Quantity Surveying Division Assessment of Professional Competence Final Assessment 2018 Practice Problems
Quantity Surveying Division Assessment of Professional Competence Final Assessment 2018 Practice Problems
Quantity Surveying Division Assessment of Professional Competence Final Assessment 2018 Practice Problems
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
1.1 Headings to questions are for ease of identification only and do not form
part of the questions.
DAY 1
1.4 The total mark of each day’s paper is 50. The passing mark of each day’s
paper is 55% of the total mark of that paper. Candidates who have
passed both days’ papers will be considered as having passed the APC
Practice Problems.
Page 2
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 3
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Abbreviations
GCC 1999 General Conditions of Contract for Building Works 1999 Edition
published by the Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region.
Candidates should clearly state the standard form of contract upon which their
answers are based.
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THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
You are the in-house quantity surveyor of property owner Hubbo. Hubbo is
planning to refurbish its existing industrial building in Kowloon Bay to attract more
affordable tenants. The whole building will be vacated before refurbishment.
The schematic design of G/F, 1/F and 2/F was reviewed this morning between
Hubbo and the designer. The following two proposals i.e. P1 and P2 have been
identified for further study:
P1. Add two pairs of escalators connecting G/F, 1/F and 2/F to attract F&B
tenants and convert the areas around the escalators to public foyers on the
three floors. Refer to Attachment A showing the proposed changes. The
storey height is 6.5m for G/F and 5m for 1/F and 2/F. There is no basement.
You are required to estimate the cost implication of this proposal. You may
need to talk to the designer for further details. Record any backup
discussions or assumptions.
[10 marks]
P2. Build a footbridge 15m long x 4m wide on 2/F across road to connect to an
existing commercial development also owned by Hubbo and having a
connectable lobby also on 2/F. You are required to prepare a query list of 10
items to clarify the choices of design and scope of work which may affect the
costs very differently, and deserve attention for discussion with the Project
Director and the designer. Cost estimate is not required at this moment. It
would be premature to ask for structural member sizes.
[5 marks]
[total 15 marks]
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THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 6
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Developer Bumba recently won a land bid for a commercial site. Bumba is going
to develop it into an office building – Project X. Bumba has just appointed your
firm as the consultant QS.
Project X particulars:
Site area = 2,000m2
No. of storeys = 40 (no basement)
Typical floor-to-floor height = 4.2m
Typical floor area = 1,500m2
You are required to respond to the email below from Bumba’s Commercial
Manager.
Dear QS,
The design team is studying two structural frame options: A) In-situ reinforced
concrete frame; and B) Composite steel frame i.e. steel columns and beams with
in-situ reinforced concrete core. Pre-stressing or post-tensioning is not considered
at this moment.
1. Please estimate the structural cost difference between these two options.
Please show your build-up of the elemental cost per m2 construction floor area
(CFA) with assumptions in the absence of structural design information. The
effects on the substructure and foundations can be excluded.
Attachment S is the BQ extracted from the Main Contract of Project S for your
estimation of structural option A. The BQ quantities have no error but the rates
would need careful review.
[10 marks]
2. Apart from the structural frame, please advise on the very different impacts of
using composite steel frame instead of reinforced concrete frame on the rest of
the construction costs and procurement.
[5 marks]
Thanks.
CM Lee
[total 15 marks]
Page 7
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 8
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 9
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 10
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 11
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Your subordinates have completed the attached draft Bill No. 3. The piling and
excavation works are subject to remeasurement. Please edit and bulk check the
bill with reference to HKSMM4 (without amendments by Preambles) and give the
marked copy and/or separate notes to your subordinates for discussion.
[10 marks]
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THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
Notes
1. Finishes and waterproofing to walkway
are measured under Bill No. 4;
2. Electrical and fire services installations
(except external lighting pole
and fittings) are measured separately.
PILING
Plant
Boring
Page 13
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
Grouting
Steel plates
F 45 mm diameter 6,591 kg
G 219 mm diameter 18 nr
Page 14
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
PILE CAPS
Excavating
3
A 1.50 - 3.00 m deep 143 m
Filling
Excavated material
Disposal
CONCRETE WORKS
IN-SITU CONCRETE
2
D 75 mm thick 10 m
Page 15
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
3
A pile caps 157 m
3
B tie beams 76 m
3
C suspended slabs; 300mm thick 1,440 m
REINFORCEMENT
General reinforcement
FORMWORK
Fair-faced formwork
Vertical surfaces
2
F pile caps 84 m
2
G sides of tie beams and slabs 73 m
Flat surfaces
2
H soffits of suspended slabs 9,600 m
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THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
BILL NO. 3
LANDSCAPED WALKWAY
Spatterdash
2
A concrete floor surfaces 4,800 m
2
B finished with steel trowelled floor 4,800 m
Sundries
To Summary HK$
[10 marks]
Page 17
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 18 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
You are the consultant QS of a 2-storey warehouse development in Tai Po. The
procurement approach is intended to be lump sum contract based on drawings
and specification, with payment to the Contractor on a milestone basis. Tender
documents have been prepared and are ready for tendering.
The Employer has set a tight time frame for completing the development.
Furthermore, the budget for the development is tight and it is difficult for the
Employer to raise additional finance if the budget is exceeded. Accordingly, the
design consultants and you have already worked together to arrive at a completed
and cost-effective design for the development.
In order to ensure the development be completed within the tight budget and on
time, the Project Manager has just recommended the Employer to change the
current contractual arrangement by adopting target cost contract with a pre-
determined pain/gain share arrangement.
The Project Manager believes that cost savings and early completion can be
achieved if target cost contract is adopted, and accordingly the development can
be completed within the tight budget and timeframe.
Having said that, the Employer is unsure whether the said benefits of using target
cost contract is applicable to the warehouse development and would like you to
advise on the following in the form of a letter:
(b) Your recommendation on whether target cost contract should be adopted for
this warehouse development.
[5 marks]
[total 10 marks]
END OF PAPER
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QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
1.1 Headings to questions are for ease of identification only and do not form
part of the questions.
DAY 2
1.4 The total mark of each day’s paper is 50. The passing mark of each day’s
paper is 55% of the total mark of that paper. Candidates who have
passed both days’ papers will be considered as having passed the APC
Practice Problems.
Page 2
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Page 3
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Abbreviations
GCC 1999 General Conditions of Contract for Building Works 1999 Edition
published by the Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region.
Candidates should clearly state the standard form of contract upon which their
answers are based.
Page 4
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
You are the consultant QS of a sports centre project. The Employer has awarded
the piling and superstructure works under a single contract where the Works
(except the foundation works) are to be designed by the Architect while the
foundation works are to be designed by the Contractor. The Contract included a
set of Bills of Quantities for the superstructure part while the Contractor was
required to submit a lump sum price with quantity and rate breakdown for the
foundation works in the tender (refer to Attachment A for part of the breakdown).
At the tender stage, apart from the provision of a loading schedule for the piles to
support, the Project Structural Engineer has prepared a design for the piling and
incorporated the same as part of the Tender Booklet for tenderers' reference. The
piling design was marked “for reference only”, which comprised 200 No. 305 x 305
x 180 kg/m driven steel H piles with an average length of 35m.
One week after the Commencement of the Works, the Project Structural Engineer
issued a Site Instruction No. SE-002 to revise the loading schedule. The
Contractor, based on the revised loading schedule, prepared and submitted a
revised piling schedule.
At the following site meeting, the Contractor reported that the revised piling
schedule came up with 190 No. 305 x 305 x 180kg/m driven steel H piles with an
average length of 35m, and submitted a quotation for a net addition of $700,000 to
the Contract Sum (refer also to Attachment A).
The Project Structural Engineer subsequently carried out a check and agreed to
the Contractor's submitted revised design but has query about the cost implication
of the variation. In his opinion, the variation should result in a cost reduction for 10
No. of piles, when compared with the original design.
The Project Manager asks for your opinion on the above. You are required to
provide a contractual analysis and advise on the proper fact finding approach to
deal with the issue. The Project Manager is a meticulous person and would not be
satisfied with a simple broad-brush answer.
[12 marks]
Page 5
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Attachment A
Extract from the Contractor’s quantity and rate breakdown for foundation works in
the accepted tender:
Page 6
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Hi,
I refer to the Contractor’s claim submitted last week claiming extension of time of
15 days and an extravagant amount of HK$500,000. Having studied the
Contractor’s submission, I am of the view that the claim is unjustifiable under the
Contract and shall be struck out at once for the following reasons: -
1. Although there is no dispute that the disruptions were caused by the late
release of information by the Architect, most of such disruptions indeed ran
parallel with the Contractor’s own delay. The Contractor would still have
been in delay had there been no late release of information causing the
said disruptions. As such, no extension of time shall be granted.
[5 marks]
2. By the same token, the Contractor shall not be entitled to any monetary
compensation for disruptions which run concurrently with the Contractor’s
own delay.
[5 marks]
3. Although the Contractor has served an extension of time and loss &
expense claim in accordance with the Contract, the particulars submitted by
the Contractor, though appearing to be comprehensive in terms of volume,
are not satisfactory as they do not cover the FULL details of each of the
particulars of the claim.
[5 marks]
Could you please look into this and give me your advice for my further discussion
with our Finance Director?
In your reply to Mr. Chan, you should analyze the contractual position with
reference to the relevant clauses of the Contract and advise whether there are
sufficient grounds to strike out the Contractor’s claim.
[total 15 marks]
Page 7
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
“Clause 1.20 - The possession date of the Site as stated elsewhere in the
Contract is for indication only. No monetary claim in connection
therewith will be entertained.”
Now two weeks later after the award of the Superstructure Contract, the Structural
Engineer just reported today that the foundation works were in serious trouble. A
number of critical footings without piles had been found to have been constructed
incorrectly and would require complete removal. It is expected that, with due
diligence, the foundation works can only be completed in 6 weeks, i.e. about 4
weeks later than the one month anticipated in the letter of acceptance. Another
big trouble is that the Foundation Contractor has already been in financial
difficulties. He may not be able to bear the costs of rectification of the footings and
may slow down or go bankrupt.
Page 8
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
You are not related to the project at all. The Employer has just called you after
hearing the report by the Structural Engineer, and requested you to act as a devil’s
advocate to critically see whether Particular Specification Clause 1.20 and Clause
1.21 are able to protect him from monetary claims that may be submitted by the
Superstructure Contractor when either of the following situations occurs:
(i) The Foundation Contractor still survives with financial support by the
Employer and the remaining foundation works can be completed in 6 weeks
from now for handover to the Superstructure Contractor.
Please provide your advice in a letter and explain your reasons with reference to
relevant contract provisions.
[10 marks]
Page 9
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
6 weeks after the award of the Main Contract to Smart Build Construction Co. Ltd.
(“Smart Build”), the Architect issued an instruction to Smart Build which requires
Smart Build to enter into a Nominated Sub-Contract with Bravo Engineering Co.
Ltd. (“Bravo”) for the Supply and Installation of MVAC Works.
Within 3 days from the receipt of the Architect’s instruction, Smart Build wrote to
the Architect rejecting the nomination of Bravo as the MVAC Nominated Sub-
Contractor on the following grounds: -
2. Smart Build noted that the Prime Cost Sum for MVAC provided in the Bills of
Quantities is HK$50 million while Bravo’s tender sum is HK$45 million only.
Bravo’s financial capability of completing the MVAC works is therefore
questionable. Furthermore, Smart Build considers that he has suffered a loss
of profit due to the difference between the Prime Cost Sum and the awarded
Sub-Contract Sum.
The Architect has just called you to request you to send him an email advising the
relevant contract provisions by noon tomorrow.
Page 10
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
TH
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 19 SEPTEMBER 2018
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
[13 marks]
END OF PAPER
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