Quantification And Costing Flashcards
What are the two recommended ways to cost estimate a project at RIBA Stage 0?
- Cost per m2 (Gross Internal Floor Area x £/m2)
- Cost per function unti
Can you define the 3 NRM Suites?
NRM 1 - Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Capital Building Works
NRM 2 - Detailed Measurement of building works
NRM 3 - Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Building Maintenance Works
What is the 3rd recommended way at RIBA Stage 1?
- Elemental Cost
How does NRM define substructure?
Substructure is defined as the work below the underside of the screed, or if screed does not exist the underside of the lowest floor finish. This includes DPM, excavations, foundations and the basement retaining walls.
What is the functional definition of a substructure?
To transfer the load of the building to the ground and isolate it from the ground.
How do you measure substructure?
Lowest floor area to the ground to the internal face of the external wall.
Any floor area extending out from the external wall should be shown separately.
Basement wall area should also be measured separately.
How do you measure external walls?
Area to the internal face of the wall less windows.
Can you name the 15 elements on NRM 1?
- Facilitating Works
- Substructure
- Superstructure
- Internal Finishes
- Fittings, Furnishings and Equipment
- Services
- Prefabricated building and building units
- Work to existing buildings
- External Works
- Main contractor’s preliminaries
- Main contractor’s overhead and profit
- Project and design team fees
- Other project costs
- Risks
- Inflation
Why do quantities need to measure in a uniform way?
- Enable more effective and accurate cost advice to be given to clients
- Facilitates better cost control.
- Understandable by all those involved in a construction project, including the client
Can tell me what is your understanding of RICS code of Measuring Practice?
The code of measuring practice is guidance on how to measure non-residential and residential buildings, for consistency across RICS disciplines.
When would it be used in your day-to-day employment?
For my day-to-day employment I would consult this guidance if I was carrying out a take-off for cost planning/cost estimating.
GEA, GIA and NIA how are they each measured?
Gross External Area is the area of a building measured externally at each floor level.
Gross Internal Area is the area of a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level
Net Internal Area is the usable area within a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level.
Which method of measurement would you consider is the most appropriate for measuring civil engineering works?
CESMM - Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement
In the document suite the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) what are the key differences between NRM 1 and NRM 2?
NRM1 and 3 use an elemental structure which is suitable for top-down cost analysis and cost planning. NRM2 is a set of detailed measurement rules intended to create Bills of Quantities for procurement and cost control purposes.
What is the purpose of NRM 3?
NRM 3 is for cost estimating and cost planning of maintenance works.
What is your understanding of the shorter schedule of cost components?
Used in NEC contracts, shorter schedule may be used to assess compensation events, pricing the following elements:
1. People
2. Equipment
3. Plant and Materials
4. Charges – consumables
5. Manufacturing and fabrication
6. Design
7. Insurance
How do British Standards affect the measurement of construction works?
More fluid and change more often, so may increase scope of works on areas previously defined
How do the Building Regulations affect the measurement of construction works?
- Certain standards require specific materials that can be more expensive
- Specialised labour might be necessary to ensure compliance, further increasing costs.
What new standards have been introduced (IPMS)?
IPMS All Buildings has been introduced to remove any inaccuracies in the previous versions, office, industrial, residential and retail property.
Talk me through how you valued the materials off site in accordance with the contract.
In accordance with clause 3.6.2.1 on the JCT Intermediate contract, I provided a vesting certificate. The vesting certificate detailed the following:
1. Subcontractor Name
2. Employer’s Name
3. Architect
4. Address of where the materials are stored
5. Clearly labelled with client’s name and stored separately
6. Materials are insured against loss or damage for their full value
Talk me through how you quantified the works for an interim payment
To quantify works on sites I use the latest cost report, subcontract applications and walk through site to value:
1. Percentage complete on Measured works
2. Percentage complete on Preliminaries
3. Update variation sheet and measure progress
4. Adjustment of prime cost and provisional sums
5. Value materials on site
6. Value materials off-sote
7. Loss and expense claim
8. Retention
9. Previously certified
10. Issue to PQS
11. Agree on site
12. Issue invoice
How do you convert m2 to sqft?
Multiply by 10.764
How could you price mechanical services?
Refer to Work Section 38 in NRM 2.
Summary
Primary Equipment
Secondary Equipment
Pipework
Ancillaries
Ducting
Insulation
Fire protection
Test and Commissioning
Operations and Maintenance manual
How could you price electrical services?
NRM2 Work Section 39
Summary
Primary Equipmemt
Terminal Equipment
Cable containment
Cable
Circuits
Fire Stopping
Test and Commission
O&M
What are the advantages of Bill of Quantities?
- Forms an identical basis for evaluation
- Transparency
- Familiar
- Provides a good basis for post contract cost control
What are the disadvantages of bill of quantities?
- A lengthy process to produce (time consuming)
- Costly