Quantification & Costing Flashcards
What are the differences between SMM7 and NRM?
Purpose
SSM7 - used for BoQs in traditional procurement
NRM - broader scope - covers pre-con planning, cost planning and cost estimate throughout project lifecycle (maint)
Structure
SMM7 - Focusses on how to measure and describes work items clearly for contractors
NRM - suite for planning and management
Flexibility
SMM7 - less adaptable to modern procurements like D&B
NRM - Addresses modern procurement methods and entire project lifecycle
Content
SMM7 - detailed guidance and measurement rules and methods for specific trades
NRM - includes prelims, cost analysis, elemental cost breakdowns for clearer cost management
What are the NRM?
NRM 1 - Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Building Works
NRM 2 - Detailed Measurement for Building Works
NRM 3 - Order of Cost Estimating and Cost Planning for Maintenance
What is the wall-to-floor ratio, and why is it important in cost planning?
The wall-to-floor ratio is a key metric in building design and cost planning. It is calculated by dividing the total external wall area (including windows and doors) by the overall gross floor area of the building.
A lower wall-to-floor ratio generally indicates a more economically efficient design.
How do you ensure the quantities you take are accurate?
Ask the architect / engineer to scale drawings, and then apply that scale to my measures taken.
Use NRM as rules on how to accurately measure.
Measure GIFA and request the architect to confirm accuracy.
Follow key to ensure I am measuring the correct items under the correct headings.
Undertake CostX training to make sure I am using the software correctly.
Spot check against items such as the width of doors (circa 0.9m for a single).
Have my quantities peer reviewed by a colleague.
Why is it important to use industry standard templates and rules of measurement?
To provide accuracy and consistency.
To ensure that all parties price on the same basis.
If there is a dispute, the adjudicator or courts are likely to take independent advice from RICS. RICS guidance is industry standard templates should be used (such as NRM).
Contractors might not be willing to price bespoke templates as they are not familiar with using them.
How are prelims split and can you give examples?
Time related and fixed.
Time related - cranes / hiring of plant, management.
Fixed - cost of PPE, purchased of hoarding or welfare unit.
What is a vesting certificate and what other things do you need in place for valuing materials off site?
Vesting certificate is a document that provides evidence that the ownership of the materials will transfer from one party to another on payment.
To pay materials off site, you need the following:
- Vesting certificate.
- Off site material bond.
- Evidence that materials are there and have been labelled correctly in terms of project info.
- Insurances are in place.
Ensure that a retention of title clause is not in place vesting certificate. If it is, it means that if client pays contractor but contractor doesn’t pay subcontractor, the subcontractor still owns the materials.
You note that you primarily measure using NRM but are aware of other methods - what are these?
SMM7 but many contractors now just use their own descriptions on D&B jobs
Can You talk me through how you would go about measuring piling under NRM1? What would need to be considered? Can you talk me through the components set out under a piling measure?
- Piling rig
- Hard Standing
- Moving Piling Rig Between Piles
- Piles
- Cutting & preparing heads
- Pile caps (measured under concrete)
- Obstructions
- Pile testing
- Disposal of arisings
What are the recent trends with steel pricing within your region, what is the current market rate per tonne?
At the end of 2023 I had prices of £3,200/tonne but now they’re more like £2,500. However this was more than 6 months ago so I would speak to local suppliers to get a more accurate cost
