Quantification and Costing of Construction Works

Question 1

What does NRM stand for?

Answer 1

New Rules of Measurement

Question 2

What is NRM

Answer 2

Published by RICS
Comprises of 3 volumes
Provides a consistent basis for the production of order of cost estimates and cost plans
Provides added confidence and accuracy to employers
In the event that a firm is persuade for negligence, the use of NRM would provide a means of defence as it represents best practice

Question 3

What is NRM1

Answer 3

Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works

Enabling more effective and accurate cost advice to be given to clients, as well as facilitating better cost control

Question 4

What is NRM2

Answer 4

Detailed measurement for building work

Allowing surveyors to prepare bills of quantites

Question 5

What is NRM3

Answer 5

Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works

Gives guidance on the quantification and description of maintenance works for the purpose of preparing initial order of costs estimates

Question 6

According to NRM1, the term risk allowance refers to:

Answer 6

the amount added to the base cost estimate for item that cannot be precisely predicted to arrive at the cost limit

Question 6

GIA

Answer 6

Gross Internal Area
Internal face of the perimeter wall at each floor area
Excludes; balconies, canopies, external walls

Question 7

NIA

Answer 7

Net Internal Area
Useable space / rentable space

Excludes; structural walls, columns, lift lobbies, toilets, plant area

Question 8

GEA

Answer 8

Gross External Area
Area of building measured externally at each floor area

Question 9

What is a provisional sum

Answer 9

Money included in the contract for work that cannot be fully defined at the time of tender

Question 10

What is a defined provisional sum

Answer 10

A provisional sum that are sufficiently well defined. Allowing contractor to make allowances for them

Question 11

What is a undefined provisional sum

Answer 11

No allowance for programme or prelims is allowed for within the contract sum

Question 12

How are provisional sums expended

Answer 12

• The CA should issue an instruction for its expenditure
• The final account payable will be adjusted (the PS is omitted and replaced with actual costs

Question 13

What is cut and fill excavation

Answer 13

Process of excavation whereby the material that is cut / stripped is re-used elsewhere on the site

Question 14

What would you expect the % of NIA to GIA to be

Answer 14

Office building : 70-85%

Question 15

What is the Bill of Quantities

Answer 15

document that provides a project specific measured quantities of items identified in drawings and specifications

Question 16

What is the purpose of a BofQ

Answer 16

Purpose of the BofQ is to provide the estimator with an accurate picture of the scope of works

Question 17

Why would you use BofQ instead of schedule of work?

Answer 17

BofQ breaks the works section down into more detail
Simplifies the tender process, contractors will be pricing the same quantities, simplifying the tender analysis

Question 18

Advantages of using BofQ

Answer 18

• Simplified tender analysis
• Detailed
• Effective document for interim payments and preparing the final account

Question 19

Disadvantages of BofQ

Answer 19

• Time consuming to produce
• Potential for errors when measuring the project

Question 20

How would you structure a BofQ

Answer 20

In accordance with NRM2
- Prelims
- Facilitating works
- Substructure
- Superstructure
- Internal Finishes
- Fittings, Furnishings and Equipment
- Services
- External Works
- Provisional Sums
- Dayworks