CPE Cost Databases & Resources 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which RSMeans database division is primarily used for site preparation and earthwork cost data?
- Division 2 – Existing Conditions (Correct answer)
- Division 3 – Concrete
- Division 1 – General Requirements
- Division 5 – Metals
Correct answer: Division 2 – Existing Conditions
RSMeans Division 2 (Existing Conditions) covers demolition, excavation, and earthwork cost data.
Question 2: In cost databases, 'bare cost' typically refers to which of the following?
- Material, labor, and equipment costs without overhead and profit (Correct answer)
- Total installed cost including contractor markup
- Cost after applying city cost indexes
- Material cost only, excluding labor
Correct answer: Material, labor, and equipment costs without overhead and profit
Bare cost is the direct cost of material, labor, and equipment before adding overhead and profit markups.
Question 3: When using a historical cost database to estimate a current project, an estimator must apply a cost index to account for what?
- Changes in construction costs over time due to inflation and market conditions (Correct answer)
- Geographic variation between cities
- Differences in project size and complexity
- Variations in material quality grades
Correct answer: Changes in construction costs over time due to inflation and market conditions
Time adjustment indices update historical costs to reflect current pricing due to inflation and market fluctuations.
Question 4: Which publication is a widely recognized source for construction cost data organized by MasterFormat divisions?
- RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data (Correct answer)
- ENR Cost Index Report
- Dodge Data & Analytics Report
- AACE Recommended Practice Guide
Correct answer: RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data
RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data organizes unit costs by MasterFormat CSI divisions and is an industry standard reference.
Question 5: The Engineering News-Record (ENR) Building Cost Index is based on the cost of which components?
- Structural steel, cement, and skilled labor (Correct answer)
- Lumber, concrete, and unskilled labor
- Copper wire, drywall, and general labor
- Brick, glass, and specialty labor
Correct answer: Structural steel, cement, and skilled labor
The ENR Building Cost Index tracks costs of structural steel, Portland cement, and skilled labor in 20 cities.
Question 6: A cost database unit price for masonry work typically includes which combination of costs?
- Material, labor, and equipment specific to laying masonry units (Correct answer)
- Only the cost of masonry blocks and mortar
- Subcontractor overhead and profit only
- Architectural fees for masonry detailing
Correct answer: Material, labor, and equipment specific to laying masonry units
Database unit prices for masonry include materials (blocks, mortar), labor (mason and helper), and any required equipment.
Question 7: What does the term 'productivity factor' represent when using labor cost data from a database?
- The rate at which workers complete a specific task under normal conditions (Correct answer)
- The percentage of time workers spend on breaks
- The ratio of skilled to unskilled workers on a crew
- The total number of workers available for a project
Correct answer: The rate at which workers complete a specific task under normal conditions
Productivity factor reflects how many units of work a typical crew installs per hour or day under standard conditions.
CPE Cost Databases & Resources 2
Which RSMeans database division is primarily used for site preparation and earthwork cost data?