NAME: Jenny G.

Villafuerte SCORE: __________

SUBJECT: CE 511 Construction Methods and Project Management DATE: JUNE 18, 2019

PLATE NO. 1

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

1. What is the difference between detailed estimate and guestimate? Why is it important to have
an engineering/theory & practice-based calculation rather than guesswork in estimating the cost
of a certain project?

Detailed estimate gives sufficient facts and information of cost estimate that provides
transparency and justice that is supported by theoretical calculations or data which is essential
to eliminate forms of conspiracy, as of guesstimate it has no basis and analytical cost
computation which deviates from engineering and leaves clients unsure of your work due to it
is not sustained by information that will serve as an evidence or proof and not just a guessed or
personal opinion of the estimated cost of a project.

2. Explain how engineering estimate is applied in the following:

a. For new project construction

b. For rehabilitation & repair works
c. For appraisal of existing structures
d. For Numerical bid evaluation
e. For audit review

3. List down the four (4) factors that comprises the cost engineering

Factors that comprises the cost engineering:

a. Construction materials assessment

b. Calculation of bill of quantities, BOQ
c. Cost analysis computation
d. Preparation of construction schedule and cash flow

4. What are the six (6) types of estimates? Define each type.

a. Conceptual Estimate – It is useful during schematic or budgetary phase that is prepared by

means of area method and assembly method which guides the owner and designer. It is
also said that assembly method is more accurate than area method because it estimated
the different components of the facility which projects the preliminary cost of projects.

b. Preliminary Estimate – It is the first step in production plans and specifications that
comprises 40% of complete design detail and is prepared by the engineer to derive the cost
based of project on a more refined data than the conceptual estimate to be approved by
the owner

c. Designer’s Estimate – It is for the assurance of the owner for its completion of design within
the owner’s budget or the establishment of reference cost of the final design made to
achieve a deviation of plus or minus 3% to 5% of the actual cost.

d. Bid Estimate – It is done by requiring a considerable days to finish an accurate, competitive

and profitable bid that cost one-fourth percent of the total bid costs and may increase
depending on the complexity and competence of the estimator.

e. Construction Estimate – It requires greater effort in reaching the high level of accuracy of
the calculation to establish actual construction costs agreed with the bid estimate that helps
the contractor to make projections about the profit and losses of the project.
 f. Appraisal Estimate – An art of estimating that presents the estimated “Most Probable Cost”
of a project to know the fair value or worth of a property.

5. Explain the importance of engineering estimate for the following:

a. Owner – It is important for the owner because it assures the owner for the approximate
worth or cost of the project to avoid extra budget or excess and unreasonable profit which
is a loss to the owner. Also, it helps in providing the projection of the budget to be used in
the project.

b. Planner, Designer, & Estimator – It helps provide professional services to clients by

rendering and giving the detailed cost of the project to avoid problems an troubles during
the construction process that forms as a backbone of construction engineering.

c. Builder/Contractor – It is important because a good estimate is advantageous for the

contractor over his competitors to ensure a winning bid and have a fair profit of the project
in a sense that it is accurate, competitive and profitable which is possible only through a
satisfactory work that avoids improper estimate.

d. Appraiser – It helps in presenting assessed values of properties which is necessary in sales

purposes to have a reliable and fair market value based on the actual physical condition of
the assets.

e. Government – It is essential to have a true and honest estimate to have a fair and
accomplished business that promotes transparency for good governance which eliminates
corruption and repetitive mistakes.

f. Building Official – It is important because it is a requirement for the application of

construction permit and serves as a basis for the payment of the project. The Building
Official is considered as the Master of Cost Engineering that should conduct estimate and
determine the approximate payment for the project for truth and correctness of the
estimation.

g. Estimate Examiner – It helps in the determination of the excess estimated cost or excess
contract price through the knowledge of engineering estimate which remove s vague
information and defrauding. It is also important to have sufficient or reliable estimate
calculation to have a reasonable evidence for technical audit reports and distorts lies and
deceits.

6. Explain why engineering estimate must be complete, reliable, effective, organized & properly
documented. List down the necessary requirements in order to achieve this quality.

Engineering estimate must be complete to satisfy the quality and basic requirement of
all quantities of materials, manpower and equipment that is calculated based on the dimension
in plans and description. It should also be reliable to have an accurate information that is
carefully and thoroughly studied to determine the reliability of the estimate. Effective in a sense
that the output of the estimate rely on the completeness and correctness of unit prices which
is needed for adjustments to estimate the wastes and allowances to be made for the effectivity
of the estimate. It also should be organized and properly documented to have an easy access
for correction and verification of the estimate to provide traceable calculations.

Necessary Requirements:

a. Quantity take-off worksheets of all works items

b. Unit price and cost analysis of all cost items
c. Labor rates and productivity analysis
d. Equipment rental rates and production analysis
e. Breakdown of indirect cost
-Overhead
-Miscellaneous
-Contingencies
 f. Mark Ups Details

-Profit
-Expanded Withholding Tax (EWT)
-Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT)

7. Why is it necessary to have a checklist for building construction estimate?

It is necessary to have a checklist for building construction estimate in order to have a complete
items of work that is important in the preparation of a complete bill of quantities to avoid mistake
by omission. It allows efficient means of editing using worksheets in an orderly and systematic way
in case of changes or revisions.

8. What are the two (2) requirements in estimating Bill of Quantities (BOQ). Explain why drawings &
specifications must be complementary and inseparable. What is the impact of estimating without
specification?

2 Requirements in estimating Bill of Quantities (BOQ):

a. Working Drawings
b. Construction Specification

It should be complementary and inseparable to ensure that it does not spell out specific
products standards and construction methods, also to avoid insufficient estimate of the “Most
Probable Cost” of the project because every estimate should be dome with complete information.
The impact of estimating without specification is that it lacks in technical support to justify the
output of the project which is misleading and difficult to predict due to the absence of supporting
documents.

9. What are the types of specifications? Define each type.

The Design Specification are as follows: Design Specification, Performance Specification, Propriety
Specification and Open Specification.

Types of Specifications:
a. Design Specification – A descriptive or detailed type of specification which contains the
description of materials, workmanship, and installation and erection procedures that helps
in the understanding and specifying accurately on how to put the material together for
beauty, safety and economy.
b. Performance Specifications – Describes the expected result of the work and the methods to
be used in an innovative approach to lower prices to have a competitive project bidding.
c. Propriety Specification – States exactly the product and methods to be used without
mentioning the brand name of a material to ensure suspicion of favoring a certain product
manufacturer and maintain the quality of material in an equal manner.
d. Open Specification – A nonrestrictive specification that allow many choices within a given
criteria to give the contractor great leeway in getting the best price- honest, lowest and
effective materials.

10. What are the sixteen (16) divisions of Specification according to Construction Specification
Institute (CSI)? Discuss the importance of these divisions.

DIVISION 0 Contains bidding requirements and contract

Building and Contract Requirements documents.

DIVISION 1 Covers the non-technical requirements such

General Requirements as information about temporary facilities,
administrative requirements and temporary
utilities.
 DIVISION 2 Contains clearing, grubbing, demolition,
Site Works earthworks-excavation, backfill, borrow fill
and disposal.

DIVISION 3 Includes concrete compressive strength,

Concrete proportions, slump; reinforcing steel bars
yield stress and admixtures.

DIVISION 4 Involves masonry units, mortar mixtures,

Masonry steel bars, tile-setting, sizes and adhesives,
stone works and plastering.

DIVISION 5 Specifies type of metals and yield stress,

Metals method of connections, bolts, welds, rivets
and base painting.

DIVISION 6 State the class of wood and strength,

Wood and Plastics moisture content, fasteners and treatment.

DIVISION 7 Entails water proofing, insulation or heat

Thermal and Moisture Protection barriers, fireplace, chimneys and exhaust
fans.
DIVISION 8 Stipulates the type of materials of doors,
Doors and Windows windows and lock sets.

DIVISION 9 Deals with material finishes either paint or

Finishes varnish, texture-smooth, glossy or rough.

DIVISION 10 Includes specialty works like glass and

Specialties aluminum, wood and steel lattice, concrete
moldings, steel grills and stair handrails,
landscaping and pest control.

DIVISION 11 Involves the type, size and capacity of

Equipment equipment used.

DIVISION 12 Contains built-in cabinets, carpets, lavatory

Furnishings and information counters.

DIVISION 13 Covers deep or pile foundations, footings on

Special Construction difficult soils, slope protection and other
works with unique characteristics.

DIVISION 14 Deals with methods of transporting materials

Conveying System to the desired place or floor of the building by
use of buckets, wheelbarrows, crane tower
and pumps.

DIVISION 15 Incorporates water supply, sanitary waste

Mechanical disposal system, drainage, elevators,
escalators, air conditioning and pumps.

DIVISION 16 Contains panel boards, wires, conduits and

Electrical fixtures.

11. Discuss the numbering sequence in Plans and Drawings.

The numbering sequence in plans and drawings are arranged to follow general order of
construction from site work to finish work in order for them to have an orderly and well organized
sequence of work during the construction of the project.
12. Define the following terms:

a. Rehabilitation – A restoration of a property or building which does not change the plan,
form and style. Its main function is to repair the structure.
b. Modernization – A way of making a property more modernize by replacing parts of the
structures to attain the suitable style of the present time by replacing old fixtures and
materials with new and modern items.
c. Remodeling – A way altering or changing the plan, form and style of a structure to correct
functional or economic deficiencies to achieve the desired use of the property.

13. List down and describe the qualities of a Good Estimator.

a. Knowledgeable – Should know engineering practices and method also the materials and
equipment to be used in the estimation.

b. Analytical – Must distinguish various items or material with the most profitable values to
have an accurate and reliable judgement.

c. Patience and Responsible – To make necessary calculations to substantiate the estimate

and recheck the computations if change needed.

d. Efficient – To have an effective way of handling the quantity take off of materials and
equipment by the use of tables that simplifies the computations, eliminates error and save
time effort.

14. What are the three (3) conditions that must be satisfied in order to minimize on-site inspection?
What are the three (3) basic task that must be accomplished upon conducting site inspections?

The three (3) conditions that must be satisfied in order to minimize on-site inspection:
a. The plans and specifications are complete
b. Local units prices of materials and labor rates are available, and
c. The site for the project has no space restriction during construction

The three (3) basic task that must be accomplished upon conducting site inspections:

a. Canvass prices and ascertain the availability of local construction materials for cost
analysis,
b. Gather data regarding local labor rates (salary and wages prescribed by DOLE) for
labor cost computation, and
c. Verify the availability and rental rates of equipment’s needed in the project.

15. What is a written technical report? What are the important components that comprises a
comprehensive inspection estimate report?

A Written Technical report serves as a proof of travel and reference of the proposed
project.

Components that comprises a comprehensive inspection report:

a. At least three price canvasses of available materials from different suppliers within
the locality.
b. Prevailing local or regional labor salary and wages, and
c. Local equipment rental rates.