Practice Test Geeks(CEC) Construction Estimator Certification Practice Test
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Cost Databases & Resources Flashcards

7 cards from real CEC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Cost Databases & Resources flashcards as text

  1. Which type of cost data source would be most reliable for estimating the cost of a newly developed building material with no historical use?

    Answer: Manufacturer quotes and supplier pricing

    For new or novel materials lacking historical data, direct manufacturer quotes and supplier pricing provide the most accurate current cost information.

  2. The term 'open-shop' labor rates in a cost database means the wages are based on:

    Answer: Non-union market wage rates

    Open-shop labor rates reflect wages paid by non-union contractors, which typically differ from union scale or prevailing wage determinations.

  3. How do most modern cost databases handle the difference between union and open-shop labor costs?

    Answer: They publish separate databases or adjustment factors for each

    Major publishers like RS Means publish separate editions or provide conversion factors to address union versus open-shop labor cost differences.

  4. In cost estimating, what does the abbreviation 'MSRP' typically indicate when used in supplier pricing discussions?

    Answer: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

    MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price and represents the starting point before contractor discounts are applied.

  5. Which resource is most appropriate for benchmarking construction costs in a foreign country for an international project estimate?

    Answer: AECOM's International Construction Cost report

    AECOM publishes annual international construction cost data covering dozens of countries, making it the standard resource for global benchmarking.

  6. A cost database entry shows a labor unit cost of $45.00 per SF. After applying a 1.15 location factor and a 1.08 overtime premium, what is the adjusted labor cost per SF?

    Answer: $55.67

    $45.00 × 1.15 × 1.08 = $55.67, applying both adjustments multiplicatively.

  7. What is the primary limitation of using square-foot cost data from a published database for an irregularly shaped building?

    Answer: Irregular shapes increase perimeter-to-area ratios, raising unit costs above database averages

    Irregular building shapes have higher perimeter-to-area ratios, increasing envelope costs per SF beyond what standard square-foot averages reflect.