CEC Content and Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which estimate component captures the cost of temporary facilities such as site trailers, portable toilets, and fencing?
- General conditions (Correct answer)
- Contingency allowance
- Subcontractor costs
- Profit margin
Correct answer: General conditions
General conditions cover project-specific overhead costs like temporary facilities, superintendent labor, and site utilities that support the work but are not part of permanent construction.
Question 2: A parametric estimate for a new office building most commonly uses which cost parameter?
- Cost per linear foot of exterior wall
- Cost per square foot of gross floor area (Correct answer)
- Cost per cubic yard of concrete placed
- Cost per window unit installed
Correct answer: Cost per square foot of gross floor area
Cost per square foot of gross floor area is the industry-standard parameter for early-stage office building estimates because it correlates well with overall project scope.
Question 3: When structuring a detailed estimate, 'labor burden' refers to:
- The physical weight loads on scaffolding
- Employer-paid taxes, insurance, and benefits added to base wage rates (Correct answer)
- Overtime premium pay for weekend work
- The cost of safety training programs
Correct answer: Employer-paid taxes, insurance, and benefits added to base wage rates
Labor burden includes FICA, FUTA, workers' compensation, health insurance, and other employer-paid costs beyond the base hourly wage.
Question 4: A 'bid bond' requirement is typically documented in which section of the estimate package?
- Cost summary sheet
- Bid conditions and requirements section (Correct answer)
- Material takeoff worksheets
- Subcontractor scope letters
Correct answer: Bid conditions and requirements section
Bid bond requirements are part of the bid conditions that govern how the estimate must be submitted, not part of the cost calculations themselves.
Question 5: In CSI MasterFormat, specifications are organized into how many primary levels?
- 2 levels (Division and Section)
- 3 levels (Division, Section, and Article)
- 4 levels (Level 1 through Level 4) (Correct answer)
- 5 levels (Part, Division, Section, Article, Paragraph)
Correct answer: 4 levels (Level 1 through Level 4)
MasterFormat uses a 4-level numbering hierarchy: Level 1 (Division), Level 2 (Subgroup), Level 3 (Section), and Level 4 (Subsection).
Question 6: Which estimate format is most appropriate when an owner needs cost feedback before design drawings are complete?
- Detailed unit price estimate
- Quantity survey estimate
- Conceptual order-of-magnitude estimate (Correct answer)
- Subcontractor bid compilation
Correct answer: Conceptual order-of-magnitude estimate
A conceptual or order-of-magnitude estimate uses historical cost data and project parameters to provide early budget guidance without complete design documents.
Question 7: Alternates listed in an estimate are best described as:
- Pricing errors that require correction before bid submission
- Separately priced scope changes that the owner may choose to add or deduct from the base bid (Correct answer)
- Subcontractor allowances for undetermined work
- Contingency funds reserved for unforeseen conditions
Correct answer: Separately priced scope changes that the owner may choose to add or deduct from the base bid
Alternates let the owner adjust project scope while still receiving competitive pricing, with each alternate priced independently from the base bid.
CEC Content and Structure 3
Which estimate component captures the cost of temporary facilities such as site trailers, portable toilets, and fencing?