COSC 275 EXAM 1 PALMER 2026/27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(GRADED A+)
Original
Estimating:
The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials, labor, and equipment of a
proposed project.
Take-off:
The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on drawings and specifications, of all
the material and equipment necessary to construct a project. The cost estimator uses this list
to calculate how much it will cost to build the project.
Quantities:
Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their customary units.
Quantification:
In estimating an activity to translate project scope information into resource quantities
suitable for costing. In the engineering and construction industry, a takeoff is a specific type
of quantification that is a measurement and listing of quantities of materials from drawings.
Quantity survey:
A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to construct a project.
Area:
A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid.
Area Method:
A construction cost estimating system employing unit square foot costs multiplied by the
adjusted gross floor area of a building.
Length:
The longest dimension of an object.
Linear measurement:
A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12" = 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1 yard = 0.9144 meters,
1 mile = 5,280 feet.
Dimension:
A distance between two points, lines, or planes.
Specifications or specs:
Documents that define the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship
upon which the contract for construction is based.
Drawings:
Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and location of a project. Generally
including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules, and sections. The Term, when
capitalized refers to the graphic portion of a project's contract documents.
Addendum:
An operation commonly used in road building and other rock and earthmoving operations in
which the material excavated and removed from one location is used as fill material at
another location.
Fill:
The soil or other material used to raise the grade of a site area.
2. A subfloor leveling material.
, Foundation:
The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or frame or a building, including the
footing upon which the building rests.
Grade Beam:
A horizontal end-supporting load-bearing foundation member that supports an exterior wall
of a superstructure.
Width:
The measurement or extent of something from side to side.
Footing:
That portion of the foundation of a structure that spreads and transmits the load directly to the
soil.
Reinforced concrete:
Concrete containing adequate reinforcement, prestressed or not, and designed on the
assumption that the materials (steel and concrete) act together in resisting forces.
Reinforcing bar:
A steel bar, usually with manufactured deformations, used in concrete and masonry
construction to provide additional strength.
Footing beam:
A document describing an addition, change, correction, or modification to contract
documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding period or
prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing bidders of
modifications to the work during the bidding process. Addenda become part of the bidding
process.
Amendment:
A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement. This does not change the entire
existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or requirements.
Grade:
1. The surface or level of the ground.
2. A classification of quality as, for instance, in lumber.
3. The existing or proposed ground level or elevation on a building site or around a building.
4. The slope or rate of incline or decline of a road, expressed as a percent.
5. A designation of a subfloor, either above grade, on grade, or below grade.
6. In plumbing, the slope of installed pipe, expressed in the fall in inches per foot length of
pipe.
7. The classification of the durability of brick.
8. Any surface prepared to accept paving, conduit, or rails.
Level:
1. A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points at the same elevation and
thus does not tilt or slope.
2. In surveying, an instrument that measures heights from an established reference.
3. A spirit level, consisting of small tubes of liquid with bubbles in each. The small tubes are
positioned in a length of wood or metal that is handheld and, by observing the position of the
bubbles, used to find and check level surfaces.
Site:
The location of the project geographically, usually defined by legal boundaries.
Elevation:
A vertical distance relative to a reference point.
2. A view or drawing of the interior or exterior of a structure as if projected onto a vertical
plane.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(GRADED A+)
Original
Estimating:
The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials, labor, and equipment of a
proposed project.
Take-off:
The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on drawings and specifications, of all
the material and equipment necessary to construct a project. The cost estimator uses this list
to calculate how much it will cost to build the project.
Quantities:
Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their customary units.
Quantification:
In estimating an activity to translate project scope information into resource quantities
suitable for costing. In the engineering and construction industry, a takeoff is a specific type
of quantification that is a measurement and listing of quantities of materials from drawings.
Quantity survey:
A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to construct a project.
Area:
A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid.
Area Method:
A construction cost estimating system employing unit square foot costs multiplied by the
adjusted gross floor area of a building.
Length:
The longest dimension of an object.
Linear measurement:
A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12" = 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1 yard = 0.9144 meters,
1 mile = 5,280 feet.
Dimension:
A distance between two points, lines, or planes.
Specifications or specs:
Documents that define the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship
upon which the contract for construction is based.
Drawings:
Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and location of a project. Generally
including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules, and sections. The Term, when
capitalized refers to the graphic portion of a project's contract documents.
Addendum:
An operation commonly used in road building and other rock and earthmoving operations in
which the material excavated and removed from one location is used as fill material at
another location.
Fill:
The soil or other material used to raise the grade of a site area.
2. A subfloor leveling material.
, Foundation:
The entire masonry substructure below the first floor or frame or a building, including the
footing upon which the building rests.
Grade Beam:
A horizontal end-supporting load-bearing foundation member that supports an exterior wall
of a superstructure.
Width:
The measurement or extent of something from side to side.
Footing:
That portion of the foundation of a structure that spreads and transmits the load directly to the
soil.
Reinforced concrete:
Concrete containing adequate reinforcement, prestressed or not, and designed on the
assumption that the materials (steel and concrete) act together in resisting forces.
Reinforcing bar:
A steel bar, usually with manufactured deformations, used in concrete and masonry
construction to provide additional strength.
Footing beam:
A document describing an addition, change, correction, or modification to contract
documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding period or
prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing bidders of
modifications to the work during the bidding process. Addenda become part of the bidding
process.
Amendment:
A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement. This does not change the entire
existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or requirements.
Grade:
1. The surface or level of the ground.
2. A classification of quality as, for instance, in lumber.
3. The existing or proposed ground level or elevation on a building site or around a building.
4. The slope or rate of incline or decline of a road, expressed as a percent.
5. A designation of a subfloor, either above grade, on grade, or below grade.
6. In plumbing, the slope of installed pipe, expressed in the fall in inches per foot length of
pipe.
7. The classification of the durability of brick.
8. Any surface prepared to accept paving, conduit, or rails.
Level:
1. A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points at the same elevation and
thus does not tilt or slope.
2. In surveying, an instrument that measures heights from an established reference.
3. A spirit level, consisting of small tubes of liquid with bubbles in each. The small tubes are
positioned in a length of wood or metal that is handheld and, by observing the position of the
bubbles, used to find and check level surfaces.
Site:
The location of the project geographically, usually defined by legal boundaries.
Elevation:
A vertical distance relative to a reference point.
2. A view or drawing of the interior or exterior of a structure as if projected onto a vertical
plane.
