EXAC EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How much liability insurance is an architect required to have? - Answer -Depends on
the province, In Alberta there is no requirement.
What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate? -
Answer -Quantity Surveyors
Construction Managers
Construction Price Index
Publications - from gov, companies, interest groups
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Environmental factors that can influence construction costs? - Answer -•
Site characteristic
• Weather
• Location
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Owner/Client characteristics that can influence construction costs? -
Answer -design requiring high standards of quality or
rigorous quality control procedures
(especially long life cycle, redundancies in
spaces);
complex bidding procedures;
insurance requirements above the norm;
extensive bonding requirements;
poorly written, sometimes inequitable,
non-standard contract wording;
long delays in issuing payments to contractors.
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the 4 methods of construction cost estimation? - Answer -Elemental
Area (Cost per m2/per ft2)
Volume (Cost per m3)
Unit Use - (Cost per bed, cost per seat, etc.)
What are the Economic and Political factors that can influence construction costs? -
Answer -• Inflation
• Market conditions
• Interest rates
• Flux in supply and demand
CHOP 2.3.3
, What does a progressive releasing of hold backs mean? - Answer -It means that
certain subcontractor hold backs may be released in advance of substantial
performance, certifying them as complete.
List 5 examples of additional services not listed as basic under RAIC Doc 6 - Answer -
1. financial feasibility studies,
2. business cases
3. preparing functional programs
4. submissions to authorities
5. life cycle cost studies.
CHOP 2.1.10
What Buildings Require the services of an Architect - Answer -(a) a building, 3 storeys
or less in height, for assembly
occupancy or institutional occupancy that,
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
300 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 150
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 100
square metres or less on each floor;
(b) a building for residential occupancy that
(i) is a single family dwelling, or
(ii) is a multiple family dwelling containing 4 dwelling units
or less;
(c) a building, 3 storeys or less in height, for residential
occupancy as a hotel, motel or similar use that,
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
400 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 200
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 130
square metres or less on each floor;
(d) a building, 3 storeys or less in height, for warehouse,
business and personal services occupancy, for mercantile
occupancy or for industrial occupancy that
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
500 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 250
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 165
square metres or less on each floor;
(e) a building that is a farm building not for public use;
(f) a relocatable industrial camp building.
Alberta Architects Act Section 2.1.(6)
How much liability insurance is an architect required to have? - Answer -Depends on
the province, In Alberta there is no requirement.
What resources are available to an architect to produce a project cost estimate? -
Answer -Quantity Surveyors
Construction Managers
Construction Price Index
Publications - from gov, companies, interest groups
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Environmental factors that can influence construction costs? - Answer -•
Site characteristic
• Weather
• Location
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the Owner/Client characteristics that can influence construction costs? -
Answer -design requiring high standards of quality or
rigorous quality control procedures
(especially long life cycle, redundancies in
spaces);
complex bidding procedures;
insurance requirements above the norm;
extensive bonding requirements;
poorly written, sometimes inequitable,
non-standard contract wording;
long delays in issuing payments to contractors.
CHOP 2.3.3
What are the 4 methods of construction cost estimation? - Answer -Elemental
Area (Cost per m2/per ft2)
Volume (Cost per m3)
Unit Use - (Cost per bed, cost per seat, etc.)
What are the Economic and Political factors that can influence construction costs? -
Answer -• Inflation
• Market conditions
• Interest rates
• Flux in supply and demand
CHOP 2.3.3
, What does a progressive releasing of hold backs mean? - Answer -It means that
certain subcontractor hold backs may be released in advance of substantial
performance, certifying them as complete.
List 5 examples of additional services not listed as basic under RAIC Doc 6 - Answer -
1. financial feasibility studies,
2. business cases
3. preparing functional programs
4. submissions to authorities
5. life cycle cost studies.
CHOP 2.1.10
What Buildings Require the services of an Architect - Answer -(a) a building, 3 storeys
or less in height, for assembly
occupancy or institutional occupancy that,
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
300 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 150
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 100
square metres or less on each floor;
(b) a building for residential occupancy that
(i) is a single family dwelling, or
(ii) is a multiple family dwelling containing 4 dwelling units
or less;
(c) a building, 3 storeys or less in height, for residential
occupancy as a hotel, motel or similar use that,
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
400 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 200
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 130
square metres or less on each floor;
(d) a building, 3 storeys or less in height, for warehouse,
business and personal services occupancy, for mercantile
occupancy or for industrial occupancy that
(i) in the case of a single storey building, has a gross area of
500 square metres or less,
(ii) in the case of a 2 storey building, has a gross area of 250
square metres or less on each floor, or
(iii) in the case of a 3 storey building, has a gross area of 165
square metres or less on each floor;
(e) a building that is a farm building not for public use;
(f) a relocatable industrial camp building.
Alberta Architects Act Section 2.1.(6)