Quantity Surveying Division Assessment of Professional Competence Final Assessment 2014 Practice Problems / Part Ii Written Test

QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION
ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
FINAL ASSESSMENT 2014
PRACTICE PROBLEMS / PART II WRITTEN TEST
DAY 1
Wednesday, 17th September, 2014

THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS
FINAL ASSESSMENT – 17TH SEPTEMBER 2014
NOTES TO CANDIDATES
A. Headings to questions are for ease of identification only and do not form
part of the questions.
B. The number of main questions is as follows:
(1) First day – Questions with varying marks but the aggregate mark is 50
marks
(2) Second day – Questions with varying marks but the aggregate mark is
50 marks
DAY 1
Question No. 1 Cost Estimate 22 marks

Question No. 2 Bulk-checking of Quantities 13 marks
Question No. 3 Editing of BQ Descriptions 10 marks
Question No. 4 Insurance 5 marks
---------------
50 marks
---------------
C. All Main Questions and Sub-Questions are compulsory.
D. 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.
E. Refer also to INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES, which were issued to you

in advance.
Page 2
FIVE COMMON CRITERIA
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a reasonable level of professional

competence against five common criteria outlined below, sufficient for the
Assessors to answer the question “Would I employ the Candidate to work as a
qualified Quantity Surveyor with the ability to resolve problems in a
professional manner?” However, it should be recognized that not all these criteria
apply to every problem, nor do they carry equal weight.
1. Perception: A full understanding of the problem posed, evidenced by a

response to each item in the question. Candidates should also show
foresight by anticipating additional problems not specifically mentioned.
2. Imagination: The assumption of essential supplementary information so as

to provide a full response; also the use of imaginary telephone inquiries,
quotations, notes, etc.
3. Technical skills: The correct use of measurement principles, prices,

discount factors, etc. The use of appropriate short cuts, rounding off of
figures, etc. to suit the scale of the problem. The provision of analysis to a
depth appropriate to the stage reached by Candidates and the time
constraints imposed on Candidates.
4. Judgement: The provision of sound professional advice indicative of

professional knowledge and experience gained by Candidates. The advice
should be firm and unhesitating, except where suitable caveats are essential.
5. Communication: Free of ambiguity, with clear expression and an absence

of irrelevant or inappropriate technical details, particularly when provided to
a lay Employer. Correct syntax and good professional style in letters and
reports are important. Candidates should clearly convey their interpretations
and proposals.
Page 3
DAY 1
17th SEPTEMBER 2014
Page 4
Question No. 1 – Cost Estimate
Venus Ltd. is the Owner of Sunny Serviced Apartments (“SSA”) at Tsim Sha Tsui.
Since SSA was built 20 years ago, it is the first time that major renovation works
are to be carried out to SSA.
During the project meeting yesterday, Venus requested the design consultant team
to review whether it would be feasible to incorporate the following additional work
as part of the renovation works:
a. Adding an additional passenger lift travelling between G/F and 2/F of the
podium;
b. Upgrading the podium facades by replacing all existing wall tiles

(approximate facade area 1,000 m2); and
c. Upgrading the interior of all existing 150 no. apartment units (100 no. studio
units, 40 no. 1-bedroom suites and 10 no. 2-bedroom suites).
Venus is particularly interested in knowing the rough indication of costs of the

additional work.
The Architect has confirmed that it is technically feasible to carry out the additional
work without the need for major MEP equipment upgrading and foundation
modification.
As per Venus’ requirement, the serviced apartments and all common areas will still
be in operation during the course of the renovation works.
Page 5
You are the Project QS of the QS consultant in charge of the renovation works and
you have just received the email below from Venus’ financial controller. Please
respond to his request.
Dear Project QS,
a. Additional passenger lift and

b. Upgrading the podium facade by replacing the existing external wall tiles
Please find attached draft cost estimates prepared by our project co-
ordinator for your comment. Feel free to point out any potential
deficiencies in the draft estimates of items (a) and (b). Please also
provide your cost estimate of item (b).
c. Upgrading of the interior of all existing 150 no. apartment units (100 no.
studio units, 40 no. 1-bedroom suites and 10 no. 2-bedroom suites).
Please use the fitting out costs of a new-build serviced apartment (also
owned by our company) in the same district as the base because we
would like to negotiate with the same Contractor to carry out the
renovation works of the apartment units. Attached are the elemental
costs analysed from the fitting out contract for that serviced apartment.
That serviced apartment has 100 no. 1-bedroom suites. The size, layout
and fitting out standard of the 1-bedroom unit are the same as those in
SSA. The fitting out contract was tendered 3 years ago.
I also attach the floor plan of each room type of SSA for your reference.
The Architect has advised that the associated building services
installation and their ancillary builder’s works are being investigated and
are not required to be included in the cost estimate at this stage.
Please provide your cost estimate of item (c). I also need to know the
renovation cost per room type for my financial modelling.
Please prepare your reply for discussion later today.

Regards,
Donny Chan
Financial Controller
[22 Marks]
Page 6
Attachment to Question No. 1
DRAFT COST ESTIMATE
(a) Adding an additional passenger lift between G/F and 2/F

HK$
Supply and install a passenger lift (based on lift contractor's

recent quotation HK$1,000,000 for similar) 1,000,000
(b) Podium facades upgrading by replacing all

existing wall tiles (approximate total façade area
1,000 m2)
Supply and install new external wall tiles (supply only

$300/m2 as suggested by the Architect)
1,000m2 x $360/m2 = 360,000
(c) Fitting out costs of 1-bedroom suites of another serviced apartment

HK$/unit
Doors 20,000
Partitions 20,000
Floor finishes – Bedroom, living room 40,000
Floor finishes – Bathroom 10,000
Wall finishes – Bedroom, living room 30,000
Wall finishes – Bathroom 30,000
Ceiling finishes – Bedroom, living room 25,000
Ceiling finishes – Bathroom 5,000
Kitchen cabinet 25,000
Furniture 60,000
Sanitary fittings 30,000
Lighting fittings 20,000
AV equipment 30,000
Miscellaneous e.g. curtains, signage, decoration, etc. 20,000
Preliminaries 37,000
Total HK$ 402,000
Page 7
Attachment to Question No. 1 (Cont’d)
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Question No. 2 – Bulk-checking of Quantities
You are a Consultant QS working on a building project. You are asked to carry out
a bulk-check exercise on measurement prepared by your assistants. A copy of the
draft BQ is attached (Attachment ‘A’). You should provide all working details in your
answer and summarize your findings in a logical manner.
(Note: You are not required to identify any missing items, if any, from Attachment
‘A’)
[13 marks]
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Question No. 3 – Editing of BQ Descriptions
You are a Consultant QS currently preparing the tender documents for piling works.
Your assistant QS, John, has completed a draft BQ (Attachment ‘B’) for your
review and editing. You should write notes of comments with reasons for his
attention.
You are not required to make any adjustment to the quantities.
Background information:
Type of piles : 1.50 m diameter bored piles without lining or

bell-out
No. of Piles : 10 No. piles
Type of tests : Pending Engineer’s specification and items to

be added later
Method of : In accordance with HKSMM4 – Section V(e)

measurement “Bored Piles” (a copy of Pages 33 to 35 is
attached)
[10 marks]
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Question No. 4 – Insurances
You are the Consultant QS for a residential building project. The tender documents
for the Superstructure Main Contract is scheduled to be issued to the tenderers by
the end of the coming month and you have just submitted a draft of the front parts
of the tender documents to the Project Manager for comment.
It comes to the Project Manager’s attention that the Contractors’ All Risks
Insurance of the Works and the Third Party Liability Insurance to be procured by
the Contractor as required by your proposed front parts are for different Periods of
Insurance. The former is to last till 14 days after Substantial Completion while the
latter is to last till the issuance of the Defects Rectification Certificate.
The Project Manager doubted if such a variance in the required Periods of

Insurances is appropriate. He is thinking of extending the Period of Insurance of
the Contractors’ All Risks Insurance of the Works to cover the entire Defects
Liability Period.
You are required to draft a letter to advise the Project Manager in this connection.
[5 marks]
Page 22
FINAL ASSESSMENT 2014
DAY 2
Thursday, 18th September, 2014

NOTES TO CANDIDATES
A. Headings to questions are for ease of identification only and do not form
part of the questions.
B. The number of main questions is as follows:
(1) First day – Questions with varying marks but the aggregate mark is 50
marks
(2) Second day – Questions with varying marks but the aggregate mark is
50 marks
DAY 2
Question No. 1 Prolongation Claim 12 marks

Question No. 2 Defects Rectification 13 marks
Question No. 3 Contractor’s Proposed Changes 12 marks
Question No. 4 Formwork System 13 marks
---------------
50 marks
---------------
C. All Main Questions and Sub-Questions are compulsory.
D. 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.
E. Refer also to INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES, which were issued to you

in advance.
Page 2
FIVE COMMON CRITERIA
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a reasonable level of professional

competence against five common criteria outlined below, sufficient for the
Assessors to answer the question “Would I employ the Candidate to work as a
qualified Quantity Surveyor with the ability to resolve problems in a
professional manner?” However, it should be recognized that not all these criteria
apply to every problem, nor do they carry equal weight.
1. Perception: A full understanding of the problem posed, evidenced by a

response to each item in the question. Candidates should also show
foresight by anticipating additional problems not specifically mentioned.
2. Imagination: The assumption of essential supplementary information so as

to provide a full response; also the use of imaginary telephone inquiries,
quotations, notes, etc.
3. Technical skills: The correct use of measurement principles, prices,

discount factors, etc. The use of appropriate short cuts, rounding off of
figures, etc. to suit the scale of the problem. The provision of analysis to a
depth appropriate to the stage reached by Candidates and the time
constraints imposed on Candidates.
4. Judgement: The provision of sound professional advice indicative of

professional knowledge and experience gained by Candidates. The advice
should be firm and unhesitating, except where suitable caveats are essential.
5. Communication: Free of ambiguity, with clear expression and an absence

of irrelevant or inappropriate technical details, particularly when provided to
a lay Employer. Correct syntax and good professional style in letters and
reports are important. Candidates should clearly convey their interpretations
and proposals.
Page 3
DAY 2
18th SEPTEMBER 2014
Page 4
Question No. 1 – Prolongation Claim
You are the Project Quantity Surveyor of the Contractor for a residential building
project. The project has been delayed by a month due to a substantial variation
ordered by the Architect. Your commercial manager Peter is preparing a
submission claiming for additional payment due to prolongation of the time for
completion of the Works. While you were on leave, Peter asked your assistant
Mary to prepare the calculation based on some formulas and outline the basis of
one of the heads of claims, namely head office overheads (excluding net profit) for
incorporation into his submission.
The formula used is:
Contract Sum x (Period of Prolongation / Contract Period) x Head Office

Overheads percentage
On your return to the office, Peter requests you to supplement Mary’s input with the
following:
(a) A concise narrative of the basis of claim for reimbursement of head office
overheads due to prolongation of the time for completion of the Works.
(b) An advice on how the head office overheads percentage should be

calculated, and what items may possibly need to be excluded.
(c) An advice on whether the full Contract Sum can be used in the formula.
(d) An advice, if the formula approach is not rejected, on what and how
documentary proof should be provided to support the percentage while
keeping the company’s business and staff’s personal secrets confidential.
(e) An advice on what adjustment has to be made to the sum yielded by the
formula in order to avoid double recovery of head office overheads?
[12 Marks]
Page 5
Question No. 2 – Defects Rectification
Notes to Candidates: Please state the Standard Form of Contract upon which
your answer is based.
You are the Consultant QS of a residential development project including a club

house. The building works carried out by Perfect Builder Limited have been
certified completed six months ago. The Contract consists of a standard defects
rectification clause with a defects liability period of 12 months after completion. The
fitting out works for the club house is now under construction by Good Fit Company.
After a heavy rainstorm last week, water leakage was found at the joints of the
skylight topping the clubhouse. The skylight was part of the building works of
Perfect Builder Limited.
After an initial study on the extent of the defects, the Architect instructed Perfect
Builder Limited to rectify the defects. At the same time, Good Fit Company was
notified and he agreed to allow access for Perfect Builder Limited. However, since
the defects rectification work lies on the critical path of the programme of the fitting
out works, it is anticipated that EOT and L&E will be incurred by Good Fit Company.
After an ad-hoc meeting among the Architect, Perfect Builder Limited and Good Fit
Company, the Architect called and asked for your opinions regarding the following
issues:
(a) For rectification of other defects during the defects liability period, the
Architect and the Employer are not satisfied with the generally slow
progress of Perfect Builder Limited, the Employer is eager to know what his
rights and obligations are under the Contract.
(b) Perfect Builder Limited responded negatively at the ad-hoc meeting and
argued that all the inspection and waterproof test had been carried out
before the issue of the Substantial Completion Certificate, hence, he should
not be responsible for the damage caused by heavy rainstorm which
occurred after certified completion.
(c) The carrying out of the defects rectification work lies on the critical path of
the programme of the fitting out works, hence, Good Fit Company will likely
be entitled to extension of time and loss and expense compensation. What
would be the position and considerations of the Employer who intends to
recover the loss and expense from Perfect Building Limited?
[13 Marks]
Page 6
Question No. 3 – Contractor’s Proposed Changes to the Works
You are the Consultant Project Quantity Surveyor of a residential development

project. In the last project progress meeting, the Contractor proposed to change
the specified tiling adhesive system to another system with a view to save cost.
The Project Manager is seeking your contractual advice on the matter. You are
required to draft a letter to the Project Manager:
(a) explaining whether the Contractor’s proposed change is a variation under
the Contract;
(b) highlighting the considerations (any kind) to which the Employer should pay
attention when deciding whether to accept the proposed changes or not;
and
(c) recommending how to accept the change.
[12 marks]
Page 7
Question No. 4 – Formwork System
Your boss of a local developer heard that it is currently very difficult to employ
sufficient carpenters for erection of formwork due to aging of carpenters in the local
market. He is thinking if it is more suitable to use aluminium formwork for the
construction of the reinforced concrete works of a proposed residential
development.
Project Details
CFA : 12,000m2
Site Area : 1,000m2
The Works : Storey Storey Height

2-storey Basement
- B2/F 3.50m
- B1/F 4.00m
3-storey Podium
- G/F 4.50m
- 1/F 4.80m
- 2/F 4.20m
Residential Tower
- 38-storey typical floors 3.15m

- 1-storey refuse floor 4.00m
- 2-storey suite floors 3.50m
- Roof 5.20m
- Generator room upper roof 3.00m
The structure is generally of reinforced concrete with transfer plate, load bearing
walls, column and beam framing with suspended slabs.
The external walls are mainly precast reinforced concrete facades and in-situ
reinforced concrete walls.
The internal partitions are mainly in-situ reinforced concrete walls and blockwalls.
You are working as a Contract Manager for this local developer. You are
requested by your boss to advise on the suitability of using aluminium formwork in
lieu of traditional timber formwork for constructing the reinforced concrete works
for the areas not using precast reinforced concrete facades of this proposed
residential development.
Page 8
Question No. 4 – Formwork System
Please draft a memo to your boss to advise on the suitability, for general cases, of
using aluminium formwork in terms of:
(a) time;
(b) cost; and
(c) restrictions and other merits; and
give recommendations with reference to the specific project details of this

proposed residential development.
[13 marks]
Page 9

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QUANTITY SURVEYING DIVISION

ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

FINAL ASSESSMENT 2014

PRACTICE PROBLEMS / PART II WRITTEN TEST

Wednesday, 17th September, 2014

B. The number of main questions is as follows:

Question No. 1 Cost Estimate 22 marks

C. All Main Questions and Sub-Questions are compulsory.

E. Refer also to INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES, which were issued to you

FIVE COMMON CRITERIA

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a reasonable level of professional

1. Perception: A full understanding of the problem posed, evidenced by a

2. Imagination: The assumption of essential supplementary information so as

3. Technical skills: The correct use of measurement principles, prices,

4. Judgement: The provision of sound professional advice indicative of

5. Communication: Free of ambiguity, with clear expression and an absence

17th SEPTEMBER 2014

Question No. 1 – Cost Estimate

b. Upgrading the podium facades by replacing all existing wall tiles

Venus is particularly interested in knowing the rough indication of costs of the

Dear Project QS,

a. Additional passenger lift and

Please prepare your reply for discussion later today.

Attachment to Question No. 1

DRAFT COST ESTIMATE

(a) Adding an additional passenger lift between G/F and 2/F

Supply and install a passenger lift (based on lift contractor's

(b) Podium facades upgrading by replacing all

Supply and install new external wall tiles (supply only

(c) Fitting out costs of 1-bedroom suites of another serviced apartment

Total HK$ 402,000

Attachment to Question No. 1 (Cont’d)

Attachment to Question No. 1 (Cont’d)

Attachment to Question No. 1 (Cont’d)

Question No. 2 – Bulk-checking of Quantities

Question No. 3 – Editing of BQ Descriptions

You are not required to make any adjustment to the quantities.

Type of piles : 1.50 m diameter bored piles without lining or

No. of Piles : 10 No. piles

Type of tests : Pending Engineer’s specification and items to

Method of : In accordance with HKSMM4 – Section V(e)

Question No. 4 – Insurances

The Project Manager doubted if such a variance in the required Periods of

ASSESSMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

FINAL ASSESSMENT 2014

PRACTICE PROBLEMS / PART II WRITTEN TEST

Thursday, 18th September, 2014

B. The number of main questions is as follows:

Question No. 1 Prolongation Claim 12 marks

C. All Main Questions and Sub-Questions are compulsory.

E. Refer also to INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES, which were issued to you

FIVE COMMON CRITERIA

Candidates are expected to demonstrate a reasonable level of professional

1. Perception: A full understanding of the problem posed, evidenced by a

2. Imagination: The assumption of essential supplementary information so as

3. Technical skills: The correct use of measurement principles, prices,

4. Judgement: The provision of sound professional advice indicative of

5. Communication: Free of ambiguity, with clear expression and an absence

18th SEPTEMBER 2014

Question No. 1 – Prolongation Claim

The formula used is:

Contract Sum x (Period of Prolongation / Contract Period) x Head Office

(b) An advice on how the head office overheads percentage should be