1. The MOST accurate information for estimating the number of hours REQUIRED to perform a task comes from
A. manufacturers' specifications.
B. Superintendent's daily reports.
C. plans and specifications.
D. job cost records. Correct
Explanation
Job cost records from previous similar projects are the gold standard for labor-hour estimating because they reflect real-world productivity under actual field conditions, including weather, crew experience, site access, interference, and learning curve effects. Manufacturer specs and plans give theoretical minimums; superintendent reports are useful but often incomplete or subjective. Only historical cost data consistently captures the true hours required for your specific crews and methods.
2. For ease in estimating labor costs, work should be grouped by
A. type of materials.
B. amount of materials.
C. type of activity. Correct
D. equipment requirements.
Explanation
Labor rates, crew composition, and productivity vary dramatically by activity (e.g., formwork vs. rebar placement vs. concrete pouring). Grouping by activity allows the estimator to apply the correct wage rates, crew sizes, and historical productivity factors to each line item. Grouping by material or equipment ignores the dominant driver of labor cost: the type of work being performed.
3. A Unit Price Estimate consists of
A. assigning costs to each segment of construction. Correct
B. listing all the materials and items of work needed for the total project.
C. determining labor costs for the project.
D. estimating progress payments per unit of construction.
Explanation
A true unit-price estimate develops a complete cost (material + labor + equipment + subcontract + overhead + profit) for each defined unit of work (e.g., per CY of concrete, per SF of drywall). The total contract price is then quantity × unit price for all items. This is the standard bidding format for heavy-civil and many public works contracts.
4. The general rule of law for interpreting an ambiguous provision of a contract is that it is
A. interpreted against the party who wrote it. Correct
B. not binding.
C. interpreted against the owner.
D. interpreted against the contractor.
Explanation
The doctrine of contra proferentem is a fundamental principle of contract law in virtually every U.S. jurisdiction. When contract language is unclear and the parties dispute its meaning, courts construe the ambiguity against the drafter as a penalty for failing to write clearly. This protects the non-drafting party who had no control over the wording.
5. Who is responsible for preparing MSDS?
A. The Environmental Protection Agency.
B. The Department of Health.
C. The chemical Manufacturer. Correct
D. OSHA.
Explanation
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the chemical manufacturer or importer is required to evaluate hazards, prepare Safety Data Sheets (formerly MSDS), and provide them downstream. OSHA writes the regulation but does not create the SDS documents.