Quantification and Costing Level 1

Question 1

What Rules of Measurement do you know of?

Answer 1

• NRM 1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works
• NRM 2: Detailed measurement for building works
• NRM 3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works
• Highways method of measurement
• CESMM

Question 2

Why were the New Rules of Measurement introduced?

Answer 2

Previous Standard Method of Measurements. (SMM7) was purely designed for the production of bill of quantities for tender purposes.

This resulted in a lack of guidance and uniformity around preparing cost estimates and cost plans when using SMM7.

NRM was introduced to provide a common and consistent basis for the production of order of cost estimates and cost plans and to give employers more confidence around their inclusions

Question 3

What is the structure of the NRM 1?

Answer 3

Part 1: General introduction explaining the purpose of the document and how it should be used

Part 2: Measurement rules for the production of order of cost estimates

Part 3: Measurement rules for the production of elemental cost plans

Part 4: Tabulated rules of measurement for elemental cost planning

Question 4

Why should you use the New Rules of Measurement?

Answer 4

1. The NRM provides a common and consistent basis for the production of cost estimates and cost plans and this add confidence to the clients
2. In the event that a QS is pursued for negligence, the use of NRM would provide a means of defence as it represents best practise

Question 5

What is meant by the abbreviation GEA?

Answer 5

Gross external area. The area of the building measured externally at each floor level

Question 6

What is meant by the abbreviation GIA?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is meant by the abbreviation NIA?

Answer 7

Net internal area

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

Question 8

Where are all of these abbreviations defined?

Answer 8

The code of Measuring Practise published by RICS

Question 9

What is the purpose of the Code of Measuring Practice?

Answer 9

The code of Measuring Practise provides precise defintions to permit the accurate and consistent measurement of buildings

Question 10

What would you expect the percentage of NIA to GIA to be?

Answer 10

The percentage depends on the type of project being undertaken for example a school or office.

Question 11

What do you measure in accordance with?

Answer 11

The method of measurement to be adopted depends on the region however in UK new rules of measurement would apply. However if working in rail for example Civil Engineering Standard method of measurement will apply

Question 12

How do you measure structural steelwork under NRM 2 and what other items would you measure in association?

Answer 12

This is listed within section 15

Question 13

How do you measure brickwork walls under NRM and what other items would you measure in association?

Answer 13

These measurements are contained within section 14

Question 14

What is the purpose of a BoQ?

Answer 14

The purpose of a BoQ is to provide the estimator with an accurate picture of the scope of works and to provide a common and consistent basis for pricing

Furthermore a BoQ allows a tender analysis to be carried out by comparing each item against each other

Question 15

How would you prepare a BoQ?

Answer 15

1. I would meet witht he design team to establish when the necessary information will be available, it is important to ensure the information provided is full and final to avoid abortive
2. I would then look ti compile all information necessary from the Design Team, including:
   
   1. drawings, specifications, schedules
3. Following receipt of the information I would check if the information is sufficient to allow the BoQ to be compiled. This will depend on the form of contract
4. I would discuss with the client the measuement method to be adopted
5. Prior to commencment of measurement and taking off quantities, I would conisder the size of the Project and break the works down into sections and areas:
   
   1. Substructures
   2. Superstructures
   3. External Works
6. I would then commence take-off work from the substructure upwards
7. When measuring is complete I would look to address the general items
8. Following

Question 16

How would you structure a BoQ?

Answer 16

In accordance with NRM I would include the following:

Prelims

Facilitating works

Substructure

Internal finishes

Fittings, furnishing and equipment

Question 17

What information is required to measure preliminaries?

Answer 17

Contract duration

Location

Size of project

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

This would include things such as:

Site setup

Management and supervision

Insurances

Question 19

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?

Answer 19

The works would be valued in accordance with the agreed rate contained within the contract

If identified within the tender document prior to the contract being agreed then trhe rate could be amended in accordance witht he tendering rules, but otherwise both parties would have to stand by the rate

Question 20

How do you evaluate a variation which is based on a BQ item which contains an error?

Answer 20

Assumming the same nature & conditions are applicable, the variation would be based on the BoQ rate within the contract

Unless both parties agreed to amend the rate to one that is fair and reasonable

Question 21

Who owns the copyright to a BQ

Answer 21

The originator owns the copy right

This is the QS generally who provides the client permission to use the document for its intended purpose

Question 22

How would you deal with a situation where it was discovered a part of a BQ was missing after the Main Contractor was on site?

Answer 22

If part of the BQ was missing then I would check to see if it were included as part of the tender documents and ultimately contract sum

If not then the responsibility would lie within the employer

Prividing these works are still required then this would be treated as a variation

I would request that the contractor price the works and advise the employer on the level of costs involved before the instruction is issued

Question 23

What would you include within the BoQ where works are to be carried out by Nominated Subcontracto

Answer 23

A prime cost sum would be incorporated included:

An allowance for the cosr of the Nominated subcontractors

An allowance for the contractor to price for attendees such as accomodation, welfare, storage

An allowance for a percentage addition for any other charges and profit

Question 24

What is a Provisional Sum?

Answer 24

A Provisional Sum is an allowance included within the BQ for works to be carried out where the extent and design of the work is not yet know meaning the cost cannot be established at the time of agreeing the contract sum

Question 25

What is the difference between defined and undefined provisional sums?

Answer 25

• A defined provisional sum is one that relates to works that cannot be accurately measured, but there is sufficient information about the works including their nature, method, location, quantity, limitations to allow planning, programming & pricing of preliminaries to take place. The contractor would therefore only be entitled to claim for any increase in the cost of the physical works.
• Where there is insufficient information, the works are classed under an undefined provisional sum entitling the contractor to costs for prelims and an extension to the programme.

Question 26

How would you undertake an audit on a cost reimbursable contract?

Answer 26

Upon the submission of the AFP by the contractor I would ensure this is provided in an agreed format and detail

I would review all costs incurred to date in respect of labour, plant and materials, staff and overhead and profit

I would carry out an audit of the information and reconcile this against the free schedules and rates within the contract

I would check timesheets, staff grades

Question 27

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

Answer 27

I would utilise the junior team to carry out spot checks on the quantities to check they’re accurate

Question 28

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

Answer 28

I would check the drawings and BoQ 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

Question 29

How are obstructions dealt with on site? And in which package do you see them included?

Answer 29

These are usually dealt with by a provisinal sum within the BoQ due to underdetermined nature of works

They wou

Question 30

How do you deal with ground water under NRM2?

Answer 30

Ground water is measured under section 5 for excavating and filling

It is measured on an

Question 31

What is a Preamble?

Answer 31

A preamble is an explanation of a document that is commonly found in contracts, specifications and bill of quantities

It helps with the interpretation of the document

Question 33

How do you measure cut and fill?

Answer 33

• I would obtain drawings with existing levels & proposed levels.
• I would divide the area of excavation into a grid & interpolate the levels on the grid to establish an average existing & proposed level.
• This would determine which area was in cut and which area was in fill

Question 34

Is the quantity for excavation similar as disposal?

Answer 34

Yes providing there is no backfilling required and assuming the form of contract and method of
measurement does not allow for bulking, shrinkage or waste of earthworks

Question 35

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

Answer 35

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

Question 36

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

Answer 36

• 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.

Question 37

What are method related charges?

Answer 37

A method related charge is a one-off item related to the method of carrying out the work and does not form part of the permanent works.
* They are not considered proportional to the item of works to be carried out.
* For example provision of temporary propping required for a weakened elevation of an existing
building.

Question 38

What are time related charges?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

What are fixed charges?

Answer 39

Fixed charges are method related changes that do not vary with time

Question 40

Can you explain the differences between the floor area method, elemental method, and functional unit method in costing construction works? Provide an example of a project scenario where each method would be appropriately used.

Question 41

Briefly describe the primary purpose of NRM1, NRM2, and NRM3. How are these rules applied in the pre-contract stage, and what specific functions do they serve in the cost planning and measurement processes

Question 42

You mentioned utilising NRM2 with drawings to measure quantities. Can you elaborate on the process of using NRM2 in conjunction with drawings, and how does it contribute to detailed measurement for building works?

Question 43

Discuss the importance of data sources in deriving rates for components of a project. How do quantity surveyors and estimators use sources like BCIS, internal data from previous tenders, and bill of quantities to establish rates for cost estimation?

Question 44

Can you elaborate on the content and structure of the activity schedules you produced for the P Programme scheme? How did these schedules facilitate the pricing of subcontractors, direct labour, materials, and risk percentages for derisking activities at each site?

Question 45

You utilised tender normalization and recommended excluding provisional sums from the lump sum contract price. Can you elaborate on how this approach helped in achieving more accurate budget figures and managing risks?

Question 46

In the Capital Maintenance Project framework, you mentioned collecting rates from various project tenders. How did you analyse these rates, and can you provide an example of how you applied these rates in the costing process, such as with the change request for window repairs to replacement on the Cricklewood project?

Question 47

You mentioned advising project managers on contractor selection based on tender analysis and comparative assessments. Could you provide a specific example where you applied tender normalization and advised on provisional sums, influencing the awarding of the project? How did this approach contribute to achieving project goals?

Question 48

In your role, you utilized tender normalisation and recommended excluding provisional sums from the lump sum contract price. Can you elaborate on how this approach helped in achieving more accurate budget figures and managing risks, especially in scenarios like dealing with asbestos-related challenges? Can you share a specific instance where this strategy was successfully implemented?

Question 49

You mention tender normlisation, how did you go about doing this?

Question 50

You utilised tender normalisation and recommended excluding provisional sums from the lump sum contract price. Can you elaborate on how this approach helped in achieving more accurate budget figures and managing risks?

Question 51

What are the differences between an activtiy schedule and BOQ, and which do you believe is better?