5. Construction Tech Level 3

Question 1

What type of roof was this on Cricklewood?

Answer 1

Ptiched Roof

Question 2

Can you explain on how you advised on the assessment of the Cricklewood roof condition?

Question 3

What are the advantages of drone surveys?

Question 4

Can you explain why you advised on replacement of the windows vs repair?

Question 5

How did you consider the cost impact of the windows?

Question 6

What size was the roof of Cricklewood?

Answer 6

Around 800 squared meters

Question 7

How did you consider the cost of the scaffolding?

Question 8

How did you present the roof assessment solution to the client?

Question 9

Why did you consider drone surveys?

Question 10

Tell me about a time you gave your client advice on a design solution

Answer 10

On the Cricklewood project during the pre construction phase, the delivery team needed to assess the condition of the roof.

The building was 4 storeys high so it posed implications how to go about carrying out the roof survey.

I presented two options that can be used to assess the roof.

1. Setup scaffolding, around the perimeter of the building. During the construction phase this would be erected regardless, but by doing this now the scaffolding would be set up earlier. However I had to consider value for money in this instance. The scaffolding would take a long time to erect just for a roof survey, it would be costly and between the design and construction stage the scaffolding cost would be inefficient due to it being unused
2. Another option I considered was making a use of drone surveys, which were much cheaper, quicker to setup and the health and safety associated with drones over scaffolding was safer. However drone surveys were prone to weather conditions, and the quality was lower compared to assessing in person.

I presented a comparison between the two and weighed up the pros and cons to my client and ultimately chose to use the drone surveys.

Question 11

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using drones to carry out site surveys?

Answer 11

Advantages:
Fairly safe to use
Quick and easy
Cheaper over scaffolding

Disadvantages:
Low quality
Prone to weather conditions

Question 12

How did extending the project timeline impact project? budgets?

Answer 12

This obviously increased prelims by two weeks and therefore the cost. I believe the weekly cost was under £5,000 which included project management and scaffolding

I effectively had to consider a whole life cycle cost rather than just construction

Question 13

Can you elaborate on your decision to recommend drone technology for assessing the condition of the roof in Cricklewood? How did you assess the effectiveness of drones compared to traditional methods like scaffolding?

Answer 13

I considered the safety, speed and value for money.

Scaffolding would allow consultants to carry out various of surveys perhaps however the time associated with erecting the scaffolding,

Drones were significantly cheaper and quicker

Question 14

When the contractor discovered irreparable damage to the windows at Cricklewood, you proposed extending the project timeline for window replacements. How did you communicate this solution to the project manager, and what considerations were involved in determining the long-term cost-effectiveness of this approach?

Answer 14

I presented this in two scenarios.

First scenario I presented the risk of not fully replacing the windows, where long term they could be damaged again which would require scaffolding and site access and this could disrupt site operations

The second scenario I presented to the client was the higher costs of UPVC windows being fully replaced and therefore the extension of programme cost associated with this.

Question 15

Talk me through why you advised your client on doing a full window replacement?

Answer 15

I effectively carried out a life cycle cost.

I considered the maintenance associated if the window wasn’t replaced which would include further repairs such as simply painting over it and filling out the rotten gaps and the scaffolding associated with this

I considered simply paying the price now for a full replacement which required additional two weeks of scaffolding and more prelims for the contractor but long term it wouldn’t require maintenance

Question 16

What type of windows were they and what measurements were they?

Answer 16

These were UPVC windows

Question 17

How did you estimate the cost of scaffolding vs surveys? How did you measure the building?

Answer 17

NRM tends to deal with scaffolding as number per weeks so by utilising previous quotes I worked out the average rate per square meter to adjust it for the size of the building.

I also consulted our framework contractors to confirm the figure is within a suitable range and presented it as a range.

For drone surveys I found an estimate of £1200 from a previous project.

Question 18

Can you elaborate on how you proposed a solution to this issue? (window replacement)

Answer 18

Upon discovering the irreparable damage to the windows during on-site visits, I collaborated with the project manager to assess the situation and propose a viable solution.
I recommended extending the project timeline to allow for the replacement of the damaged windows rather than opting for a short-term repair.

Question 19

Why did you advise extending the project timeline for window replacements instead of opting for a short-term repair?

Answer 19

I advised extending the project timeline for window replacements based on the understanding that a short-term repair would not address the underlying issue effectively.
Opting for a short-term repair might have provided a temporary fix, but it would not have resolved the problem in the long run, potentially leading to recurring issues and additional costs.
By advocating for window replacements and extending the project timeline, I aimed to ensure a more comprehensive and cost-effective solution that would contribute to the project’s overall success and longevity.

Question 20

Can you explain the process and considerations that led you to recommend the use of drone surveys for assessing the condition of the roof at the Cricklewood pumping station?

Answer 20

During a site meeting at Cricklewood with the project manager and contractor, we deliberated on methods to assess the roof’s condition.
Considering the station’s height necessitating scaffolding for refurbishments, I evaluated the feasibility of using scaffolding for surveying.
Recognizing the downtime between survey and delivery phases with scaffolding, I sought alternative options and explored the viability of drone surveys.
By liaising with other project managers and assessing drone survey costs and capabilities, I concluded that drone surveys would efficiently assess the roof’s condition while minimizing downtime and cost.

Question 21

How did you balance the cost-effectiveness of this approach with the potential challenges, such as difficulty in using drones in harsh weather conditions?

Answer 21

I weighed the cost-effectiveness of drone surveys against potential challenges, such as weather conditions, by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment.
While drones offered efficiency and reduced downtime compared to scaffolding, I acknowledged the limitations, including weather dependency.
To mitigate risks, I advised on contingency plans and alternative methods for inclement weather, ensuring project continuity and minimizing disruptions.
Ultimately, the recommendation balanced cost-effectiveness with risk mitigation, ensuring efficient roof assessment while addressing potential challenges proactively.

Question 22

Were there any legal ramifications you advised on for the drone surveys?

Answer 22

Regulatory Compliance: I advised on ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and obtaining necessary permits or permissions for conducting drone surveys in the area of the Cricklewood pumping station. This includes adhering to local aviation laws and regulations governing drone operations.

Never fly more than 120m (400ft) above the surface
Always keep your drone or model aircraft in sight
Never fly in an airport’s flight restriction zone unless you have permission

Privacy Concerns: I emphasized the importance of respecting privacy laws and regulations, especially if the drone surveys involve capturing images or footage of neighboring properties or individuals. Clear guidelines were provided to ensure that the surveys are conducted in a manner that respects privacy rights.

Question 23

For the Mercury House project, you considered various temporary works solutions for building surveys as part of enabling works. How did you evaluate the practicality and cost-effectiveness of using scaffolding, cherry pickers, and drones?

Answer 23

For evaluating the practicality and cost-effectiveness of using scaffolding, cherry pickers, and drones for building surveys as part of enabling works at the Mercury House project, several key considerations were taken into account:

Scaffolding:
Evaluated the time and cost involved in erecting scaffolding around the perimeter of the building.
Assessed the impact on the project’s timeline and program, considering potential delays caused by scaffolding installation.

Cherry Pickers:
Considered the speed and efficiency of using cherry pickers for surveys compared to scaffolding.
Evaluated the practicality of maneuvering cherry pickers around the building perimeter and accessing different survey locations.

Drones:
Explored the feasibility and benefits of using drones for roof surveys, suggested by the design consultant.
Assessed the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of drone surveys compared to traditional methods like scaffolding or cherry pickers.
Considered factors such as ease of access, speed of data collection, and overall safety implications associated with drone operations.

By evaluating these factors, I was able to make informed decisions regarding the most practical and cost-effective temporary works solutions for building surveys at the Mercury House project, ensuring efficient project delivery while minimizing costs and disruptions to the overall program.