CM 3111 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WELL ANSWERED LATEST UPDATE 2026
Building Construction Estimating - Answers The determination of probable construction costs of any given project.
Design-Build Delivery (DB) - Answers In this delivery system, the contractor acts as both the designer and the general contractor.
Construction Manager Delivery (CM) - Answers In this delivery system, the contractor and some of the key subcontractors are involved in the design process, providing expertise in construction methods and costs, as well as managing the construction process.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) - Answers In this delivery system, a relatively new delivery system, involving the owners, designers, contractor and some of the key subcontractors in the design process. Owners, Designers, Contractor and Key Subcontractors all share governance, risk, contingency, and the profit on the project.
Conceptual Estimate - Answers An estimate prepared by a contractor based on the project's early plan. Usually drawings are limited or not available for this type of estimate. The contractor makes assumptions about virtually every aspect of the project. This estimate is used early in the design process to check if the owner can actually afford the project.
Preliminary Estimate - Answers An estimate that is prepared and maintained by the contractor during the design process based on the current, but incomplete design.
Detailed Estimate - Answers An estimate that includes determination of quantities and costs of everything that is required to complete the project. (labor, materials, equipment, insurance, bonds, overhead, and an estimate of the profit) The contractor must have a complete set of contract documents for this type of estimate.
Assembly Estimating - Answers In this type of estimating the estimator bids the components in groups. This type of estimate can be prepared in hours instead of days, but this estimate has many broad assumptions and is less accurate.
Square-Foot Estimates - Answers Estimates that are prepared by multiplying the square footage of a building by a cost per square foot and then adjusting the price to compensate for differences in the building heights, length of the building perimeter, and other building components. This type of estimate is helpful to check whether the project, as designed, is within the owner's budget.
Design Drawings - Answers A single-line floor plan and key elevations.
Parametric Estimates - Answers These estimates use equations that express the statistical relationship between building parameters and the cost of the building. The equations used in these estimates are very complex and may use log functions, ratios of parameter, and multiplication of parameters.
Model Estimating - Answers This type of estimating uses computer models to prepare an estimate based on a number of questions answered by the estimator. The model makes many assumptions about the design of the project that it is working on and avoids the site and excavation cost.
Project Comparison Estimates - Answers These estimates are prepared by comparing the cost of a proposed project to a completed project. The estimator starts with the costs of a comparable project and then makes adjustments for differences in the project.
Estimator - Answers Often involved solely with the estimating of quantities of materials and the pricing of the project.
Design-Bid-Build (DBB) - Answers For these kinds of projects, the General Contractor makes detailed estimates that are used to determine what the company will charge to do the work.
Design-Build (DB) or Construction-Manager (CM)
Delivery Systems - Answers For these kinds of projects, the General Contractor's scope of work involves providing assistance to the owners, beginning with the planning stage, and continuing through the actual construction of the project.
Subcontractors - Answers May be individuals, companies, or corporations hired by the general contractor to do a particular portion of the work on the project.
Unit Price Bid - Answers A bid that is presented as what will be charged per unit.
Suppliers - Answers This person submits price quotes to the contractors and subcontractors to supply the materials required for the construction of the project. Virtually every material used in the project will be estimated, and multiple price quotes will be sought.
Manufacturer's Representatives - Answers These people represent certain materials, product suppliers, or manufacturers. They visit construction sites and make certain that their product is available and well known by most all of the different people on a construction site. They are salespeople with expertise in their product lines and are welcomed not as salespersons, but as needed sources of information concerning the materials and products they represent.
Project Management Companies - Answers These companies specialize in providing professional assistance in planning the construction of a project and keeping accurate and updated information about the financial status of the project.
Professional Quality Surveyor - Answers These are for-hire firms or individuals who make unit quantity takeoffs of the materials required to build a project.
Freelance Estimators - Answers These people will do a material takeoff of a portion or entire project for whoever may want a job done. In some areas, these people will do material takeoffs of a project being competitively bid on and then sell the quantity list to one or ore contractors who intend to submit a bid on the project.
Shop Drawings - Answers Drawings that show the sizes of materials and installation details.
1) Be able to read and quantify plans
2) Skilled in Math
3) Patience to do careful, thorough work
4) Computer Literate; able to use takeoff programs
5) Visualize Project and foresee problems
6) Be Experienced
7) Be able to convert operations into Project Costs
8) Keep a Database on all kinds of costs
9) Know how to manipulate and build databases
10) Remain calm and meet Bid deadlines
11) Good communication and presentation skills - Answers What are the 11 most important abilities for an estimator to have?
Competitive Bidding - Answers This type of bidding involves each contractor submitting a lump-sum bid or a proposal in competition with other contractors to build the project.
Negotiated Bidding - Answers Type of bidding where the parties arrive at a mutually agreed upon price, terms and conditions, and contractual relationship.
Lowest Lump-Sum - Answers When a Competitive Bidding project is awarded based on the price, the _____________________ bidder is awarded the contract to build the project.
Invitation to Bid - Answers This document invites potential contractors to bid on the project and provides a brief summary of the project, including project scope and size, location, project's owner, and more.
Instructions to Bidders - Answers This document provides bidders with the procedures that must be followed to submit a complete bid and contains such information as date, time, and the place the bid is due, attendance at pre-bid meetings and more.
Bid Form - Answers This document is a standard form that all contractors use to submit their bids.
Owner-Contractor Agreement - Answers This document formalizes the construction contract, and it is the basic contract. It incorporates by reference all of the other documents and makes the part of the contract.
General Conditions - Answers This document defines the rights, responsibilities, and relations of all parties to the construction contract.
Supplementary General Conditions (Special Conditions) - Answers This document is used to amend or supplement portions of the general conditions, because conditions vary by locality and project.
Technical Specifications - Answers This document contains written instructions concerning the project requirements that describe the quality of the materials to be used and their performance.
Working Drawings - Answers This document consists of the actual plans (drawings, illustrations) from which the project is to be built. It contains the dimensions and locations of building elements and materials required, and shows how they fit together.
Addenda - Answers This document is a drawing or information that modifies the basic contract documents after they have been issued to the bidder, but prior to the taking of bids. They may provide clarification, correction, or changes in the other documents.
Public Advertising for Bids - Answers This is required for many public contracts. Generally through Newspapers, Trade Magazines, Journals, and Notices posted in public places or the internet.
Reporting Services - Answers These provide information about projects that are accepting bids or proposals.
Historical Data - Answers For matters relevant to estimating and costs, the best source of information is _______________________.
Profit Margin - Answers This provides the General Contractor an acceptable rate of return and compensation for the risk associated with the project.
3-7% - Answers On Residential and Commercial Construction, there is normally a ______________ % Profit Margin. Industrial Construction has a higher Profit Margin.
Liquidated Damages - Answers Getting Penalized for being late on a project.
Takeoff - Answers 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.
Quantity Takeoff - Answers A detailed measurement of materials and labor needed to complete a construction project. They are developed by an estimator during the preconstruction phase. These measurements are used to format a bid on the scope of construction.
Direct Field Cost - Answers A cost that consists of equipment, materials, and direct hire or subcontractor labour directly associated with a particular item of work or activity at the field for construction of the permanent facility.
Indirect Field Cost - Answers Costs that do not become a permanent part of the project but are required for the completion of the work. This Cost includes but is not limited to field office administration, direct management and supervision, temporary facilities, construction equipment and small tools, start-up costs, insurances and taxes etc.
Project Manual - Answers A bound booklet that contains the contract documents, with the exception of the drawings, specifically organized into bid requirements, contract information, general conditions for constructions and technical specifications
Material Takeoff - Answers A term used in engineering and construction, and refers to a list of materials with quantities and types (such as specific grades of steel) that are required to build a designed structure or item.
Superintendent - Answers On large construction projects, this person's job is to run the day-to-day operations on the construction site and control the short-term schedule. This person's role also includes important quality control and subcontractor coordination responsibilities.
Single Contract - Answers This contract comprises all work required for the completion of a project and is the responsibility of a single, General Contractor. This centralization of responsibility provides that one of the distinctive functions of the General Contractor is to plan, direct and coordinate all parties involved in completing the project.
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CM 3111 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WELL ANSWERED LATEST UPDATE 2026
Building Construction Estimating - Answers The determination of probable
construction costs of any given project.
Design-Build Delivery (DB) - Answers In this delivery system, the contractor acts as
both the designer and the general contractor.
Construction Manager Delivery (CM) - Answers In this delivery system, the
contractor and some of the key subcontractors are involved in the design process,
providing expertise in construction methods and costs, as well as managing the
construction process.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) - Answers In this delivery system, a relatively new
delivery system, involving the owners, designers, contractor and some of the key
subcontractors in the design process. Owners, Designers, Contractor and Key
Subcontractors all share governance, risk, contingency, and the profit on the project.
Conceptual Estimate - Answers An estimate prepared by a contractor based on the
project's early plan. Usually drawings are limited or not available for this type of
estimate. The contractor makes assumptions about virtually every aspect of the
project. This estimate is used early in the design process to check if the owner can
actually afford the project.
Preliminary Estimate - Answers An estimate that is prepared and maintained by the
contractor during the design process based on the current, but incomplete design.
Detailed Estimate - Answers An estimate that includes determination of quantities
and costs of everything that is required to complete the project. (labor, materials,
equipment, insurance, bonds, overhead, and an estimate of the profit) The contractor
must have a complete set of contract documents for this type of estimate.
Assembly Estimating - Answers In this type of estimating the estimator bids the
components in groups. This type of estimate can be prepared in hours instead of days,
but this estimate has many broad assumptions and is less accurate.
Square-Foot Estimates - Answers Estimates that are prepared by multiplying the
square footage of a building by a cost per square foot and then adjusting the price to
compensate for differences in the building heights, length of the building perimeter,
and other building components. This type of estimate is helpful to check whether the
project, as designed, is within the owner's budget.
Design Drawings - Answers A single-line floor plan and key elevations.
, Parametric Estimates - Answers These estimates use equations that express the
statistical relationship between building parameters and the cost of the building. The
equations used in these estimates are very complex and may use log functions, ratios
of parameter, and multiplication of parameters.
Model Estimating - Answers This type of estimating uses computer models to
prepare an estimate based on a number of questions answered by the estimator. The
model makes many assumptions about the design of the project that it is working on
and avoids the site and excavation cost.
Project Comparison Estimates - Answers These estimates are prepared by comparing
the cost of a proposed project to a completed project. The estimator starts with the
costs of a comparable project and then makes adjustments for differences in the
project.
Estimator - Answers Often involved solely with the estimating of quantities of
materials and the pricing of the project.
Design-Bid-Build (DBB) - Answers For these kinds of projects, the General
Contractor makes detailed estimates that are used to determine what the company will
charge to do the work.
Design-Build (DB) or Construction-Manager (CM)
Delivery Systems - Answers For these kinds of projects, the General Contractor's
scope of work involves providing assistance to the owners, beginning with the
planning stage, and continuing through the actual construction of the project.
Subcontractors - Answers May be individuals, companies, or corporations hired by
the general contractor to do a particular portion of the work on the project.
Unit Price Bid - Answers A bid that is presented as what will be charged per unit.
Suppliers - Answers This person submits price quotes to the contractors and
subcontractors to supply the materials required for the construction of the project.
Virtually every material used in the project will be estimated, and multiple price
quotes will be sought.
Manufacturer's Representatives - Answers These people represent certain materials,
product suppliers, or manufacturers. They visit construction sites and make certain
that their product is available and well known by most all of the different people on a
construction site. They are salespeople with expertise in their product lines and are
welcomed not as salespersons, but as needed sources of information concerning the
materials and products they represent.