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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. Assemblies Estimate...
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
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
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
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.

2. The most reliable productivity rates come from historical data
True
Instruction to bidders
Common labor and material portions
Bid Bond

3. Name two systems that establish standards for the building design/construction estimating process.
Skilled labor and material portions
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
Master Format and Uniformat
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.

4. Name two systems that establish standards for the building design/construction estimating process.
As-built drawings
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
Master Format and Uniformat
True

5. The information provided in the General Conditions and Supplementary General Conditions does not influence the project cost.
True
False
Common labor and material portions
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.

6. A sum withheld from each payment to the contractor in accordance with the terms of the owner-contractor agreement.
Master Format and Uniformat
Common labor and material portions
Liens
Retainage

7. What are some of the factors a contractor considers when making a decision to bid?
False
Punch List
Retainage
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor

8. What is the bid bond and how does it protect the owner?
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
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
Common labor and material portions

9. How do climatic conditions influence the amount of work actually completed in an hour?
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.
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
Lavatory
Lavatory

10. What is retainage? Why should a contractor be concerned with a retainage clause in a contract?
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 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.
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 amount of work that can be done in an hour

11. What is the performance bond?
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
Lump-Sum Estimate - Unit Price Estimate
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.
Foundation

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

13. Describe and provide examples of specific use equipment and general use equipment.
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
False
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 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.

14. Describe the CSI MasterFormat and how it is used.
Erection
Change Order
A. Tires and other wear itemsb. Fuel - lubricants - and filtersc. Repair reservesd. All of the above
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. 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
True
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.

16. Assemblies Estimate...
True
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.
Liens
Bid bond requirements are stated in the advertisement of Bidders.They are usually amplified in the specifications.

17. The location where material can be stored in relationship to the construction project affects productivity.
True
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
Renting - Leasing - Buying
Foundation

18. A document stating the procedures to be followed by bidders.
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs
Instruction to bidders
True
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors

19. Describe the composition of the Building Cost Index (BCI).
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 loss in value of equipment that the contractor owns.The loss is a result of age - wear and tear - and obsolescence
Skilled labor and material portions
The ability to procure the right piece of equipment for the job when the unit is needed

20. List the factors affecting labor productivity
Instruction to bidders
External factors: market conditions and climatic conditions; beyond the control of the contractors.Internal factors: work conditions and management conditions
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs

21. The equipment used on construction projects can be divided into three categories: Owned - leased - and rented.
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.
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps
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.

22. Why do many contractors hesitate to bid just before the expiration of a union contract?
As-built drawings
False
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.
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.

23. Name 10 step process to bid

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24. Name 10 step process to bid

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25. What are the difficulties encountered by the estimator during the preparation of a project's conceptual estimate?
Published cost standards seldom represent 100% of the project under consideration.The location factor -The time factor
Lump-Sum Estimate - Unit Price Estimate
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.
Instruction to bidders

26. stimating labor requires determining the number of work hours to do a specific task and then applying the wage rate.
Master Format and Uniformat
Invitation to bid
Punch List
True

27. How does insurance differ from a surety bond?
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.
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
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.

28. A good database of past project experiences is essential to preparing a quick and accurate 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.
1. Construction Materials 2. Erection Labor 3. Fixed Equipment Costs
True

29. Drawings made during the progress of construction - or subsequent thereto - illustrating how various elements of the project were actually installed.
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors
Erection
Joist
As-built drawings

30. Drawings made during the progress of construction - or subsequent thereto - illustrating how various elements of the project were actually installed.
Overtime work - shift work - hazardous work conditions - or unusually strenuous work.
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps
Common labor and material portions
As-built drawings

31. A bathroom sink
True
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.
Lavatory
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

32. Working drawings - specifications - general conditions - supplementary general conditions - the owner-contractor agreement - and all addenda (if issued).
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
True
True
Contract Documents

33. How do climatic conditions influence the amount of work actually completed in an hour?
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.
Both extreme hot and cold will tend to slow down the pace of work.
True
True

34. What is estimating in construction?
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
True
Liquidated Damages
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.

35. Where the project will be constructed does not have a major influence in the preparation of an 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.
Published cost standards seldom represent 100% of the project under consideration.The location factor -The time factor
False
Retainage

36. The assembly of components to form the completed portion of a job.
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.
Scheduling overtime for more than several weeks can result in huge productivity losses.
Erection
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.

37. A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract - if offered - in accordance with their proposal.
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
Bid Bond
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.
True

38. A good database of past project experiences is essential to preparing a quick and accurate estimate.
Retainage
Punch List
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

39. 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
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
Liens
...
True

40. Legal claims against an owner for amounts due those engaged in or supplying materials for the construction of the building.
True
Foundation
Master Format and Uniformat
Liens

41. What are some of the factors a contractor considers when making a decision to bid?
Bid Bond
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
Internal Factor - External Factor - Project Related-Factor
Liens

42. Proposal prepared by prospective contractor specifying the charges to be made for doing the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Predicting the cost in advance based on a model (formal or informal - plans and specifications) of a project
Bid
Skilled labor and material portions
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.

43. 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.
Truly - its both - it will never be a science. Estimators rely on their - intuition - past experience - judgment and sometimes guesses.
Skilled labor and material portions
Retainage

44. 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.
Change Order
Erection
Bid
True

45. Explain firm price contracting estimates.
Joist
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.
Lump-Sum Estimate - Unit Price Estimate
Liens

46. 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
Published cost standards seldom represent 100% of the project under consideration.The location factor -The time factor
Renting - Leasing - Buying
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

47. Name the types of Estimates
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.
Order of Magnitude Estimate - Square foot and cubic foot estimate - Assemblies(Systems estimate) - Detailed Estimate
Instruction to bidders
Units are assignable to jobs and are not shared by other subcontractors. Tractors; Scrapers; Front shovels; Hoes; Loaders and backhoe loaders; Hauling units; Compactors

48. On certain projects the owner may accept proposals only from contractors who are invited to bid.
Master Format and Uniformat
Operating costs include everything required to operate each piece of equipment.Fuel - Grease and Oil - Electricity and Tire
True
Skilled labor and material portions

49. What are the difficulties encountered by the estimator during the preparation of a project's conceptual estimate?
Direct Negotiation - Competitive Bidding
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.
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

50. What unit of time is used to measure labor?
The most reliable productivity records are the contractor's own historical data based on actual experiences performing similar work
True
The Labor Hour
Kept on the site over a longer period of time - throughout almost the entire construction phase.Cranes; Air compressors; Floodlights and light towersForklifts; Pumps