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.
 ESTIMATE
An estimate of the cost of a construction
job is the probable cost of that job as
computed from plans and specifications.

 For a good estimate the, actual cost of the

proposed work after completion should not
differ by more then 5 to 10 % from its
approximate cost estimate, provided there
are no unusual, unforeseen circumstances.
 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, if 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 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.
 terminology
 Quantity Survey – It means
estimating of quantities of different
items of works.
 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.
 terminology
 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
 terminology
 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)
 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.
 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
 Terminology
 Contingencies – Indicates incidental
expenses of miscellaneous character which
cannot be classified under any distinct item.
(3% to 5% of the estimated cost is provided
to allow for contingencies)

 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)
 TYPES OF ESTIMATES

 There are two main types of estimates:-

1 = Rough cost estimate.
2 = Detailed estimate.

 Depending upon the purpose of estimate,

some types of detailed estimate are as
follows:-
a) Contractor's estimate

b) Engineer's estimate

c) Progress estimate
 I = Rough cost estimate

• Estimation of cost before construction from

plans or architectural drawings of the project
scheme, when even detailed or structural
design has not been carried out, is called
Rough cost estimate.

• These estimates are used for obtaining

Administrative Approval from the concerning
Authorities.

• Sometimes, on the basis of rough cost

estimates, a proposal may be dropped
altogether.
 Rough cost estimate (-ctd-)

• Unit cost is worked out for projects similar to the project

under consideration carried out recently in nearly the same
site conditions.

• Unit cost means cost of execution of a unit quantity of the

work.
 Rough cost estimate (-ctd-)
• To find rough cost of any project, this worked
average unit cost is multiplied with total quantity
of the present work in the same units.

• For example, in case of a building, plinth area (sq.

ft.) of the proposed building is worked out, which
is then multiplied by the cost per unit area (Rs.
/ft2) of similar building actually constructed in
the near past in nearly the same site conditions,
to find out the rough cost estimate of the
building.

• This cost is sometimes adjusted by the average

percentage rise in the cost of materials and
wages.
 Different types of estimates

1. Preliminary/Abstract/Rough Cost
Estimate
2. Plinth Area Estimate
3. Cube Rate or Cubical Content
Estimate
4. Appx. Quantity Method Estimate
 PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
Preliminary Estimate is prepared by various ways for
different structures as mentioned below :
Buildings

• Per Unit Basis – Per student for schools and hostels,

per class room for schools, per bed for hospitals, per
seat for cinema and theatre halls, per tenement for
residential buildings.
• Plinth area basis
• Cubic content basis
• Appx. Quantity method
Roads and Highways – Per km basis depending upon
nature of road, width and thickness of metalling.
Irrigation Channels

• Per km basis
• Per hectare basis (Area of land commanded)
 PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
(Ctd.)
 Bridges and Culverts – Per running
meter of span depending upon type of
structure, type and depth of
foundation.
 Sewerage and Water Supply Project
•Per head of population served
•Per hectare basis (Area covered)
 Over Head water Tank – Per liter or per
gallon of tank depending upon type of
structure and height of tank.
 Plinth area estimate (p.a.
estimate)
 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.
 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 storeyed 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.
 Approximate quantity method
estimate
 Structure divided into two parts
 (i) Foundation including plinth
 (ii) Superstructure
 Total length of walls is found out.
 To find running meter rate of foundation,
appx. quantities of various items are
calculated per running meter
 Similarly for superstructure appx. Quantities
of brickwork, roof, flooring etc is calculated
per running meter.
 Rough cost estimate
 The rough cost estimate may be prepared on the
following basis for different types of projects:

1. Cost per square foot of covered area (plinth area) is

the most commonly adopted criterion for preparing
rough cost estimate for most of the residential
buildings.

2. For public buildings, cost. Per person (cost per

capita) is used. For example,

Students hostel———————-—cost per student

Hospitals————————————Cost per bed

Hotel—————————————Cost per Guest

 Rough cost estimate (-ctd-)
3. Cost per cubic foot is particularly suitable for
commercial offices, shopping centers, and
factory buildings, etc.

4. For water tank/reservoir, cost may be worked out

on the basis of capacity in gallons of water stored.

5. For roads and railways, cost may be found out

per mile/kilometer of length.

6. For streets, cost may be per hundred feet/meters of

length.

7. In case of bridges, cost per foot/meter of clear span

may be calculated.
 DETAILED ESTIMATE

• Detailed estimates are prepared by carefully

and separately calculating in detail the costs of
various items of the work that constitute the
whole project from the detailed working
drawings after the design has been finalized.

• The mistakes, if any, in the rough cost estimate are

eliminated in the detailed estimate.

• Detailed estimates are submitted to the competent

authorities for obtaining technical sanction.
 DETAILED ESTIMATE

 The whole project is sub-divided into different

items of work or activities. The quantity for each
item is then calculated separately from the
drawings as accurately as possible. The procedure
is known as "taking out of quantities".

 The quantities for each item may be estimated

and shown in the pattern which is called "Bill of
quantities."

 The unit, in which each item of the wok is to be

calculated, should be according to the prevailing
practice as followed in various departments of the
country.
 BILL OF QUANTITIES
Description No Measurements Quantity Total Remarks
Sr. No
of item Quantity

Length Breadth Height

 PRICED BILL OF QUANTITIES

Sr. No. Description of Item Unit Quantity Rate Cost Remarks

 DETAILED ESTIMATE

 Each item of the work is then multiplied by its

estimated current rate calculated by a fixed procedure
to find out cost of the item.

 At the end, a total of all items of the work are made to

get the total estimated cost.

 The rates are usually as per Schedule of Rates for the

locality plus a premium to allow for rise in labor and
material rates over and above the schedule of rates.

 A percentage, usually 5% is also provided on the total

estimated cost for the work to allow for the possible
contingencies due to unforeseen items or expenditure
or other causes, besides 2% establishment charges.
 DETAILED ESTIMATE

 Besides drawings and details of measurements and

calculation of quantities (Bill of Quantities), the following
documents are also usually submitted with the detailed
estimate for obtaining Technical Sanction:

1. A report explaining History, necessity, scope and main

features of the project, its design, and estimate, etc.

2. Specifications lying down the nature and class of work

and material to be used in various parts of the work.

3. The abstract of cost (priced Bill of Quantities) showing

the total quantities under each sub-head, rate per unit of
measurement, and cost.

4. Calculation sheets showing calculations for important

parts of the structure. In fact, in estimating the art and
skill lies only in the computation of details without any
omissions, of all parts of the building or work.
 CLASSIFICATION DEPENDING UPON
PURPOSE OF DETAILED ESTIMATE
1- CONTRACTOR ESTIMATE
It is made by the contractor for determining
the price or prices to be bid.
It is usually a carefully prepared detailed
estimate.

2- ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE

This type of estimate is made by the Engineer

(Consultant) usually for the purposes of
financing the work and for checking bids and
running bills submitted by contractors.
 3- PROGRESS ESTIMATES
• These are made by the Engineer at
regular intervals for the completed parts
of the project during the progress of the
work for determining the amounts of
partial payments to be made to the
contractor.

• On large contracts, such estimates are

commonly made each month and, hence,
are frequently called monthly estimates.
 UNFORESEEN ITEMS IN DETAILED ESTIMATE
• While preparing a detailed estimate, one had to
be very careful to see that all items of the work
are incorporated.
• It is likely that a few Items, though
unimportant in nature, might have been
overlooked and which may result in raising the
estimate of the project.
• There may be also certain unforeseen
circumstances affecting the project.
• Hence, a certain allowance usually 5 to 10% of
the total cost, is made in the estimation which
will take care of all these items that are
unforeseen or are overlooked and are known as
"Contingencies".
DESCRIPTION AND UNITS OF
MEASUREMENT FOR
COMMON ITEMS
 1 = SITE CLEARANCE WORKS

• This item is described in detail but

the price of this item is usually
indicated as lump sum (LS).

• The cost of this item is provided in

the estimate by judgment, according
to the description of the item and is
indicated as Lump sum (L.S).
 2 = EXCAVATION FOR FOUNDATION TRENCHES

• Earthwork in excavation for foundation

trenches is calculated by taking the
dimensions of each trench as length X
breadth X depth.

• It is measured in cubic ft, cubic yard or

cubic meter, according to the prevailing
practice.

• The payment for this item is generally

done as Rs. per hundred cubic ft.
 FILLING IN TRENCHES
 Filling in trenches after the
construction of foundation
masonry is ordinary neglected. If
the trench filling is, also taken in
account, it may be calculated by
deducing the volume of masonry
in trenches from that of the
volume of excavation.
 3 = FOUNDATION CONCRETE (P.C.C.)
• The type of concrete must be clearly mentioned.
The mix proportions and the type of cement,
sand and coarse aggregate must be specified.

• This item is measured in cubic ft and the

unit for measurement is, generally Rs. per
100 cubic ft.

• When the soil is soft or weak, one layer of dry

bricks or stone soling is applied below the
foundation concrete. The soling layer is
computed in sq.ft (length X breadth), specifying
the thickness in description of item.
 4 = BRICKWORK IN FOUNDATION UP TO PLINTH

 Care must be taken, while taking dimensions

from the drawings in the bill of quantities
because the walls in this part of the structure
are in the form of steps with changing
dimensions.

 This item is calculated in cft and the unit for

payment is Rs. per 100 cft.

 In the description of work, the quality of bricks

and mortar ratio must be specified. For example,
"Brickwork in foundation and plinth using first
class bricks laid in (1:4) or (1:6) cement-sand
(c/s) mortar———————“
 5 = BRICKWORK IN SUPER STRUCTURE
Important considerations are:

a = Measurements of walls shall be taken in the

same order and in the same manner as for
brickwork in foundations and plinth.

b = In the first measurements, all openings

such as doors, windows, veranda openings etc.
shall be neglected. However, deductions shall
be made for all openings in the walls, at the
end of the item.
 BRICKWORK IN SUPER STRUCTURE (ctd)
c = In the description of the work, the quality
of bricks and mortar ratio have to be specified.

d = Masonry for arches shall be paid separately,

at a different rate.

e = The height of super structure is very

important. Generally the quantities are
worked out for each storey separately and
rates would be different for different storeis
because of additional labor work, scaffolding
and shuttering.

f = The item is worked out in cft and the

standard unit for payment is Rs. Per 100 cft.
 6 = DAMP PROOF COURSE (D.P.C.)
 Horizontal D.P.C. shall extend the full width of
the super structure walls, however, it shall not
be provided across doorways and veranda
openings. It is also provided in roof and floors.

 Vertical D.P.C. is provided in external walls,

especially, in the walls of basements.

 The quantity of D.P.C. is estimated in square ft.

(on area basis) and standard unit for payment
is Rs. per 100 sft.
 7 = ROOFING & RCC WORKS
 Area of the Roof slab is calculated by taking inside
dimensions of the room plus a bearing of the roof slab
on the walls, on all sides.

 For R.C.C. Roof slabs and beams, the total quantities

of concrete and steel are estimated, separately.

 The quantity of plain concrete is estimated in cft and

the standard unit for payment of concrete is Rs. per
100 cft.

 Volume of Reinforcing Steel is not deducted , while

estimating the volume of plain concrete for payment.

 c = R.C.C. lintels over wall openings such as doors

and windows are also included in R.C.C. work.
 ROOFING & RCC WORKS (ctd)
• Roof consisting of beams, battens, and tiles or wooden
planks is estimated for each part, separately.

Steel beam is estimated by weight, whereas, wooden

beam is measured in cft. Battens are estimated by
numbers indicating there size and lengths. Tiles are
also estimated by size and numbers.

• Roof finishing may consist of bitumen coating and/or

Polythene sheets (water proofing) , earth filling (heat
proofing) and brick tiles, etc.

Dimensions are taken from inner face to inner face of

parapet walls.

This item is estimated in sft and a composite rate for

payment is taken as Rs. per 100 sft of the roof area.
 8 = REINFORCEMENT STEEL /
GENERAL STEEL WORK
 Steel is provided separately from R.C.C.
per ton, per Kg, or per cwt (standard
weight also called Quintal or century
weight equal to 112 Ibs = 50Kg).

 Quantity of steel can either be worked out

by rules of thumb practice or by intensive
calculations taking the length and
diameter of steel bars from the working
drawings showing reinforcement details
and bar-bending schedules. In taking
length of bars, due margin of hooks,
bends and overlapping is given
REINFORCEMENT STEEL / GENERAL STEEL
WORK (-ctd-)

 As a Rule Of Thumb Practice,

for ordinary beams and slabs for residences,
assume 6.75 Ibs of steel per cft of R.C.C. work.
However, for R.C.C. columns, it varies from 8
to 10 Ibs per cft., because normally, we use
2% of steel in columns.

 Percentage of steel means, area of steel divided

by total area of the column multiplied by 100
and 1% of steel in columns corresponds to a
quantity of 4.5 Ibs/cft.
 9 = FLOORS
 Cement concrete floors. Mosaic floors, and brick
floors are most commonly used.

 Payments are made separately for different

layers, like, topping, lean concrete, sand filling,
earth filling, etc.

 Earth filling, sand filling and lean concrete are

paid by volume, whereas, topping is paid on
area basis, mentioning thickness in the
description.

 Standard unit for payment of topping is, usually,

Rs. per 100 sft.

 The skirting is estimated in running ft.

 10 = PLASTERING
 The type of plaster, proportioning of materials
and minimum thickness of plaster have to be
specified.

 The quantity is calculated for total wall surface

without deduction for openings such as doors
windows, ventilators, etc. However, if the wall is
being plastered on both the faces, the deductions
for opening areas are made from one side only.

 Standard unit for payment is Rs. per 100 sft.

 Height is also specified for plastering because, for

greater heights, labor cost increases. The rate
varies according to the number of the storey
 11 = WOODWORK/CARPENTRY
 The type of material used and the quantity of
finish required should be clearly indicated in the
description of the item.

 The rate for any type of woodwork includes

cutting of timber to required sizes, joinery
work, fittings and fastenings, three coats of oil
paints or varnish, bolts, locks, handles, etc.

 The measurements are taken for the overall

area of doors, windows, etc. If volume of
timber required for these items is to be finding
out, the computed area is multiplied with the
nominal thickness and an allowance of 25% is
made for wastage of timber.
WOODWORK/CARPENTRY (-ctd-)
 Rectangular wooden beams, vertical
columns, trusses, etc., are measured in
cft.

 Wooden stairs are measured in number

of steps and description of the item
includes the riser, tread, and width of the
steps.

 Wooden shelves are measured in running

ft (RFT).
 12 = PLUMBING WORK/SANITARY FITTINGS

 For water supply and drainage works in a

building, the pipe lines and sewer lines are
measured in RFT, while other items are
measured in numbers.

 These items include wash hand basins

(W.H.B.), kitchen basins (which may be of
glazed ceramic, mosaic, or stainless steel),
water closets (W.C., which may be of European
type, or local type), flushing tanks (also
known as flushing cisterns), shower rose, and
all type of water tapes.
 PLUMBING WORK/SANITARY FITTINGS (-ctd-)
 Within sewer lines, man holes or inspection chambers are
to be provided at every corner and also at a distance, not
exceeding every 50 ft inside the house and every 100 ft
outside the house.

 The size of man hole may be 2.5ft X 2,5ft for low depths
and 3ft X 3ft, 4ft X 4ft or 5ft X 5ft for deep depths.

 Drainage pipe lines outside the covered area but inside the
boundary wall are, usually, of R.C.C. with minimum
diameter 4 in, however, these are available in different
sizes.

 Inside the building, drainage pipe is, usually, of C.I. with

minimum diameter 3 in.

 Water supply pipes are, usually, G.I. pipes., estimated in

RFT in different dias.

 Other accessories, like sockets, elbows, tees, reducers,

unions, etc., are estimated in numbers.
 13 = ELECTRIC FITTINGS

• All the accessories used in electric

fittings are described in detail and
payment is done in numbers or RFT.

• All wires and pipes are taken in RFT

while other items are taken in No’s.
SOME COMMON RELATIONS
USED IN BUILDING
ESTIMATES
1- MORTARS

(a) Cement-Sand Mortars

120 cft dry yields 100 cft wet

(b) Lime-Sand Mortars

113 cft dry yields 100 cft wet

(C) Cement-Lime-Sand Mortars

112 cft dry yields 100 cft wet

(d) Dry mortar required for 100 sft of ½” thick cement

plaster =6 cft
2- CEMENT CONCRETE
154 cft dry yields 100 cft wet

3- BRICKWORK
(a) 100 cft Brick masonary Bricks ------------1350
Dry Mortar ------- 30 cft
Wet Mortar ------- 25 cft

(b) 100 sft surface area using bricks on bed

Bricks --------------360
Mortar ------------- 9 cft

(b) 100 sft surface area using bricks on edge

Bricks --------------540
Mortar ------------- 13 cft
 4- POINTING PER 1000 SFT AREA

Ingredient 1:1 1:2 1:3

Cement 8 cft 5 cft 3.8 cft
Sand 8 cft 10 cft 11.4 cft

5- EARTHWORK
Output of labor assuming one man working 8 hours per day with lift up to
5 ft or less

TYPE OF SOIL EXCAVATION PER DAY

Medium Soil 75 – 100 cft
Hard / Stiff Soil 50 – 75 cft
Rocky Soil 25 – 30 cft
6- BITUMEN

Bitumen for 100 sft of DPC (first coat) = 15 Kg

Bitumen for 100 sft of DPC (second = 10 Kg

coat)

7- CEMENT
1 Bag ------------- 50 Kg (Weight), 1.25 cft (Volume)

8- SPECIFIC WEIGHTS
RCC --------------- 150 lbs / cft

PCC --------------- 145 lbs / cft

Aggregate ------- 166 lbs / cft

 9- TIMBER

Timber for 100 sft of Panelled Doors and

Windows = 13 cft

Timber for 100 sft of Glazed windows and

Ventilators = 8 cft

10- WHITE WASH

Lime for 100 sft of white wash (one coat) = 1.00 Kg

 EXAMPLE

 Calculate the total rough cost

estimate and cost per Flat for a

multi-storey (4-storeyed) block

consisting of 40 residential flats.

Other details are given in the table:

Sr. No PORTION AREA UNIT COST (Rs./sq.ft.)
(sq. ft)
Building Sanitory Electric Sui Gas
Works Works Services Services

1 Main Flat Area

(i) Ground Floor 20030 1800 130 100 60

(ii) Ist Floor 20030 1500 130 100 60
(iii) 2nd Floor 20030 1650 130 100 60
(iv) 3rd Floor 20030 1800 130 100 60

2 Park Area at G. Floor 75,800 800 -------- 40 -------

3 Circulation Area in all 1936 1050 -------- 70 -------

4 floors

4 Covered Shopping 920 950 -------- 70 -------

Area at G. Floor

5 Attached Servant 2112 1150 55 70 40

Quarters
 Add the following costs as Lump Sum :
1- Road and Walkways = 15,00,000/-
2- Landscaping = 12,00,000/-
3- External Sewerage = 7,00,000/-
4- External Water Supply, Overhead and
Underground Water Tanks with pumping
machinery for each set of Flats = 19,00,000/-
5- External Electricity = 3,00,000/-
6- Boundary Wall = 6,00,000/-
7- Miscellaneous unforeseen items
= 8,00,000/-
8- Add 6 % development charges.
9- Add 3 % consultancy charges
 EXAMPLE 2
 Prepare a Rough-cost Estimate of a residential building
project with a total plinth area of all building of 1500 sq.
ft given that:
  plinth Area Rate = Rs: 950.00 / sq. ft.
 Extra for special architectural treatment = 1.5 % of the
building cost.
 Extra for water supply and sanitary installations = 5 %
of the building cost.
 Extra for internal installations = 14 % of the building
cost
 Extra for Electric & Sui gas services = 16 % of building
cost
 Contingencies 3 % overall
 Supervision charges = 8 % overall
 Design charges = 2 % overall
 EXAMPLE 3
 Prepare a Rough-cost Estimate based on unit costs
of per unit plinth area basis of a four storeyed
office building having a carpet area of 2000 sq.m.
for obtaining the administrative approval of the
Government. It may be assumed that 30 % of the
built up area will be taken by the corridors,
verandas, lavatories, staircase, etc. and 10 % of
built up area will be occupied by walls. The
following data is given:

 Plinth Area Rate = Rs: 1100.00 / sq. ft.

 Extra for special architectural treatment = 0.5 %
of the building cost.
 Extra for water supply and sanitary installations =
6 % of the building cost.
 Example 3
 Extra for internal installations = 14 % of the
building cost
 Extra for electric services = 12.5 % of building
cost
 Extra for sui gas services = 6 % of building cost
 Extra due to deep foundations at site = 1.0 % of
building cost
 Contingencies = 2.5 % overall
 Supervision charges = 8 % overall

Design charges = 2.5 % overall 
 Example 4
 Prepare a Rough-cost Estimate for obtaining the
administrative approval of the Government for a
hospital project to serve both indoor and outdoor
patients in an important rural area. The hospital will
consist of the following:
 Main administrative office with dispensing
operations, etc.
 Two general wards, each of 20 general beds.
 Superintendent Doctor’s Residence.
 Two Assistant Doctor’s Residences.
 Eight single Nurses Quarters.
 Four Compounder’s Quarters.
 Twelve lower staff’s Quarters.