COSC 275 Exam 1 Study Questions
Solved Correctly.
Estimating: - Answer The process of determining the anticipated cost of materials, labor, and
equipment of a proposed project.
Take-off: - Answer The process in which detailed lists are compiled, based on drawings and
specifications, of all the material and equipment necessary to construct a project. The cost estimator
uses this list to calculate how much it will cost to build the project.
Quantities: - Answer Measured amounts of construction items expressed in their customary units.
Quantification: - Answer In estimating an activity to translate project scope information into resource
quantities suitable for costing. In the engineering and construction industry, a takeoff is a specific type of
quantification that is a measurement and listing of quantities of materials from drawings.
Quantity survey: - Answer A detailed analysis of material and equipment required to construct a
project.
Area: - Answer A measurement of a given planar region or of the surface of a solid.
Area Method: - Answer A construction cost estimating system employing unit square foot costs
multiplied by the adjusted gross floor area of a building.
Length: - Answer The longest dimension of an object.
Linear measurement: - Answer A unit or system of units for measuring length: 12" = 1', 3' = 1 yard, 1
yard = 0.9144 meters, 1 mile = 5,280 feet.
Dimension: - Answer A distance between two points, lines, or planes.
, Specifications or specs: - Answer Documents that define the qualitative requirements for products,
materials, and workmanship upon which the contract for construction is based.
Drawings: - Answer Graphic illustrations depicting the dimensions, design, and location of a project.
Generally including plans, elevations, details, diagrams, schedules, and sections. The Term, when
capitalized refers to the graphic portion of a project's contract documents.
Addendum: - Answer A document describing an addition, change, correction, or modification to
contract documents. An addendum is issued by the design professional during the bidding period or
prior to the award of contract, and is the primary method of informing bidders of modifications to the
work during the bidding process. Addenda become part of the bidding process.
Amendment: - Answer A modification of the contract by a subsequent agreement. This does not
change the entire existing contract but does alter the terms of the affected provisions or requirements.
Grade: - Answer 1. The surface or level of the ground.
2. A classification of quality as, for instance, in lumber.
3. The existing or proposed ground level or elevation on a building site or around a building.
4. The slope or rate of incline or decline of a road, expressed as a percent.
5. A designation of a subfloor, either above grade, on grade, or below grade.
6. In plumbing, the slope of installed pipe, expressed in the fall in inches per foot length of pipe.
7. The classification of the durability of brick.
8. Any surface prepared to accept paving, conduit, or rails.
Level: - Answer 1. A term used to describe any horizontal surface that has all points at the same
elevation and thus does not tilt or slope.
2. In surveying, an instrument that measures heights from an established reference.
3. A spirit level, consisting of small tubes of liquid with bubbles in each. The small tubes are positioned in
a length of wood or metal that is handheld and, by observing the position of the bubbles, used to find
and check level surfaces.
Site: - Answer The location of the project geographically, usually defined by legal boundaries.
