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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. Name 10 step process to bid

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2. Five basic skills everyone should master

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3. List the factors affecting labor productivity
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions
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.
The amount of work that can be done in an hour
Skilled labor and material portions

4. What is the best source for productivity data?

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5. A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps
Addenda
Lavatory
Instruction to bidders

6. What are the benefits of renting equipment?
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps
Change Order
Contract Documents

7. Explain why using overtime is not recommended for most construction projects.
Contract Documents
Common labor and material portions
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
True

8. A good database of past project experiences is essential to preparing a quick and accurate estimate.
True
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
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

9. How do climatic conditions influence the amount of work actually completed in an hour?
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
Liens
Punch List

10. What is estimating in construction?
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.
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
Master Format and Uniformat

11. Order of Magnitude Estimate...
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
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
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed

12. The information provided in the General Conditions and Supplementary General Conditions does not influence the project cost.
Instruction to bidders
Bid
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
False

13. The substructure that supports a building or other structure.
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
Foundation
The Labor Hour
Renting - Leasing - Buying

14. What are the advantages to a small contractor of renting equipment instead of owning?
The amount of work that can be done in an hour
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for your company - Making accurate cost estimates - Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk of loss - Anticipating the bids of your competition - Tracking overhead so you know the actual
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
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.

15. Describe and provide examples of specific use equipment and general use equipment.
True
Instruction to bidders
Liens
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps

16. 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.
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
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors

17. How are the various surety bonds that may be required on a specific project obtained?
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
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.
Addenda
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.

18. 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
True
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
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.

19. 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.
Contract Documents
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.
Addenda
Retainage

20. Closely spaced beams supporting a floor or ceiling.They may be wood - steel - or concrete.
Master Format and Uniformat
Joist
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.
Common labor and material portions

21. Under what conditions are wage premiums applied
The amount of work that can be done in an hour
True
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.
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.

22. On certain projects the owner may accept proposals only from contractors who are invited to bid.
...
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for your company - Making accurate cost estimates - Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk of loss - Anticipating the bids of your competition - Tracking overhead so you know the actual
True

23. Operation costs include...
Change Order
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
Renting - Leasing - Buying
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above

24. Name three common methods of procuring equipment.
Renting - Leasing - Buying
Foundation
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for your company - Making accurate cost estimates - Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk of loss - Anticipating the bids of your competition - Tracking overhead so you know the actual
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps

25. What is the performance bond?
Instruction to bidders
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.
Bid
Invitation to bid

26. stimating labor requires determining the number of work hours to do a specific task and then applying the wage rate.
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions
True
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.

27. What unit of time is used to measure labor?
The Labor Hour
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
True
True

28. stimating labor requires determining the number of work hours to do a specific task and then applying the wage rate.
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed
Contract Documents
True
The most reliable productivity records are the contractor's own historical data based on actual experiences performing similar work

29. A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
As-built drawings
Instruction to bidders
Punch List

30. Assemblies Estimate...
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.
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.
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.
Addenda

31. 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
True
Liquidated Damages
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
Published cost standards seldom represent 100% of the project under consideration.The location factor -The time factor

32. Working drawings - specifications - general conditions - supplementary general conditions - the owner-contractor agreement - and all addenda (if issued).
Addenda
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
True
Contract Documents

33. What types of information are provided in the Invitation to 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
Bid bond requirements are stated in the advertisement of Bidders.They are usually amplified in the specifications.
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for your company - Making accurate cost estimates - Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk of loss - Anticipating the bids of your competition - Tracking overhead so you know the actual
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed

34. Explain why using overtime is not recommended for most construction projects.
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.
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.
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
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

35. Describe the composition of the Building Cost Index (BCI).
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.
Retainage
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.
Skilled labor and material portions

36. Drawings made during the progress of construction - or subsequent thereto - illustrating how various elements of the project were actually installed.
As-built drawings
Skilled labor and material portions
Instruction to bidders
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

37. 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 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.
Liquidated Damages
The Labor Hour
Skilled labor and material portions

38. The location where material can be stored in relationship to the construction project affects productivity.
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.
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors
Master Format and Uniformat
True

39. 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
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
Erection
Invitation to bid

40. What is the maintenance bond?
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.
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
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.
The Labor Hour

41. What is the bid bond and how does it protect the owner?
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
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 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.
True

42. What types of information are provided in the Invitation to Bid?
Renting - Leasing - Buying
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
False
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

43. A bathroom sink
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
Foundation
Lavatory
Master Format and Uniformat

44. The most reliable productivity rates come from historical data
Contract Documents
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
...
True

45. A common error made by GCs in their dealings with subcontractors is to hand them a single technical specifications section relating to their trade - without copies of either the General Requirements or the General and Supplementary General Conditions
...
Punch List
Invitation to bid
Invitation to bid

46. Where would information be found on whether a bid bond was required and - if so - its amount?
False
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.
Joist
Bid bond requirements are stated in the advertisement of Bidders.They are usually amplified in the specifications.

47. What is the performance bond?
True
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.
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
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.

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

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49. What is retainage? Why should a contractor be concerned with a retainage clause in a contract?
...
Lavatory
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.
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs

50. Describe the CSI MasterFormat and how it is used.
True
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
True