Works Progress & QM

Question 1

<p>How do you ensure quality control on site?</p>

Answer 1

<ol> <li>Ensure continuous and open communication with Contractor</li> <li>Regularly visit site</li> <li>Inspect works completed and works in progress of being completed</li> <li>Ensure clear instruction and information is given</li> <li>Ensure Contractor has allowed adequate time and resources for tasks</li></ol>

Question 2

<p>How regularly would you inspect a job on site?</p>

Answer 2

<p>At least once a week but frequency will depend on key stages of the programme</p>

Question 3

<p>What information do you log when visiting site?</p>

Answer 3

<ol> <li>Date, time, weather, number of workers on site</li> <li>Review of progress in relation to the programme</li> <li>Quality of workmanship (may be necessary to cross-reference with the specification, British Standards, Approved Document 7 etc.)</li> <li>Check on materials being used (packaging, labelling etc. if specific products are not identifiable - may need to ask for proof of purchase)</li> <li>Ensure works conform to specification and drawings (may need assistance from structural engineer / M&amp;E engineer)</li> <li>Take measurements of works where critical (e.g. door opening widths, ceiling heights)</li> <li>Health and safety arrangements on site</li> <li>Take photographs</li></ol>

Question 4

<p>How long would you need to keep the records of site visits for?</p>

Answer 4

<p>Records of site visits should be kept for a minimum of 6 or 12 years, depending on how the contract was executed, howevernegligence claims can be made up to 15 years after work was undertaken, so may need to keep for longer</p>

Question 5

<p>What do you do if you are not satisfied with the works on site?</p>

Answer 5

<ol> <li>Issue instructions to put the works right</li> <li>Instruct Contractor to open works up for inspection</li> <li>Exclude unsatisfactory work from interim valuations</li> <li>Terminate contract (if the relevant provisions are met, e.g. Contractor not working diligently)</li></ol>

Question 6

<p>Who bears the cost for works that have to be opened up/uncovered for inspection?</p>

Answer 6

<p>Cost for opening up and making good is borne by the Contractor unless no defect is discovered</p>

Question 7

<p>What standard procedural methodologies could be used to deliver a construction project?</p>

Answer 7

<p>???</p>

Question 8

<p>Apart from hitting the completion date, does a contractor have to follow the construction programme?</p>

Answer 8

<p>???</p>

Question 9

<p>What can you do if a contractor does not finish on time?</p>

Answer 9

<p>Client can claim LADs</p>

Question 10

<p>What are project deliverables?</p>

Answer 10

<p>Tangible/intangible objects produced as a result of the project that are intended to be delivered to the client (e.g. a part of the site in section completion/partial possession)</p>

Question 11

<p>What are project milestones?</p>

Answer 11

<p>Specific points along a project timeline that signalhow the project is advancing</p>

Question 12

<p>How would you determine the critical path on a construction programme?</p>

Answer 12

<p>???</p>

Question 13

<p>Define the term 'critical path'.</p>

Answer 13

<p>The sequence of critical tasks upon which the overall duration of the project is dependant</p>

Question 14

<p>Define the term 'float'.</p>

Answer 14

<p>The 'spare' time available in which an activity can be delayed without it impacting the critical path</p>

Question 15

<p>What is a Gantt Chart?</p>

Answer 15

<ol> <li>A scheduling method that shows activities on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis</li> <li>Each individual activity is designated a start and completion date which is represented by horizontal bars on the chart</li> <li>Used to show the total construction programme and identify the required sequence of work, the critical path and any float on tasks</li></ol>

Question 16

<p>In a phased project, what are the knock-on effects if the first phase is delayed?</p>

Answer 16

<p>In phased projects, any delays can have knock-on effects to the overall completion date unless there is sufficient float to make up for the delays without affecting the critical path</p>

Question 17

<p>What contractual status does a contractor's programme have under the major standard forms of construction contract?</p>

Answer 17

<ol> <li>Forms part of the contract documents under most NEC contracts (not Short Contract unless it is stated that one is required)</li> <li>Under JCT, a programme is only required for SBC</li></ol>

Question 18

<p>What would you normally find on a pre-start meeting agenda?</p>

Answer 18

<ol> <li>Introduction of parties</li> <li>Purpose of meeting</li> <li>Scope of works</li> <li>Programme (start date, completion date, phasing etc.)</li> <li>Site matters (working areas, restrictions, access, security, welfare facilities, hours of working etc.)</li> <li>Statutory matters (planning and building control consents, fire precautions and means of escape, environmental considerations etc.)</li> <li>Contract administration (site meetings, snagging, variation procedures, payment provisions etc.)</li> <li>Health and safety (CDM duties, asbestos)</li> <li>Any other business/queries</li> <li>Date of next meeting</li></ol>

Question 19

<p>What would you normally find on a progress meeting agenda?</p>

Answer 19

<ol> <li>Matters arising from previous meeting</li> <li>Contractor's progress report</li> <li>Site issues (quality of work, access etc.)</li> <li>Upcoming stages of programme</li> <li>Finance (variations/Compensation Events/valuations)</li> <li>Health and safety</li> <li>Outstanding information required</li> <li>Any other business/queries</li> <li>Date of next meeting</li></ol>

Question 20

<p>What would you do if there was a conflict of design information on site?</p>

Answer 20

<ol> <li>Determine the correct design</li> <li>Issue a contract instruction if necessary</li> <li>Assess any claim for an extension of time and/or loss and expense</li></ol>

Question 21

<p>What would you look for when assessing the quality of the construction of a new wall?</p>

Answer 21

<ol> <li>Consistent brickwork used</li> <li>Even courses</li> <li>Plumbness (can measure using a plumb line)</li> <li>DPC laid at least 150mm above external ground level</li> <li>Wall-ties (number, spacing and levelness)</li> <li>Clear cavity (no bridging between external and internal leaf)</li> <li>Sills sloping away from wall</li></ol>

Question 22

<p>How do you manage the costs on projects?</p>

Answer 22

<ol> <li>Maintain a spreadsheet cost tracker per project</li> <li>Start with the contract sum</li> <li>Omit any provisional sums or contingencies</li> <li>As the project progresses, keep a record of all variation costs (additions and omissions)</li> <li>Add actual costs for provisional sum items once known</li> <li>Ensure interim valuations reflect costs maintained on the tracker</li></ol>

Question 23

<p>What causes for concern would you have of the contractor's financial situation during a contract?</p>

Answer 23

<p>???</p>

Question 24

<p>A sub-contractor tells you he hasn't been paid - what would you do?</p>

Answer 24

<p>???</p>