PLINTH -The portion of a structure between the surface of the surrounding group and

surface of the floor, immediately above the ground.

PLINTH AREA -The built up covered area measured at the floor level of the basement or of
any storey.
COVERED AREA - Ground area covered immediately above the plinth level covered by the
building but does not include the spaces covered by; a) Garden, b) rockery, c) well and well
structures, d) plant nursery, e) swimming pool (if uncovered), f) platform around a tree, g)
tank, fountain, bench, h) CHABUTRA with open top and unenclosed on sides by walls and
the like
Purpose of Estimation
1) To know the approximate resources for proposed work.
2) To know the requirements of tools, plants and equipment.
3) To keep control over expenditure during construction.
4) To draw up a construction schedule and programme.
5) To fix up the completion period.
6) To know the value of property.
7) To obtain administrative approval and technical sanction.
8) To invite a tender.
Advantages of Project Estimation:-
● Detail out each step required to perform an operation. ● Allow the Comparison of similar
projects at different sites. ● Costs for totally new activities can be estimated without prior
activity data.
Different Types of Estimates
● Preliminary Estimate or Approximate Estimate ● Plinth Area Estimate ● Cube Rate
Estimate or Cubical Content Estimate ● Approximate Quantity Estimate ● Detailed Estimate
or Item Rate Estimate ● Revised Estimate ● Supplementary Estimate ● Annual Repair or
Maintenance Estimate
Preliminary or Approximate estimate
● This estimate is the estimate which helps in providing the INITIAL PROJECT COST. ●
The calculations for approximate estimate can be done with the following data. ● The data
can be had from a similar construction already completed in the nearby area, executed by
the department. ● For example: To calculate an approximate estimate for a Hospital, per bed
cost is calculated from the recently completed hospital and is multiplied with the number of
beds required.
Plinth Area Estimate
What is the plinth area?
It is the built up covered area measured at floor level of the basement or of any storey of
building.
How is it calculated?
The area is obtained by multiplying length and breadth (outer dimensions of building).
Plinth area Estimate Method:- The cost of construction is determined by multiplying plinth
area with plinth area rate.

Cube Rate Estimate This method is generally used for multi-storeyed buildings. It is more
accurate than the plinth area method. The cost of a structure is calculated approximately as
the total cubical contents (Volume of buildings) multiplied by Local Cubic Rate. The volume
of a building is obtained by Length X breadth X depth or height. (The length and breadth are
measured out to out of walls excluding the plinth of the set.) The cost of building = volume of
buildings X rate/ unit volume.
Approximate Quantity Estimate
In this method approximate total length of walls is found in running metre and this total
length multiplied by the rate per running metre of wall gives a fairly accurate cost.
How is it done?
For this method, the structure may be divided into two parts :- • Foundation including plinth •
Superstructure The running metre cost for the foundation and superstructure should be
calculated first and These running metre rates should be multiplied by the total length of
walls. Running metre rate for the foundation includes:- Approximate quantities of items such
as excavation, foundation, brickwork up to plinth and damp proof course are calculated and
multiplying by the rates of these items the price is determined. Similarly for superstructure
the price per running metre is determined from the approximate quantity of brickwork, wood
works, roof, floor etc.

Detailed Estimates
● Detailed estimates are prepared in accordance with the complete set of contract
documents consisting of drawings, specifications and all other technical documents and
requirements. ● It is important to accurately estimate in detail all the cost components of the
project before bidding. ● The material quantity take-off or the quantity of materials for an
item of work can be easily calculated by using the information from contract drawings and
specifications. ● The current unit price of materials can be obtained from the material
suppliers. ● In addition, the estimator has to add a certain percentage for wastage of
materials while calculating the material cost.

Revised Estimate
It is a detailed estimate and is required to be prepared under anyone of the following
circumstances:- •When the original sanctioned estimate is exceeded or likely to exceed by
more than •When the expenditure on a work exceeds or likely to exceed the amount of
administrative sanction by more than 10%> •When there are materials deviation from the
original proposal ,even though the cost may be met from the sanctioned amount.
The revised estimate should be accompanied by a comparative statement showing the
variation of each item of work, its quantity, rate and cost under original and revised,side by
side, the excess or saving and reasons for variation.

DATA REQUIRED TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE

1. Drawings - plans, elevations, sections etc.
2. Specifications - This gives the nature, quality, class and work and materials in general
terms to be used in various parts of work.
3. Schedule Rates – used for 1. Arriving at the unit rates of each item. 2. The rates of various
materials to be used in the construction. 3. The cost of transport materials.
4. The wages of labour, skilled or unskilled of masons, carpenters, Amador, Etc.,

LUMP SUM
While preparing an estimate, it is not possible to work out in detail in case of petty items.
Items other than civil engineering such items are called lump sum items or simply L.S.Items.
The following are some of L.S. Items in the estimate.
1. Water supply and sanitary arrangements.
2. Electrical installations like metre, motor, etc.,
3. Architectural features.
4. Contingencies and unforeseen items.
A bill of quantities (BOQ)
is a document created by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant that contains information on
the quantity of materials, labour, and their costs in a construction project. It generally includes
information such as the scope of work, the cost of labour, the materials utilised, the number of
workers employed, and so on. Contractors can use this information and data to quote rates
for their specific work. A Bill of Quantities ensures that the project runs smoothly and without
complications. After a construction, design has been completed and specifications have been
created, BOQs help in cost computation. It acts as an important link between stakeholders
consultants /engineers, and contractors.
Purposes of Bill of Quantities
● To make the tendering process more uniform. ● For establishing a method for valuing the
project that is both transparent and exact. ● To provide a thorough description of the work and
its rates, as well as the overall cost. ● To help quantity surveyors in ensuring that individual
contractors have filed valid tenders that comply with the specifications. Significance of Bill of
Quantities (BOQ) ● One of the most essential documents in the construction industry is the
bill of quantities. ● A Bill of Quantities offers a contractor a clear picture of the whole project
about which contractor has to work on it. ● BOQ gives a base to the clients for valuing,
comparing tenders, and comparing contracts. ● It's required for preparing the contractors' final
bill
Softwares
: 1. Excel 2. procore 3. Autodesk Construction Cloud 4. QS 5. CostX
Rate analysis The process of determining rate per unit of any work in Civil Engineering
project like earthwork, concrete work, brickwork, plastering, painting etc. is known as Analysis
of Rates or simply Rate Analysis. The rates of materials and labour vary from place to place
and hence the rates of different items of work also vary from place to place. The rates of
these works further help in determining cost of particular work and in turn cost of the project

Necessity of Rate Analysis To determine the actual cost per unit of the items. To work out
the economical use of materials and processes in completing the particulars item. To calculate
the cost of extra items which are not provided in the contract bond, but are to be executed as
per the directions of the department. To revise the schedule of rates due to increase in the
cost of material and labour or due to a change in technique.

Factors Deciding Rate

of Items The various factors that are involved in determining rate of any item, process or
work are mentioned below: Specifications of works and material about their quality,
proportion and constructional operation method. Quantity of materials and their costs. Cost
of labour and their wages. Location of site of work and the distances from source and
conveyance charges. Overhead and establishment charges Profit and miscellaneous
expenses of the contractor
Procedure of Rate Analysis
The analysis of rates is worked out for the unit payment of the particular item of work under
two heads: Materials and Labour. The cost of items of work = Material cost + Labour cost
Other costs included to the above cost of items of work are:
o Tools and Plants ( T & P ) = 2.5 to 3 % of the labour cost
o Transportation cost (if conveyance more than 8 km is considered.)
o Water charges = 1.5 to 2 % 0f total cost
o Contractor’s profit = 10 %
Material cost
The rate of various materials as per specifications for the items under consideration can be
chalked out from a market survey. The costs of materials are taken as delivered at site of
work. This is inclusive of: The first cost (cost at origin), Cost of transport, railway freight (if
any), etc. Local taxes and other charges.

Lead statement
The distance between the source of availability of material and construction site is known as
"Lead” and is expressed in Km. The cost of conveyance of material depends on lead. This
statement is required when a material is transported from a distant place, more than 8kms (5
miles). The lead statement will give the total cost of materials per unit item including first cost,
conveyance loading-unloading, stacking charges etc.
6.4.2. Labour cost
To obtain labour cost the number and wages of different categories of labourers, skilled
(Skilled 1st Class), semi-skilled (Skilled 2nd Class) and unskilled, required for each unit of
work should be known and this number is multiplied by the respective wage per day. The
labour charges can be obtained from the standard schedule of rates. 30% of the skilled labour
provided in the data may be taken as 1 st class, remaining 70% as 2nd class. The length of
time required to do a certain piece of the work may vary according to the skill and mental
development of the workmen and working conditions to the particular job.
a) Task or out-turn work
This is the quantity of work which can be done by an artisan or skilled labour (with the help of
semiskilled and unskilled labours) of the trade working for 8 hours a day. The outthe turn of
work per artisan varies according to the nature, size, height, situation, location etc. Out-turn is
more in larger cities, as the more specialised and experienced labourers are available, than
the small cities and countryside.

1.5.12. Actual cost:

The actual cost is the actual expenditure incurred in completing a work excluding profit but
including other incidental, establishment and travelling charges. The actual cost is the cost
incurred by the contractor to complete the project.

1.5.13. Capital Cost:

Capital cost is the actual amount incurred in completing a work. This includes expenditure
incurred in surveying, designing, planning, drawing, cost of material, equipment, laborers,
supervision, legal expenses, travel expenses, taxes, electricity and water charges,
contingencies and any other expenses related to the work but excluding profit.

1.5.14. Work value:

This is the total amount provided for all scheduled items of work in the estimate. Thus work
value is the estimated value for the work excluding the amount for contingencies. work
charged establishment, tools and plants etc. as per actual rate.
CENTRE LINE METHOD
◆ • In this method total Centre to Centre length of walls having the same type of foundation is
calculated. ◆ • Then find out the quantity by multiplying the total Centre to Centre length by
the respective breadth and the height. ◆ • In this method, the length will remain the same for
excavation,concrete in foundations,and for superstructure (with slight difference when there
are cross walls or number of junctions). ◆ ➔ This method requires special attention and
considerations at the junctions, meeting points of partition or cross walls. ➔ For rectangular,
circular polygonal (hexagonal, octagonal etc) buildings having no inter or cross walls, this
method is quite simple. ➔ For buildings having cross or partition walls, for every junction, half
breadth of the respective item is to be deducted from the total Centre length. ➔ Thus in the
case of a building with one partition wall or cross wall having two junctions, deduct one
breadth of the respective item of work from the total centre length. ➔ For buildings having
different types of walls, each set of walls shall have to be dealt separately. ➔ Find the total
centre length of all walls of one type and proceed in the same manner as described above.
Similarly find the total centre length of walls of second type and deal this separately, and so
on. ➔ Suppose the outer walls (main walls) are of A type and inner cross walls are of B type.
➔ Then all A type walls shall be taken jointly first, and then all B type walls shall be taken
together separately. ➔ In such cases, no deduction of any kind need be made for A type
walls, but when B type walls are taken, for each junction deduction of half breadth of A type
walls (main Walls) shall have to be made from the total centre length of B type walls.

Long Wall - Short Wall Method

➢ In this method, the wall along the length of the room is considered to be a long wall while
the wall perpendicular to the long wall is said to be a short wall. ➢ To get the length of a
longwall or shortwall, calculate first the centre line lengths of individual walls. ➢ Then the
length of the long wall (out to out) may be calculated after adding half breadth at each end to
its centre line length. ➢ Thus the length of a short wall is measured into and may be found by
deducting half breadth from its centre line length at each end. ➢ The length of the long wall
usually decreases from earth work to brick work in superstructure while the short wall
increases. These lengths are multiplied by breadth and depth to get quantities. ➢ At corners
of the building where two walls are meeting, no subtraction or addition is required.

Contingencies An amount added to an estimate to allow for items, conditions, or events for
which quantity can not be predicted in advance at the time of preparing the estimate.

Miscellaneous cost
a) Cost of equipment, Tools and Plants (T & P) The cost of equipment and ordinary tools and
plats and miscellaneous petty items (sundries) are added to the specific item rate as
lump-sum. A provision of 2.5 to 3 % of The labour cost is made for such items. In certain tools
and plants if it is difficult to allocate their use for a particular item of rate; then the cost of such
tools or plants may be allocated to the overhead expenditure. For big works and projects
where it becomes necessary to use special types of equipment like batching plants or WMM
plant or dumpers or cranes for transportation of concrete mix, provisions of an amount 1% to
1.5% of the estimated cost is provided in the estimate under the head “special tools and
plants”.
b) Water charges For drinking purpose of the workers and for the work, arrangement of
water is made sinking tube well; bore well or from temporary connection from municipality. For
this purpose a provision of 1.5 to 2 % of total cost (Material + Labour & Sundries) is made in
the estimate.
c) Over head charges Overhead charges include general office expenses, rents, taxes,
supervision and other cost which are indirect expenses on the job. Expenses for small tools
such as planks, ladders, ropes and other hand tools are also included in the over-head
charges. A provision of 2.5% to 5% is made in the rate analysis as overhead charge. Overhead
charges can be divided under two categories: General Overhead and job overhead.

General overhead:
These are the expanses made throughout the year irrespective of running works in hand.
These include:
o Establishment charge including rent of office space and taxes
o Salaries to office staff
o Purchase of stationary, Printing, postage etc.
o Electricity, telephone and water bills
o Travelling expenses

Job overhead: These are the expenses indirectly incurred for the job or the project. These
include:
o Salaries of personnel engaged for the work (Site engineers, Surveyors or site office staff)
o Rent of temporary site office space, electricity, telephone and water bills
o Handling of materials
o Repairs, carriage and depreciation of T & P.
o Labour welfare, safety measures and insurance etc.
o Interest on investment
o Theft and other losses.

1.6.2. Rules for measurement

The rules for measurement of each item are invariably described in IS- 1200. However some of
the general rules are listed below.
• Measurement shall be made for finished item of work and description of each item shall
include materials, transport, labor, fabrication tools and plant and all types of overheads for
finishing the work in required shape, size and specification.
In booking, the order shall be in sequence of length, breadth and height or thickness.

Estimation and Professional Practices

Same type of work under different conditions and nature shall be measured separately under
separate items.

All works shall be measured subject to the following tolerances.

o Linear measurement shall be measured to the nearest 0.01m.
o Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 sq.mr
o Cubic contents shall be worked-out to the nearest 0.01 cum

● In concreting works any opening more than 0.1 m² (for items measured by area)
or 0.1 m (for items measured by volume) are deducted in the quantity calculation.
● The bill of quantities shall fully describe the materials, proportions, workmanships and
accurately represent the work to be executed.
● In case of masonry (stone or brick) or structural concrete, the categories shall be
measured separately and the heights shall be describe.