Unit 2- estimation

By,
Ar.SHAKTHI K., M.ARCH
 ESTIMATION

• SYLLABUS

• Types & purpose. Approximate estimate of buildings. Bill of quality, 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.

• Costs associated with constructed facilities. Approaches to cost estimation. Type of

construction cost estimates.

• Cost Indices. Applications of cost indices to estimating. Estimate based on engineer's

list of quantities. Estimation of operating costs.
 ESTIMATION

• ESTIMATION - Definition
• An estimate is a computation or calculation of the quantities required and expenditure likely
to be incurred in the construction of a work.
• The factors which have complicated the process of estimating are as follows:
• 1. Advancement in technology

• 2. Bye-laws of the local body

• 3. Changes in the living standard of people

• 4. Demand for improved services & furnishing required

• 5. Help from financial institution

• 6. Labour & market conditions of building materials.

• 7. Multi-storied building in towns & cities & wide range of building materials.
ESTIMATION
 ESTIMATION

ESTIMATE & ESTIMATING

• In any construction activity the two basic things are involved.
• 1. Quantity Aspect
• 2. Quality Aspect

• The quantity aspect is governed by the study and analysis of drawings, prepared
with respect to the design of the project, which leads to the quantum of work which
helps to findout the qualities of various materials required and the total labour force
required.
• The quality aspect is governed through specification of materials and workmanship.

• An estimate is a forecast of its probable cost. The process of preparing an estimate

is known as estimating and includes:
• 1. Taking out quantities and
• 2. Abstracting
ACTUAL COST It is known at the completion of the work. The actual cost should not
differ much from the estimated cost worked out at the beginning.
 ESTIMATION
PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING
• 1. To ascertain the necessary amount of money required by the owner to complete
the proposed work. For public construction works, estimates are required in order to
obtain administrative approval, allotment of funds and technical sanction.
• 2. To ascertain quantities of materials required in order to programme 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.
• 3. To calculate the number of different categories of workers that are to be employed
to complete the work within the scheduled time of completion.
• 4. To assess the requirements of Tools, Plants and equipment required to complete
the wok according to the programme.
• 5. To fix up the completion period from the volume of works involved in the estimate.
• 6. To draw up a construction schedule and programme and also to arrange the funds
required according to the programming.
• 7. To justify the investment from benefit cost ratio.
• 8. To invite tenders and prepare bills for payment.
• 9. An estimate for an existing property is required for valuation.
 ESTIMATION
• TYPES OF ESTIMATES
• There are eight different types of estimate:
• I. Detailed estimate
• II. Approximate estimate
• III. Quantity estimate
• IV. Revised estimate
• V. Supplementary estimate
• VI. Revised estimate & Supplementary estimate due to reduction of cost
• VII. Complete estimate
VIII. Annual maintenance and repair estimate.

• There are two ways by which the estimate can be taken

• a. Separate individual wall method
• b. Centre line method
 ESTIMATION
• I. DETAILED ESTIMATE
• A detailed estimate provides schedule of all the possible items and an amount which
is very near to the final amount of the structure and the above is prepared for the
following two purpose.
• a. Execution process
• b. Obtaining technical sanction

• The whole project is subdivided into various stages, the stages broken up into
various items of work having same specifications and rates.
• The detailed estimate comprises the cost as follows:
• 1. Total cost of various items of work
• 2. Allowance of the contingencies to accommodate unforeseen expenditure on
missed items, variation in quality and or rate in different items.
• 3. Establishment charges for supervision.
• 4. Estimated amount for the service charges like water supply, drainage, sanitary
arrangement and electrical installation.
• 5. Miscellaneous expense, prime cost, provisional sum, etc.
 ESTIMATION
• I. DETAILED ESTIMATE
• The detailed estimate is comprised of:
• 1) General report
• 2) Specifications
• 3) Detailed drawings showing plans, elevation, sections, key plan, drainage layout, electrical
drawings, structural drawings, etc.
• 4) Design data and calculations and
• 5) Basic rates adopted in rate analysis, etc.
To prepare detailed estimate, the Unit-quantity method is adopted.

Second part of detailed estimate includes abstract of Estimated cost. This estimated
cost is increased by 5% for any unforeseen expenditure which is called
Contingencies. Other additional expenses like water charges, contractor
profit, insurance charges, purchase of tools and equipments for big projects,
etc are also calculated and added for arriving at final estimated cost.
 ESTIMATION
• ABSTRACT OF AN ESTIMATE
• The main functions of an abstract of an estimate:
• 1. The total estimated cost of the project is known.
• 2. The various items of the work are known.
• 3. Creates a part of the tender document.
• 4. It is the basis of which percentage tenders are called after excluding the amounts
of contingencies.
• 5. The bills of work done are also prepared on the basis of abstract of estimate.
• 6. Comparative cost of different items of works can also be known.
• 7. The nomenclature of item provides concise description of the nature of the work,
name of the materials & quantities, workmanship, period of curing, consideration of
land & lift, scaffolding, shuttering, dewatering operation including all transport, tools
and plants.
• 8. Generally items of estimate is arranged to the progress of construction work.

•
 ESTIMATION
• Sequence of items may be:
• 1. Earth work.
• 2. Brickwork or RCC work in foundation & plinth.
• 3. Damp-proof course.
• 4. Brickwork in superstructure.
• 5. RCC work in superstructure including centering & steel reinforcement.
6. Woodwork for doors, windows & ventilators.
• 7. Structural steel works & grill work.
• 8. Paving & floor finish
• 9. Plastering (internal, external & ceiling)
• 10. Terracing (weathering course and water proofing – flat tiles)
• 11. Painting & colour washing (Doors, windows, ventilators, grills and cemented
surfaces)
• 12. Water supply and sanitation
• 13. Electrification
• 14. Miscellaneous (Overhead tank, sump, elevation finishes, platform, septic tank,
compound wall gate, etc)

•
 ESTIMATION
• Important factors for detailed estimate:
• 1. Availability of local labour
• 2. Availability of materials
• 3. Location of site
• 4. Transportation of materials
• 5. Quantity of materials

•
 ESTIMATION
• Important factors for detailed estimate:
• 1. Availability of local labour
• 2. Availability of materials
• 3. Location of site
• 4. Transportation of materials
• 5. Quantity of materials

• II. APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE

• Normal to take approximate estimate in the beginning
• The reasons for this are:
• 1. Preliminary studies
• 2. Investment
• 3. Financial aspect
• 4. Tax schedule
• 5. Insurance

• Approximate estimate preparation consists of multiplying the numbers of items or

units in the proposed structure by the known cost of a similar item or unit in a similar
existing structure.
 ESTIMATION
• Examples 1: Prepare an approximate estimate of building project with total plinth area of
all building is 800 sqm. and from following data.
• i) Plinth area rate Rs. 4500 per sqm
• ii) Cost of water supply @7 %of cost of building.
• iii) Cost of Sanitary and Electrical installations each @ 7% of cost of building.
• iv) Cost of architectural features @1% of building cost.
• v) Cost of roads and lawns @5% of building cost.
• vi) Cost of P.S. And contingencies @4% of building cost.
• Determine the total cost of building project.
• Solution:
• Data given
• Plinth area = 800m2
• Plinth area rate = Rs. 4500 per Sq.m
• Cost of building = 800 x 4500 = Rs. 36,00,000=00
• Add the cost of the water supply charges @7% = ( 36,00,000 x 7.5 ) / 100
• = 270000
• Add the cost of sanitary and electrical installation @15% = ( 36,00,000 x 15 ) / 100
• = 540000
 ESTIMATION
• Examples 1Add the cost of Architectural features @ 1% = ( 36,00,000 x 1 ) / 100
• = 36000
• Add the Cost of roads and lawns @5% =( 36,00,000 x 5 ) / 100
• = 180000
• Add the Cost of P.S. and contingencies @4% = ( 36,00,000 x 4 ) / 100
• = 144000
• Total = 4770000
• Assume supervision charges of 8% on overall cost = (4770000 x8) / 100 = 381600
• Grand total = Rs 5151600 Lakhs
 ESTIMATION
• Example 2: Prepare the rough estimate for a proposed commercial complex for a
municipal corporation for the following data.
• Plinth Area = 500m2/floor
• Ht of each storey = 3.5m
• No. of storey's = G+2
• Cubical content rate = Rs. 1000/m3
• Provided for a following as a percentage of structured cost
• a) Water supply & Sanitary arrangement -8%
• b) Electrification -6%
• c) Fluctuation of rates - 5%
• d) Contractors profit - 10%
• e) Petty supervision & contingencies - 3%
• Sol :
• Cubical content = No. of storey's (Plinth Area x height of each storey)
• = 3(500x3.5) = 5250m3
• Structural cost = Cubical content x cubical content rate
• = 5250 x 1000 = 52.5 Lakhs
 ESTIMATION
• Example 2:
• Other provisions:
• a) Water supply & Sanitary arrangement = (52.5 x 8) / 100 = 4.2
• b) Electrification = (52.5 x 6) / 100 = 3.15
• c) Fluctuation of rates = (52.5 x 5) / 100 = 2.625
• Total = 9.975
• Structural cost = 52.5
• Total = 62.475
• d)Contractors profit = (62.475x 10) / 100 = 6.247
• e)Petty supervision & contingencies = (62.475x 3) / 100 = 1.874
• Grand total = Rs 70.596 Lakhs
 ESTIMATION
• It involves the following two operations:
• 1. Fix up the unit and count the number of such units in the proposed work.
• 2. Fix up the unit cost by studying the actual cost of similar existing structure
constructed in near past.

• The approximate cost of a building can be found by the use of any one of
following six methods:
• a. Unit area or Service Unit Method
• b. Plinth Area or Square Metre Method
• c. Cubic rate or Cubic Metre Method
• d. Typical-bay Method
• e. Approximate Quantities Method
• f. Empirical Equations for materials and manpower.
• A. UNIT RATE/ SERVICE-UNIT METHOD:
• Indicates most important unit in a structure
• School building - Classroom
• Watertank - Litre
• Apartment - Tenemant
• Stadium - Seat
• Prison - Cell
• Office building/Hotel - Room
• Approximate cost of structure = No. of service units in structure X Cost of
corresponding service unit in a similar existing structure
 ESTIMATION
• Example 1: Prepare an approximate estimate or rough cost estimate of a hospital building
for 50 beds. The cost of construction altogether for each bed is Rs. 60,000/. Determine the
total cost of hospital building.
• Solution:
• No. of beds = 50
• Cost of construction = Rs. 60,000/-
• Total Cost of Hospital building = 50x 60,000= Rs. 30,00,000/-

• Example 2: To prepare the rough cost estimate of a hostel building which accommodate
150 students. The cost of construction including all provisions is Rs. 15,000/- per student.
Determine total cost of building.
• Solution:
• No.of students= 150
• Cost of construction including all L.S. provisions = Rs. 15,000/-
• Total Cost of hostel building =150 x 15000
• = Rs. 22, 50,000/-
 ESTIMATION
• B. PLINTH AREA / SQUARE METRE METHOD:
• In this method the area of each floor in the proposed building is worked out
in square meters
• Approximate cost of proposed building = Total area of all floors X
Cost per Square Meter of a similar existing building
• Following factors affect the Approximate cost:
• 1. Shape of Building: Cost of square building is less than the rectangular building.
• Eg: 10mx10m=100sq.m, 20mx5m=100sq.m
• Hence, the perimeter of a square building is less and hence the cost is less.
• 2. Spacing of columns: The spacing of columns affects the floor system and is
considerably changed and this affects the cost of structural members.
• 3. Change of Price level
• 4. Ceiling Height
• 5. Type of construction
• 6. Large openings
• 7. Location of the building
• 8. Nature of soil
• 9. Numbers of floors
• 10. Use of buildings
• 11. Situation of buildings
 ESTIMATION
• C. CUBIC RATE/ CUBIC METRE METHOD:
• In this method the cost per cubic metre is used as a base for finding out the
approximate cost of the proposed building.
• Approximate cost of proposed building = Total Cubical contents of
proposed building X Cost per cubic metre of a similar existing
structure
• The floor area is taken and multiplied by the floor height to get the cubical
contents.
• D.TYPICAL BAY METHOD:
• It is useful in case of buildings which have several similar bays. A bay is a
space from centre to centre of two successive columns.
• A typical interior bay is selected and its total cost is worked out.
• Approximate cost of building = Number of bays in the proposed
building X cost of one bay.
• E. APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES METHOD:
• In this method, the wall foundations are measured in linear measurements i.e., in
running metres. The approximate quantities of items such as excavation, foundation,
concrete, brickwork upto plinth level and damp proof course are computed per
running length and with the help of rates of these items. Similarly, the super structure
is measured in running measurements and a suitable price per running metre is
built-up including brickwork inside and outside, finishing, wood work, etc.
 ESTIMATION
• F. EMPIRICAL EQUATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND MANPOWER:
• Following are the equations in which 'A' represents the plinth area of building
Sq.m.
• 1. Brick (% Nos) : 2.26A+66.8
• 2. Brick Bats (Cu.m) : 0.113A-0.83
• 3. Cement (Tonne) : 0.153A+0.57
• 4. Lime (quintal) : 0.145A-0.35
• 5. Steel (Kg) : 21.3A-314
• 6. Sand (Cu.m) : 0.47A-7
• 7. Blue metal - 40mm (Cu.m) : 0.145A+1.5
• 8. Grit - 20mm (Cu.m) : 0.176A-0.21
• 9. Timber frames & shutters (Cu.m) : 0.019A+0.23
• 10. Glass (Sq.m) : 0.064A+0.73
• 11. Primer (Lt) : 0.068A
• 12. Paint (Lt) : 0.108A+0.27
• 13. Mason in Nos. : 1.335A+28
• 14. Carpenter in Nos. : 1.184A-9
• 15. Blacksmith in Nos. : 0.269A-4
• 16. Mazdoor in Nos. : 4.769A+32
• 17. Painter in Nos : 0.089A
 ESTIMATION
• III. QUANTITY ESTIMATE
• It is a complete estimate showing quantities of all the items, required to complete
the project. The quantity of each individual item is worked out from the drawing
and it is then multiplied with the rate per unit for that item to find out the cost. In
this type of estimate only bills of quantities are prepared for all necessary items
and when they are priced, gives the complete estimate of the project.
• IV. REVISED ESTIMATE
• It is a detailed estimate for the revised quantities and rates of items of original
estimate. It is necessary due to the following reasons.
• 1. Sanctioned estimate likely to exceed more than 5%.
• 2. Expenditure of works exceed more than 10%.
• 3. Material deviations.
• 4. Sanctioned estimate is found more than the actual requirements.
• V. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE
• Some changes or additional works due to material deviation or a structural nature
from the originally approved design maybe thought necessary when the work is in
progress, for all such items a detailed estimate is prepared. It is to be attached
with a detailed report describing the reasons for new additional work.
 ESTIMATION
• VI. REVISED ESTIMATE AND SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES DUE TO REDUCTION
OF COST
• When a certain section of a project costing not less than 5% of the total
sanctioned cost of the project is abandoned or deviation results in savings the
estimate is revised.
• VII. COMPLETE ESTIMATE
• A complete estimate is prepared after adding an estimated cost of all items of the
project to the main detailed estimate. It includes the cost of the land, cost of legal
expenses required between the owner and the contractors, engineering fees,
architect’s fees, cost of supervision or works and a detailed estimate with
contingencies.
• VIII. ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ESTIMATE
• It is required to maintain the completed project for its proper function and
estimate is prepared for the same in the form of a detailed estimate. This includes
items of renewal, replacement, repairs, etc.
 ESTIMATION
• BILL OF QUANTITY (BoQ) & FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

• The bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as 'BoQ') is a document prepared

by the cost consultant (often a quantity surveyor) that provides project
quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in
the tender documentation. The quantities may be measured in number, length,
area, volume, weight or time. Preparing a bill of quantities requires the design
to be complete and specification has been prepared.
• The bill of quantities is issued to tenderers for them to prepare a price for
carrying out the works. The bill of quantities assists tenderers in the calculation
of construction costs for their tender, and, as it means all tendering contractors
will be pricing the same quantities (rather than taking-off quantities from the
drawings and specifications themselves), it also provides a fair and accurate
system for tendering.
• The contractor tenders against the bill of quantities, stating their price for each
item. This priced bill of quantities constitutes the tenderer's offer. As the offer is
built up of prescribed items, it is possible to compare both the overall price and
individual items directly with other tenderers' offers, allowing a detailed
assessment of which aspects of a tender may offer good or poor value. This
information can assist with tender negotiations.
 ESTIMATION
• BILL OF QUANTITY (BoQ) & FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED
• The priced bill of quantities will also:
•  Assist with the agreement of the contract sum with the successful tenderer.
•  Provide a schedule of rates assisting with the valuation of variations.
•  Provide a basis for the valuation of interim payments.
•  Provide a basis for the preparation of the final account.

• Standards for bills of quantities

• It is very important that bills of quantities are prepared according to a standard, widely
recognized methodology. This helps avoid any ambiguities or misunderstandings and
so helps avoid disputes arising through different interpretations of what has been
priced.
• Preparing bills of quantities
• Bills of quantities can be prepared elementally or in works packages, by a process of
'taking off' which involves identifying elements of construction works that can be
measured and priced. See Taking off for more information.
• Bills of quantities are most useful to the contractor when they are prepared in work
sections that reflect likely sub-contract packages. This makes it easier for the
contractor to obtain prices from sub-contractors and is more likely to result in an
accurate and competitive price.
 ESTIMATION
• The bill of quantities should identify the different kinds of work required, but should
not specify them as this can lead to confusion between information in the bill of
quantities and information in the specification itself.
• Disputes can occur where there is discrepancy between the bill of quantities and the
rest of the tender documents (for example where an item is included in the drawings
and specification but not in the bill of quantities), or where there has been an
arithmetical error. Generally the priced bill of quantities will take precedent, and the
client will be responsible for their own errors or omissions, which may be classified
as relevant events (or compensation events) giving rise to claims for an extension of
time and loss and expense. However if an ambiguity or error is noticed by the
contractor during the tender process, it is best practice for them to tell the client,
even if there may be some commercial advantage to them not doing so.
• Increasingly, software packages are available to assist in the preparation of
preparation of bills of quantities, and building information modelling systems can be
used to produce bills of quantities from information already contained within the
model.
• Bills of quantities are normally only prepared on larger projects. On smaller projects,
or for alteration work the contractor can be expected to measure their own quantities
from drawings and schedules of work. Schedules of work are 'without quantities'
instructional lists that allow the contractor to identify significant work and materials
that will be needed to complete the works and to calculate the quantities that will be
required.
 ESTIMATION
• Approximate bill of quantities
• An approximate bill of quantities (or notional bill of quantities) can be used on
projects where it is not possible to prepare a firm bill of quantities at the time of
tendering, for example if the design is relatively complete, but exact quantities are
not yet known. However this will tend to result in more variations during construction
and so less price certainty when the investment decision is made.
• Some contracts allows for re-measurement of approximate quantities (for example,
this is common on cut and fill on roadworks). Here, quantities are simply revised and
payments made accordingly without the need to instruct a variation.
• If an approximate quantity turns out not to have been a realistic estimate of the
quantity actually required, this may constitute a relevant event giving rise to claims
for an extension of time and loss and expense.
• Approximate bills of quantities can also be used during the design process as a tool
for controlling design. They are then sometimes included in the tender documents as
a guide with a caveat stating that responsibility for measuring quantities lies with the
contractor, and drawings and specifications take priority over any description in the
approximate bills
• IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT ESTIMATING
• 1. Before starting any estimate of building, road and bridge, it should be seen that
the plans are fully dimensioned, inner and outer dimensions should be checked
before starting the estimate to avoid complications later on.
• 2. The estimate should be drawn sub-head-wise, to avoid omission of any item.
• IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT ESTIMATING
• 3. The nomenclature of every item should be according to the sanctioned schedule
of rates to avoid claims of the contractors later on.
• 4. All items should be calculated in units, according to which the payment is to be
made (chapter on, units)
• 5. A detailed report according to the sub-heads should be attached. This should be
self-explanatory giving complete information.
• 6. Detailed drawings should be attached with every detailed estimate, with north
line on the plan.
• 7. Detailed specifications of every item should be attached so that the work should
be carried out accordingly & the specifications should be according to the latest
edition of the P.W.D. specifications.
• 8. In order to make the estimate a comprehensive one, provision of electric &
water supply should be made.
• 9. In the end of estimate, an abstract of cost giving cost of every sub-head and
total cost should be attached. A provision of contingencies & petty establishment
@ 5% should be added in the end of abstract of cost.
• 10. The rate per sq. meter should be worked out & it should be given in the end of
abstract of the building estimate. This helps in future reference.
• 11. In case of Road estimate, rate per Km. should also be worked out.
• 12. The road estimate should mention the special features of the alignment so
followed & also whether the soling is of bricks or of stone, should be mentioned in
the report of estimate.
• 13. In case of bridges & culverts, rate per meter (width) to be worked out.
• 14. Current applicable premium above C.S.R. should be added before finding out
the unit rate i.e., plinth or per km rate.
• RULES FOR MEASUREMENT
• Measurement of works occupies a very important place in the planning and execution
of any work or project, from the time of the first estimate are made until the
completion and settlement of payments. The methods followed for the measurement
are not uniform and the practices or prevalent differ considerably in between the
states. Even in the same state different departments follow different methods. For
convenience a uniform method should be followed throughout the country. The
uniform methods of measurement to be followed which is applicable to the
preparation of the estimates and bill of quantities and to the side measurement of
completed works have been described below.

• General Rules:
•  Measurement shall be item wise for the finished items of work and the description
of each items shall be held to include materials, transport, labor, fabrication, hoisting,
tools and plants, over hands and other incidental charges for finishing the work to the
required shape, size, design and specifications.
•  In booking dimensions the order shall be in the sequence of length, breadth and
height or depth or thickness.
•  All works shall be measured not subject to following tolerances unless otherwise
stated.
•  Dimensions shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 meter i.e. 1cm (1/ 211).
•  Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 sq.m (0.1 soft).
•  Cubic contents shall be worked up to the nearest 0.01 cum(0.1cuft)
• • Same type of work under different condition and nature shall be measured
separately under separate items.
• • The bill of quantities shall fully describe the materials proportions and work-man
ships and accurately represent the work to be executed. Work which by its nature
cannot be accurately taken off or which requires site measurements shall be
described as provisional.
• RULES FOR MEASUREMENT
• • In case of structural concrete, brick work or stone masonry, the work under the
following categories shall be measured separately and the heights shall be described.
•  From plinth level to first floor level.
•  From first level to second floor level and so on.
• • The parapet shall be measured with the corresponding items of the story next
below.
• • Principle of units: The units of different works depend on their nature, size and
shape. In general the units of different item of work are based on the following
principle.

• Mass, voluminous and thick works shall be taken in cubic unit or volume. The
measurement of length, breadth, and height or depth shall be taken to compute the
volume cubic contents (cum).
•  Shallow, thin and surface work shall be taken in separate units or in area. The
measurement of length and breadth or height shall be taken to compute the area
(sq.m).
•  Long and thin work shall be taken in linear or running unit and linear measurement
shall be taken (running meter).
•  Piece work, job work etc. taken in number
• ELEMENTS OF ESTIMATING
• 1. F.P.S System : Foot Pound System
• 2. The Metric System : For civil engineering works the units which are commonly used are:

• Metre(m) for length, Square metre(sq.m) for area, Cubic metre(cu.m) for volume, Kilogram
for Mass, Litre for Capacity.
• The unit of time is not used in estimating.
• THE UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND PAYMENTS
• THE UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND PAYMENTS
• THE UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND PAYMENTS
• THE UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND PAYMENTS
• THE UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND PAYMENTS

To prepare an estimate for a work the following data are necessary:

Drawings: The detailed drawings of plan, elevation and section, drawn to a scale
are necessary to take the details of measurements of various items of work.
Specifications:
The specifications gives the nature, quality and class of materials, their
proportion, method of execution and workmanship and the class of labor
required. The cost of the work varies with its specifications. The cement mortar
with 1:3 is more costly than cement mortar with 1:6.
• Rates:
• The rates for various items of work, the rates of various materials to be used in
construction, the wages of different categories of labor should be available for
preparing an estimate. The location of the work and its distance of source of
materials and cost of transport should be known. These rates may be obtained from
the Standard Schedule of Rates prepared by the engineering departments.
• Details of measurements and calculation of quantities:
• An abstract of estimated cost to prepare an accurate estimate, a detailed estimate of
quantities of various items of work and an abstract estimate of the quantities and their
unit rates are required.
• METHODS OF ESTIMATING
• There are two steps in estimating the cost of a building or a structure.
• 1. Taking out quantities and calculation of quantities in detailed estimate.
• 2. Determining the cost from the abstract estimate

• LONG WALL AND SHORT WALL METHOD:

• This method is also called as separate or individual wall method. This is simple and it
gives accurate values. The following procedure is adopted.
• 1. The dimensions of long wall and short wall should be taken separately.
• 2. Irrespective of its lengths, the wall which is taken first is long wall and the wall
which is taken next is the short wall.
• 3. The center line of the wall of the building is considered for determining the center
to center line length of long walls and short walls.
• 4. The center to center to center length of long walls or short walls is obtained by
adding half the width of the wall to the internal length of either long wall or short wall.
• 5. Centre to center length of long wall = internal length of long wall + ½ width of the wall.

• 6. Centre to center length of short wall = internal length of short wall + ½ width of the wall.
• 7. To determine the lengths of different quantities such as earthwork, c.c. bed in foundation,
R.R. Masonry etc., length of long wall = center 166 Construction Technology to center length
of long wall + width, the width is the respective width of the item in consideration.
• 8. Similarly length of the short wall = center to center length of the short wall – width, where
the width is the respective width of the item such as earthwork, c.c. bed etc.
• CENTRE LINE METHOD:
• In the center line method, the sum of all the center line lengths of long walls and short walls
are added to get the total center line length. At the junctions of two walls, the length is present
in both of the walls. Hence half of the length of that width is to be subtracted from the total
center line length.
• Length = Total center line length – ½ width x number of junctions.

• c) Partly Centre Line And Partly Cross Wall Method

• This method is adopted when external (i.e., around the building) wall is of one thickness and
the internal walls having different thicknesses. In such cases, centre line method is applied to
external walls and long wall-short wall method is used to internal walls. This method suits for
different thicknesses walls and different level of foundations. Because of this reason, all
Engineering departments are practicing this method.
• Example: Take out detailed quantities of
• (i)Earthwork excavation
• (ii)Brickwork in foundation
• (iii)Brickwork in footings
• (iv)Brickwork in basement and
• (v)Brickwork in superstructure for a two roomed building
• shown in fig by
• (a) Individual wall method and (b) Centre line method
• Solution:
• (a) Long wall and short wall method (individual wall method)
• C/L Lengths of long walls = 0.15 + 3.00 + 4.00 + 0.15 = 7.6 m
• C/L Lengths of short walls =0.15 + 3.00 + 0.15 = 3.3 m
• Overall outer length of foundation trench for long walls = C/L Length of long wall +1 width of
foundation trench
• = 7.6 + 0.9 = 8.5 m
• Clear inner length of foundation trench for short walls = C/L Length of short wall - 1 width of
foundation trench
• = 3.3 - 0.9 = 2.4 m
• Out-to-out length of foundation trench for long walls = 8.5m
• In-to-in length of foundation trench for short walls = 2.4 m
(b) Centre line method:
C/L Length of main wall around = 2(7.6 + 3.3) = 21.8m
C/L Length of cross wall (1 number) = 3.3m
Length of foundation trench around = 21.8m
Length of foundation trench of cross wall
= 3.3 – 2 x 0.45 = 3.3 – 0.9 = 2.4 m
Similarly, Length of footing around = 21.8m
Length of I footing of cross wall = 3.3 – 0.4 = 2.9 m
Length of II footing of cross wall = 21.8m
Length of III footing of cross wall = 3.3 – 0.5 = 2.8 m
Length of basement around = 21.8m
Length of basement of cross wall = 3.3 – 0.4 = 2.9 m
Length of super structure around = 21.8m
Length of super structure of cross wall
= 3.3 – 0.3 = 3.0 m
(b) Centre line method:
(b) Centre line method:
• 7. MEASUREMENT OF BASIC MATERIALS LIKE BRICK, WOOD,
CONCRETE
• 7.1 Measurement of brick
• The brick work is measured in the unit of cu.m. The overall brick work
volume is worked out then the quantity of brick evaluated per m3 of
workout roughly.
• Volume of 1 brick =0.19x0.09x0.09 = 0.02m3
• No of brick require per m3 brick work =1/0.02 =500 Nos
• 7.2 Measurement of wood

• The wood for wooden work like doors and windows are measured in the
unit of cu.ft
• Length of the door = 4 ft
• Height of the door = 7 ft
• Width of the door = 1/10 ft
• So required wood for door is = length x height x width
• =7x4x1/10 =2.8 cu.ft wood are required.
• 7.3 Measurement of concrete
• To find concrete volume of requirement, multiply the width, length and
thickness of concreting area. So the concrete volume is derived m3. The
design mix based quality of ingredients may vary for each concrete.
• The formula for calculation of material for required volume of concrete.
• Vc =W/1000 + C/1000Sc + Fa/1000Sfa + Ca/1000Sca
• Where,
• Vc =Absolute volume of the fully compacted concrete.
• W =Mass of water.
• C = Mass of cement.
• Fa =Mass of fine aggregate.
• Ca =Mass of course aggregate.
• Sc, Sfa, Sca are the specific gravity of cement, fine aggregate and course
aggregate respectively
• Entrapped air 2%
Calculation of material for 1:1.5:3 concrete (M20) Assume the bulk density of material.
• Cement= 1500 kg/m3
• Sand = 1700 kg/m3
• Coarse aggregate= 1650 kg/m3
• Specific gravity of Cement =3.15
• Sand =2.6 ,Coarse aggregate= 2.6
• The percentage of entrapped air = Mix proportion 1:1.5:3
• Cement =1x1500= 1500
• Sand =1.5x1700= 2550
• Coarse aggregate= 3x1650= 4950
• The ratio of mass 1: 2550/1500: 4950/1500 = 1: 1.7: 3.3
• The water cement ratio =0.45
Calculation of material for 1:1.5:3 concrete (M20) Assume the bulk density of material.
• Absolute volume of concrete for 50kg of cement:
• Vc=((0.45x50)/(1000))+((1x50)/(1000x3.15))+((1.7x50)/(1000x2.6))+((3.3x50)/(1000x2.6)) =0.1345m3
• Per 50kg of cement 0.1345m3 concrete can be produced.
• So 1 m3 concrete have 2% entrapped air.
• Exact volume =0.98 m3
• The quantity of cement required =0.98/0.1345 =7.29 Bag of cement
• The weight of cement = 7.29x50 =364.5 kg
• The weight of fine aggregate = 1.5x364.5 =546.7 kg
• The weight of Course aggregate = 3x364.5 =1093.5 kg