UNIT 3

ESTIMATION

Types & purpose, Approximate estimate of buildings – Bill of quantity, factors to be

considered, - principles of measurement and billing, contingencies, measurement of basic
materials like brick, wood, concrete and unit of measurement for various items of work –
abstract of an estimate

DEFINITION
➢ An estimate for any construction work may be defined as the process of calculating the
quantities and costs of the various items required in connection with the work.
➢ It is prepared by calculating the quantities from the dimensions of the drawings, the
various items required to complete the project and multiplied with the unit cost of item
concerned.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESTIMATES

1. PRELIMINARY OR APPROXIMATE OR ROUGH ESTIMATE:

This is an approximate estimate to find out an approximate cost in a short time and thus
enables the authority concerned to consider the financial aspect of the scheme, for
according sanction to the same. Such an estimate is framed after knowing the rate of
similar works and from practical knowledge in various ways for various types of works
such as:
➢ Plinth area or square-meter method,
➢ Cubic rate or cubic meter method,
➢ Service until or until rate method,
➢ Bay method,
➢ Approximate quantities with bill method,
➢ Cost comparison method,
➢ The cost of materials and labor.
 1.1 Plinth Area or Square-Meter Method

➢ P.A. is approximate estimate –

➢ Plinth area should be calculated for covered area by taking external dimensions of the
building at the floor level
➢ Courtyard and other open area should not be included - For multi storeyed building
Plinth Area for each storey is determined separately.
➢ Approximate total plinth area may be calculated by adding 30 to 40% of the already
calculated area for walls. circulation and waste etc.
➢ Plinth area rate is known from cost of similar building in the locality.

1.2 Cube Rate Estimate

➢ Cube rate estimate is again approximate estimate Cubical content of the building is
determined by multiplying length, breadth and height of the building.
➢ External length and breadth at the floor level are calculated for the purpose Height
should be taken from the floor level to the top of roof.
➢ For multi storied building height is taken from floor level of one storey to top of next
higher floor.
➢ Cube rate estimate is more accurate as compared to the plinth area estimate.

2. DETAILED ESTIMATE:
 This includes the detailed particulars for the quantities, rates, and costs of all the items
involved for satisfactory completion of a project.
 Quantities of all items of work are calculated from their respective dimensions on the
drawings on a measurement sheet.
 Multiplying these quantities by their respective rates in a separate sheet, the cost of all
items of work are worked out individually and then summarized, i.e. abstracted (which
is the detailed actual estimated cost of work).
 All other expenses required for satisfactory completion of the project are added to the
above cost to frame the total of a detailed estimate.

A detailed estimate is accompanied by

➢ Report
➢ Specifications
➢ Detailed drawings showing plans, different sections, Key or Index plan etc.
➢ Design data and calculations
➢ The basis of rates adopted in the estimate.
 Such a detailed estimate is prepared for technical sanction, administrative approval and
also for the execution of a contract with the contractor.

3. QUANTITY ESTIMATES OR QUANTITY SURVEY:

 This is a complete estimate or list of quantities for all items of work required to
complete the concerned project.
 The quantity of each individual item of work is worked out from respective dimensions
on the drawing of the structure.
 To find the cost of an item its quantity is multiplied by the rate per unit for that item.
 The purpose of the bill of quantities is to provide a complete list of quantities necessary
for the completion of any engineering project and when priced gives the estimated cost
of the project.

4. REVISED ESTIMATE
 Revised Estimate is a detailed estimate for the revised quantities and rates for items of
works originally provided in the estimate without material deviations of a structural
nature from the design originally approved for a project.
 Revised estimate is prepared when original sanctioned estimate is likely to exceed more
than 5%.
 When expenditure on work is likely to exceed amount of administrative sanction by
more than 10%
 When there are material deviation from original proposal even though cost may be met
from sanctioned cost.
 It is accompanied by comparative statement showing variations in each item of works
and reason for the same.

5. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE
 While a work is in progress, some changes or additional works due
to material deviation of a structural nature from the design originally approved may
be thought necessary for development of a project, an estimate is then prepared to
include all such works.
 It is the fresh detailed estimate of the additional works in addition to the original
estimate.
 It is required when further development is required during the progress of work.
 Abstract should show the amount of original estimate and total amount including
supplementary amount.
 PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING:

➢ To ascertain the necessary amount received by the owner to complete the

proposed work and arranging fund for the same.
➢ For public work construction estimates are required to obtain administrative approval,
allotment of fund and technical sanction.
➢ To ascertain the quantity of materials required for programming timely procurement.
To know the number of different categories of works that is to be employed to complete
the work within the schedule time of completion.
➢ Helps to assess the requirements of Tools, Plants and equipment's required to complete
the work according to the programme.
➢ To fix up the completion period from the volume of work involved in the estimate.
➢ To justify the investment from benefit cost ratio.

BILL OF QUANTITIES (BOQ)

➢ Bill of quantities (BOQ) is the term which brings attention of every construction
professionals and stakeholders.
➢ It is one of the communication tool which connects the parties (client, consultant &
contractor) of construction project.
➢ BOQ is a schedule which categories, details and quantifies the materials and other cost
items to be used in construction project.
➢ It is important to know that, direct costs & indirect costs are to be considered for
complete cost of the project which are covered in different parts of the BOQ.
➢ Generally, BOQ is in tabular form which contents description, unit, quantity, rate &
amount in different columns.
 OBJECTIVES OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES
The objects of bills of quantities are:
➢ To assist in the accurate preparation of tenders, by providing for measurement of
quantities on a uniform basis
➢ To provide a basis for the financial control of a project, in accordance with the
conditions of contract.
➢ Bills of quantities shall describe and represent the works to be carried out; work which
cannot be measured accurately shall be described as approximate or given in bills of
approximate quantities.
➢ Conditions of contract, drawings and specifications shall be provided with the bills of
quantities.
➢ The section headings and classifications do not impose restrictions upon the format and
presentation of bills of quantities.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BOQ

➢ BOQ shall be used in every phase (pre-contract & post-contract) of the project but need
of BOQ differs based on different contract agreements & project. The major usages are
listed below.
➢ It provides basic idea of the project by giving the quantities to tenderers.
➢ It defines the extent of the work. (But it should be identified in line with drawings &
specification as well).
➢ It gives estimated or anticipated contract sum. (very important to client)
➢ It provides a basis for valuation of variation. (Variation is to be discussed in detail).

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED
The Bills of Quantities which we provide to clients with can include the following main
sections:
➢ Form of Tender (including certificate of bona fide tender)
➢ Summary (or Main Summary)
➢ Preliminaries, comprising two main section as follows:
Information and requirements and Pricing schedule
➢ Measured works (incorporating the contractor designed works eg. pre-cast concrete
floors/stairs, windows etc.)
➢ Risks;
➢ Provisional sums;
➢ Credits (for materials arising from the works);
➢ Day works (Provisional); and
➢ Annexes

BENEFITS OF BILLS OF QUANTITIES

Our detailed measurement for the purpose of bills of quantities production is beneficial for
a number of reasons:
➢ It saves considerable time and cost of several contractors measuring the same design in
order to calculate their bids for competition;
➢ It provides a consistent basis for obtaining competitive tenders from contractors;
➢ It provides an extensive and clear statement of the work to be executed;
➢ It allows, when BQ items are codified, reconciliation and any necessary transfers and
adjustments to be made to the cost plan;
➢ It provides a very strong basis for budgetary control and accurate cost reporting of the
contract including:
- the preparation of cash flow forecasts,
- a basis for valuing variations, and
- a basis for the preparation of progress payments (ie. interim payments)
➢ When priced it provides data to support claims for grants;
➢ It provides one of the best sources of real-time cost data, which can be used for estimating
the cost of future building projects

PRINCIPLES OF MEASUREMENT
➢ The Principles of Measurement provide a uniform basis for measuring bills of quantities
for works of construction.
➢ More detailed information that is required by this document may be given to define the
precise nature of work or the circumstances under which it is to be carried out.
➢ These principles of measurement may be applied equally to the measurement of proposed
works and of completed works.
 GENERAL ESTIMATING PRINCIPLES
1. Reality 4. Documentation
2. Level of Detail 5. Direct and Indirect Costs
3. Completeness 6. Variable and Fixed Costs

1. REALITY
➢ Anyone can come up with a set of numbers. A challenge to the estimator is to produce
an estimate that is an accurate reflection of reality.
➢ This is first a question of professional experience and judgment, and second a matter of
relevant historical data.
➢ To estimate at a detailed level one must mentally construct a project, selecting materials,
methods, equipment, and crews to fit the design.
➢ The estimator then uses the best information available to estimate the costs of
performing the required work using the selected resources.
➢ This information may be cost or crew time data from past work.
2. COMPLETENESS
➢ Another challenge is to include all items that will be in the facility yet to add nothing
extra.
➢ The estimator must have the vision to see beyond the obvious components and their
primary costs of construction, primarily in preparing cost estimates prior to completion
of design.
➢ In estimating industrial work, the major items of process equipment are obvious early
in the design period.
➢ Estimates must include not only costs of procuring equipment but also the cost of its
installation and the cost of piping, wiring, controls, and structure to support it.
3. DOCUMENTATION
➢ An estimate is a permanent document that serves as a basis for business decisions.
➢ It must be in a form that can be understood, checked, verified, and corrected.
➢ This requires that the source of each number be readily apparent not only to the person
who prepares the estimate but also to others who follow.
➢ Conditions that were assumed must be identified. Methods of construction equipment
spreads, and crews that were selected in the estimating process must be stated, if they
are not obvious.
➢ The estimate should be organized to be followed easily.
4. DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS
➢ A direct cost of an activity is physically traceable to the activity in an economic manner.
➢ A direct cost is one not counted if the activity is not performed. Indirect costs are
business costs other than direct costs of construction activities; they are not physically
traceable and are counted even if the activity is not performed.
➢ Indirect costs are also known as overhead
➢ Construction costs are classified as materials, labor, and equipment.
➢ Direct materials for concrete walls include ready-mix concrete delivered to the site and
placed in the forms, reinforcing steel fabricated off site and tied and placed in the forms,
and plywood and form ties from which the forms are constructed

5. VARIABLE AND FIXED COSTS

➢ Costs can be classified by whether they change as the volume produced changes.
➢ Volume or quantity of construction activity is measured in many ways, such as linear
feet (linear meters), square feet (square meters), or cubic yards (cubic meters)
produced, hours worked, units installed, and months rented.
➢ If a cost changes in proportion to a change in volume or quantity, it is variable.
➢ If a cost remains unchanged in total despite wide fluctuations in volume or quantity, it
is fixed. Most activities are a mixture of variable and fixed costs.

CONTINGENCIES
➢ An estimate is a prediction—an approximation—that provides information for
decisions and is a surrogate or substitute for actual measurement that is not economical
or possible.
➢ It is considered accurate if it is sufficiently close to actual performance that decisions
based on the estimate are the same as decisions based on actual performance, were
actual performance available.
 MEASUREMENT OF MASONRY WORKS:

➢ Masonry works are such as brick masonry, concrete block, stone or rubble masonry are
generally measured in volume, but are also measured in terms of area where the
thickness of masonry is limited to single brick or single block. Tiling is measured in
area.
➢ While measuring the quantities of masonry work, the wastage of materials such as
bricks, cement or sand is not taken into account.
➢ Also, the types and classes of bricks, blocks or tiles are not considering while
measuring the quantity of work. This is taken care in pricing of the different masonry
works.
➢ Each type of masonry works is measured separately into categories to calculate exact
cost of construction based on its price.

Rules for Measurement of Masonry Works:

Following are the general rules for measuring masonry works:

➢ Masonry is measured as “net in place” with deductions for openings such as doors,
windows, ventilation etc.
➢ Different shapes of masonry units are measured separately such rectangular, circular
etc.
➢ Masonry at different heights are measured separately because masonry at higher
elevation from ground may require scaffolding and hoisting.
➢ Masonry work is measured separately in the different categories such as:

a) Facings d) Furring to walls

b) Backing to facings e) Fire protection

c) Walls and partitions

➢ Masonry work which requires cleaning of surface are measured in area such as square
meter or square feet.
➢ Any special treatment to masonry surfaces are measured in area such as square feet
or square meter, with the count of number of coats applied.
➢ Any joints in masonry structure such as expansion joints or control joints are
measured in length such as meter or feet with description of type of joint. Also the
type of joint filler material for the joint used is indicated in description.
➢ For different types of mortar, or mortar with different types of admixtures are
measured separately. These are measured in volume such as cubic meter or cubic feet.
➢ If any reinforcement is used in masonry, then it is measured separately.
➢ Extra items in masonry construction such as anchor bolts, sleeves, brackets, and
similar items that are built into masonry are described in the measurement and
measured separately.
➢ Enumerate weep holes where they are required to be formed using plastic inserts and
such like.
➢ Measure rigid insulation to masonry work in square feet or square meters, describing
the type and thickness of material.

Measurement of Brick Masonry

For measurement of brick masonry, general rules specified above are used along with
following points:

1. Brick masonry is measured in volume for thickness more than single bricks. For
masonry with single bricks, it is measured in square meters.
2. Facing bricks are measured separately.
3. Different types or class of brick masonry are measured separately.

Measurement of Concrete Block Masonry

Concrete block masonry is measured as general rules described above along with
following points:

1. Different types of concrete block masonry such as type and size of concrete blocks are
measured separately.
2. Special units required at corners, jambs, heads, sills, and other similar locations are
measured separately.
3. Measure concrete to core fills and bond beams in cubic feet or cubic meters, stating the
strength and type of concrete to be used. These are measured separately for different
types of concrete block based on strength.
4. Measure in linear feet or meters reinforcing steel to core fills and bond beams, stating
the size and type of rebar to be used.

Deduction for Openings and Bearings in Masonry Works Measurements

No deduction is made for following:
➢ Opening each up to 1000sq cm 0.1 square meter
➢ Ends of beams, post, rafters, etc. up to 500 sq.cm or 0.05 sq.m in section.
➢ Bed plate, wall plate, bearing of balcony (chajja) and the like up to 10 cm depth.
bearing of floor and roof slabs are not deducted from masonry.
Deductions for Rectangular Opening:

➢ Full deduction is made for rectangular openings in masonry walls

➢ Deductions = L x H x thickness of wall

Deductions for Reinforced Concrete and Reinforced Brickwork:

➢ Reinforced concrete and reinforced brickwork may be in roof or floor slab, in beam
lintel, column, foundation etc and the quantities are calculated in cubic meter.
➢ Length, breadth and thickness are taken correctly from the plan, elevation and
section or from other detailed drawings.
➢ The quantities are calculated in cubic meter exclusive of steel reinforcement and its
bending but inclusive of centering and shuttering and fixing and binding
reinforcement in position.
➢ The reinforcement including its bending is taken up separately under steel work in
as per weight.
➢ For this purpose, 0.6% to 1% (usually 1%) of R.C.C. or reinforced brickwork by
volume may be taken for steel if other details are not available.
➢ The volume of steel is not required to deducted from R.C.C. or reinforced brick
work.
➢ Reinforced concrete and reinforced brickwork may also be estimated inclusive of
steel and centering and shuttering for the complete work, if specified.
➢ Centering and shuttering are usually included in the R.C.C or R.B. work but may
also be taken separately as per square meter of surface in contact with concrete.

Measurement of Ground floor:

The base line concrete and floor finishing of cement concrete or stone or marble or
mosaic etc. are usually taken as one job or one item and the quantity is calculated in
square meter multiplying the length by the breadth.

The length and breadth are measured as inside dimensions from wall to wall of
superstructure. both the work of base concrete and floor finishing are paid under one
item.

Measurement of Plastering:

Plastering usually 12mm thick is calculated in square meter. for wall the measurement
is taken for whole face of the wall for both side as solid, and deducting for opening are
made in following manner.

(1) No deduction is made for the end of beams, posts, rafters etc.
(2) For small opening up to 0.5 square meter no deduction is made, and at the time no
additions are made for jambs, soffits and sills of these opening.

(3) For opening exceeding 0.5 square meter but not exceeding 3 square meter deduction
is made for one side and other face is allowed for jambs soffits and sills which are not
taken into account separately

(4) For opening above 3 square meter deduction is made for both faces of the opening
and the jambs, soffits and sills are into account and added.

Measurement of Wood Works:

Wooden beams, posts, wooden roof trusses, doorpost etc. come under this items and the
quantities are computed in cubic meter. The dimension of finished work shall be taken.

Measurement of Iron Works:

This computed weight in kg or quintal and the quantities are calculated correctly by
multiplying the weights per running meters by length. the weight per running meter can
be obtained from the steel section book. For steel joint the length is equal to the clear
span plus two bearing the bearing may take third forth thickness of wall or 20 to30 cm.

Measurement of White Wash or Color Washing or Distempering:

The quantities are computed in square meter and are usually same as for plastering. The
inside is usually white washed or distempered and this item will be same as for outside
plaster. These items need not be calculated separately but simply written as same as for
outside plaster and inside plaster.

ABSTRACT OF AN ESTIMATE /DETAILED ESTIMATE PROCEDURE

The preparations of detailed estimate consist of working out quantities of various items
of work and then determine the cost of each item. This is prepared in two stages.

i) Details of measurements and calculation of quantities:

The complete work is divided into various items of work such as earth work concreting,
brick work, R.C.C. Plastering etc., The details of measurements are taken from drawings
and entered in respective columns of prescribed proforma. The quantities are calculated
by multiplying the values that are in numbers column to Depth column as shown below:

DETAILS OF MEASUREMENTS FORM

II) ABSTRACT OF ESTIMATED COST:
The cost of each item of work is worked out from the quantities that already computed
in the details measurement form at workable rate. But the total cost is worked out in the
prescribed form is known as abstract of estimated form. 4%of estimated Cost is allowed
for Petty Supervision, contingencies and unforeseen items.

Abstract of Estimate Form

The detailed estimate should be accompanied with:
i)Report iv) Design charts and calculations

ii) Specification v) Standard schedule of rates.

iii) Drawings (plans, elevation, sections)

Factors to be considered while Preparing Detailed Estimate:

i) Quantity and transportation of materials: For bigger project, the requirement of
materials is more. Such bulk volume of materials will be purchased and transported
definitely at cheaper rate.

ii) Location of site: The site of work is selected, such that it should reduce damage or in
transit during loading, unloading, stocking of materials.

iii) Local labour charges: The skill, suitability and wages of local laboures are
considered while preparing the detailed estimate.

Data for detailed estimate:

The process of working out the cost or rate per unit of each item is called as Data. In
preparation of Data, the rates of materials and labour are obtained from current standard
scheduled of rates and while the quantities of materials and labour required for one unit
of item are taken from Standard Data Book (S.D.B).

Fixing of Rate per Unit of an Item:

The rate per unit of an item includes the following:

i) Quantity of materials & cost: The requirement of materials is taken strictly in

accordance with standard data book (S.D.B). The cost of these includes first cost,
freight, insurance and transportation charges.

ii) Cost of labour: The exact number of labourers required for unit of work and the
multiplied by the wages/ day to get of labour for unit item work.

iii) Cost of equipment (T&P): Some works need special type of equipment, tools and
plant. In such case, an amount of 1 to 2% of estimated cost is provided.

iv) Overhead charges: To meet expenses of office rent, depreciation of equipment

salaries of staff postage, lighting an amount of 4% of estimate cost is allocated.