Activity 1

Where do contracts and specification used in building construction?

Contracts and specification for a particular project are used for the client’s expectation of the
finished output. Contracts are documents that are usually signed between the contractor and the client
sighting that the two parties agrees on the specified output of the project. Under the contracts, things
that will be listed are the different specifications for the whole building or structure. They detail the
work, materials and installation required to complete a project. The specifications are a subcontractor’s
field guide on what materials to use, how to install them, and the desired level of quality.

In reducing cost, eliminate wasted time and cancel disputes, a thorough set of specification can
help everyone on the project. As a result, correct work means fewer defects, which means fewer change
orders which means fewer disputes over additional compensation.

As dreaming individuals to have a wonderful house someday, specifications must be meant

according to our own preferences and taste. In the world of construction, there are a huge number of
clients that could differ from each one or another. Each client have their own taste of the different
construction projects.

To serve as an example for this thought, lets take as an example is the different race of people from
around the globe. For Chinese people, they have a lot of issues for a structure to be relevant or in
accordance to their “fenshui” beliefs. For them, they want their structures such as skyscrapers don't
have a 13th floor or houses should be facing the east direction. Those are for the Chinese beliefs. For the
Americans, they don’t comply to those such beliefs mentioned. For them, as long as they deliver the
structure or building in pristine and good condition, then the project could then be listed as a success.

Have you seen one during your practicum?

For the year 2020 under this current semester of school year 2020-2021, where there is an ongoing
pandemic, he was lucky to be enrolled in practicum. By God’s grace, he was able to find a company
that would accept him as their intern and will serve on a “Work-From-Home” basis. To answer the
question, “Yes” , he have seen one during his practicum.

The thing that they have instructed him to do during the virtual orientation was to make a whole
“Structural Work Plan” of their current project in San Juan City, Metro Manila. At first, he was very
nervous and it was a nerve cracking experience as to him as a student since he’s still on his fourth year
that time and he still don’t have the sufficient subjects needed for the particular task on his “pre-advise”
list. What he did was he really stormed the internet to research on how to start doing it.

His practicum took place from July to August of the year 2020. Although his supervisor have given
him a list of things that must be seen on his “Work Plan”, it still gives him a really hard time since he
have the zero knowledge on how to start it, how would it look like, or what is the format.
 On his intensive research, he have learned that he can do something that he really don’t have a
background of performing. Because of this practicum experience, he have learned to push him self on
learning something new without the help of anyone. he have learned on how to compute for different
specifications of concrete, steel bars, piles, unique foundations and everything. he have learned also on
how to compute for the pricing of different specifications and on how to present to the client on what
will be the method of payment for the total contract price. Lastly, he have also learned on how to make
a Gantt Chart.

Does your company has involved you in the bid meeting?

Unfortunately, during his practicum, the company he was in was not able to include him or allowed
him to participate or witness any of their bidding meeting. He thinks that, since he’s still an intern, its
still to early for him to participate in those type of activities. Although for the good side of it, he was
still able to experience making a whole structural work plan for a particular project.

These times are very though for civil engineering students to be involved in those kinds of
meeting. For us, it will be such a great opportunity to witness a bidding meeting. But as for the
moment, we know that we can reach those levels someday. Who knows, we may get involved in a large
project whether it would be under a private company or under the government. What is important for
now is that we exert effort on studying to pursue our goals as a student. And those goals are to pass the
subject, learn from it, graduate from college, study hard for the board exam, pass the board exam and
obtain our civil engineering licenses.

We are pretty sure that bid meeting will involve our skills under budgeting and proposing
specifications for a particular project would be feasible and cost effective or even cost friendly. But
these will not compromise the structural integrity of the project. Construction cost and project
management subject will surely equip us the best knowledge that we will be using for our future
careers especially when we are a fresh graduate, we still don’t have the opportunity to choose as to
where we want to be assigned. So the main important thing here is to prepare and study hard for our
current subjects and to Pray and give thanks for all the blessings and knowledge that we are receiving.