CEC Labor Productivity & Rates 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A crew installs 480 linear feet of pipe in an 8-hour shift. What is the crew's productivity rate in linear feet per hour?
- 60 LF/hr (Correct answer)
- 48 LF/hr
- 80 LF/hr
- 56 LF/hr
Correct answer: 60 LF/hr
480 LF ÷ 8 hours = 60 linear feet per hour.
Question 2: Which factor most significantly reduces labor productivity when working in confined spaces?
- Increased material handling time and restricted movement (Correct answer)
- Lower ambient temperature
- Reduced crew size
- Shorter shift duration
Correct answer: Increased material handling time and restricted movement
Confined spaces restrict worker movement and require additional safety procedures, substantially reducing output per labor-hour.
Question 3: An estimator uses a 'learning curve' adjustment in labor calculations. What does this account for?
- Increasing worker efficiency as repetitive tasks are performed (Correct answer)
- Rising material costs over time
- Seasonal wage rate changes
- Overtime premium increases
Correct answer: Increasing worker efficiency as repetitive tasks are performed
Learning curves reflect that workers become faster and more efficient as they repeat the same task throughout a project.
Question 4: The Davis-Bacon Act primarily affects construction labor estimates by requiring:
- Payment of prevailing wages on federally funded projects (Correct answer)
- Mandatory overtime for all workers after 8 hours
- Union membership for all laborers
- Workers' compensation insurance minimums
Correct answer: Payment of prevailing wages on federally funded projects
The Davis-Bacon Act mandates that workers on federal construction contracts be paid the locally prevailing wage and fringe benefits.
Question 5: If a masonry crew's base productivity is 120 block/hour but a 15% inefficiency factor is applied, what is the adjusted rate?
- 102 block/hour (Correct answer)
- 138 block/hour
- 105 block/hour
- 108 block/hour
Correct answer: 102 block/hour
120 × (1 − 0.15) = 120 × 0.85 = 102 block/hour.
Question 6: Which scheduling condition typically causes the greatest reduction in labor productivity on a construction site?
- Trade stacking — multiple crews working in the same area simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Rotating shift schedules
- Single-trade sequential work
- Early morning start times
Correct answer: Trade stacking — multiple crews working in the same area simultaneously
Trade stacking forces multiple subcontractors into the same workspace, creating congestion, interference, and significant productivity loss.
Question 7: A framing crew of 5 workers completes a task in 40 hours. The all-in labor rate is $55/hour per worker. What is the total labor cost?
- $11,000 (Correct answer)
- $8,800
- $13,750
- $9,500
Correct answer: $11,000
5 workers × 40 hours × $55/hour = $11,000 total labor cost.
CEC Labor Productivity & Rates 2
A crew installs 480 linear feet of pipe in an 8-hour shift.
What is the crew's productivity rate in linear feet per hour?