Quantification and Costing

Question 1

What are the different NRM documents?

Answer 1

NRM 1: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works
NRM 2: Detailed measurement for building works
RM 3: Order of cost estimating and cost planning for building maintenance works

Question 1

What is NRM?

Answer 1

• It is a suite of documents issued by the RICS
• They are a standard set of measurement rules that are understandable by anyone involved in a construction project

Question 2

What is CESMM?

Answer 2

• The Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement is written by the institute of civil engineers
• Sets out the procedure to which BoQ’s should be prepared and priced and the quantities measured

Question 3

What is the Rail Method of Measurement?

Answer 3

• Developed by Network Rail
• Provides a consistent basis for description, measurement and allocation of cost for railway works

Question 4

What is first principles estimating?

Answer 4

• The method of preparing cost estimates by calculating the rate, , quantity, labour hours and rate of productivity to complete a task

Question 5

What is a bill of quantities?

Answer 5

• Used to provide the estimator with an accurate breakdown of the scope of works and provide a common basis for pricing
• The BoQ forms the basis of the tender analysis following the accurate like for like comparison to be undertaken

Question 6

Are you aware of the Code of Measuring Practise?

Answer 6

• A document published by the RICS proving precise definitions to permit the accurate and consistent measurement of buildings

Question 7

Can you give an example of some of the rules within NRM2?

Answer 7

For excavating and filling:
- Locate underground services
- Trial pits to locate services
- Boreholes to determine ground conditions

Question 8

What’s the difference between a take off and BoQ?

Answer 8

• Take off is a list of materials with quantities
• BoQ is a detailed statement of work, prices and dimensions required to build a structure

Question 9

How would you determine what a sufficient allowance is for an upcoming change?

Answer 9

• I would price the change on a fair an reasonable forecast of defined cost and include a risk allowance that has a significant chance of happening

Question 10

Outline how you would prepare an application for payment on an NEC Option C contract

Answer 10

• I would input the cost from the project ledger and remove any disallowable costs (any costs that aren’t included within the schedule of cost components)
• Input the monthly assessment of Subcontractor costs
• Add any plant and equipment accruals that aren’t included on the ledger

Question 11

Describe how you have priced some work from first principles

Answer 11

When undertaking the pricing on the Fast Platform I had to calculate the square meterage of block paving
Therefore I had to break down the pricing into:
- the square meterage of paving required
- the price per square metre of materials
- the amount of paving that could be laid per hour
- the number of operatives required to required to achieve that output
- any plant or equipment required to facilitate the install