Complete Interview Q&A – Assistant

Manager (QS, Billing & Planning)

📘 General & Experience-Based Questions
 Tell us about your experience as a Quantity Surveyor.

I have over 5 years of experience in civil construction, with hands-on exposure to billing,
planning, and quantity surveying. My work involves preparing RA bills, quantity estimation
from GFC drawings, preparing and checking BBS, and coordinating with site engineers,
clients, and subcontractors.

 Why are you interested in this position?

This role aligns with my professional goals. I am looking to step into a managerial position
where I can contribute more strategically in billing, planning, and coordination.

 What are your strengths as a billing engineer?

My strengths include accuracy in quantity estimation, thorough documentation, timely

billing, and strong coordination with project teams and clients.

 What major challenges have you faced in billing or planning and how did you solve
them?

Once, I encountered delays due to late drawing approvals. I proactively coordinated with
design and client teams, prioritized critical activities, and got an extension of time (EOT)
approved to avoid penalties.

 Explain your responsibilities in your current/last project.

I was responsible for preparing RA bills, subcontractor billing, DPRs, quantity take-offs, BBS
checking, cost tracking, and client coordination.

 How do you ensure accuracy in your work?

By verifying site measurements, referring to MB entries, using software tools, cross-

checking with drawings, and peer reviewing critical calculations.

📐 Billing & Quantity Estimation

 What are the components of a contractor’s bill?

Work description, quantity, unit rate, amount, deductions (advance recovery, retention), net
payable, MB reference, and client certification.
 Explain the procedure of preparing RA bills.

Measure executed quantities, record in MB, calculate payable amount, prepare abstract
sheet, attach supporting documents, and submit for client certification.

 Difference between RA Bill and Final Bill?

RA Bill is an interim payment based on progress. Final Bill is the last bill after work
completion and includes all adjustments.

 What is a BBS and how is it used in billing?

Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) is a detailed list of reinforcement bars used for calculating steel
quantities, fabrication, procurement, and billing.

 How do you calculate quantities for concrete, brickwork, plastering, shuttering &
reinforcement?

Use length × breadth × height formula for concrete and brickwork. Plastering: Area ×
thickness. Shuttering: Surface area of formwork. Reinforcement: Based on BBS.

 What are deductions as per IS 1200?

Openings up to 0.5 sqm for plastering and 0.1 sqm for brickwork are not deducted.
Standard deductions apply for lintels, chajjas, etc.

 How do you calculate earthwork using cross-section or spot levels?

Cross-section: (A1 + A2)/2 × L. Spot levels: Avg height × Area. Use for excavation and filling.

📊 Planning & Monitoring

 What is EOT and how is it claimed?

Extension of Time is claimed for delays beyond control. Submit delay analysis, hindrance
register, and revised schedule for client approval.

 Explain the importance of WBS.

Work Breakdown Structure breaks the project into manageable tasks, used for planning,
budgeting, and progress tracking.

 Difference between CPM and PERT?

CPM: Civil work, deterministic. PERT: R&D, probabilistic. CPM focuses on time-cost; PERT
deals with uncertainty.

 Which planning software do you use?

MS Project for simple schedules and Primavera P6 for complex schedules. Excel for S-curve
and resource tracking.

 How do you track project progress?

Compare actual vs baseline, update progress weekly, use DPRs, S-curves, and Earned Value
Management.

 How do you prepare a cost-loaded schedule?

Assign cost to WBS activities, link with schedule, monitor monthly cash flow and billing
targets.

💼 Contracts & BOQ

 What is BOQ and how is it prepared?

Bill of Quantities is a detailed document of work items with units and quantities, prepared
from drawings and specifications.

 Importance of rate analysis?

Used for estimating item rates, budgeting, contractor bill verification, and cost control.

 Standard deductions or recoveries in billing?

Mobilization/material advance, retention, TDS, GST, penalties for delay or quality,

recoveries for client-supplied materials.

 What are provisional sums and prime cost items?

Provisional sums: Estimated cost for undefined works. Prime cost items: Fixed rate items
with scope for price adjustment.

 How do you handle variation orders?

Prepare variation sheet with item, quantity, rate, reason, get client approval, and include in
billing.

📑 Codes, Standards & Documentation

 Which IS codes are used?

IS 1200 (measurement), IS 456 (concrete), IS 1786 (steel), SP 34 (BBS), IS 3370

(waterproofing).

 How do you prepare and use DPRs?

Daily Progress Reports record work done, manpower, equipment, material usage, and site
issues for client review.

 What is the role of MB?

MB (Measurement Book) is the official record of site measurements used for billing and
verification.

 How to reconcile cement, steel, and other materials?

Theoretical consumption from drawings minus actual issue. Adjust for wastage and prepare
reconciliation statement.

🔧 Technical Site Knowledge

 How do you estimate shuttering oil, nails, binding wire?

Shuttering oil: 0.06–0.08 L/sqm. Nails: 0.4–0.6 kg/sqm. Binding wire: 9–12 kg/MT of steel.

 What is standard wastage % for steel and concrete?

Steel: 2–5%, Concrete: 2%, as per CPWD norms.

 How to calculate productivity and manpower planning?

Productivity = Output / Mandays. Plan manpower based on activity volume and standard
outputs.

 What is manpower output as per IS codes?

Brickwork: 1.25 m³/day, Plaster: 10 m²/day, Shuttering: 2 m²/day, Concreting: 3 m³/day.

🧾 Managerial & Communication Skills

 How do you coordinate with site/client for billing?

Regular meetings, joint measurements, document submission, clarification, and follow-ups

for timely certification.

 How do you handle billing disputes?

Provide MB entries, photos, approvals, escalate with supporting documents, and maintain
transparency.

 How do you manage subcontractor payments?

Check joint measurements, deduct advances, verify rates and compliance, ensure timely
billing.
 What if a contractor overbills or underbills?

Cross-check measurements, raise corrections with justification, maintain records for future
audits.