SB SoE Q's Flashcards
How would you assess change/a variation?
Pricing schedule
Contractor quote
Dayworks
First Principle
How would you prepare a cashflow?
if the contract includes staged payments then it is straightforward
If interim valuation:
- based on forecast of the completion of activities and the cost associated with these
What are the pros and cons of a concrete frame?
Pros:
The price and availability are less volatile than steel
Concrete provides sound and heat insulation
Does not require fire proofing
It can be used to form complex geometry
Cons
Bigger foundations - heavier building
Takes longer, weather and temperature can cause delays
What are the pros and cons of steel construction?
Pros
- quick construction
- doesn’t warp
- long lasting
Cons
- needs fire protection
- volatile price and supply
Types of piles
- Bored
- CFA - Sheet
- Secant
- Driven
Hand Laid Brick Build up
Brick, wall ties, insulation board, metal studs with mineral wool between them, sheathing board, two layers of plasterboard
Brick Slip Panel
Brickslip anchored back to frame, with insulation board and full wall build up attached
Pros & Cons of Brickslip
Pros
quick and easy to install
lighter - less substructure
durable and fire resistant
many aesthetic options to suit architect
little maintenance required
Cons
more vulnerable to damage - thin
no structural bearing
overtime may required re-pointing with new mortat
What did you learn at the Quigg Golden CPD?
Essential construction insurances
- Employers liability
- Public liability
- Professional Indemnity
What were the numbered docs (appendices) in the Kane contract - JCT Minor Works?
Demolition management plan
prior notification
asbestos survey report
hoarding plan
scope of works
CSA
Floor Plans
Fire Risk Assessment
Ground Investigation Report
What were the amendments in the Kane contract?
Section 2 - Carrying out works
Clause to ensure no material was carted off site unless necessary (contaminated) or disrupted works
2.6 - added clause to ensure that the contractor could not claim additional costs from any unforeseen conditions
Section 4 payment
clause to ensure the contractor issued invoice within 2 days of payment cert
clause to amend final date for payment from 14 days to 28
What are the normal payment dates for JCT?
The due date is pivotal
- Interim valuation date is 7 days before due date
- Payment Certificate must be issued within 5 days of due date
- final date for payment is 14 days from due date (21 from interim val date)
- pay less notice 5 days before final date for payment
Pros and Cons of Traditional procurement route?
Pros
- Design Control
- Well known route
- Cost Certainty
Cons
- Lengthy, sequential process
- No main contractor input for buildability advice
What are the pros and cons of D&B?
Pros
- Single point of responsibility
- Overlap of design and build so time saving
Buildability input from contractor
Cons
- Less design control
- Harder to compare tenders
- Less focus on quality
What is the difference between Construction Management and Management Contracting?
CM involves there being a contractual relationship between the employer and sub-contractor, where as with MC it is through the main contractor.
Pros and cons of a two stage tender?
Pros
Buildability advice
Maintains competitiveness in first stage
Less risk priced into scheme at second stage as contractor knows scheme and has been involved in design
Cons
Lack of competition during the second stage
2 tender periods makes it a more lengthy process
No cost certainty until second stage contract signed
Pros and cons of a negotiated tender?
Pros
- Programme Saving
Cons
- No competition
What would you include in a tender report?
Exec summary and recommendation
Background of tender process
Scope of works
Pre-qual process
Evaluation Criteria
Equalisation and comparison to PTE
Any relevant correspondence/negotiation
Any outstanding package/contract risks
What would you include in a Cost Report?
Exec summary
Contract sum
Agreed Variations
Outstanding Variations
Risks and contingency balance
Cashflow forecast
Drawdown
What are some differences between NRM and IPMS?
GEA - IPMS 1 - balconies included in IMPS but not GEA
GIA - IPMS 2 - includes the internal dominant face which is 50% of the SA for each vertical section
NIA - IPMS 3
What are the components of the external works in NRM?
Site preparation works
Roads, paths, pavings and surfacings
Soft landscaping, planting & irrigation systems
Fencing, railings & walls
External fixtures
External drainage
External services
Minor building works and ancillary buildings
What are the timescales for the final account in the JCT?
The contractor must provide all necessary information for final account within 6 months of PC.
The CA/QS then issues the final account within 3 months of this.
Final date for payment is 28 days from due date.
What are some examples of relevant matters which can result in a loss and expense claim?
Failure to give contractor possession of site
Failure to give contractor access to site
Delay in issuing instructions
Discrepencies in contract docs
Disruption caused by works being carried out by client
Failure of client to supply goods or materials
Instructions relating to variations and expenditure of prov sums
Issues relating to CDM
What is the TPI?
Tender price index - measure of movement in prices between clients and contractors when tender is accepted
Typically used for adjusting estimates and budgets to different dates
Available on BCIS
When can the JCT minor works be used?
Typically non-complex works less than £250,000 in value.
What are the types of asbestos survey?
Management Survey: for buildings which continue to be occupied to ensure that presence is known and cannot be disturbed by normal activities causing harm. minor intrusion. Guides to client and suggests any remedial work required.
Refurbishment/demolition survey: for the purposes of change to a building to ensure that when work begins the ACM is known and that when work commences no one is harmed and work shall be done by only specialist contractors.
What are the building regulations?
Part A: Structure
Part B: Fire safety
Part C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture
Part D: Toxic substances
Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound
Part F: Ventilation
Part G: Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency
Part H: Drainage and waste disposal
Part J: Heat producing appliances and Fuel storage system
Part K: Protection from falling, collision and impact
Part L: Conservation of fuel and power
Part M: Access to and use of buildings
Part N: Glazing - Safety in relation to impact, opening and cleaning
Part O: Overheating
Part P: Electrical safety
Part Q: Security - Dwellings
What would you find in a construction phase plan?
Project information
Project Team member details
Key dates and phases
Site Rules
Welfare
Induction details
Fire and emergency arrangements
H&S arrangements
High risk tasks e.g. ACM, high voltage power lines, hazardous substance
Name some dispute Resolution Techniques
Negotiation - low cost, quick, non-binding, non-adversial
Mediation - Formal, neutral third party, can be binding
Expert determination - Not possible to appeal, binding
Adjudication - JCT standard, introduced in the construction act 1996, can only be overturned by arbritration or litigation, binding and enforceable by technology and construction court
Arbitration - more formal and costly, binding through courts
Litigation - lengthy, costly, not confidential
What is the standard JCT timeline for adjudication?
Party issue a notice of dispute - adjudicator appointed in 7 days - then has 28 days to issue decision
What is contained in a consultant appointment document?
Workscope
Agreed fee and payment terms
Terms of business
Contract amendments
Contact details
What are the main types of ratio analysis used to assess a company?
Liquidity ratios - current ratio, Acid test,
Working capital Ratio - (assets-liabilities/turnover)
Profitability ratios - ROE,
Financial Gearing radios - debt/equity
What is a business plan and what would you expect to find in one?
An overview of the business goals and how these are to be attained.
Vision (strategic)
Objectives and goals
Strategies and actions
Name some key sustainability regulations which impact construction
Building regs - Part J: Heat producing appliances and Fuel storage system
Climate change act 2008 - cut greenhouse emissions compared with 1990 levels by 80% by 2050
Energy performance of buildings regulations 2012 - required EPC for buildings, quantifying energy efficiency - rated A-G
What are the principals/pillars of sustainability?
Social - building healthy communities with sufficient numbers and range of buildings
Economical - strong, responsive, competitive economy with land rights and types
Environmental - protecting and enhancing natural, built and historic environment
What is Passivehaus?
A fabric first approach with the intention of no requirement for space heating through good insulation, air tightness and solar gains.
What is an LLP?
A partnership where members share liability for each others actions. Limited liability protection
What is included in the Data Protection act 2018?
That information be used lawfully, collected for legitimate purposes. Information is accurate and up to date and kept for no longer than necessary.
Individual rights:
Right to:
be informed
access
rectification
erasure (remove)
restrict processing
data portability
object
automated decision making and profiling
What are the different types of provisional sum?
Defined - time allowance for prelims and programme
Undefined - no allowance for prelims and programme
What are the different types of fitout?
Shall and core - structure, envelope, common areas such as reception, lobby corridor etc
Cat A - Tenants own space fitted out so surface finished, MEP, raised floor suspended ceilings, and blinds completed
Cat B - full fitout including install of all finished, kitchens, IT equipment, furniture
What are S106 and S278 agreements?
Agreements between a developer and a local authority which may commit the developer to contribute to publicly funded institutions such as infrastructure, education, housing, town centre, health. S278 applies specifically to highways.
When is a project notifiable? and how do you notify it?
When construction is scheduled for more than 30 days and/or will have more than 20 workers at any point, - or has more than 500 person days. notified to HSE via F10
How does an ASHP work?
Pump takes air from outside to heat a liquid refrigerant, the pump compresses liquid to increase temperature, heat then sent to radiators/underfloor heater and remaining hot water stored for showers etc
How does a GSHP work?
By absorbing heat from ground via an array of pipework in the ground or water, compressing and condensing this energy into a higher temperature and transferring this to the buildings heating or hot water system.
What is the Scheme for Construction Contracts?
A scheme for projects which don’t comply with the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act (Construction Act 1996)
What is a performance bond?
Insures the client against the risk of the contractor fulfilling obligations, e.g. a contractor becoming insolvent
What are liquidated damages in construction?
Costs which the client claims back from Contractor for any delays which arise as a fault of the contractor
What are specified perils?
Fires, explosions, earthquakes and flooding.
Stages of the RIBA PoW
0 - stategic definition
1 - preparation and breifing
2 - concept design
3 - Spatial coordination
4 - technical design
5 - manufacturing and construction
6 - handover
7 - use
What are the five rules of conduct?
- Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their
professional obligations, including obligations to RICS. - Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure
that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary
expertise. - Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service.
- Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and
inclusion. - Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their
actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
What did you learn at ‘Fire Safety Reform – What you need to know’?
The new fire safety regulations (2022) adds a greater burden on the responsible person in multi occupancy resi buildings and aims to reduce the risk of fire through unsafe cladding and entrance doors. The EWS is to be part of any fire risk assessment in multi occupancy buildings.
What does BREEAM stand for and what are its criteria?
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
- Energy
- Land Use and Ecology
- Water
- Health and Wellbeing
- Pollution
- Transport
- Materials
- Waste
- Management
What is a smash and grab adjudication?
When a CA/EA/client doesn’t issue a payment cert or a pay less notice and is liable for the full amount of the contractor’s application for payment.
What were the valuation timelines on the demolition of Swingate House?
Due date is the last Friday of each month, interim valuation date 7 days before this. Payment cert due 5 days from due date. Changed payment date from 14 to 28 days after the due date
When was retention returned after the Swingate House demolition?
half was released upon practical completion and the other half released after the defects rectification period which was 6 months after PC.
How have you implemented knowledge from the ** CPD?
Smash and grab adjudication - been more diligent when issuing payment certs and looking out for signs the contractor may be looking to take advantage of a smash and grab
Homes for the future - dfma and how MMC is transforming house building. Passivehaus. encouraging/challenging my projects to use MMC and sustainable materials
Construction insurance - PI, EL, PL insurance, ensuring all my contractors have apt insurance
How did you negotiate the price for the installation of holes in the steelwork for the rainscreen cladding on SWFT?
I took a view that the contractor was overestimating the time taken to complete which I discussed with the construction manager for clarity - I also noticed some of the rates were inflated which I reduced in my assessment.
Which external sources are used to gauge steel price fluctuation?
BCIS Material Cost Index, internal Mace market reports,
What are some of the differences between an EA and CA?
EA is used in D&B contracts and CA is in Traditional contracts. EA is usually involved earlier than a CA and helps to prepare documents such as the ER.
What are some key building metrics?
Wall to floor ratio (internal and external), net to gross ratio, GIA:GEA, site usage %, average unit NIA, glazing ratio,
How was the enabling works contract administered?
Monthly valuations and monthly cost reporting
What risks occur from a separate contractor carrying out the demo works?
Risk of delaying the MC works. Risk of works not being carried out to an acceptable standard i.e. failing to recognise and remove contaminated material in the ground
What can be done to mitigate the risk of the demo contractor not performing ahead of main contract?
Liquidated damages
Difference between secant wall system and sheet pile wall system?
A secant wall system has alternating reinforced and non reinforced concrete piles, non-reinforced piles are install followed by the reinforced piles to form a watertight basement. Sheet piles are driven into the ground using a hydraulic rig before the basement can be excavated.
How would you manage going out to tender with an incomplete for S2 design?
Factor in the risk and include all elements in equalisation process.
What consideration was given to fire safety with the alternative specification of the cladding?
Ensure that they adhered to existing and incoming regulation, with design team fire consultant and also the supplier.
Can you explain how the first floor transfer slab worked on SG1A and how this impacted cost?
Cost neutral due to the price volatility of steel
How is a CFA pile constructed?
Pile mat installed, piling rig brought on site, hole bored with auger, while auger withdrawn, concrete pumped in, moving soil upwards. Cage then dropped in.
What issue would you experience with a high staff turnover?
- Increased recruitment costs
- Increased training costs
- Inconsistent production/performance
- Poor staff morale
- Reputational damage
- Loss of customers/repeat business
Give me some examples of fee earning v non fee earning staff at your company?
- Fee earning
o Qs
o Architects
o PM - Non fee earning
o Admin staff
o Business Development Managers.