ESTIMATION

• Estimation is the scientific way of working out the

approximate cost of an engineering project before
execution of the work.
It is totally different from calculation of the exact cost after
completion of the project.
Estimation requires a thorough Knowledge of the
construction procedures and cost of materials & labour in
addition to the skill , experience, foresight and good
judgment.
OBJECTUVES OF ESTIMATES
1. To know about the approximate cost of the building
Construction.
2. To calculate the tax of the building
3. To fix the rent of building
4. The know about the various items of works involved in the
building construction and arrange the available materials of the
construction.
5. To arrange the labours of the construction works.
6. Take the approval for the government projects.
7. To having the loan from the bank.
NEED FOR ESTIMATE
1. It help to work out the approximate cost of the project in
order to decide its feasibility with respect to the cost and to
ensure the financial resources, it the proposal is approved.

2. Requirements of controlled materials, such as cement and

steel can be estimated for making applications to the
controlling authorities.
3. It is used for framing the tenders for the works and to check
contractor’s work during and after the its execution for the
purpose of making payments to the contractor.

4. From quantities of different items of work calculated in

detailed estimation, resources are allocated to different
activities of the project and ultimately their durations and
whole planning and scheduling of the project is carried out.
DUTIES OF QUANTITY SURVEYOR
1. The quantity surveyor must be well versed with the drawing
of work.
2. He should be able to read the drawing correctly and bill the
quantities accurately.
3. He should have the knowledge of the construction procedure
4. He should be able to write the description of different works.
5. He should able to prepare the schedule of the project
6. He should be able to value all variations under the contract.
QUANTITY SURVEYOR
1. Taking Off Quantities
2. Squaring Dimension And Calculating
Of Quantity
3. Data (Calculation Of Rate Per Unit)
4. Abstract Estimate
5. Measurement Billing.
SITE CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE OVERALL COST
1. Each type of work requires a different method of construction.
Construction may be of an ordinary house or office and it may
also be of a Dam, Tunnel, Multistory building, Airport, Bridge,
or a Road, already in operation. Each of these works requires
totally different construction techniques, type of machinery, and
formwork.

2. Quality of labour and labour output varies in different

localities.

3. Weather conditions greatly affect the output and, hence, the

overall cost.

4. The availability of construction machinery also affects the

method of construction.
SITE CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE OVERALL COST
5. Ground conditions vary and change the method of
construction. For example, excavation may be dry, wet, hard,
soft, shallow or deep requiring different efforts.

6. The work may be in open ground such as fields or it may be

in congested areas such as near or on the public roads,
necessitating extensive watching, lightening, and controlling
efforts, etc.
7. The source of availability of a sufficient supply of materials
of good quality is also a factor.

8. Access to the site must be reasonable. If the access is poor,

temporary roads may be constructed
 TYPES OF ESTIMATE
The estimates may be divided in to the following categories:-
(1) Preliminary or Approximate estimate.
(2) Detailed estimate.
(3) Rough cost estimate based on cubic contents.
(4) Rough cost estimate based on plinth area.
(5) Annual repair estimate.
(6) Special repair estimate.
(7) Revised estimate
(8) Supplementary estimate.
(9)Complete estimate.
1. Preliminary or Approximate Estimate
This estimate is prepared to decide financial aspect, policy and to
give idea of the cost of the proposal to the competent sanctioning
authority. It should clearly show the necessity of the proposal and
how the cost has been arrived at .
The estimate which is prepared using any rough method to get
approximate cost of the construction anticipate in a project is
called approximate estimate.
The following documents should be attached with it.
(a) Detailed report
(b) Site plan of the proposal
(c) It should also clearly mention about the acquisition of
land, Provision of electric and water supply etc.
2. Detailed Estimate
• After getting Administrative approval on rough cost estimate,
detailed estimates are prepared.
•The estimate which provide the item wise quantities of works,
item wise unit rate and item wise expenditure in the project is
called detailed estimate.
•In this, the estimate is divided in to sub-heads and quantities of
various items are calculated individually.
• The detailed estimate shall also provide for the cost of
approach road, water supply, electric installations and
acquisition of land etc., so as to call it a comprehensive estimate.
3. Plinth area Estimate (Based on Rough Cost)
Plinth area of a building means Length x Breadth ( roofed portion
only ) excluding plinth offsets. The estimates are prepared on the
basis of plinth areas of the various buildings proposed to be
constructed. The rates are being arrived at the dividing the total
cost of construction with its plinth area.
The following documents are attached with the estimate.
(a) Line plan with brief specifications.
(b) Cost of various services added i.e. electric and water supply etc.
(c) North line should be shown clearly on line plan.
4. Cubic Contents Estimate
•The cubic contents of a building means plinth area x height of
the building. The height is taken from top of floor level to top of
roof.
•The cubic contents of the proposed building are multiplied with
cubic rates arrived at for the similar construction i.e. total cost of
construction divided by cubic contents = cost per cubic metre.
5. Annual maintenance estimate
Annual maintenance estimates are being prepared by the
concerned department for getting allocation of funds made in
the annual budgets.
In order to keep building and roads in perfect condition,
annual repairs should be carried out as follow:-
(i) In case of a building-white washing, oiling and painting of
doors and windows, cement plaster repairs (inside & outside),
repairs of floors etc. In no case this annual repair amount should
increase more that 1.5 % to 2% of the capital cost of the building.
(ii) In case of a road-filling patches, maintenance of berms etc.
6. Special repair estimate
If the work cannot be carried out of the annual repair funds due
to certain reasons resulting in the genuine increase in cost, then
special repairs estimate is to be prepared.
The reason of increase may be:-
(i) In case of a building-opening of new doors, change of floors,
plastering walls etc.
(ii) In case of roads-if the whole surface is full of corrugation &
patches, then the total surface is to be scarified. The old metal is
taken out, consolidation by adding more metal is done and top
surface is repainted.
7. Revised estimate
When the sanctioned estimate exceeds by 5% either due to the
rate being found insufficient or due to some other reasons, a fresh
estimate is prepared which is called a Revised Estimate. A
comparative statement on the last page of the estimate is attached
giving there in the reasons of the increase of cost in case of each
item.

8. Supplementary Estimate
This is fresh detailed estimate in addition to the original
sanctioned estimate prepared when additional works are deemed
necessary during the progress of a work to supplement the
original works. The abstract of cost should show the amount of
the original sanctioned estimate as well as the supplementary
amount of the original sanctioned estimate as well as the
supplementary amount for which sanction is required.
9. Complete estimate
The estimate which includes, in addition to the cost of
construction, the cost of land, the expenses towards
surveying, preparation of plans and estimates, legal
assistance, registration of documents, payment of taxes and
service charges , etc…. Is called complete estimate.
10. Sub estimate
Sub estimate are being prepared for each and every such
items in detail to ensure and see that the expense towards
these items do not exceed the corresponding provisions
already made in the original estimate.
 TERMINOLOGY
1. Contingencies – Indicates incidental expenses of
miscellaneous character which cannot be classified under any
distinct item. (3% to 5% of the estimated cost is provided total
low for contingencies)
2. Work-charged Establishment – Work-charged employees
are temporary staff whose services are terminated at the
expiry of sanctioned period but usually one month notice is
given. (1.5% to 2% of the estimated cost is added)
3. Tools and Plants – Normally contractor has to arrange tools
and plants. (1% to 1.5% of estimated cost is provided)
4. Centage charges or Departmental charges – Also known as
Supervision charges for works. To meet the expenses of
establishment, designing, planning, supervision etc. (10% to
15% of the estimated cost) . When engineering department
takes up work of other department.
5. Sub-Head items of work – Works like earthwork, concreten
work, brick work etc. Under each sub head there are different
items of work.
6. Sub-Work – Large project may consist of small buildings.
Detailed estimate of each sub-work is prepared separately.
7. Schedule of Rates – It is a list of rate of various items of works
maintained by engineering department under the name “ Schedule
of Rates Book ”. “Road Metal Rate Book ” is also maintained by
PWD.
8. Administrative Sanction/ Approval – It is the formal
acceptance by the department concerned of the proposal. After the
approval, design, estimates etc. are prepared and There after
execution of work.
9. Expenditure Sanction – It represents allotment of money to
meet the expenditure. It is usually accorded by Finance
Department.
10. Technical Sanction – It is the sanction of the detailed
estimate, design calculation, quantities of work etc. Technical
sanction is accorded by engineering department and execution
of work is carried out thereafter.
11. Quantity Survey – It means estimating of quantities of
different items of works.
12. Plinth Area – It is the built up covered area of a building
measured at floor level of any storey by taking external
dimensions of the building at the floor level.
13. Floor Area – It is obtained after deducting area of walls
from the plinth area of building. It should include: Door and
other openings Intermediate pillars and supports.
14.Circulation Area – It is the floor area of verandahs,
passages, corridors, balconies, staircases, lift etc. which are used
for movements of persons using the building. It is further
classified into Horizontal and Vertical .
15. Carpet Area – It is the useful area of the building. It is
determined after deducting :
•Circulation Area
•Sanitary Accommodations
•Kitchen, Pantry, Stores
•For office building approximate 60% to 75% of plinth area
•For residential buildings approximate 50% to 65% of plinth
area
16. Site Plan – Plan showing orientation of building,
boundaries of
land, position of roads, drains, sewer line, water pipelines and
adjoining plots of lands. North direction is also shown on one
corner of site plan)
17. Layout Plan – Plan showing proposed buildings,
structures etc. showing their locations, size and orientations.
Roads, drains, pipe lines , electric lines, parks etc are shown.
The boundary, main approach roads and adjoining areas are
also indicated.
18. Index Plan – Plan is usually drawn for Roads, Irrigation,
Water supply etc. It shows alignment with position of culverts,
main outline of whole work to give idea of the project
For big project it is drawn with much small scale and is known
as key plan