Utah Contractor Practice Exam

Which of the following components of a bid would be considered nonproductive?

1. Equipment purchased for job

2. Surface preparation for painting

3. Allowance for breakfast and lunch at a remote jobsite

4. Travel time

The correct answer is: Allowance for breakfast and lunch at a remote jobsite

The option regarding allowance for breakfast and lunch at a remote job site is considered nonproductive because it does not contribute directly to the work being completed on the project. Nonproductive time generally refers to any aspect of a project that incurs costs but does not yield tangible value in terms of labor or output. Meals, while necessary for maintaining worker health and morale, do not relate directly to the execution of the construction tasks. In contrast, equipment purchased for a job, surface preparation for painting, and travel time all have direct implications for the productivity and output of the project. Equipment is essential for carrying out construction tasks, surface preparation is a critical step in ensuring the quality of the painting process, and travel time is often necessary for workers to reach the job site where productive work occurs. Collectively, these elements represent time and resources spent directly in service of the project’s completion, whereas meals are necessary breaks that do not contribute directly to work efficiency or progress.