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Construction Estimating

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. A work order - usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or the owner's agent - authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change in the cost of the project.
True
Change Order
Liens
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors

2. Closely spaced beams supporting a floor or ceiling.They may be wood - steel - or concrete.
True
1. Better understanding of the work to be subcontracted -2. Establishment of fair cost estimate for evaluating subcontractor's bid - 3. Checking of a subcontractor's scope of work - and4. Determination of time duration that can be assigned to a sub
As-built drawings
Joist

3. Where the project will be constructed does not have a major influence in the preparation of an estimate.
Renting - Leasing - Buying
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
False
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above

4. A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract - if offered - in accordance with their proposal.
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions
True
Bid Bond

5. How does insurance differ from a surety bond?
The most reliable productivity records are the contractor's own historical data based on actual experiences performing similar work
Renting - Leasing - Buying
With insurance an insurance company assumes the financial liability fora specified loss.The surety guarantees the performance of a contractor.The surety company will try to recover any losses from the contractor.
Joist

6. Five basic skills everyone should master

7. An agreed-to sum chargeable against the contractor as reimbursement for damages suffered by the owner because of contractor's failure to fulfill contractual obligations
The most reliable productivity records are the contractor's own historical data based on actual experiences performing similar work
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
Liquidated Damages
Addenda

8. Construction estimating is more an art than a science
Contract Documents
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
The maintenance bond guarantees the owner that the GC agrees to correct all defects of workmanship and materials for a specified period (one to three years) following occupancy by the owner.

9. How do climatic conditions influence the amount of work actually completed in an hour?
Lavatory
Liens
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.

10. Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents after the latter have been issued to the bidders - but prior to the taking of bids.
Surety bonds can only be obtained through companies who specialize in issuing surety bonds. The contractor will have to request the surety company to provide the bonds.
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
Addenda
The maintenance bond guarantees the owner that the GC agrees to correct all defects of workmanship and materials for a specified period (one to three years) following occupancy by the owner.

11. What types of information are provided in the Invitation to Bid?
Bid
Generally - the advertisement describes the location - extent - and nature of the work. It will designate the authority under which the project originated. Concerning the bid - it will give the place where bidding documents are available and list the
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors
Lavatory

12. What are the benefits of renting equipment?
True
Surety bonds can only be obtained through companies who specialize in issuing surety bonds. The contractor will have to request the surety company to provide the bonds.
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed
Addenda

13. Why is it a good idea for the general contractor to perform quantity surveys on work that is to be subcontracted out?

14. What are the advantages to a small contractor of renting equipment instead of owning?
Change Order
Punch List
1. The contractor can get the most suitable piece of equipment.2. The equipment is most likely newer and in a better state of repair.3. The rental company handles maintenance.4. The contractor does not tie up their capital.
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.

15. What is the performance bond?
Surety bonds can only be obtained through companies who specialize in issuing surety bonds. The contractor will have to request the surety company to provide the bonds.
False
The maintenance bond guarantees the owner that the GC agrees to correct all defects of workmanship and materials for a specified period (one to three years) following occupancy by the owner.
The performance bond guarantees the owner that - within limits - the contractor will perform all work in accordance with the contract documents - and thatthe owner will receive the project built in substantialagreement with the documents.

16. Assemblies Estimate...
True
Common labor and material portions
Change Order
The estimator uses more detailed information such as the bay size - square feet of partition wall - number of plumbing fixtures - or square feet of carpet.

17. Name two systems that establish standards for the building design/construction estimating process.
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
Punch List
Master Format and Uniformat
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions

18. How are the various surety bonds that may be required on a specific project obtained?
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
...
Surety bonds can only be obtained through companies who specialize in issuing surety bonds. The contractor will have to request the surety company to provide the bonds.
As-built drawings

19. A bathroom sink
True
Change Order
Lavatory
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed

20. A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
True
Liens
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
Instruction to bidders

21. Why do many contractors hesitate to bid just before the expiration of a union contract?
There may be hesitation to bid a project just before the expiration of a union agreement due to the uncertainty of the outcomes of the negotiations. There is the possibility of a strike or dramatic increases in the prevailing wage rate.
Liens
True
False

22. Name the types of Estimates
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
Published cost standards seldom represent 100% of the project under consideration.The location factor -The time factor
True
The Labor Hour

23. List the factors affecting labor productivity
With insurance an insurance company assumes the financial liability fora specified loss.The surety guarantees the performance of a contractor.The surety company will try to recover any losses from the contractor.
Punch List
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions

24. How does insurance differ from a surety bond?
True
Joist
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
With insurance an insurance company assumes the financial liability fora specified loss.The surety guarantees the performance of a contractor.The surety company will try to recover any losses from the contractor.

25. On certain projects the owner may accept proposals only from contractors who are invited to bid.
1. The contractor can get the most suitable piece of equipment.2. The equipment is most likely newer and in a better state of repair.3. The rental company handles maintenance.4. The contractor does not tie up their capital.
...
True
Lavatory

26. What is retainage? Why should a contractor be concerned with a retainage clause in a contract?
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
Liquidated Damages
The practice of withholding a percentage of the payment due to the contractor for the work performed and completed for that payment period.Retainage can affect the cash flow of the contractor and must be considered in the preparation of the bid.

27. The information provided in the General Conditions and Supplementary General Conditions does not influence the project cost.
Erection
False
The most reliable productivity records are the contractor's own historical data based on actual experiences performing similar work
Addenda

28. What are the two most common methods by which a contractor can acquire a construction contract?
False
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
The Labor Hour
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor

29. Describe the composition of the Construction Cost Index (CCI).
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs
Renting - Leasing - Buying
Common labor and material portions
Lump-Sum Estimate - Unit Price Estimate

30. A list prepared by the architect or engineer of the contractor's uncompleted work or work to be corrected.
Liquidated Damages
The bid bond ensures that if a contractor is awarded the bid with the time specified - the contractor will enter into the contract and provide all other specified bonds.If the contractor fails to do so without justification -the bond shall be forfeit
Punch List
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs

31. What is the payment bond?
Lavatory
The payment bond (labor and material bond) guarantees the payment of all bills incurred by the contractor for labor and materials incurred or supplied on the project.
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
True

32. What are some of the costs that must be included in equipment operating costs?
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
Addenda
Renting - Leasing - Buying
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate

33. What are some of the factors a contractor considers when making a decision to bid?
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
Bid Bond

34. A list prepared by the architect or engineer of the contractor's uncompleted work or work to be corrected.
Punch List
The loss in value of equipment that the contractor owns.The loss is a result of age - wear and tear - and obsolescence
Contract Documents
Retainage

35. What are the benefits of renting equipment?
Bid
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed
There may be hesitation to bid a project just before the expiration of a union agreement due to the uncertainty of the outcomes of the negotiations. There is the possibility of a strike or dramatic increases in the prevailing wage rate.
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.

36. A work order - usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or the owner's agent - authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change in the cost of the project.
There may be hesitation to bid a project just before the expiration of a union agreement due to the uncertainty of the outcomes of the negotiations. There is the possibility of a strike or dramatic increases in the prevailing wage rate.
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
Generally - the advertisement describes the location - extent - and nature of the work. It will designate the authority under which the project originated. Concerning the bid - it will give the place where bidding documents are available and list the
Change Order

37. What types of information are provided in the Invitation to Bid?
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
Skilled labor and material portions
Retainage
Generally - the advertisement describes the location - extent - and nature of the work. It will designate the authority under which the project originated. Concerning the bid - it will give the place where bidding documents are available and list the

38. Describe and provide examples of specific use equipment and general use equipment.
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors
The Labor Hour
True
True

39. What unit of time is used to measure labor?
The Labor Hour
True
True
The payment bond (labor and material bond) guarantees the payment of all bills incurred by the contractor for labor and materials incurred or supplied on the project.

40. What does the labor hour represent?
Punch List
False
The amount of work that can be done in an hour
Bid bond requirements are stated in the advertisement of Bidders.They are usually amplified in the specifications.

41. How do climatic conditions influence the amount of work actually completed in an hour?
True
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
The amount of work that can be done in an hour

42. A bathroom sink
Punch List
Liquidated Damages
Lavatory
Liens

43. What does the labor hour represent?
True
The amount of work that can be done in an hour
...
Renting - Leasing - Buying

44. Describe and provide examples of specific use equipment and general use equipment.
The performance bond guarantees the owner that - within limits - the contractor will perform all work in accordance with the contract documents - and thatthe owner will receive the project built in substantialagreement with the documents.
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors
1. Better understanding of the work to be subcontracted -2. Establishment of fair cost estimate for evaluating subcontractor's bid - 3. Checking of a subcontractor's scope of work - and4. Determination of time duration that can be assigned to a sub
With insurance an insurance company assumes the financial liability fora specified loss.The surety guarantees the performance of a contractor.The surety company will try to recover any losses from the contractor.

45. An invitation to a selected list of contractors furnishing information on the submission of bids on a subject.
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions
Invitation to bid
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
Master Format and Uniformat

46. Five basic skills everyone should master

47. What are the two most common methods by which a contractor can acquire a construction contract?
1. Review scope 2. Quantity takeoff 3. Price materials 4. Price labor 5. Price equipment 6. Obtain specialty contractor's bid 7. Obtain supplier's bid 8. Calculate taxes - bonds - insurance - and overhead 9. Contingency 10. Profit
Contract Documents
The Labor Hour
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding

48. Explain why using overtime is not recommended for most construction projects.
Punch List
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.

49. Describe the CSI MasterFormat and how it is used.
False
Foundation
The CSI format is a numbering system which divides the major areas involved in the construction project into 50 divisions (0 to 49). The format allows the contractor to develop a tracking system for all types of information.
Foundation

50. What is the performance bond?
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
The performance bond guarantees the owner that - within limits - the contractor will perform all work in accordance with the contract documents - and thatthe owner will receive the project built in substantialagreement with the documents.
Addenda
As-built drawings