Labor Productivity & Rates Flashcards
7 cards from real CEC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Labor Productivity & Rates flashcards as text
What effect does working at elevations above 15 feet typically have on labor productivity?
Answer: Productivity decreases due to additional setup, safety requirements, and fatigue
Elevated work requires scaffolding setup, fall protection measures, and increased physical effort, all of which reduce labor productivity.
An estimator applies a 'location factor' of 1.12 to RSMeans labor costs. This adjustment accounts for:
Answer: Higher regional wage rates and labor market conditions relative to the national average
Location factors scale national average costs to reflect local labor market conditions, including prevailing wages and union agreements.
Which of the following best describes 'labor unit cost' in an estimate?
Answer: The cost of labor per unit of installed work (e.g., per LF, SF, or EA)
Labor unit cost expresses the labor expense required to install one unit of a specific material or assembly.
A productivity study shows a crew installs 200 SF of tile per 8-hour day. If the project requires 3,600 SF, how many crew days are needed?
Answer: 18 crew days
3,600 SF ÷ 200 SF/day = 18 crew days required to complete the work.
Which condition is LEAST likely to negatively impact field labor productivity?
Answer: Well-staged materials delivered directly to the work area
Having materials pre-staged at the work area reduces travel time and material handling, which actually improves productivity.
In a union construction environment, 'show-up time' or 'reporting time' pay obligations affect estimates because:
Answer: Workers must be paid a minimum number of hours even if dismissed early due to weather or lack of work
Union agreements commonly require a minimum pay guarantee (often 2–4 hours) when workers report to the job site, regardless of actual work performed.
When converting a labor cost bid from time-and-materials to a lump sum, an estimator should include a contingency for labor productivity risk primarily because:
Answer: Lump sum contracts transfer productivity risk to the contractor, who bears losses if output falls short
Under lump sum contracts, the contractor absorbs the financial impact of productivity shortfalls, making contingency planning essential.