Construction Estimating - Exam I Questions with Correct and Verified Answers

Construction Estimating - Exam I Questions with Correct and Verified Answers "Compaction factor - Correct Answer The difference between the volume of the hole to be filled and the volume of fill material" "Bank measure - Correct Answer Bank measure amounts are obtained by using the dimensions of the holes excavated or filled with no adjustment made to the quantities obtained for swell or compaction of materials. These factors will be accounted for when the takeoff items are priced." "Two-Stage process of calculating number of masonry units - Correct Answer 1. The area of masonry is measured. 2. A standard factor is applied to determine the number of masonry units required for area measured." Conceptual Estimate - Correct Answer Produced from merely the notion the owner has of what he or she would want to construct. Answers the question, "can i build the project for this amount?"" "Preliminary Estimates - Correct Answer Can assist designers by providing cost information about alternative design details." "3 Factors for how an estimator prepares estimate - Correct Answer 1. The type of project to be built 2. The delivery system used to move from the developer's project idea to a finished structure 3. The nature of the contract(s) used in the delivery system" "Detailed Estimate Stages - Correct Answer 1. Quantity Takeoff 2. Recap Quantities 3. Pricing the Recap 4. Pricing Subcontractor's Work 5. Pricing General Expenses 6. Summary and Bid" "Query List - Correct Answer An estimator's list of all questions that arise during the quantity takeoff process, that will be compiled and the questions will be directed towards the designer." "Addenda - Correct Answer Significant details from query list that will be incorporated into written documents that are distributed to all bidders." "Five Categories of units used in estimating - Correct Answer 1. Number (counting number of items) 2. Length (in linear ft.) 3. Area (sq. ft.) 4. Volume (cu. yd.) 5. Weight (lbs. or Ton)" "Deductions in takeoff - Correct Answer Written in red or enclosed in brackets "< >" and noted as deductions" "Estimating Assemblies - Correct Answer An assembly is a component of the work that can be considered separately from the other parts of the work." "Swell factor - Correct Answer The difference between the volume of the hole and the volume of the material once it has been dug out" "Measuring formwork - Correct Answer Measured in square feet of contact area, and is classified in the same categories in the same categories as those listed for concrete. Bulkheads, pilasters and edge forms shall be measured separately." "Openings in formwork estimate - Correct Answer No deduction is made from the total area of the forms if the size of the opening is less than 100 square feet." "Estimating Slab Finishes - Correct Answer Measured in square feet (slab finishes) of plan area, and vertical finishes are measured in sq. ft. of exposed surface of concrete. Finishes are classified in terms of what is being finished (slabs, walls, etc.) then separated by type of finish (wood float, sack rubbed, etc.). Also, if floor hardeners are required they are measured separately by lb/100ft.^2" "Measuring Screeds and Curing Slabs - Correct Answer Screeds measured in square feet as plan area of the slab. Measure curing slabs and vapor barrier slabs in plan area, but due to laps an additional 10% is added to the area." "Measuring WWM - Correct Answer Measured in plan area with an additional 10% included for overlaps" "Where can contractor obtain info about which projects are out for bid? - Correct Answer Public projects - adversitements in newspapers, web pages, government notices, bid info services, etc. Private projects - invites from owners, business contacts, arch. & engineering consultants, etc." "Purposes of estimating - Correct Answer Preparation of bids, and cost control." "Role of the estimator - Correct Answer Preparing conceptual estimates, preliminary estimates, and pre-bid and post-bid estimates." "Project delivery systems - Correct Answer Traditional design-bid-build, construction management, and design-build" "Lump sum contract - Correct Answer Most general contractors enter into these contracts on the terms that they will perform a defined scope of work for the sum they stipulated when they submitted their bids." "Detail estimate steps - Correct Answer 1. Takeoff quantities 2. Recap quantities 3. Recap pricing 4. Subcontractors' work pricing 5. General expenses pricing 6. Estimate summary" "Estimator should be aware of ___________ safety requirements and account for the cost of safety programs in construction estimates. - Correct Answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)" "Business Information & Development Services Inc. (BIDS Inc.) - Correct Answer Provides leads on government projects out to bid and also helps small contractors market their services to government. Useful in open bidding. In Canada, MERX connects suppliers to purchasers in the federal, provincial, and MASH sectors." "Open bidding - Correct Answer Little restriction on who can submit a bid on the work. Virtually any contractor can." "Closed bidding - Correct Answer Only invited contractors are allowed to submit bids. This addresses the problem of receiving bids from undesirable contractors." "Prequalified bidders - Correct Answer Contractors must complete questionnaires that enable owners to assess the capability of prospective contractors." "Many government agencies are now publishing bid notices on _________________. - Correct Answer The internet" "Marketing in construction - Correct Answer Many contractors make an effort to constantly gather information about planned projects as part of their marketing strategy. This allows them to get involved early in a project, which may allow them to obtain more work." "Factors to consider in the bid decision - Correct Answer 1. Type of project 2. Size and (rough) estimate of contract value 3. Location of the project 4. Quality of drawings and specifications 5. Reputation of owners and designers 6. Specialized work 7. Anticipated construction problems 8. Safety considerations 9. Need for work 10. Bonding capacity" ""Front end" of specs - Correct Answer Careful attention must be paid to this in review process because it is here that general clauses that have a significant impact on the cost of the work are often found." "Team approach in estimating - Correct Answer Estimators should be encouraged to take a team approach to the process of compiling an estimate. This involves working closely with other members of their organization" "Cost plus contract - Correct Answer Last resort for owner due to financial uncertainty. But allows work to begin much quicker. Some of these contracts have contractors offering to perform the work for a guaranteed maximum price. There is little need of estimating with these contracts." "Unit-Price contracts - Correct Answer Based on a pricing schedule that consists of a breakdown of the work and estimated quantities for each of the items on the breakdown." "On most projects, general contractors request how many complete sets of bid documents for estimating a project. - Correct Answer 2. One becomes the estimate documents, and the other set is made available to the subcontractors." "Headings to include throughout a takeoff - Correct Answer Trade being taken off, location of the work under consideration, and the phase in which the work is classified." "Soils report - Correct Answer provides information about the subsurface conditions at the site obtained from bore holes or other investigations. Purpose is to furnish data about the site that is necessary for design of foundation" "Portland cement types - Correct Answer Type I - Normal Type II - Moderate Sulfate Resistance Type II (MH) - Moderate Heat of Hydration (and Moderate Sulfate Resistance) Type III - High Early Strength Type IV - Low Heat Hydration Type V - High Sulfate Resistance" "Main factors affecting the measurement of brick masonry are - Correct Answer the size of the brick units, the size of the joints between bricks, the wall thickness, and the pattern of the brick bond" "Standard brick size as adopted by the Common Brick Manufacturers Association - Correct Answer 2 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 8 inches" "Masonry work shall be measured separately in the following categories: - Correct Answer 1. Facings 2. Backing to facings 3. Walls and partitions 4. Furring to walls 5. Fire protection" "Bond beam - Correct Answer A horizontally reinforced concrete or concrete masonry beam built to strengthen and tie a masonry wall together." "Site visit - Correct Answer Estimators should use an extensive checklist to ensure that all the major items are properly considered on the visit to the site" ""Net in place" estimate - Correct Answer Quantities should be estimated "net in place" first, which includes no additional factors for waste or overlaps. Net in place simply means that quantities are calculated using the dimensions shown on the drawings" "Order of the takeoff - Correct Answer Will generally follow the sequence of construction, although some estimators prefer to measure concrete work before an assessment of earthwork requirements is undertaken" "Strategy for completing a takeoff of larger projects - Correct Answer a. Divide the project into manageable-sized parts b. Consider one part of the project at a time c. Measure the work as a series of assemblies d. Complete the takeoff for one assembly before passing on the next" "The estimator has to make an assessment of sitework requirements based on: - Correct Answer What is shown on the plans and specs, but there is usually very little detail of excavation requirements provided on the bid drawings." "Estimator's site visit - Correct Answer Another useful source of info about sitework requirements for the project. A checklist should be used to ensure that all of the important items of info are obtained on the visit." "Excavation and backfill quantities - Correct Answer Measured using bank measure quantities with no allowance for swell factors or compaction factors at the time of the takeoff." "Efficiency of the sitework takeoff, especially cut-and-fill operations, can be much increased by using: - Correct Answer A digitizer, an electronic device that enables you to take measurements from drawings and input these data directly into a computer program." "Two types of digitizers - Correct Answer Sonic and tablet" "Grid method - Correct Answer Used to calculate volumes of cut and fill over a site. Requires a survey showing the elevation of the existing grade at each intersection point on the grid." "Section method - Correct Answer Another method of finding cut and fill volumes." "Volume of trench excavation - Correct Answer Calculated by multiplying the center line length of the trench by the average width by the average depth" "Volume of pit or basement excavation - Correct Answer Calculated by multiplying the average length of the pit by its average width by its average depth" "Piling work is usually: - Correct Answer subcontracted. In which case the general contractor's work in connection with this trade would be restricted to the following: layout of piles, cutting off tops of piles, and removing the excavated material produced in piling operations." "Bearing piles are measured in: - Correct Answer linear feet." "Bearing piles are classified as follows: - Correct Answer a. Round timber piles b. Sawn timber piles c. Steel piles d. Precast concrete piles e. Precast prestressed concrete piles f. Poured-in-place concrete piles g. Closed end concrete-filled shell or pipe piles h. Open-end concrete-filled pipe piles i. Caisson piles j. Composite or combination type piles k. Special and patented type piles" "Sheet piling is measured in: - Correct Answer square feet" "Sitework takeoffs can be done: - Correct Answer manually or via a computer." "Preparing a takeoff quantity of concrete works requires the estimator to: - Correct Answer Measure a combination of items such as concrete, formwork, concrete finishes, and so on" "Different mixes of concrete are measured: - Correct Answer separately." "Forms to curved surfaces are: - Correct Answer measured separately, although the concrete will be measured within the same assembly." "Items of formwork that are linear in nature, such as: - Correct Answer grooves, keyways, notches and chamfers, are described stating their size and measured in linear feet." "Fabricating and placing reinforcing steel: - Correct Answer often subcontracted by general contractors, in which case the subcontractors would take off and price this trade" "Masonry work includes construction with: - Correct Answer clay bricks, concrete bricks and blocks, clay tiles, and natural and artificial stone." "Masonry work is now typically subcontracted, and subcontractors will supply the labor, materials and equipment required to complete the work. (T/F) - Correct Answer True" "Other items associated with unit masonry included in the takeoff: - Correct Answer Mortar (cu. ft.), wire "ladder" reinforcement to joist (#), metal ties used between walls (#), and extra work and materials involved in control joints, sills, lintels and arches. Also included is scaffolding and hoisting, and insulation." "Where bricks are required to be laid in a different pattern than the other bricks in a wall, such as a soldier course: - Correct Answer All the wall is measured as regular bricks, then the extra cost of the nonstandard pattern is allowed for by measuring "extra over" the cost of the regular bricks." "A block wall is measured as if it were: - Correct Answer Constructed entirely of the same type of block; then bond beams, copings, and any other nonstandard block are measured "extra over"." "Bricks are measured in units of - Correct Answer 1,000 bricks (i.e. 1,500 bricks = 1.5 M. bks)" "Design-bid-build - Correct Answer Owner deals with the prime consultant and general contractor, therefore owner has 2 contracts. Requires project to be fully designed before work begins." "Construction Management delivery system - Correct Answer Owner acts as project manager, and deals with the prime consultant, construction manager, and up to 3 contractors. Therefore, owner has up to 5 contracts. This method allows fast-tracking of a project." "Design-Build - Correct Answer Owner deals directly with design-build contractor, meaning owner only has to sign 1 contract." "3 types of cost estimates and in which phase these estimates are prepared. - Correct Answer a. Conceptual estimate - planning or program phase b. Preliminary estimate - Schematic phase c. Detailed estimate - Contract document phase" "Where can the estimator find the information about the specific requirements of site work operations particularly matters such as the dimensions and shape of the excavations required for new construction - Correct Answer Drawings, Specifications, Site visits, the Soils report" "In general, the soils report is usually a bid document. (T/F) - Correct Answer False" "The material of silt-sand layer on the construction site is not usually difficult to excavate, but in wet conditions it can turn into a sticky mud that can bog down equipment. (T/F) - Correct Answer True" "Starting from which depth the contractor usually should either cut back or short the sides of excavations? - Correct Answer 5 feet" "If the soil conditions on the construction site are fairly good, the excavation contractor can cut back to a slope of: - Correct Answer 1.5 : 1" "Grout to anchor bolts and base plates is measured in cubic _____. - Correct Answer Feet" "To prepare the takeoff, an estimator has to break down the design that is shown on the drawings and described in the specifications into predefined entities. These entities are called - Correct Answer Work items" "What kind of contracts is the net-in-place takeoff most suitable for? - Correct Answer Unit price contracts" "The price included in the design-build contractor's proposal has to come from a: - Correct Answer Conceptual estimate"