Understanding Construction Warranties and Building Specifications
Types of Construction Warranties
Serious Proposal (Bid Bond)
This ensures the seriousness of a bid, for example, by guaranteeing compliance with the proposed start date for the construction.
Promissory Note
A promissory note is similar to a check and can be obtained from any bank. It is issued in the name of a specific person or entity (it is nominative). The procedure is performed at the bank, where the full details of the payee are required. The designated person or entity can then collect the funds at any bank branch by presenting their identity card.
Faithful Performance of Contract (Performance Bond)
This guarantees that the company undertaking the project will meet the deadlines and budgets specified in the contract. If the company abandons the project, this bond is collected to finance the hiring of another company to complete the abandoned work.
Supply Reliability Bond
This ensures the commitment that the company awarded the project provides to another company for a given service contract.
Warranty Document Objectives
Warranty documents support a business’s financial and legal operations. The timely preparation of these securities is facilitated by agility in the bond issuance process. Warranty bonds may have the following objectives:
- Serious Proposal: To ensure the bid is legitimate.
- Proper Investment of Advances: To guarantee that advance payments are used correctly.
- Contingency Certificate: A 10% certificate covering the entire work for unforeseen events.
- Deadline Guarantee Bond: Typically valid for 90 days, but never less than 60. For example, with companies like Chilquinta or Esval, this applies once the work has started.
Proper Execution of the Work
The company that wins the project must accomplish everything stipulated in the contract; otherwise, a fine will be charged. The project reception period is 12 to 24 months. If any issues arise during this time, such as land subsidence, this bond covers the resulting damages.
Measurement and Material Specifications
Brick Calculation
- Standard Brick: Consider a quantity of 42 bricks per square meter.
- Princess Brick: Consider a quantity of 35 bricks per square meter.
Walls
Walls are measured by length, also indicating their height. Openings smaller than 3m² are not discounted from the total area.
Paving
Pavement is measured by surface area. Measurements are taken between the interior faces of the walls.
- First Floor: Reinforced concrete floating floor, except in wet areas.
- Second Level: Carpeted rooms, except in wet areas.
- Wet Areas: Ceramic flooring and wall tiles up to 1.00m high.
Ceilings
Ceilings are measured by surface area, with measurements taken between the interior faces of the walls.
- First Floor: Latex paint, except in wet areas.
- Second Level: Gypsum plaster.
- Wet Areas: Plaster coating and two coats of oil paint.
Doors
Doors are measured per unit. It is suggested to separate them into categories, such as interior and exterior doors.
- First Floor: Main door width of 1.00m. Other doors are 0.80m wide.
- Second Level: All doors are 0.80m wide.
Insulation
Polystyrene plates, 50 mm thick, are used for insulation in the second-level walls and the ceiling.
Material Calculation Formulas
- Total Wall Surface: Length of walls × Height
- Thermofor Cladding (Stucco Layer): Surface area is equal to the wall surface area.
- Polystyrene: Surface area is equal to the wall surface area.
- Mesh (Exterior Perimeter): Perimeter of the wall × Height
- Stucco (2 coats): Two times the surface area of the Thermofor layer.