- Q: What is a quantity take-off?
A: A systematic measurement of quantities from drawings (architectural, structural, interior) to prepare BOQ, estimates, and tender documentation. - Q: Which drawings do you prioritize first while doing take-off?
A: Structural drawings for RCC quantities, architectural for finishing items, and interior drawings for joinery, partitions, false ceiling, etc. - Q: How do you ensure accuracy in take-offs?
A: Cross-check drawings, follow IS:1200 measurement rules, adopt checklists, and use software like AutoCAD/Excel/CostX. - Q: What is the difference between BOQ and Quantity Take-off?
A: Take-off is raw measurement; BOQ is formatted document including descriptions, units, rates, and amounts. - Q: Which IS code is primarily used for method of measurement?
A: IS:1200 (all parts). - Q: How do you calculate concrete quantity for a slab?
A: Area × thickness, deducting openings >0.1 m² as per IS:1200. - Q: How do you avoid double counting in take-offs?
A: Use unique item coding, highlight deducted portions, and adopt standardized measurement rules. - Q: How do you measure reinforcement steel?
A: By length from BBS × unit weight, in quintal/MT as per IS 1786. - Q: What is the role of standard measurement sheets?
A: To maintain consistency, avoid disputes, and facilitate easy auditing. - Q: How do you measure plaster quantity?
A: Net plaster area of walls/ceilings, deducting openings >0.5 m². - Q: What is the difference between net and gross measurement?
A: Net deducts openings as per IS codes, gross includes all and adjustments are done later. - Q: Which software do you use for digital take-off?
A: AutoCAD, CostX, PlanSwift, MS Excel. - Q: What precautions do you take in interior works take-off?
A: Consider material finishes, joinery details, wastages, and modular dimensions. - Q: How do you prepare BOQ for civil and interior works separately?
A: Civil – RCC, brickwork, plaster, flooring. Interiors – partitions, false ceiling, joinery, finishes. - Q: Why is unit consistency important in BOQ?
A: To avoid disputes during billing and ensure alignment with contract terms.
Section 2: Tendering & Documentation (16–25)
- Q: What documents form part of a tender?
A: BOQ, technical specifications, general conditions, special conditions, drawings, work order terms. - Q: Difference between item rate and lump sum contracts?
A: Item rate – payment on actual quantities. Lump sum – fixed price for entire work. - Q: What is the role of tender addendum?
A: To incorporate clarifications, corrections, or scope changes after tender issue. - Q: How do you evaluate tender quotations?
A: Comparison statement, technical compliance, commercial terms, lowest evaluated bidder (L1). - Q: What is the purpose of pre-bid meetings?
A: To clarify doubts, explain scope, and ensure uniform understanding among bidders. - Q: What is the difference between BOQ and schedule of rates (SOR)?
A: BOQ is project-specific; SOR is government published standard rate schedule. - Q: How do you prepare non-tendered item (NT item) rates?
A: Through rate analysis, prevailing market rates, and approval from client/consultant. - Q: Why are tender terms & conditions important?
A: They define payment terms, penalties, liquidated damages, escalation clauses. - Q: What is a work order?
A: Client-issued document authorizing contractor to commence work under agreed terms. - Q: What is the difference between provisional sum and prime cost item?
A: Provisional – estimated allowance for undefined scope. Prime cost – material supply at actuals plus margin.
Section 3: IS Codes & Specifications (26–35)
- Q: Which IS code covers method of measurement?
A: IS:1200 series. - Q: Which IS code governs RCC?
A: IS:456-2000. - Q: Which IS code governs steel reinforcement?
A: IS:1786-2008. - Q: Which IS code governs structural steel?
A: IS:800-2007. - Q: Which IS code governs plastering?
A: IS:1661. - Q: Which IS code governs brickwork?
A: IS:2212. - Q: Which IS code governs painting?
A: IS:2395 (Part I & II). - Q: Why should QS be familiar with IS codes?
A: For accurate measurement, quality compliance, and billing standardization. - Q: What is the importance of makes/brands in tender?
A: To ensure material quality and consistency. - Q: What are Technical Specifications?
A: Detailed written requirements for materials, workmanship, and standards.
Section 4: Billing & Payments (36–50)
- Q: What is running account (RA) bill?
A: Progressive billing for work executed periodically. - Q: What is the final bill?
A: Bill raised at project completion after reconciliation. - Q: What deductions are usually made in RA bills?
A: Retention money, mobilization advance recovery, statutory deductions (TDS, GST). - Q: What is retention money?
A: Percentage of bill withheld as performance guarantee, released after defect liability period. - Q: How do you prepare a client bill?
A: Based on certified quantities, BOQ rates, site measurements, and consultant approval. - Q: What is reconciliation of materials?
A: Matching material consumption vs theoretical requirement to control wastage. - Q: Difference between gross bill and net bill?
A: Gross – before deductions. Net – after deductions. - Q: What is a debit note in billing?
A: Amount deducted from contractor for rework, penalties, or material recovery. - Q: What is the role of Measurement Book (MB)?
A: Site record of measurements forming the basis of billing. - Q: How do you check subcontractor bills?
A: Verify quantities, BOQ rates, deductions, and compliance with terms. - Q: What are advance payments in contracts?
A: Mobilization advance, material advance, released against BG. - Q: What is escalation in billing?
A: Increase in contract value due to rise in material/labor prices. - Q: How do you process extra items in billing?
A: Prepare rate analysis, get client approval, include in variation order. - Q: Why is site reconciliation important in billing?
A: To prevent overbilling and material theft. - Q: What is the significance of certification in billing?
A: Consultant/engineer’s approval for correctness of billed quantities.
Section 5: Estimation, Costing & Rate Analysis (51–70)
- Q: What is the purpose of estimation?
A: To forecast project cost, budget, and financial planning. - Q: What is preliminary estimate?
A: Rough cost based on plinth area, cubic rate, or thumb rules. - Q: What is detailed estimate?
A: Accurate cost worked out from drawings and specifications. - Q: What is abstract of cost?
A: Summarized statement of item-wise quantities and costs. - Q: What is contingency in estimates?
A: Percentage (3–5%) added to cover unforeseen expenses. - Q: What is rate analysis?
A: Breakdown of unit cost into material, labor, equipment, overheads, profit. - Q: Which IS code covers analysis of rates?
A: CPWD Analysis of Rates (not IS, but widely used reference). - Q: What are preliminaries in a BOQ?
A: Site setup, safety, insurances, temporary works. - Q: How do you perform value engineering?
A: Identifying cost-saving alternatives without affecting function/performance. - Q: What is feasibility study in QS?
A: Assessment of project cost vs benefits before execution. - Q: What is time-cost tradeoff?
A: Balancing project duration vs cost using optimization. - Q: What is life-cycle costing?
A: Cost analysis over entire lifespan of asset, including maintenance. - Q: What is rate escalation formula?
A: (Current Index / Base Index) × Base Rate. - Q: How do you calculate earthwork excavation cost?
A: Volume × rate (based on type of soil, lead, lift). - Q: What factors affect labor cost in rate analysis?
A: Productivity, skill level, market wages, working conditions. - Q: What are overheads in rate analysis?
A: Site overheads (temporary facilities) + head office overheads. - Q: How do you price non-scheduled items?
A: Market enquiry, vendor quotes, CPWD rate analysis. - Q: What is prime cost in rate analysis?
A: Direct material + labor before overheads/profit. - Q: What is preliminary estimate method in interiors?
A: Rate per sq.ft. based on past projects. - Q: What is the role of cost indices?
A: Adjusting past project rates to current price levels.
Section 6: Cost Control & Reports (71–85)
- Q: What is cost control in construction?
A: Monitoring expenditure vs budget, identifying variances, corrective action. - Q: What is Earned Value Management (EVM)?
A: Method of comparing planned vs actual vs earned value. - Q: What are monthly cost reports?
A: Reports showing budgeted, actual, committed, and forecasted costs. - Q: What is cost-to-complete?
A: Forecast of expenditure required to finish remaining work. - Q: What are committed costs?
A: Costs already contracted but not yet paid. - Q: What is variance analysis?
A: Identifying reasons for deviations between budget and actuals. - Q: What is cost benchmarking?
A: Comparing project cost with industry norms. - Q: What is a cash flow forecast?
A: Projection of cash inflows and outflows over time. - Q: How do you control wastage?
A: Material reconciliation, site supervision, waste factors in estimates. - Q: What is break-even analysis in construction?
A: Point where cost = revenue, no profit/loss. - Q: What is productivity analysis?
A: Labor/equipment output per unit time. - Q: How do you manage variations?
A: Maintain variation register, approval process, update BOQ. - Q: What is change order?
A: Document authorizing a change in scope, cost, or time. - Q: How do you prevent cost overruns?
A: Early planning, monitoring, contract controls, risk management. - Q: What is S-curve in project monitoring?
A: Graph showing planned vs actual progress over time.
Section 7: Procurement & Vendor Management (86–92)
- Q: What is procurement strategy?
A: Plan for sourcing materials, subcontracting, vendor selection. - Q: What is comparison statement (CS)?
A: Side-by-side comparison of vendor quotations for technical & commercial evaluation. - Q: What is L1, L2, L3 bidder?
A: Lowest, second lowest, and third lowest bidder. - Q: How do you ensure fair vendor selection?
A: Technical compliance check + commercial evaluation. - Q: What is a purchase order (PO)?
A: Document issued to vendor confirming supply terms. - Q: How do you handle price fluctuations?
A: Escalation clauses, fixed price contracts, bulk buying. - Q: What is lead time in procurement?
A: Time between order placement and delivery.
Section 8: Software & Skills (93–97)
- Q: How do you use MS Excel in QS tasks?
A: Quantity sheets, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, conditional formatting, dashboards. - Q: What is your proficiency in AutoCAD for QS work?
A: Extracting dimensions, area calculations, digital take-offs. - Q: Which estimation software have you used?
A: CostX, PlanSwift, Candy, Excel-based models. - Q: How do you track cost reports digitally?
A: Excel dashboards, ERP systems, project management software. - Q: How do you present reports to management?
A: Executive summaries, charts, variance analysis, S-curves.
Section 9: Communication & Coordination (98–100)
- Q: How do you coordinate with site engineers for billing?
A: Joint measurements, site instructions, approval of deviations. - Q: How do you handle disputes in billing?
A: Refer contract terms, maintain proper documentation, escalate when necessary.
100. Q: Why are communication skills important for a QS?
A: To coordinate with client, consultants, site team, vendors, and management effectively.
