Quantity Surveying Test 1

What is estimating in quantity surveying?

Estimating is working out the cost of construction work based on drawings and project information.

What costs must be included in estimating?

1. Materials 2. Labour 3. Plant and equipment 4. Preliminaries 5. Contingencies 6. Site conditions 7. Project duration 8. Contract conditions 9. Overheads and profit

What is a takeoff in estimating?

Takeoff is the process of measuring quantities from drawings.

What are the key differences between an estimator and a quantity surveyor?

Estimator: Works for contractor, focuses on pricing and tenders. Quantity Surveyor: Manages project costs, works across the full project lifecycle, collaborates with clients and design teams.

What are the characteristics of the construction industry?

1. Projects are large and expensive 2. Each project is unique 3. Work is done on site, not mass produced 4. Design and construction are separate.

What is estimating in quantity surveying?

Estimating is working out the cost of construction work based on drawings and project information.

What do preliminaries include in estimating?

Preliminaries are costs not included in measured work; they cover contract conditions, site conditions, and examples like site office, safety insurance, and utilities.

What is the purpose of contingencies in estimating?

Contingencies provide extra money for risk and uncertainty, covering unknown risks, incomplete design, and estimation errors, but not variations, price increases, or major disasters.

What does a Bill of Quantities (BQ) contain?

A BQ contains measured work, preliminaries, and contingencies.

Why is quantity surveying important?

QS is crucial because construction is complex and expensive, each project is unique, costs must be controlled, and QS ensures accurate estimating and cost control.