SoE Works Progress and Quality Management

Question 1

How do you check the product is correct as used by the contractor?

Answer 1

• Check the specification
• Reference British Standards
• Check Manufacturers data
• Physically inspect

Question 2

What do you if the contractor comes to you with an alternative product?

Answer 2

• Check the suggested difference
• Ensure the same standard is reached or improved.
• Consider costings
• Consider guarantee
• Consider suitable application

Question 3

When you carry out site inspections, what do you include in the inspection report?

Answer 3

• Date
• Time
• Weather
• no operatives on site
• health and safety
• progress
• discussions had on site
• action points
• progress
• Requests for information

Question 4

What tests on concrete can you carry out on site?

Answer 4

• Slump test
• Rebar cover

Question 5

How can progress be recorded on a project ?

Answer 5

Base against contract programmed to monitor the progress.

Question 6

Why is it important to record progress?

Answer 6

• To ensure the programmed is evolving and to try and meet the construction programmed.
• Proof that you were monitoring the progress against the project timescale should any disputes arise.

Question 7

How regularly might site visits be undertaken and why?

Answer 7

• Dependent on complexity and size.
• I normally carry out weekly inspections unless prompted for more.

Question 8

Did you prepare reports following your site inspections? If you did, explain what was included in these.

Answer 8

Site inspection record details
• Date
• Time
• Weather
• no operatives on site
• health and safety
• progress
• discussions had on site
• action points
• progress
• Requests for information

Question 9

How do you ensure that the project is kept on track?

Answer 9

I chair regular meetings with the site manager and if required, the client. At this meeting, I will discuss the current status of the project to ensure that it is on track both in terms of timing and finance. Before I chair these meetings, I will review the most recent payment certificate as well as the variations that were applied for, I will then make a note of how much work has been carried out based on the programmed of works provided by the contractor. I will then inform the client of the next payment application that is expected as well as what works should be completed by then so that they have an idea of the amount of money they need to make available.

Question 10

How do you carry out a site inspection?

Answer 10

I will first check all the latest correspondence and make notes on anything I need to pay particular attention to such as for valuation purposes or quality standards etc. I will then confirm who will be on site to show me the progress of work and ensure that I am wearing all the relevant PPE. I will then review the progress of the work according to the specification and make a note of any concerns and raise this with the site manager and client.

Question 11

Why do you need to record the progress of works?

Answer 11

The purpose of recording progress is to ensure that the project does not fall behind schedule and where it is, the necessary actions can be implemented to pick up any slack or delay. This will also help mitigate disputes between employer and contractor as the communication is kept regular and issues can be quickly addressed.

Question 12

What quality descriptors are you aware of?

Answer 12

The contract will be appended with the agreed spec. This will include the quality standards in the preambles that the contractor must achieve. This could be the type of paint to be used on a material and the amount of coats required or the render/plaster mixture to apply to the wall and how many coats are required.

Question 13

What is clerk of works?

Answer 13

Their role is to check the quality and progress of the works carried out on site according to the specification and report this back to the client/CA. They have no authority to administer any contractual changes.

Question 14

How do you prepare site reports?

Answer 14

I will list out who carried out the inspection, who I met with, the date, time, weather, what I went to see, if there are any issues with what I had seen, if previous issues had been addressed and the agreed date for the next inspection. I then formulate this in an easy to read format that can be tracked using bullet points which can be referenced easily.

Question 15

How do you determine if something has been done to the correct quality?

Answer 15

I can check that the work has been carried out according to the specification. Certain work can be judged based on experience but on occasion, we use specialists to ensure that the construction has met the standards as designed particularly with sound proofing. The works can be opened up if I believe it has not been done to the required standard although this is a last measure as it can lead to issues with the client in terms of EoT etc.

Question 16

How do you inform your client that the project is behind schedule?

Answer 16

By reviewing the project programmed, I can identify where the project should be, I will prepare a second programmed to overlay on top of the existing programmed to show where the delay is and what the knock-on effect is to the next stages of work. This helps the client understand how far the work can potentially be pushed back to. This is first done verbally after my site visit so that they are aware and then I detail all my findings in an email as outline what action can be taken to make up the delay in time.

Question 17

Apart from hitting the completion date, does a contractor have to follow the construction programmed?

Answer 17

No, most standard form contractors do not require a programmed to be followed activity by activity. The obligation is to finish by the completion date and meet the required standards. (The programme is treated different within different contracts)

Question 18

What can you do if a contractor does not finish on time?

Answer 18

Make a claim for Liquidated damages if an extension of time has not been submitted and or approved.

Question 19

How long would you need to keep the records of site visits for?

Answer 19

6-12 years depending on how the contract was executed (under hand or deed), 15 years in relation to the limitations act.

Question 20

What are project milestones?

Answer 20

Key stages of a project that are define in the contract documents.

Question 21

What is a Gantt chart?

Answer 21

Diagram used to plan and schedule a project. Shows the path tasks must be completed by in order to complete on time.

Question 22

What contractual status does a contractors programmed have under the major standard forms of construction contract?

Answer 22

• Under JCT MW, the contractor does not have to follow it as it is not considered contract document.

Question 23

1What would you normally find on a pre-start meeting agenda?

Answer 23

• Attendee
• start dates
• welfare
• completion estimate
• first site visit
• confirmation of payment terms
• additional items.

Question 24

What would you normally find on a progress meeting agenda?

Answer 24

• Dates
• works completed
• delayed works
• works to be completed by next visit
• issues identified
• cost estimates
• variations

Question 25

A sub-contractor tells you he hasn’t been paid. What do you do?

Answer 25

Make a note of this for the records and remind the sub-contractor that the contract is with the main contractor and needs to handle it through them. This could be an early warning sign regarding cash flow issues for the main contractor.

Question 26

How do you define how often a site visit should be completed on site ?

Answer 26

• And pre-defined stages
• During specific inspection routines
• If and when during an issue arises

Question 27

What is benchmarking ?

Answer 27

Benchmarking is defined as the process of measuring products, services, and processes against those of organizations known to be leaders in one or more aspects of their operations. Benchmarking provides necessary insights to help you understand how your organization compares with similar organizations, even if they are in a different business or have a different group of customers.

Question 28

What is ISO 9001 ?

Answer 28

The ISO 9000 family of quality management systems is a set of standards that helps organizations ensure they meet customer and other stakeholder needs within statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service.

Question 29

What does ISO stand for ?

Answer 29

International Organization for Standardization

Question 30

How would you check progress on site ?

Answer 30

• Reference program
• Check against cash flow
• Check against contract sum
• Check progress son site
• Check material on site

Question 31

How can you check quality control ?

Answer 31

• Sample panel
• Snagging
• Site inspection
• Compare specification
• Check against reports

Question 32

Can a clerk of works issue CI ?

Answer 32

No

Question 33

What is the relevant case law in relation to inspection intervals ?

Answer 33

McGlinn v Waltham Contractors Ltd

Inspections should not be dictated by the project value and should be relevant to the works and need for inspections.

https://www.fenwickelliott.com/research-insight/articles-papers/covid-19/inspection-obligations-architects

Question 34

What are the three main standard you would consider when assessing works on site ?

Answer 34

Cost, time and quality

Question 35

What is a BRE Doc ?

Answer 35

BRE delivers innovative and rigorous products, services, standards and qualifications which are used around the globe to make buildings better for people and for the environment.

Question 36

What is a British Standard ?

Answer 36

British Standards are the standards produced by the BSI Group which is incorporated under a royal charter and which is formally designated as the national standards body for the UK

Question 37

What checks do you make to ensure the materials you specified have been used on site ?

Answer 37

During my site inspection inspect these items, I make specific reference to these items within my schedule of works to allow for the CA to inspect prior to covering. Sufficient notice should be given to allow for travel etc and attendance to site.

Question 38

When inspecting works, what kind of things do you look out for?

Answer 38

Quality, workmanship, health and safety of the operatives, progress sin relation to the program, suitable materials

Question 39

In what circumstances might a project require more frequent site visits - give examples.

Answer 39

A technical project, a project that uncovered various issues, a lack of confidence or new contractor.

Question 40

Give me some examples of the quality standards you include in your specifications.

Answer 40

• BS 8300:12 Decoration
• BS 8612 for Dry-fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems
• BS EN 845-1:2003 Specification for ancillary components for masonry. Ties, tension straps, hangers and brackets

Question 41

Explain how you recorded the progress made to date?

Answer 41

Site inspection record and photographs

Question 42

Explain how you determined if the work was progressing to time. (i.e. how is progress on site ).

Answer 42

In reference to the contract programme

Question 43

Explain how you determined which stages of the project were “critical” and how you timed your site visits to ensure you witnessed the necessary works.

Answer 43

They were defined in the schedule of works to allow for this

Question 44

How did you ensure the materials you specified had been used on site ?

Answer 44

Regular site inspection and evidence

Question 45

How did you check and record this and what physical checks do you make ?

Answer 45

Quality, material, placement, sizing etc

Question 46

What would you have done if you found the project falling significantly behind programme ?

Answer 46

Review with the contractor, considerer acceleration

Question 47

When you identified the sub-standard workmanship to what quality standards did you refer to identify the work was not to the required standard ?

Answer 47

I referred to British standards for the acceptable quality required as previously defined.