Occupational Profile And Exam Overview

Occupational profileand exam overviewRoad builder heavy construction estimator

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overviewTable of contentsPreface2Exam format3Scope of work4Occupational profile5SECTION 1 – Related management skills7SECTION 2 – Pre-bid/pre-proposal9SECTION 3 – Quantity take-off11SECTION 4 – Costing12SECTION 5 – Bid/proposal14SECTION 6 – Post-bid15Copyright 2019 Canadian Construction Association1

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overviewPrefaceThe occupation profile identifies the core competencies and skills identified within the scope of work forthe road builder heavy construction estimator designation. The exam overview provides an outline of theexam format and indicates how many questions will address each identified skill. By identifying the skills andthe question allocation, this document is meant to serve as a guide for those writing the road builder heavyconstruction estimator Gold Seal exam.If you have any questions about this document, please contact Gold Seal goldseal@cca-acc.com or613-236-9455.2

Gold Seal CertificationExam formatThe national Gold Seal exam for the road builder heavy constructionestimator will be based on the following format:PART A50 Multiple choice questions valued at 50% (50 points)Section 1: Related management skills: 8 questionsOccupational profile and exam overviewTotal value of theexamination is 100%.75% is required to pass.Applicants have3.5 hoursto complete the exam.Section 2: Pre-bid/pre-proposal: 7 questionsSection 3: Quantity take-off: 12 questionsSection 4: Costing: 15 questionsSection 5: Bid/proposal: 4 questionsSection 6: Post-bid: 4 questionsPART BEssay/Short answer questions valued at 50% (50 points)Question #1: Perform a quantity take-off. (Valued at 20 points)Question #2: Write a letter. (Valued at 10 points)Question #3: Working with specifications. (Valued at 20 points)3

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overviewScope of workRoad builder heavy construction estimatorA road builder heavy construction estimator is the person responsible for providing an accurate estimate ofthe cost of construction and of any changes to the work. In addition, the estimator keeps historical recordson costs of all kinds and assembles bids and bid closure deadlines.4

Occupational profile and exam overviewGold Seal CertificationOccupational profileSECTION 1Related management skills Task #1 Task #2 Task #3 Task #4 Task #5 Task #6 Task #7 Task #8SECTION 2Pre-bid/pre-proposal Task #1 Task #2 Task #3 Task #4 Task #5 Task #6 Task #7SECTION 3Collect relevant information on prospective construction workDetermine, in consultation with senior management, which jobs to tenderCompile a checklist of all trade divisionsSolicit selected subcontractor quotationsStudy plans, specifications, addenda and all construction conditions set byowner/consultantConduct a pre-construction site inspection in conjunction with managementteamSolicit competitive pricesQuantity take-off Task #1 Task #2 Task #3 Task #4SECTION 4Ensure a list of acceptable suppliers, carriers and rental companies ismaintainedCommunicate clearly with own forces, owner, client, consultant, regulatoryagencies, and other contractorsKeep abreast with technological changes in the industryEstablish a historical database of information from jobs and/or estimatescompletedRead the marketplaceRespond to pre-qualification and/or design build requestsReview contract documentsEnsure material data is readily available and updatedMaintain standard procedures for all estimating workMeasure quantities from bid documentsClarify with consultant all discrepancies, ambiguities, omissions, etc.Preparing a take-off summaryCosting Task #1 Task #2 Task #3 Task #4 Task #5 Task #6 Task #7 Task #8 Task #9 Task #10 Task #11Estimate labour unit costDetermine equipment requirementsCompile unit costsCost standard workCost specialty workAdvise project management at tendering stage on construction methods to beused, and indirect costs of constructionAssist in the preparation of construction schedule by construction teamAnalyse reports on out-of-town conditionsAnalyse quotations submitted by subcontractors/suppliersCalculate contractor’s costsCalculating and compiling miscellaneous costs5

Occupational profile and exam overviewGold Seal CertificationSECTION 5Bid/proposal Task #1 Task #2 Task #3SECTION 6Complete tender submissionBrief senior management on major bid assumptionsBrief senior management on market positionPost-bid Task #1 Task #2 Task #3 Task #4Communicate the scope of the estimate to the project management teamAnalysing project in detail to realize cost savings through redesignAssist in costing changes to contractParticipate in post-tender negotiations6

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overviewSECTION 1Related management skills TASK #1:Ensure a list of acceptable suppliers, carriers and rental companies is maintained.One (1) question on the exam will assess the following tasks:(a) Assess the reliability of service.(b) Evaluate the cost in comparison to reliability. TASK #2:Communicate clearly with own forces, owner, client, consultant, regulatory agencies, andother contractors.One (1) questions on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Communicate the various types of contracts to field staff.b. Produce written correspondence and reports.c. Make oral presentations.d. Electronically communicate by phone, Internet, etc.e. Free-hand draw.f. Maintain good relations with owner, client, and consultants.g. Know the architect’s/consulting engineer’s role.h. Know the contractual responsibilities of the owner, client and consultant.i. Know the authority and legal responsibilities of government inspectors.j. Know the code requirements for speciality trades.k. Know the contract documents and progress information required by owner/client/consultants.l. Use computer software packages.m. Know the cost implications of legislation.n. Respect the company’s policies and procedures and understand the level of authority. TASK #3:Keep abreast with technological changes in the industry.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Maintain a current library of codes and regulations.b. Maintain current estimating practices.c. Maintain current data books.d. Understand micro/macro economics. TASK #4:Establish a historical database of information from jobs and/or estimates completed.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know the importance of having computer databases containing historical costinformation.b. Maintain an efficient manual database.c. Maintain a historical database.d. Know the master format (detailed) and elemental cost systems (preliminary).e. Prepare and maintain labour productivity records.f. Perform cost benefit or life cycle analysis.g. Conduct a time study of a unit cost of labour.h. Compile a list by project, on competitor’s bidding practices.7

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overview TASK #5:Read the marketplace.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Communicate orally and in writing.b. Make presentations.c. Use a historical database.d. Report to management on company’s overall performance and estimating accuracy inthe market.e. Report on competitor’s bidding history. TASK #6:Respond to pre-qualification and/or design build requests.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know current codes and regulatory agencies.b. Use software packages.c. Participate as a partner in a multi-disciplinary design/build team.d. Perform elemental cost analysis.e. Interpret client’s needs.f. Assemble pre-qualification documents. TASK #7:Review contract documents.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know the standard forms of construction contracts.b. Know the principles of law of contract between owners (or their agents), generalcontractors, subcontractors and suppliers.c. Know the different types of construction contracts (unit price, lump sum, turn key,design-build, alliance, value, etc). TASK #8:Ensure material data is readily available and updated.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know how to use product data catalogues.b. Know the standards applicable construction materials.8

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overviewSECTION 2Pre-bid/pre-proposal TASK #1:Collect relevant information on prospective construction work.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Research prospective work.b. Maintain a database of prospective work.c. Assess the owner’s financial capacity. TASK #2:Determine, in consultation with senior management, which jobs to tender.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Determine the information required to make decision to bid a job.b. Estimate the value of the project by unit cost or elemental cost analysis.c. Report to Company Management on main aspects of project to be tendered.d. Know the types of bid.e. Know the competitors.f. Prepare a bid strategy. TASK #3:Compile a checklist of all trade divisions.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know the scope of work conditions imposed by local trade associations on theirmembers.b. Research contract items which subcontractors commonly exclude.c. Know the local bid depository rules of procedure and scope of work.d. Maintain a record of receipt and distribution of all bid documents (plans, specificationsand addenda).e. Solicit selected trade contractor quotations through trade journals, selected mailingand telephoning. TASK #4:Solicit selected subcontractor quotations.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know where to access trade journals, selected mailing and telephoning, associationbulletins. TASK #5:Study plans, specifications, addenda and all construction conditions set by owner/consultant.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Detect early determination of any discrepancies, ambiguities, omissions, etc. in contractdocuments.b. Study drawings, and specifications early in the job.c. Know the performance requirements (accelerated schedule, etc.).d. Understand the importance of early detection of potential claims.e. Understand the importance of being aware of any environmental conditions of thecontract.f. Understand the liability of errors or omissions in drawings and noting such tomanagement and owner/consultant.g. Know document hierarchy.9

Gold Seal CertificationOccupational profile and exam overview TASK #6:Conduct a pre-construction site inspection in conjunction with management team.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Assess existing structure, utilities, storage space, obstructions, site access, etc.b. Conduct a job site analysis (notes, pictures, reports). TASK #7:Solicit competitive prices.One (1) question on this task will be assessed on the examination.a. Know the availability, applications, cost effectiveness and capacities of various types ofequipment.b. Know the cost implications of lease vs. purchase.c. Know how to negotiate considerations.d. Know the specifications and costs of material.10