Construction Evaluation

Question 1

Schedule of values

Answer 1

A schedule of values (SOV) is a document that lists the costs and value of each billable work item on a construction project. It’s a legal document that’s used to track project progress and manage payments.

contractor needs to provide the schedule of values before the first application for payment

Question 2

transitional forms
single purpose entity documents
multi-party agreements

Answer 2

Transitional Forms
The Transitional Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) agreements facilitate collaboration among owners, architects, and contractors without forming a single-purpose entity. They outline distinct duties in six project phases, from design to construction, and emphasize cost design, dispute resolution, and building information modeling (BIM). Key documents include A195–2008, A295–2008, and B195–2008, which adapt traditional contract models to IPD principles while maintaining risk allocation and compensation structures.

single purpose entity documents
“single purpose entity” documents are primarily referred to as AIA Document C195-2008, which is the “Standard Form Single Purpose Entity Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery” - essentially a contract used to establish a limited liability company (LLC) where the owner, architect, and construction manager collaborate as a single entity to achieve project goals through Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) principles.

multi-party agreements
AIA Document C191-2009 establishes a Standard Form Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). It fosters collaboration among project participants to meet shared goals, reduce project claims, and achieve cost efficiency. Key components include a Target Cost model, Project Goals, and dispute resolution structures through a Project Management Team and Project Executive Team, without the need for forming an LLC. C191 provides incentive compensation tied to goal achievement.

Question 3

Contract Documents

Answer 3

The contract documents:
owner-contractor agreement
the general conditions of the contract
the supplementary conditions of the contract (if any)
the drawings
specifications
addenda issued prior to execution of the contract
any other documents specifically listed in the agreement
modifications issued after execution of the contract – change orders, change directive, minor change.

Question 4

What is included in bidding documents

Answer 4

Specifications
Invitation to bid
Owner contractor agreement
Performance bond requirements

Question 5

Addendum

Answer 5

Used to modify contract requirements during bidding only, not after contract is awarded

Issued prior to receipt of bids

Question 6

Open bidding

Answer 6

Open bidding means that nearly anyone can beat regardless of experience. This encourages of variety of contractors to participate, but when bidding is open, it can be difficult to evaluate qualified bitters. In addition the cost and complexity of advertising and administering the bidding process may increase.

Question 7

Float time

Answer 7

Float represents the range of time during which non-critical activities may start or end without affecting the overall schedule. Total float is individual float times added together, and it does not influence a critical path time interval.

Question 8

Contractors overhead and profit are typically

Answer 8

15–40%

Question 9

Minor change

Answer 9

Not needed to be signed or approved like moving a window 8”

Question 10

E204 sustainable projects exhibit

Answer 10

During construction, the architect must notify the owner of any deviation from the contract documents that could affect the project sustainability

AIA Document E204, Sustainable Projects Exhibit, may be appended as an exhibit to a primary agreement when the project requirements include achieving a stated sustainability goal, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification or a certain measurable level of energy efficiency. The agreement complements the sustainability plan that is developed by the owner and architect early in the design process; the plan describes the sustainable measures to be employed, implementation strategies, details about design reviews, and documentation required for certification submissions, among other requirements.
AIA Document E204 also sets forth more specific roles and responsibilities of the architect related to sustainable design, including the responsibility to notify the owner of any known deviations from the contract documents that might affect the achievement of sustainable measures.
These changes may be noted during a regular site visit or through other project communications.
Under AlA Document E204, the contractor is not required to include specific sustainability steps in the schedule. The architect is not required to make additional visits to verify compliance with the project schedule, and the architect does not guarantee to the owner that the project will achieve the stated sustainable objective.

Question 11

Laitance

Answer 11

Surface deposit of low strength material containing cement in fine aggregates brought to the surface of concrete caused by having too much water in the concrete mix which results in water bleeding to the top

Question 12

Hydration

Answer 12

Chemical process of the hardening of concrete when water mixes with cement

Question 13

Efflorescence

Answer 13

White crystalline deposit of water, soluble salts on the surface of masonry and sometimes concrete cost when a water seeps into the masonry and dissolves soluble salt which are brought to the surface

Question 14

Cold weather

Answer 14

Construction operations are generally discontinued or switch from regular activity to cold-weather mode at 40°F.
A concrete pour can proceed at temperatures below 40°F.
However, the water and sand must be heated to ensure that none of the constituents have frozen, and the concrete must be heated for at least seven days after place-ment, during the eatly curing stage.
Other temperature-sensitive materials, such as sealants, should not be applied when the mercury dips below 40°F.

Question 15

Who pays for the costs associated with special inspections required by the international building code?

Answer 15

Owner

The design professional is required to develop a statement of special inspections listing to systems that must be tested the types and extend of the tests that must be performed, and the design professional must submit this to the court official for review and approval. Inspections may be required for seismic resistance, wind requirements or steel masonry, or foundation construction as described in IBC . The results of the tests and inspections must be submitted to the code official so that the official may be evaluate whether the requirements outlined in the contract documents have been fulfilled.

Question 16

Which window performance criteria are required by the international energy conservation code

Answer 16

NRFC U factor and solar heat gain coefficient

Question 17

Concrete moisture tests

Answer 17

polyethylene sheet test: This test uses a plastic sheet taped tightly to a concrete floor. After 16 hours the underside of the plastic is inspected for moisture.

• electrical resistance test: This test determines moisture by measuring the electrical conductivity of the concrete between the meter probes.
•
quantitative calcium chloride test: This test uses a quantity of calcium chloride sealed under a plastic dome placed on the concrete for 60-72 hours. The amount of moisture the chloride absorbs is mathematically converted to a moisture emission expressed in pounds per 1000 ft? per 24 hour period.

• bygrometer test (relative humidity test): This test determines moisture emission by measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere confined adjacent to the concrete floor.

Question 18

Concrete tests

Answer 18

The impact hammer test involves snapping a spring-loaded plunger against a concrete surface and measuring the amount of rebound. The amount of rebound gives an approximate reading of concrete strength.
A cylinder test requires that a sample be taken at the time the concrete is poured, before it has hardened. A core cylinder test can give the strength of hardened concrete, but the test is destructive to the concrete, and the sample needs to be tested in a laboratory. Both the core cylinder test and the Kelly ball test require the use of fresh concrete.

Question 19

Who is responsible for arranging and coordinating field tests?

Answer 19

Contractor

Question 20

If a subcontractor makes a claim

Answer 20

And the contractor determines the claim to be valid the contractor may intern make a claim to the owner. This claim would then be reviewed by the architect.

Question 21

Substitutions approval

Answer 21

Any request for substitution by the contractor must be made in writing and must be accompanied by a complete description of the proposed substitution, including drawings, test data, and other information necessary for an evaluation. The burden of proof of the merit of the substitution falls upon the contractor. The architect is required to review the submission and either approve or disapprove it.

The contractor may make substitutions only with the consent of the owner after evaluation by the architect and with a change order

Question 22

Site visits are

Answer 22

Conducted as appropriate to the stage of the contractors operations

Question 23

Who pays for testing

Answer 23

AIA document a 201 states that tests, inspections and approvals of portions of the work required by the contract documents or bylaws, ordinances rules regulations or orders of public authorities shall be paid for by the con-tractor. The contractor must also make arrangements for the tests and notify the architect of when they will be conducted.
If testing becomes required after receipt of bids or after contract negotiations and is not part of the original contract documents, then the owner becomes responsible for paying for the testing. This provision applies to testing required by the architect, owner, or public authorities having jurisdiction. This situation might happen if the building field inspector requires a test that was not anticipated.
In some situations, the owner may not be legally permitted to pass responsibility for the costs of tests to the contractor; in this case, the owner is responsible for the fees.

Question 24

Certificate of payment

Answer 24

AIA Document A201, Sec. 9.4.2, specifically states that the issuance of a certificate for payment is not a representation that the architect has 1) made exhaustive or continuous on-site inspections
2) reviewed construction means, methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures
3) reviewed copies of requisitions received from subcontractors and other data
4) made examination to ascertain how or for what purpose the contractor has used money previously paid.

Comparing work done in material store to the contractor schedule of values

Approving a certificate for payment if the architect feels, the contractor is due payment in the amount stated

Using information gathered during previous site visits to determine that the work is in accordance with contract documents

Determining that the amount of retainage is appropriate to the stage of construction

Question 25

Amount of retainage withheld from each application for payment

Answer 25

Determined by the owner with advice from legal council and defined in American, two of Architects, a 101 The exact percentage is whatever is agreed to by the parties to the contract, the contract may specify that the percentage of retainage should be reduced as the project completion, or it may establish different percentages of retainage for work done and for stored materials

Question 26

The initial decision-maker must respond to a contractor who makes a claim for additional money for extra work caused by unforeseen circumstances within

Answer 26

10 days the initial decision maker may request supporting data to further document the claim

Question 27

Submittal review

Answer 27

The architect's submittal review would include notation of action taken, tracking of the date of receipt and distribution of the submittal, determination if the submittal should be reviewed by a consultant, and if so, coordination of this review, and verification that the contractor reviewed the sub-mittal before submitting it to the architect. The architect's submittal review may not change the scope of the work as defined in the contract documents, and it does not include verification or correction of dimensions. If changes to the scope are necessary, they should be made through change order or construction change directive. The contractor is responsible for accuracy and verification of all dimensions. Substitutions are typically not considered after the bid period. When a substitution is requested the architecture first verify that the specifications allow this at the current stage of the project.

Question 28

Are submittals part of the contract documents

Answer 28

No.

Question 29

During punchlist inspection architect notices several items that are not complete. That will make it impossible for client to occupied space what to do.

Answer 29

Notify the contractor that there are unfinished items that must be finished before the project will be determined substantially complete

Question 30

Surety bond

Answer 30

Involves a third-party the surety who ensures completion of the project if the contractor fails to meet his or her obligations

Question 31

Liquidated damages

Answer 31

Amount specified in advance of the contractor must pay to the owner if the project is not completed on time

Question 32

Substantially complete

Answer 32

When owner can occupy building

Question 33

Upon completion of the work, the contractor must submit

Answer 33

Extra stock of material materials are listed in the specifications Certificate of occupancy issued by the Building official Warranties and operating instructions as required in notes on the mechanical electrical drawings or in the specifications

Question 34

Included in the architect basic services

Answer 34

Forwarding written warranty to the owner Forwarding consent of surety from the contractor to the owner allowing final payment Meeting with the owner to review facility operations and performance within one year of substantial Issuing a certificate of substantial conclusion

Question 35

An exit sign is required in the middle of a corridor if

Answer 35

The corridor is more than 100 feet in length

Question 36

contractor wanting money for materials stored off site

Answer 36

nope, refuse payment unless contractor and owner had agreed in advance.

Question 37

Steiner tunnel test

Answer 37

determines the surface burning characteristics of interior finish materials

Question 38

Kelly balll test

Answer 38

measuresd the workability of uncured concrete. Measures and compares the dent of a ball dropped to the slump test

Question 39

electrical impedance test

Answer 39

measures moisture content

Question 40

cylinder test

Answer 40

measures the strength of concrete after 7, 14, 21, and 28, days by coring through concrete

Question 41

when does concrete gain the most strength

Answer 41

During the first 0-3 days. It has to be well protected during these days. COncrete continues to gain strength after 28 days but the compressive strenght is usually referred to at what it is at 28

Question 42

grade pins

Answer 42

used to indicate how much cut or fill is required at a specific location to reach finish grade

Question 43

transit

Answer 43

surveying tool used to determine the elevations of points on a site

Question 44

batter boards

Answer 44

temporary supports erected to hold wires or strings that indicate the excavation line for a building site. The Corners of the building or limits of excavation are marked at the intersection of the lines using a plumb bob Batter boards are set back from the excavation line and are preferred to corner stakes or pins placed at the corners of the structure because they will not be disturbed during construction operations

Question 45

nanometer blower door flow hood duct blower

Answer 45

**nanometer** measures differences in pressure between two spaces. **Flow hood** is placed over a register or diffuser to measure output **duct blower** is a fan attached directly to the ductwork to check for leaks **blower door** is a fan that can be mounted in a door frame used to pressurize or depressurize a building to measure air infiltration leakage

Question 46

Building Commissioning

Answer 46

helps to assure that a building owner "gets what he paid for" Commissioning agent abbreviated as CxA or CSXA provides increased energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, a comprehensive training program for maintenance staff (provided either by the commissioning agent or the contractor) and organized operations and maintenance manuals (assembled by the contractor, design professional, or commissioning agent)

Question 47

action submittals

Answer 47

shop drawings, samples, and cut sheets which must be reviewed and approved by the architect before work can proceed

Question 48

at the completion of a project, the architect is required to provide to the owner

Answer 48

Final certificate of payment consent of surety to release retainage and lien and bond waivers inspection

Question 49

Force majeur

Answer 49

Greater force - what damages or delays are caused by forces beyond the control of either party to a contract such as natural disasters, acts of war, terrorist attacks, and labor disputes such as union strikes

Question 50

Clerk of the works

Answer 50

Representative hired by the owner to monitor progress on site and keep project records

Question 51

Procedure to find out how to submit bids before and after bidding ends are found where

Answer 51

Before bidding ends in the instructions to bidders after bidding ends division 01

Question 52

IDM responsibilities for claims

Answer 52

Under the provisions of Sec. 15.2 of AIA Document A201, when reviewing a claim, the IDM must take one or more of the following actions: 1) approve the claim, 2) eject the claim, 3) suggest a compromise, 4) request additional supporting data from the claimant or a response with supporting data from the other party, or 5) advise the parties that the IDM is unable to resolve the claim due to a lack of sufficient information to evaluate the merits of the claim or because the IDM concludes that it will be inappropriate for the IDM to resolve the claim.

Question 53

When reviewing applications for payment what should architect do

Answer 53

Determine if the completed work will be in accordance with the contract documents. Become generally familiar with the progress and quality of the work. Keep the owner informed about the progress of the work Endeavor to guard the owner against defects in the work

Question 54

In what order should the project close out activities happen

Answer 54

contractor compiles punch list, architect issues certificate of substantial completion, architect receives notice from contractor that the project is ready for final inspection, architect prepares the final certificate for payment, consent of surety is received and final payment to contractor is released

Question 55

services included in the architect's basic services for project close-out

Answer 55

forwarding written warranties to the owner sending a consent of surety to the owner meeting with the owner to determine the need for facility operation services post-occupancy walk through within one year

Question 56

How to announce bid results

Answer 56

During a bid opening, the architect or a designated representative will open the bids, read them aloud, and record in a bid log the base bid amounts, bids for proposed alternates, confirmation of receipt of addenda, and whether required supporting documentation (such as a bid bond) is included with the bid. The architect should not announce the apparent low bidder at the bid opening.

Question 57

When an architect makes an impartial interpretation of the contract documents during construction adminis-tration, in accordance with the general conditions, in what capacity is he considered to be acting?

Answer 57

Quasi judicial