Subject: Estimating & costing Department: Civil Engineering 2020

Semester 4th

 WHAT IS ESTIMATE?
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 on the drawings for the various items
required to complete the project and multiplied by unit cost of the item concerned. To prepare
an estimate, drawings consisting of the plan, the elevation and the section through important
points along with a detailed specification giving specific description of all workmanship,
properties and proportion of materials, are required.

 WHAT ARE THE PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING?

Estimate for a work or project is necessary mainly for the following purposes: -
a) To ascertain the necessary amount of money required by the owner to complete the
proposed work. For public construction work, estimates are required in order to obtain
administrative approval, allotment of funds and technical sanction.
b) To ascertain quantities of materials required in order to program their timely
procurement. To procure controlled materials, if any, like cement, steel, etc.; quantities of
such materials are worked out from the estimate of the work and attached with the
application for verification.
c) To calculate the number of different categories of workers those are to be employed to
complete the work within the scheduled time of completion.
d) To assess the requirements of tools, plants, and equipment required to complete the
work according to the programming.
e) To fix up the completion period from the volume of works involved in the estimate.
f) To draw up a construction schedule and program and also to arrange the funds required
accordingly.
g) To justify the investment from benefit cost ratio.
h) To invite tenders and prepare bills for payment.
i) An estimate for an existing property is required for valuation.

 SOME IMPORTANT TERMS:

1) Plot Area: The area which is surrounded by a boundary line (fencing) is called as Plot
Area. In simple words, the total area which belongs to you in a city or town is termed
as a Plot area. They are useful in identifying the plot of a particular individual.

2) Built Up area/Plinth Area: The total building area in plot area is referred as Built up
area. In simple, Area excluding empty space around the building is called Built up area
or Plinth area.
Built up Area = Carpet area+ Thickness of All walls + balcony

3) Setback area: The empty space around the building is called Setback area. The setback
area is decided by Municipal Authority. In India, we leave 4 ft from all the sides of the
building. The reason behind leaving setback area is to make ease for moving vehicles,

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 Subject: Estimating & costing Department: Civil Engineering 2020
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ventilation and during emergency purposes. However, set back area increases for High
rise building and may go up to several meters.
Setback area = Plot area – Built-up Area

4) Carpet area: Carpet Area is an area which is enclosed within walls. In simple words,
Area excluding walls in the built-up area is called as carpet area. It is a working area of
a building. Generally, carpet area is around 85-90% of built area.
Carpet Area = Built-up Area- Area of walls

5) Super Built-up Area: Super Built Up Area is the built up area plus proportionate area
of common areas such as the Swimming pools, Staircase, lobby, lifts, open verandahs
etc.
The term Super built up area is generally used in Real Estate (while buying property)
builders may add 20% of total cost of apartment to the super built-up area.

 DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESTIMATES:

There are different types of estimates and they are as follows: -

(1) Detail Estimate: This includes the detailed particulars for the quantities, rates and costs of
all the items involved for satisfactory completion of 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. This is the best and most accurate estimate that can be prepared.
A detailed estimate is accompanied by (a) Repot, (b) Specifications, (c) Detailed
drawings showing plans. Different sections, Key or Index plan, etc. (d) Design data and
calculations, (e) 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.

(2) Preliminary or approximate or rough Estimate: This is an approximate estimate to find

out an approximate cost in a short time and thus enables and 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 types
of works such as – (a) Plinth area or square-meter method, (b) Cubic rate or cubic meter
method, (c) Service unit or unit rate method, (d) Bay method, (e) Approximate quantities with
bill method, (f) Cost comparison method, (g) Cost from materials and labour.

(3) Quantity estimate 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.

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(4) Revised Estimate: A revised estimate is a detailed estimate for the revised quantities and
rates of items of works originally provided in the estimate without material deviations of
structural nature from the design originally approved for a project. It is accompanied with a
comparative statement abstract form showing the probable variations for quantity, rate and
amount for each item of work of the project as compared with the original side by side stating
the reasons of variations. A revised estimate is and for fresh technical sanction. It is required
to be prepared for the following reasons: -
 When a sanctioned estimate is likely to exceed by more than 5% either from the rates
being found insufficient or from any cause whatsoever except important structural
alterations;
 When the expenditure of work exceeds or is likely to exceed by more than 10% of the
administrative approval (for work more than Rs. 5 lakhs),
 When there are material deviations from the original proposal but not due to material
deviation of a structural nature;
 When it is found that the sanctioned estimate is more than the actual requirement.

(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 the development of a project. An estimate is then prepared to include all
such works. This is known as a supplementary estimate. The method of preparation of a
supplementary estimate is the same as that of a detailed estimate and it should be accompanied
by a full report of the circumstances which render its necessity. The abstract must show the
amount of the original estimate and the total of the sanction required including the
supplementary amount .

(6) Combination of Revised and Supplementary Estimate: -During execution of a project it

may be necessary to revise the original estimate due to increased volume of original proposed
work and at the same time sanction of supplementary works. For such a case a revised estimate
is prepared for the increased volume of original work and a detailed estimate for the
supplementary works not included in the original schedule. The amount of supplementary
estimate is added to the revised estimate, showing the amount separately. Thus the total amount
of the revised estimate includes the amount for supplementary works also .

(7) Revised Estimate and Supplementary Estimates:-In cases, where a substantial section
of a project costing not less than 5% of the total sanctioned cost of the project is abandoned or
where material deviations from the original proposals are expected to result in substantial
savings, the estimate is revised by the department and intimated to Engineer-In-Charge for
execution of the work. But, in cases where the saving is due to a material deviation of a
structural nature from the design originally approved supplementary estimate is prepared for a
revised technical sanction.

(8) Complete Estimate: This is an estimated cost of all items which are related to the work in
addition to the main contract or to the “detailed estimate”.
One may think that an estimate of a structure includes only the cost of land and the cost of the
main contracts or labour, materials and supervision. In addition, there are many other cost items
to be included. A picture of a complete estimate is diagrammatically shown below.

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first cost or actual cost of

land

first cost or actual cost of

land

Cost of land

first cost or actual cost of

land
Cost of legal expenses
required between the owner
and the contractor
defaulting taxes of land,
street improvement if any
Cost of main contract or
material, labour and
supervision
COMPLETE ESTIMATE cost for preparation of plan,
design, estimate and sanction
fee

Engineering fees

cost for supervision of works

Permit fee for water and

electricity during
construction

Contingency 5% of the work

for extra works

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(9) Annual Maintenance or Repair Estimate ( A.M. or A.R. Estimate):-After completion

of a work it is necessary to maintain the same for its proper function and for the same, an
estimate is prepared for the items which require renewal, replacement, repairs etc. in the form
of a detailed estimate.
For buildings, such items of work like white washing, colour washing and painting of
doors and windows etc., quantities are based on the previous measurements recorded in the
measurement book as ‘’stander measurement books.’’ For petty works such as replacement of
glass panes, repairs of floors, patch repairs to cement plaster to walls and changing of roof tiles
or similar nature of works whose repairs cannot be estimated in the beginning, only lump sum
provision is made for different items in the estimate. An idea of the amount to be provided is
taken from the actual figures of expenditure incurred the last year.
The total estimated cost of maintenance of a structure is generally kept within the
prescribed limits on percentage basis (variable according to the age and importance of the
structure) of the cost of the construction of the structure and its importance.

 FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED DURING PREPARATION OF A DETAILED

ESTIMATE:

(a) QUANTITY OF MATERIALS: For a large construction, a large quantity of materials is

required & this can be purchased at a rate cheaper than the rate of materials required for minor
work. Therefore, rate of works should be formed considering the valuation of work.

(b) AVAILABLITY OF MATERIALS: Estimated cost of a particular item is higher than the
scheduled rate if there is no assurance that the materials will be available as & when required,
and it is detrimental to the progress of the work if the works and maintenance staff remain ideal
for paucity of materials.

(b) TRANSPORTATION OF MATERIALS: If smaller quantities of materials are required

to be transported to a consider able distance the proportionate cost of transportation becomes
higher in comparison with the cost of a larger quantity transported at a time.

(b) PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS: If the site of work is located at an odd place for
which loading, unloading stacking and restacking of materials are necessary, several times, due
to different kinds of journey the possibility of damage or loss in transit should be considered
carefully.

(b) AVAILABLITY OF MANPOWER: Skill and daily wages of the local laborers should
be considered before preparation of a detailed estimate.

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Table below shows units of measurement of different items of work and materials with
the background of BIS: 1200

SI. Units of
Particulars of item Units of payment
No. measurement
1 Earthwork
a) Earthwork in excavation CU. M. Per CU. M.
Earthwork in filling in foundation
b) CU. M. Per CU. M.
trenches
c) Earthwork in filling in plinth CU. M. Per CU. M.
2 Concrete
a) Lime concrete in foundation CU. M. Per CU. M.
b) Cement concrete in lintels CU. M.
c) RCC in slab CU. M. Per CU. M.
Cement concrete or RCC in chajja,
d) CU. M. Per CU. M.
sunshade
Lean concrete in roof terracing
e) SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
(thickness specified)
f) Cement concrete bed CU. M. Per CU. M.
Reinforced concrete sunshade
g) CU. M. Per CU. M.
(specified width and height)
Damp proof course (DPC) –
3 SQ. M. Per SQM
thickness mentioned
4 Brick work
a) Brickwork in foundation CU. M. Per CU. M.
b) Thin partition walls SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
c) Brickwork in arches CU. M. Per SQ. M.
d) Reinforced brickwork CU. M. Per CU. M.
5 Stone work
Stone masonry CU. M. Per CU. M.
6 Wood work
Doors and windows frames or
a) CU. M. Per CU. M.
chaukhats , rafters , beams
Shutters of doors and windows
b) SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
(thickness specified)
Doors and windows fittings (like
Nos
c) hinges, tower bolts, sliding bolts, Per Nos
handles)
7 Steel work
Steel reinforcement bars etc. in RCC
Quintal Per Quintal
and reinforced brick work
Bending, binding of steel
Quintal Per Quintal
reinforcement
Rivets, bolts and nuts, anchor bolts,
Quintal Per Quintal
lewis bolts, holding down bolts

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SI. Units of
Particulars of item Units of payment
No. measurement

Iron hold fasts Nos. Per Nos

Iron railing (height and types
specified)
Iron grills SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
8 Roofing
RCC and RB slab roof (excluding
CU. M. Per CU. M.
steel)
Lean concrete roof over and
inclusive of tiles or brick or stone SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
slab etc (thickness specified)
Centering and shuttering formwork SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
AC sheet roofing SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
9 Plastering, points and finishing
Plastering – cement or lime mortar
SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
(thickness and proportion specified)
Pointing SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
White washing, colour washing,
cement washing, (number of coats SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
specified)
Distempering (number of coats
SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
specified)
Painting, varnishing (number of
SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
coats specified)
10 Flooring
25mm cement concrete over 75mm
lime concrete floor (including lean SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
concrete)
25mm or 40mm cement concrete
SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
floor
Doors and window sills (CC or
SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
cement mortar plain)
11 Rain water pipe / plain pipe RM Per RM
12 Steel wooden truss Each Per Each
13 Glass panels (supply) SQ. M. Per SQ. M.
14 Fixing of glass panels or cleaning Each Per Each

CU. M. = Cubic meter

SQ. M . = Square meter
RM = Running meter

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 WHAT IS DEGREE OF ACCURACY IN ESTIMATING?

The accuracy to be observed in preparing an estimate depends on the rate of the item and
the unit of payment. The higher the rates the greater should be the accuracy with which the
quantities are calculated. Where rates are high and paid per unit, dimensions should be
absolutely correct, though taking dimensions to the nearest 1cm to 5cm (½’’ to ¼’’) may be
allowed for practical purposes. The quantities in such cases should be worked out to at least
two places of decimal. But where rates are low and paid for % to % unit such extreme accuracy
is not required.
In the case of wall where masonry is paid per CU. M. a few cm added to or subtracted from
the length or height would but little affect the total content. But the width or thickness of the
wall, where every half cm or quarter cm affects the result considerably should be taken out
with great accuracy. The quantities may be computed to the nearest two places of decimal.
In general, dimensions should be measured to the nearest 1 cm, areas should be worked out
to the nearest 0. 01sq.m and cubic contents should be worked out to the nearest to 0.01 CU. M.
Thickness of slabs, partitions etc. and sectional dimensions of columns, pillars, beams, etc.
should be taken to the nearest half centimeter (.005m).

 METHOD OF ESTIMATE:

1) LONG WALL SHORT WALL METHOD.

In this method the longer walls in a building (generally in one direction) are considered as
long walls and measured from out-to-out and the shorter or partition walls, in a perpendicular
direction of the long walls, are considered as short walls are multiplied separately by the
breadth and height of the corresponding layer and are added to get the quantity. Such lengths
of long and short walls vary in every layer of footing.
To calculate the lengths of long and short walls determine first their Centre to Centre
lengths individually from the plan. Then the length of the long wall, out to out may be
calculated after adding half breadth of wall at each end to its Centre to Centre lengths. Thus
the length of the short wall measured in-to-in may be found out after subtraction of half breadth
at each end from its Centre to Centre length. The length of the long wall its length increases.

Procedure:

i) Prepare the foundation plan with all dimension. Centre-to-Centre dimensions are
taken out by adding half width each cross wall to inner dimension of room.
ii) Now divide the walls into two groups. In plan, walls in the horizontal direction are
called long wall and vertical direction walls are called Short walls & vice-versa.
iii) Measure the length of long wall for an item by using formula:
Length of Long wall for an item= length of long wall c/c + one width of an item
(Half width of each end).
iv) Measure the length of short wall for an item by using formula:
Length of short wall for an item = Length of short wall c/c – one width of an
item (Half width of each end).
v) Multiply no, length, width and depth/height to get quantity of an item.

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2) CENTRE LINE METHOD.

In Centre line method, the length of Centre line is calculated & it is used for calculating
the quantities of different items. In this method, the length will remain same for
excavation in foundation, for concrete in foundation, for all footings & superstructure.
This method is simple & rapid, but it needs special attention & consideration at the
junctions, meeting points of the cross or partition walls etc. This method is quite simple
for rectangular, circular & polygonal buildings having no inner or cross walls.

Procedure:

i) Prepare the foundation plan with all dimension. Centre-to-Centre dimensions

are taken out by adding half width each cross wall to inner dimension of room.
ii) Find the total length of Centre line of all walls.
iii) Calculate the number of junctions of cross walls wach should be noted that
corners of building where two walls meet are not taken in junction and if two
walls meet at same point take n=2 at the point.
iv) For an item calculation of length is done as below:
Length of an item = total Centre line length – n x (1/2 x width of item)
Where n = no. of junctions.
v) Multiply no, length, width and depth/height to get quantity of an item.

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ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN mm NOT TO SCALE.

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ITEM PARTICULARS NO LENGTH BREADTH HEIGHT QUANTITY REMARKS

NO (m) (m) (m) (m2/m3)
1 EARTH WORK IN LL=2000+100+100+2
EXCAVATION 00
1. LONG =2400mm
WALL 1 2.4 0.8 0.9 1.728m3 =2.4m
2. SHORT 0.8 LS=1000-400
WALL 2 0.6 0.9 0.864m3 =600mm
=0.6m
2 BRICK FLAT
SOALING
1. LONG
WALL 1 2.4 0.8 - 1.92m2 DO
2. SHORT
WALL 2 0.6 0.8 - 0.96m2
3 PLAIN CEMENT
CONCRETE
1. LONG DO
WALL 1 2.4 0.8 0.2 0.384m3
2. SHORT
WALL 2 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.192m3

4 1st CLASS BRICK

WORK FOR 600 LL=2000+100+100
THICK =2200mm
1. LONG =2.2m
WALL LS=1000-400
2. SHORT 1 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.396m3 =600mm
WALL =0.6m
2 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.216m3
st
5 1 CLASS BRICK
WORK FOR 500
THICK LL=2000+100
1. LONG =2100mm
WALL 1 2.1 0.5 0.3 0.315m3 2.1m
2. SHORT
WALL 2 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.18m3
1st CLASS BRICK DO
6 WORK FOR 500
THICK UPTO GL
TO PL

1. LONG 1 2.1 0.5 0.3 0.315m3

WALL
2. SHORT 2 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.18m3
WALL
7 1st CLASS BRICK LL=2000mm
WORK FOR =2m
SUPERSTRUCTUR
E
1. LONG LS= 1000-400
WALL 1 2 0.4 2.5 2 m3 =600mm
2. SHORT =0.6m
WALL 2 0.6 0.4 2.5 1.2 m3

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A MASONARY SURFACE DRAIN OF LENGTH 50m.

A MASONARY SURFACE DRAIN OF 50m

water level

PLASTERING
(300+100+150)
=550

CEMENT CONCRETE (1:2:4)

(1:4:8) P.C.C

ALL DIMENTIONS ARE IN mm & NOT TO SCALE

ITE DESCRIPTIO N LENGTH. BREATH HEIGHT QUENTITY EXPLANATOR

M N O. [L] (m) . [H] (m) Y NOTES
NO. [B] (m)

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1. EARTH 1 50 0.524 0.465 12.183m3 H=(20+75+150

WORK )
EXCAVATION =465mm
=0.465m

2. BRICK FLAT 1 50 0.524 - 26.2m2

SOLING

3. PLAIN 1 50 0.524 0.09 2.358m3

CEMENT
CONCRETE

4. BRICK WORK 2 50 - 0.3 30m2

FOR 100mm
THICK LAYER

AREA OF
CEMENT
5. CEMENT 1 50 AREA=0.0097m2 0.485m3 CONCRETE=(
CONCRETE 300X150)-
^/2?(150)2
=45000-35325
=9675
=0.0097m2

CEMENT B=
6. MORTAR 2 50 0.550 - 55m2 (150+100+300)
(1:4) 12mm =550mm
THICK LAYER =0.550m

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ESTIMATE OF A SINGLE LEAF WOODEN PANELLED

DOOR WITH FRAME

SINGLE LEAF PANNELED SHUTTER

ALL DIMENTIONS ARE IN mm & NOT TO SCALE

DETAIL OF THIS DRAWING AS ADOPTED

THE FRAME SIZE 125X75mm ,SHUTTER IS 37mm THICK .

TOP RAIL IS 100 MMX37 MM, BOTTOM RAIL IS 150 MMX37 MM, FRIEZE RAILIS 80 MMX 37MM

LOCK RAIL IS 150MMX37MM, STYLE ARE 100MMX37MM

INSERTION OF PANEL INTO RAIL OR STYLE IS 20mm,REBATE IN FRAMEIS 12 MM

PANEL THICKNESS IS 12mm.

ITEM DESCRIPTION NO. LENGTH BREATH THICK QUENTITY EXPLANATORY

NO. [m] [m] [m] NOTES

FRAME
a) POST 2 1.98 0.125 0.075 0.0371m3 L= 1950+30mm
=1980mm
1. =1.98m
b) HEAD 1 0.825 0.125 0.075 0.008m3

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SHUTTER L=(1950-
1)STYLE 2 1.887 0.1 0.037 0.014m3 75+12)mm
=1887mm
1.887m
2)RAIL

a)TOP RAIL 1 0.699 0.1 0.037 0.0026m3 L=825-(75X2)mm

=699mm
b)FREIZE 1 0.699 0.08 0.037 0.0021m3 =0.699m
2.
c)LOCK 1 0.699 0.15 0.037 0.0039m3 L=1950-75-100-
150-80-
d)BOTTOM 1 0.699 0.15 0.037 0.0039m3 150+(20X6)+12
=1527mm
3)SHUTTER =1.527m

a)PANEL 1 1.527 0.539 0.012 0.0099m3 B=825-(75X2)-

(100X2)+(2X12)
=539mm
=0.539m

TOTAL
QUANTITY 0.0675m3

FITTING’S
3. ITEMS
1 - - - 1No
1)TOWER BOLT
30cm LONG
2 - - - 2No
2) ALUMINIUM
HANDLE 1 - - - 1No

3)LEVER 3 - - - 3No
HANDLE
1 - - - 1No
4)HINGES
(10cm LONG) 4 - - - 4No

5)WOODEN
CLEAT 1 -

6)HINGE FOR 1
CLEAT

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