Quantification and Costing

Question 1

What is a SMM?

Answer 1

Is a document which outlines how works are quantified and priced.

Question 2

What is DIN 276 and 277? What is the latest version?

Answer 2

Published by Deutsches Institute für Normung, DIN 276 and 277 is the commonly used SMM in Germany. 276 outlines what to measure, and 277 outlines how to measure. Latest version is 2018.

Question 3

What are the common basis of cost/rates?

Answer 3

Tender returns, contract sum analysis, benchmarking, internal cost data, published price books, public cost data platforms ie, BCIS, subcontractor quotes

Question 4

What are other SMM available? How would you determine which SMM to use?

Answer 4

The selection of SMM depends factors such as nature of work, level of detail, and stakeholder familiarity
NRM 1 - order of estimate and cost planning for building works
NRM 2 - detailed measurement for building works
NRM 3 - order of estimate and cost planning for maintainance works
CESMM4 - Civil engineering SMM
POMI - Principles of mesurement international

Question 5

What are the pricing documents used?

Answer 5

Bill of quantites, activity schedule, schedule of rates

Question 6

What is BoQ?

Answer 6

BoQ is an accurate picture of scope of works, typically based on quantities and unit rates, which aids in tender analysis, valuation of works and changes.

Question 7

What are the typical components of a BoQ?

Answer 7

Preliminaries, measured works, provisional sums, dayworks

Question 8

What is provisional sum? What is defined and undefined provisional sum?

Answer 8

Provisional sums are allowance for the works which cannot be priced certainly due to insufficient design information.
Defined provisional sums are provisional sums where design information is insufficient but it is enough to be be included in the overall programme.
Undefined provisional sums are provisional sums where design information is insufficient to be included in the overall programme.

Question 9

What is a preamble?

Answer 9

Is an explanation documents found together with contracts, specification and BoQ which aids in interpretation of documents and outlines measurement procedures adopted.

Question 10

What is dayworks?

Answer 10

Are works paid for specifically instructed works, where method of valuing is based on time spent on contractors’s labour, material, plant equipment.

Question 11

What is SOR? And schedule of works?

Answer 11

Is a rate schedule where dayworks are typically valued from.

Question 12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having BoQ?

Answer 12

Advantages: which aids in tender analysis, valuation of works and changes.
Disadvantages: preparation time, discrepancies on tender documents may lead to confusion on precedences.

Question 13

What is RICS code of measuring practice?

Answer 13

Is an RICS document outlining precise definition which permits accurate measurement of building and land.

Question 14

How is RICS code of measuring practice relevant to IPMS?

Answer 14

IPMS is International Property Measurement Standards, where RICS code of measuring practice have been derived from.

Question 15

What is meant by GEA, GIA and NIA?

Answer 15

Gross external area, Gross internal area, net internal area

Question 16

How is RICS code of measuring practice referenced in NRM?

Answer 16

GIFA in NRM is equivalent to GIA in RICS code of measuring practice

Question 17

How did you prepare an initial budget estimate in proposed admin building of a data facility in Germany?

Answer 17

During initial feasibility estimate,
- Coordinate with design and client team to acquire initial information available, i.e. basic floor plans, number of desks .
- I analysed and measured the BGF and number desk required.
- I generated rate/m2 of the building per elements based from internal benchmarking data with similar asset
- I prepared list of assumptions and exclusions that encompass the estimate value
- Requested for peer review from colleague and senior members of the organization
- Issue the estimate

Question 18

How did you prepare for DD cost plan and PTE in Shaura Island P4?

Answer 18

During both DD design and tender design phase,
- Coordinate with design and project team to acquire information of work scope.
- Conduct quantification of works based on information available at that stage.
- Price the works based on previous benchmarks, rate per m2 of a function, special considerations as outline in design info.
- Conduct checks with colleague and senior member of firm
- Highlight design inefficiencies such as cost drivers, wall floor ratio, net/gross floor area
- Highlight cost movements from DD stage to the TD stage.
- Send cost plan report and update timely

Question 19

How did you track the cost movement from cost plan NRM1 and PTE POMI?

Answer 19

Due to difference of BoQ and cost plan structure, I arranged the work items to enable elemental comparison.
- I analysed the elements and subelements with big differences and reported it to the client and design team, to verify and acknowledge those changes.

Question 20

How did you measure substructure, superstructure, building envelope and finishes according to POMI?

Answer 20

I followed the structure provided under POMI such as Section B for siteworks, Section C for concrete works, considering the elemental usage, for better analysis

Question 21

How can 3D information be utilised in takeoff?

Answer 21

With 5D BIM information, the models at a certain stage can be used to better visualize and analysed the building components. It could also aid in acquiring quantity takeoff generated from the models for better efficiency.

Question 22

How did you determine the bill and cost plan structure?

Answer 22

I would coordinate with the design and project team regarding phasing requirement or structure Requirements
- I will consider separating them per assets for better Analysis on assets
- Present the proposed structure to client and project team to Ensure deliveries and Understanding are aligned.

Question 23

Why is it important to adhere with the DIN 276 and 277?

Answer 23

It gives consistent definition on how the works are measured and priced. DIN 276 and 277 is the most common SMM used in Germany.

Question 24

Which project did you offer guidance to follow CESMM?

Answer 24

Road improvement work projects under Ministry of Works in Bahrain.

Question 25

Why did you recommended CESMM?

Answer 25

The works are civil engineering and infrastructure in nature therefore CESMM caters better features in the work components.

Question 26

Why is consistency of allocation on work items important?

Answer 26

To ensure all the works are in place appropriately and avoid missed or duplicated work items.

Question 27

What is dewatering? What are temporary works?

Answer 27

Dewatering is the process where water from the ground is removed to attain suitability for work commencement. Temporary works are works essential to be executed during construction but is not permanently part of the building components (i.e. scaffolding, temporary platforms)

Question 28

How you measure and price dewatering and temporary works?

Answer 28

According to POMI, temporary works including dewatering is measured as an item, stating the nature of works to be executed.