide?

A

A common and consistent basis for the production of order of cost estimates and cost plans.

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30
Q

How does the NRM benefit Employers?

A

It provides added confidence to Employers.

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31
Q

What legal benefit does using the NRM offer to QS or firms?

A

In the event of negligence, the use of NRM would provide a means of defense as it represents best practice.

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32
Q

Are QSs required to follow the NRM?

A

QSs are not required to follow the NRM if they judge it as unsuitable for their specific project, but they must have a good reason for deviating from it.

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33
Q

What are the NRM 1?

A

The RICS New Rules of Measurement 1 is the Order of Cost Estimating and Elemental Cost
Planning.

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34
Q

What does the NRM 1 provide?

A

This provides a structured basis for measuring building works and for the production of Cost
Estimates and Cost Plans.

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35
Q

What does GEA stand for?

A

Gross External Area.

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36
Q

What is GEA?

A

This is the area of the building measured externally at each floor level.

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37
Q

What does GIA stand for?

A

Gross Internal Area.

38
Q

What is the GIA?

A

This is the area of the building measured to the internal face of the perimeter wall at each floor level

39
Q

What does GIA exclude?

A

The GIA excludes external open sided balconies, fire escapes, canopies, external walls and fuel stores.

40
Q

What does NIA stand for?

A

Net Internal Area.

41
Q

What is NIA?

A

This is the area of usable space measured to the internal face of the perimeter wall at each floor level.

42
Q

What does NIA exclude?

A

The NIA excludes internal structural walls and columns, spaces with headroom less than 1.5m,
permanent lift lobbies, toilets, cleaners’ cupboards and plant rooms.

43
Q

Where are NIA, GIA & GEA defined ?

A

The Code of Measuring Practice published by the RICS.

44
Q

What is the purpose of the Code of Measuring Practice?

A

The Code of Measuring Practice provides precise definitions to permit the accurate and consistent
measurement of buildings.

45
Q

What factors influence the percentage of Net Internal Area (NIA) to Gross Internal Area (GIA)?

A

The type of project being undertaken, such as a school, hospital, or office.

46
Q

What is the expected NIA to GIA percentage for an office building?

A

In the case of an office building, it is typically in the range of 70-85%.

47
Q

What determines the method of measurement to be adopted?

A

It depends on the region, project, and client.

48
Q

How is efficiency measured in terms of NIA to GIA percentage?

A

Where 70% is considered relatively inefficient, a percentage of 85% is extremely efficient.

49
Q

What method of measurement typically applies in the United Kingdom Building sector?

A

Typically, the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) would apply.

50
Q

What method of measurement is commonly adopted for Rail or Civils projects?

A

For Rail or Civils projects, it is more common practice for the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement to be adopted.

51
Q

How do you measure brickwork walls under NRM ?

A

Masonry walls are to be measured in m2 with them being itemised according to wall thickness, type of
construction and method of formation

52
Q

Where are the measurement rules for Masonry contained within NRM?

A

section 14.

53
Q

what other items would you measure in association of measurement of brickwork walls?

A

Other items to measure in association with masonry include
o Chimney stacks.
o Arches.
o Brick reinforcement.
o Forming cavities.
o Closing cavities.

54
Q

What is the purpose of a Bill of Quantities (BoQ)?

A
  • To provide the estimator with an accurate picture of the scope of works.
  • To provide a common and consistent basis for pricing.
55
Q

How does the BoQ contribute to Tender Analysis?

A

It forms the basis of Tender Analysis for accurate like-for-like comparisons of Tender submissions.

56
Q

How does the BoQ contribute to post-contract stages?

A
  • It provides the basis for valuation rules of the contract for valuing variation items.
  • It enables assessment and valuation of contract works for interim payment purposes.
57
Q

How does the sufficiency of information vary based on the form of contract?

A

Under remeasurement forms, the information does not have to be complete but must be substantially complete.

58
Q

What information is necessary from the Design Team for preparing a BoQ?

A

Drawings.
Specifications.
Schedules.
Document Registers.

59
Q

What is the next step after receiving the necessary information?

A

Discuss and agree with the client and design team the method of measurement to be adopted.

60
Q

What steps follow the completion of measurement?

A
  • Address the general items section and any preambles.
  • Carry out regular meetings and review updated drawings to ensure no works items are missed or overlooked.
60
Q

How would you organize the works before commencing measurement?

A

Break down the works into sections and areas, such as Substructure, Superstructure, and External Works.

61
Q

What is the sequence for taking off quantities?

A

Commence take-off from the Substructure upwards.

62
Q

How would you structure a BoQ?

A

In accordance with an elemental breakdown structure under NRM 2

63
Q

How would you describe the preliminaries section in a Bill of
Quantities?

A

The preliminaries detail items of work that are required to enable the construction but are not
associated within the permanent measured works items.

64
Q

What information is required to measure preliminaries?

A
  • Contract duration.
  • Location.
  • Type of project (New Build vs. Refurb).
  • The size of the project.
  • Temporary works.
65
Q

What would the prelimiaries section of a BOQ include?

A

o Site setup.
o Management & supervision.
o Insurances for the project.
o Task Lighting.
o Protections and temporary barriers.

66
Q

If it was found that a Bill rate was blatantly wrong for example £100
was included as a rate instead of £1, how would this be resolved?

A
  • The works would be valued in accordance with the agreed rate contained within the contract.
  • If identified within the tender documents prior to the contract being agreed then the rate could be
    amended in accordance with the Tendering rules in place, but otherwise both parties would have
    stand by the rate.
67
Q

How would you address a situation where part of the Bill of Quantities (BQ) was discovered missing after the Main Contractor was on site?

A
  • Check if it was included in the tender documents or contract sum.
  • If not, the responsibility lies with the Employer.
  • Treat the required works as a variation to the contract.
  • Request the contractor to price the works and advise the Employer on the costs before issuing the instruction.
67
Q

Who owns the copyright to a BQ?

A
  • The originator owns the copyright
68
Q

What would you include in the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) where works are to be carried out by a Nominated Subcontractor?

A

Prime cost sum, including:
- Allowance for the cost of the Nominated Subcontractor’s work (based on the quotation).

  • Allowance for the contractor to price for attendances such as accommodation, welfare, storage, handling, materials, and cleaning.
  • Allowance for a percentage addition for any other charges and profit.
69
Q

What is a Provisional Sum?

A

A Provisional Sum is an allowance within the Bill of Quantities (BQ) for works where the extent and design are not yet known, making it impossible to establish the cost at the time of agreeing the contract sum.

70
Q

What is a Defined Provisional Sum?

A
  • Relates to works with sufficient information about their nature, method, location, quantity, and limitations.

-Allows planning, programming, and pricing of preliminaries.

-Contractor entitled to claim only for any increase in the cost of the physical works.

71
Q

What is an Undefined Provisional Sum?

A
  • Insufficient information about the works.
  • Entitles the contractor to costs for preliminaries and an extension to the program.
72
Q

How did you check that the items measured for the BoQ were
accurate?

A
  • We have an internal peer review system where upon completion, a joint review of the drawings is
    carried out by my senior colleagues to ensure all scope of work items are captured.
  • Junior colleagues assist with undertaking spot checks on the quantities to ensure these are accurate.
73
Q

What items would you include for when measuring for example a
basement?

A
  • It would depend on how the basement would be constructed.
74
Q

What would you do if you produced a bill and you measured a
staircase that did not exist?

A
  • I would check the drawings and bills of quantities to see if the contractor was correct.
  • I would refer back to the Tender Drawings to see if there had been a design change.
  • Depending on the form of contract, I would remeasure the section and notify the Contractor of the remeasurement of actual quantities.
75
Q

How would your approach to measurement change if you worked in Dubai?

A
  • I would need to measure in accordance with the method of measurement appropriate for that country.
76
Q

How do you measure something unique for example a statute of the
client?

A
  • If it could be broken down easily into the parts that are in accordance with the method of
    measurement, I would use this as the basis for measurement.
  • Otherwise I would have to insert an item with a detailed description of the works with a section to
    include a Provisional Sum.
77
Q

What is a Preamble?

A

A preamble is an explanation commonly found in contracts, specifications, and bills of quantities.

It aids in the interpretation of the document.

78
Q

What is included in a preamble?

A

It includes:
- Description of the parties to the contract.
- Background to the document.
- Measurement procedures adopted.

79
Q

What are method related charges?

A
  • Method related charges are one-off items related to the method of carrying out the work.
  • They do not form part of the permanent works.
80
Q

How are method related charges assessed?

A

They are not considered proportional to the item of works to be carried out.

81
Q

Can you provide an example of a method related charge?

A

For example, the provision of temporary propping required for a weakened elevation of an existing building.

82
Q

What are time related charges?

A

Time related charges are method related charges that are considered proportional to time taken to carry
out the works for example plant hire.

83
Q

What are fixed charges?

A

Fixed charges are method related charges that do not vary with time for example Service Connection
Charges.

84
Q

How do you take-off using a BIM model?

A

Process: Use BIM software to extract quantities and measurements directly from the 3D model. The model provides detailed information on dimensions, materials, and components, allowing for accurate and efficient take-offs.

Benefits: Increases accuracy, reduces manual measurement errors, and streamlines the quantity take-off process by integrating with project data.

85
Q

What is 5D BIM and what are the benefits?

A

Definition: 5D BIM incorporates cost data into the BIM model, allowing for real-time cost estimation and budgeting. It integrates the dimension of time (4D) with cost (5D) to provide a comprehensive project overview.

Benefits: Enhances accuracy in cost estimation, improves cost management, facilitates better project planning and scheduling, and enables real-time cost analysis and forecasting.

86
Q

How does NIA differ in Code of Measuring Practice compared to IPMS?

A

NIA (Net Internal Area): Measures the usable internal floor area of a building, excluding common areas and external walls.

IPMS (International Property Measurement Standards): Provides a standardized method for measuring properties, focusing on consistency and comparability across different property types and uses.

Differences: IPMS offers a more standardized approach compared to NIA, which is more specific to individual building types and uses.

87
Q

Describe a take-off for secant piled wall?

A

Measure the length and diameter of each secant pile from construction drawings. Calculate the volume based on the pile dimensions and depth. Consider factors like pile overlap and construction method for accuracy.

88
Q

Please describe how you produced pricing schedule on 1 Triton Sq?

A

Created by analyzing the detailed design documents, defining the scope of work, and applying unit rates for labor, materials, and overheads. The schedule includes cost estimates for each element of the project, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all required works.

89
Q

What would you do if you disagreed wit contractors measures but they insisted theirs was correct?

A

Review the contractor’s measurements and compare them with your own. If discrepancies persist, arrange a site meeting to discuss and resolve differences. Document any agreed adjustments and ensure all changes are formally recorded.

90
Q

On Parliament project, what discrepancies were there with architects measures?

A

Specific discrepancies could include differences in dimensions, quantities, or scope of work. Review the architectural drawings and measurements in detail, and reconcile differences through joint inspections and revised documentation.

91
Q

When would internal blockwork walls be required?

A

Internal blockwork walls are used for partitioning spaces, providing structural support, or creating fire-resistant barriers. They are typically required in projects needing durable, load-bearing partitions or where specific fire rating requirements must be met.

92
Q

Whats the difference between VE and VM?

A

VE (Value Engineering): A method for improving the value of a project by evaluating and enhancing functions while reducing costs. Focuses on optimizing the function and cost of project elements.

VM (Value Management): A broader process involving stakeholder participation to define and achieve project goals, considering cost, quality, and function. VM integrates VE into the overall project management strategy.

93
Q

Was spraying the soffit in lieu of a suspended ceiling suitable in lab environment?

A

Spraying the soffit might not be suitable in a lab environment where a suspended ceiling could provide better control of HVAC systems, lighting, and contamination. A suspended ceiling also allows for easier access to services and improved acoustic performance.