Expert: Dr. Abdulaziz Jarkas - 11/2/2006

Question
hi! how can i get the production like masons producing how much plaster and for 1 cubic meter concrete in raft foundation ,  how much skilled and unskilled persons are required?because in the interview they ask these quesions. for UAE especially , i can i get the average results of these questions?

Answer
Dear Adeel,

Labor Productivity is different in different countries and from one type of project to another. Numerous factors affect it, and up till this minute, several research projects are in progress in an effort to gain a better understanding of this important and vital subject to the construction industry. Your question is too general in nature!

Your best bet if you live in the UAE, and if you're just interested in obtaining some estimates, is to meet with a superintendent, experienced Forman, or a Project Engineer to obtain the average labor productivity for the two trades you're interested in. However, as I have indicated, such indices would be merely estimates.

For more accurate indices, you may want to check with construction companies; good ones usually keep records based on actual field productivity.

Hope this helps!

Dr. A. Jarkas