Quantification & Costing (of Construction Works) - Level 2

Question 1

Give me an example of a package where you did some measurement. What method of measurement did you use?

Answer 1

For the floor finishes and ceramic tiling package I undertook measurements of floor finishes drawings and elevation drawings which produced the area in square meters for each floor finish and ceramic tile.

Question 2

Take me through the procedure for undertaking the measurement for a production of a pricing document.

Answer 2

Budget and forecast, how is this set out within the contract documents so that the scope and value of the scope can be understood.
Use the drawings and the specifications to undertake measurements of drawings on Bluebeam (a measurement software).

Question 3

Take me though the procedure for choosing an appropriate pricing document for a subcontract. Explain the selection criteria.

Answer 3

Tenderers were required to prepare its own pricing document. For example, in some cases the tenderer may be required to prepare a priced schedule of the activities forming the subcontract works (an activity schedule). Each tenderer may view the activities in a different way, so the activity schedule may differ between tenderers.

Tenders were scored based upon a combination of the competitiveness of the cost, reputation, technical compliance, resource levels to accommodate the programme of works, quality aspirations and performance in the tender period/tender interview.

Question 4

Tell me about the options available to you to price variations / changes.

Answer 4

• Additions to, and omissions from, contracted works are valued by quantifying the change of scope and using rates and/or prices for identical or similar work as the basis of valuation.
• Effects on preliminaries, risk allowances, design fees, overheads and profit, etc. should be considered as appropriate for the circumstances.
• When work is not identical or similar, rates and/or prices for other work in the contract are used as a basis to form a new rate or price with suitable adjustments to reflect the difference. This difference could be due to changes in conditions, character, quantity, or other reasons provided for by the contract.
• When it is not possible to produce a new rate or price on this basis, a fair rate or price is calculated, usually by the employing party, to reflect the changed factors.
• As a last resort, when a ‘fair’ rate or price cannot be identified due to special circumstances, work is valued on the basis of the time taken and resources used to complete it. This may be a ‘daywork’ valuation.

Question 5

Give me an example where you priced works from first principles. Explain the variables that you consider.

Answer 5

First principles estimating is a method of pricing projects where rate per unit build-ups are derived from identifying, analysing and combining basic resources.

I have done this when assessing a variation for the floor finishes contractor to undertake carpet installation in the staircase out of normal working hours. I built up the rate of materials required in the staircase by undertaking a take off and applying the contract rate. The Labour element was built up on an hourly rate which is doubled due to it being an evening shift where the installer can install approximately 14 meters of carpet tile per hour, where this was divided by the totals amount of carpet to then give the hours required, which was multiplied by the rate to give the cost.

This labour and material cost therefore produced the total costs of the work from first principles.

Question 6

Tell me more about your experience in producing final accounts.

Answer 6

I have had experience in producing final accounts with subcontractors where variations to the contract were discussed to establish if an instruction had been issued, then if the instruction formed part of their contract works, and if not I would value these works from first principles and by using rates within the subcontract.

Question 7

Tell me about your experience in measuring construction works in accordance with NRM2.

Answer 7

I have reviewed the NRM2 when undertaking a measurement of wall tiling to understand which drawings should be accompanying the section of measurement as I was only supplied with elevation drawings which were found to be sufficient under NRM2.