Quantification and costing (of construction works) (L2)

Question 1

On the Williamsgate project, how do you go about assessing the amount due each month?

Answer 1

o At each assessment date the state of completion for each activity is assessed
o Including assessing if it is free from Defects which would delay or be covered by immediately following work
o This involves attending site with the Supervisor to ascertain this information in addition to reviewing the Defects register
o The Contractor will be paid for each activity if it is complete and free from certain Defects if it is not in a group
o If it is in a group then the Contractor will be paid for the activity when the whole group of activates is complete

Question 2

When assessing compensation events what rates did you use?

Answer 2

o Rates stated in Contract Data Part 2 for:
 People doing manufacture and fabrication and design outside the working areas
 Special equipment (for use when it may be difficult to establish a market rate)
 Rates for Equipment t listed in CECA i.e. the published list for Equipment
 Open market rates for Equipment not listed in CECA
 Contractors own people under shorter SSCC under NEC4

Question 3

Can you talk me through an item you have measured?

Answer 3

o Measured MDPE pipework on Cornhow to Stainburn using CESMM4
o Work Class I which is for the supply, install and jointing of pipes including excavating and backfilling trenches
o The unit of measure was linear meters and
o The pipework was measured along the centre line including
 lengths occupied by fittings and valves but not occupied by manholes (wasn’t any connection into manholes or valves just fitting such as bends)
o The depth of trench was measured from the commencing surface to the invert of the pipe
o Diameter of pipe was also required
o Fittings such as bends where measured in number of and in accordance with work class J

Question 4

How did you quantify this, what items did you measure and what units did you use?

Answer 4

o Quantified – in accordance with CESMM4 and using drawings and materials list
o Measured
 MDPE pipework which was measured in Linear meters and also the diameter and
 Fittings such as bends and tapping tees which are measured in number

Question 5

How would you have valued an item for which there was no like rate?

Answer 5

o You would break the items down into its constituent parts and
o Price them individually based on first principles
o Seek supplier quotes where they can be obtained
o And use a similar work as a benchmark

Question 6

When costing construction works, how would you assess the appropriate labour rate?

Answer 6

o Ensure the rate has been built up in accordance with SCC or SSCC if using NEC
o Identify the type of labour
 E.g. unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled
o Use SPONS price book which contains a section on calculating labour rates
o Use rates used on previous and current projects
o Use framework rates if applicable

Question 7

How would you assess the appropriate level of OH&P?

Answer 7

o Use industry benchmarks – (obtained from SPONS and/ or BCIS)
o Assess project specific conditions such as size, duration, complexity and risk
 Complex project with high risks may require specialist equipment and resources which may increase overhead
o Review historical data and past projects
o Evaluate market conditions – competitive market may necessitate reduced profit
o Assess contract requirements – D&B contracts may have higher overhead to cover design
o Review contractual provisions – terms may dictate how OH&P are calculated e.g. item 44 in SCC

Question 8

Talk me through how you would measure concrete foundations in accordance with NRM2.

Answer 8

o You would use Work Section 11: In-situ concrete works, work item 2 Horizontal work
o The unit of measure is M3 and so you need 3nr dimensions to calculate the volume and measure the concrete foundations, these are:
 Centre line distance
 Width and
 Depth
o To calculate the centre line distance you need
 The inner girth dimensions (width and length)
 These are then added together and multiply by 2 to get the inner girth distance
 Next you need to add the corner distance for outer corners calculated by
* Half the wall thickness multiplied by 2 multiplied by the number of outer corners
 This will then give you the centre line
o You then need the width and depth of the concrete foundation to calculate the volume