Project Financial Control Flashcards

1
Q

How would you create a cashflow forecast?

A
  • I would need to have access to the construction programme and contract sum analysis in order to
    populate the cashflow.
  • The values associated with each element of construction could be forecasted at times to reflect their
    installation within the programme.
  • I would split the works into the different packages as shown on the contract programme and include
    individual s-curves for each package.
  • Obtaining drawdown schedules from specialist subcontractors and professional consultants can also
    assist when populating the cashflow.
  • An alternative approach would be to utilise a previous cashflow from a similar scheme or to use
    cashflow forecasting software although this may not be as accurate
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2
Q

If your construction budget was £2.5m and proposed construction
period was 25 weeks, would a forecast cashflow expenditure of
£100,000 per week be realistic?

A
  • In reality this would not be very realistic as the cashflow expenditure per week is unlikely to have a flat
    or regular profile.
  • In reality the expenditure is much more likely to have an S-curve profile where at the start of the
    scheme, the expenditure per week will be fairly low as the site setup and enabling works are undertaken.
  • As the scheme progresses, items that are of higher value such as the steel frame and M&E installations
    will be undertaken. The cost expenditure per week at this stage will be much higher than at the start of
    the scheme.
  • As the scheme draws to a close, minor finishing items such as decoration and cleaning packages will be
    undertaken again resulting in a lower expenditure cost per week.
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3
Q

What is the benefit of a cashflow forecast?

A
  • A cashflow forecast allows the employer to gain an understanding of the financial requirements over
    the duration of the project duration and setup any funding requirements for the scheme in advance.
  • It can also act as a check against valuations and provide an early indication of financial difficulties if the
    actual expenditure is lagging behind the forecast
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4
Q

What would you include within a financial report?

A
  • I would typically look to include reference to:
    o a) Contract sum total.
    o b) The value of Instructed variations.
    o c) The value of potential future variations.
    o d) Ongoing claims.
    o e) Provisional Sum Adjustments.
    o e) The anticipated final account total.
    o f) The total of certified payments.
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5
Q

What is the purpose of a financial report?

A
  • To report against budgeted values and act as a working cost check on the project budget.
  • To give the Client an understanding of any savings or additional monies required.
  • To report contract progress compared against pre-contract predictions.
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6
Q

What are variations?

A

Alterations or modifications to the design, quality or quantity of the contract works or to the site access
or working conditions.

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7
Q

Why might they arise?

A
  • a) change to specification.
  • b) discrepancies between contract documents.
  • c) discrepancies with statutory requirements.
  • d) errors and omissions.
  • e) deficiencies in employer’s requirements.
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8
Q

What form must architects instructions take?

A
  • It is best practice under the majority of contracts for instructions to be made in writing.
  • The QS is not usually authorised to make additions to the contract sum for instructions that are not in
    written form
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9
Q

What about oral instructions?

A
  • The validity of oral instructions depends on whether the form of contract being used contains
    mechanisms for them to be valid.
  • For example within the JCT Standard Building Contract (SBC):-
    o Where the Contract Administrator issues an instruction otherwise than in writing, it shall be of
    no immediate effect
    o But the Contractor shall confirm in writing receipt of the verbal instruction within 7 days.
    o If the Contract Administrator does not dissent by notice to the Contractor within 7 days from
    receiving the contractors confirmation, it shall take effect as from the expiry of the latter 7 day
    period.
  • In my opinion it is always best practice to follow up verbal instructions with written instructions as
    soon as possible
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10
Q

Can the contractor object to a variation?

A

Some contracts allow the contractor to object to an instruction in special circumstances for example:-
* In the JCT Standard Building Contract the requirement to comply with a valid instruction is subject to
certain exceptions, where:-
o Where the instruction might affect the efficacy of the design of the Contractors Designed
Portion.
o Where the instruction might affect the contractor’s compliance with the CDM Regulations.
o Where the instruction may infringe patent rights.
o Where the instruction relates to a named specialist, and the contractor is unable to enter into a
contract with that firm

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11
Q

What can the architect do if the contractor does not comply with an instruction?

A
  • This depends on the form of contract being used however under JCT Suites if the contractor does not
    follow an instruction, the architect will be required to issue a ‘notice to comply’ to the contractor.
  • If the Contractor still fails to comply, the architect can instruct another party to carry out the work and
    the contractor will be liable for any additional costs incurred.
  • In this circumstance it is important to record the costs and obtain a range of quotations.
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12
Q

What 3 methods are there for obtaining a cost for variations under JCT forms of contract?

A

This depends on the form of contract being used, under JCT SBC, quotations can be made by:-
o Agreement between the employer and contractor.
o A schedule 2 quotation.
o Valuation by the QS under the valuation rules

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13
Q

What are the time periods for Schedule 2 quotations under JCT SBC?

A

o The architect should request via issue of an AI.
o The contractor has 7 days to notify that they will not provide one.
o If not, they have 21 days to provide the quotation.
o The architect then has 7 days to confirm in writing the acceptance or rejection.
o The acceptance is called the ‘confirmed acceptance’.

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14
Q

What costs does the schedule 2 quotation contain?

A
  • Value of the work.
  • Any adjustment of time.
  • Money in lieu of direct loss and expense.
  • The fair and reasonable cost of preparing the quotation.
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15
Q

What costs is the contractor entitled to if the schedule 2 quotation is rejected?

A

The fair and reasonable cost of preparing the quote, as long as the quote itself was fair and reasonable.

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16
Q

What are the valuation rules under JCT Forms of Contract?

A

There are three rules for measurable work:-
o If it is of a similar character, quantity and in the same conditions as existing work, then the bill
rates should be used.
o If it is of a similar character, but different quantity or conditions, the bill rates should be used as
a basis but a fair allowance should be made to take account of the difference.
o If it is not of a similar character, fair rates and prices should be used.

17
Q

What about non-measurable work?

A

This would typically be valued by the dayworks procedure based on the cost of labour, plant and
materials that have been incurred.

18
Q

What is a star rate?

A
  • A rate that is based on the bill rates but includes a fair allowance.
  • To deviate away from the bill rates there must be a reason as to why the star rate is being adopted.
  • This may be because the conditions on site for installation are more complicated that first envisaged.
19
Q

What are ‘fair rates and prices’?

A
  • A market rate.
  • A rate based on actual costs.
  • A rate in line with current cost data
20
Q

What are dayworks?

A

The prime (actual) cost of all the materials, labour and plant used in carrying out the work, along with a
percentage additions to each category as set out in the contract.

21
Q

What document should the prime cost be calculated in accordance
with?

A
  • This should be calculated in accordance with the ‘Definition of the Prime Cost of daywork carried out
    under Building Contracts’ published by the RICS
22
Q

What information is necessary to be able to assess dayworks?

A
  • Vouchers showing the amount of time spent on each activity (dayworks sheets).
  • Names of the workmen.
  • Plant and materials used.
  • This information should be given to the architect or authorised person at the end of the week for
    verification.
23
Q

Can the QS alter hours which he considers to be excessive on a dayworks sheet that is authorised by the architect?

A
  • No the hours recorded and signed off should be maintained within the variation.
24
Q

What would you do if the contractor submitted 10 dayworks sheets to you for payment?

A
  • I would verify with the architect that a relevant variation has occurred and is recorded on an Architects
    Instruction.
  • I would check to ensure there is no other contractual method of valuing the variation.
  • Providing the Architects Instruction is in place and no other mechanism for valuation is available I
    would seek verification of the hours and materials.
25
Q

If you and the contractors QS could not agree on something how would you resolve it?

A
  • I would discuss with the partner and client to try and seek a resolution with the contractor.
  • The contractor could take the dispute to adjudication if necessary but all parties should try and resolve
    the matter by negotiation in the first instance.
26
Q

What is a quantum meruit?

A

This translates to ‘what he deserves’ for example fair and reasonable costs that have been incurred.

27
Q

Give an example of where it might be used?

A

If the employer and contractor reach a separate agreement on acceleration, the costs of this may be
based on a ‘fair and reasonable’ basis.

28
Q

What is loss and or expense under JCT forms of Contract?

A

L&E reimburses the contractor for direct loss and/ or expense incurred in carrying out additional work or from an employers breach of contract

29
Q

What are the procedures for claiming loss and expense under JCT Forms of Contract?

A
  • As soon as the regular progress of the work is affected, or is likely to be affected, or the contractor
    becomes aware of any other matter that would cause them to incur loss and expense, they should
    notify the architect in writing.
  • The contractor should submit any further information as requested by the architect.
  • The contractor should also submit any further information as requested by the Architect or QS to
    enable the amount of loss and expense to be ascertained.
30
Q

What are relevant matters under JCT Forms of Contract?

A

Events listed in the Contract that entitle the contractor to loss and/or expense

31
Q

What are the relevant matters?

A

There are 5 relevant matters:-
o Variations.
o Instructions.
o Execution of an approximate quantity that was not a reasonably accurate forecast of quantity.
o Suspension by the contractor for non-payment.
o Any impediment, prevention or default by the employer.

32
Q

What is the key thing to remember when assessing loss and expense claims?

A
  • It should be the actual loss incurred by the contractor.
33
Q

What are the common heads of claim in loss and expense applications

A
  • Prolongation.
  • Thickening of preliminaries for example extra supervision required due to variations.
  • Disruption causing plant or labour to be underemployed.
  • Increases in labour or material costs during the period of delay.
  • Head office overheads.
  • Loss of profit.
  • Finance charges.
  • Acceleration costs.
  • Claim preparation costs
34
Q
A