Quantification & Costing (of Construction Works) - Level 3 Flashcards
Tell me more about this advice you gave on the selection of a pricing document. What factors did you consider?
When I joined the project the pricing document was already selected which was a detailed Contract Sum Analysis. I would continue to use this document if I was to decide, as this document provided detailed breakdowns of each work package such as Mechanical and Electrical works where this provided greater confidence when reviewing tender returns and provided a clearer, fairer basis for the grounds of future valuations of works.
Other options are:
- Schedule of Works
- Bill of Quantities
When would the use of a contract sum analysis be appropriate? Why?
A contract sum analysis is generally prepared by a contractor as part of their tender on design and build projects. It breaks down the contractor’s price into a form allowing the client to analyse it and to compare it to other tenders, and may then be used as a basis for calculating payments due to the contractor as the works progress.
A contract sum analysis is necessary as there is unlikely to be a bill of quantities on a design and build project when the contract is entered into, and so an alternative means of assessing tenders and valuing payments is necessary.
Would it have made any difference in your advice if a different variant of the JCT standard form of contract had been used?
Yes, for a JCT Building Contract with Quantities would have adopted a bill of quantities.
Tell me about your experience in advising in the use of a particular standard of measurement. What did you recommend and why?
When undertaking the floor finishes and ceramic tiling measurements it was advised that a square meterage should be used as this will give the most accurate representation of the costs.
When would you recommend the use of bills of quantities?
I would recommend using BoQ when the detailed design information is ascertained before the tendering process commences because then the BoQ can be as detailed as possible which will minimize scope gaps at tender stage.
When would you advise the use of daywork rates as a method of pricing construction works?
Daywork rates are generally used when work cannot be priced in a normal way, for example where a variation is instructed for which there is no comparable item in the bill of quantities or there are small items to finish off at the end of a project.
What are the key disadvantages of using daywork rates to a client? Explain.
Lack of Predictability: Since dayworks are based on actual usage, it becomes challenging to predict the exact cost of the project, potentially leading to budgetary uncertainties.
