ESTIMATION AND

COSTING

METHODS OF
ESTIMATION
Prepared by
Assistant Professor
ESTIMATION
Estimation is the scientific way of working out the
approximate cost of an engineering project before
execution of the work.

 It may differ from the calculation of the exact cost

after completion of the project.

 Estimation requires a thorough Knowledge of the

construction procedures, 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 than
5 to 10 % from its approximate cost estimate.
UNITS OF
MEASUREMENTS
The units of measurements are mainly categorized for their nature, shape and size
and for making payments to the contractor.
a) Single units work like doors, windows etc, is expressed in
numbers.
b) Works consists linear measurements involve length like cornice,
fencing, hand rail etc., are expressed in running meters (RM)
c) Works consists areal surface measurements like plastering, white
washing, partitions of specified thickness etc., are expressed in square
meters.
d) Works consists cubical contents which involve volume like earth
work, cement concrete, Masonry etc., are expressed in Cubic meters.
NEED OF ESTIMATION & COSTING
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.

2. Requirements of controlled materials, such as cement and steel can be

estimated.

3. It is used for framing the tenders for the works and to check
contractor’s work during and after the its execution for the purpose of
making payments to the contractor.

4. From quantities of different items of work calculated in detailed

estimation, resources are allocated to different activities of the project
and ultimately their durations and whole planning and scheduling of
the project is carried out.
DATA REQUIRED TO PREPARE AN
ESTIMATE
1) DRAWINGS
If the drawings are not clear and without complete dimensions the
preparation of estimation become very difficult. So, it is very
essential before preparing an estimate.

2) SPECIFICATIONS
a) General Specifications:
This gives the nature, quality of work and materials in general terms to be
used in various parts of wok. It helps to form a general idea of
building.
 Detailed Specifications:
This gives the detailed description of the various items of work laying
down the Quantities and qualities of materials, their proportions, the
method of preparation workmanship and execution of work.
3) RATES
For preparing the estimate the unit rates of each item of work are
required.
1. For 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 labor, skilled or unskilled of masons, carpenters,
Amador, etc.,

LUMPSUM:
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.
Factors to be considered for estimation

1. Each type of work requires a different method of construction.

Construction may be of an ordinary house or office and it may
also be of a Dam, Tunnel, Multistory building, Airport, Bridge,
or a Road, already in operation. Each of these works requires
totally different construction techniques, type of machinery, and
formwork.
2. Quality of labour and labour output varies in different localities.

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

overall cost.
Factors to be considered for estimation (-ctd-)

4. Ground conditions vary and change the method of

construction. For example, excavation may be dry, wet, hard,
soft, shallow or deep requiring different efforts.

5. The source of availability of a sufficient supply of materials of

good quality.

6. The availability of construction machinery also affects the

method of construction.

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

temporary roads may be constructed.
TYPES OF ESTIMATES
There are two main types of estimates:-

 Rough (or) approximate estimate.

 Detailed estimate.
Rough (or) approximate estimate
 Preliminary or approximate estimate is required for studies of various aspects
of work of project and for its administrative approval.
 It can decide, in case of commercial projects, whether the net income earned
justifies the amount invested or not. The approximate estimate is prepared
from the practical knowledge and cost of similar works.
 The following are the methods used for preparation of approximate estimates.
 Plinth area method
 Cubical contents methods
 Unit base method.
1) Plinth area method
cost of construction = Plinth area x plinth area rate.
2) Cubical Contents Method
It is more accurate that the other two methods viz., plinth area method and unit base
method.
cost of construction = Total cubical contents x Local Cubic Rate.
 Unit Base Method
. For public buildings, cost. Per person (cost per capita) is used. For example,
Students hostel - cost per student
Hospital - Cost per bed
Hotel - Cost per Guest
 EXAMPLE 1
 Prepare a Rough-cost Estimate of a residential building project with a total
plinth area of all building of 1500 sq.m. given that:
  Plinth Area Rate = Rs: 950.00 / sq. ft.
 Extra for special architectural treatment = 1.5 % of the buiding cost.
 Extra for water supply and sanitary installations = 5 % of the building cost.
 Extra for internal installations = 14 % of the buiding cost
 Extra for Electric & Sui gas services = 16 % of buiding cost
 Contigencies 3 % overall
 Supervision charges = 8 % overall
 Design charges = 2 % overall
EXAMPLE 2
 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 buiding cost.
 Extra for water supply and sanitary installations = 6 % of the building
cost.
 Example 2 (ctd)

 Extra for internal installations = 14 % of the buiding cost

 Extra for electric services = 12.5 % of buiding cost
 Extra for sui gas services = 6 % of buiding cost
 Extra due to deep foundations at site = 1.0 % of buiding cost
 Contigencies = 2.5 % overall
 Supervision charges = 8 % overall
 Design charges = 2.5 % overall 
 DETAILED ESTIMATE
• Detailed estimates are prepared by carefully and separately
calculating the costs of various item 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 reportexplaining 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.
 METHODS OF DETAILED ESTIMATE
 The dimensions, length, breadth and height or depth are to be taken
out from the working drawings (plan, elevation and section).

 Junctions of walls, corners and the meeting points of walls require

special attention.

 For symmetrical footings, which is the usual case, earthwork in

excavation in foundations, foundation concrete, brickwork in
foundation and plinth, and brickwork in superstructure may be
estimated by either of the two methods:

(1) LONG WALL & SHORT WALL METHOD

(2) CENTER LINE METHOD
 LONG WALL & SHORT WALL METHOD (or)
SEPARATE WALL METHOD
• The walls running in one direction are termed as "long
walls” and the walls running in the transverse direction,
as "Short walls.

• Lengths of long walls are measured or found "Out-to

out" and those of short walls as "In-to-in".

• Different quantities are calculated by multiplying the

length by the breadth and the height of the wall.
 LONG WALL & SHORT WALL METHOD

• Long wall length out-to-out

= Center to center length + half breadth on one Side + half
breadth on other side.

= Center to center length + one breadth

• Short wall length in-to-in

= Center to Center length - one breadth.
CENTER LINE METHOD
 In this method, total length of center lines of walls, long and
short, has to be found out.

 In this method, the length will remain the same for excavation
in foundations, for concrete in foundations, for all footings,
and for superstructure (with slight difference when there are
cross walls or number of junctions).

 This method is quicker but requires special attention and

considerations at the junctions, meeting points of partition or
cross walls.
CENTER LINE METHOD

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 or footing is to
be deducted from the total center 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 center length.
Problem-1
Estimate in detail the quantities of following items of work for a given plan and
section as shown in Fig.1 using Centre line method and Long wall & short wall
method.
Concrete in foundation
Brickwork in 1st step in foundation
First class brickwork in super structures
Estimation of Quantity of Concrete
in Foundation
Center Line method:
Total Length of Center Line = 5.3+5.3+4.3+4.3 = 19.2 m

width of foundation = 0.9 m Total quantity of concrete in foundation =19.2x0.9x0.3 cu.m

Long Wall & Short Wall method:

Length of Long wall = 5.3+0.9 = 6.2 m Length of Short wall = 4.3-0.9 = 3.4 m
Quantity of concrete in foundation = 2 x (6.2+3.4) x 0.9 x 0.3 cu.m
 Estimation of Quantity of
Brickwork in 1st step Foundation
Center Line method:
Total Length of Center Line = 5.3+5.3+4.3+4.3 = 19.2 m
width of foundation = 0.6 m
Total quantity of brickwork in 1st step foundation = 19.2 x 0.9 x 0.3 cu.m
Long Wall & Short Wall method:

Length of Long wall = 5.3+0.6 = 5.9 m Length of Short wall = 4.3-0.6 = 3.7 m
Quantity of brickwork in 1st step foundation = 2 x (5.9+3.7) x 0.6 x 0.3 cu.m
 Estimation of Quantity of
Brickwork in super structure
Center Line method:
Total Length of Center Line = 5.3+5.3+4.3+4.3 = 19.2 m

width of wall = 0.3 m Total quantity of brickwork in wall = 19.2 x 3.5 x 0.3 cu.m
Long Wall & Short Wall method:

Length of Long wall = 5.3+0.3 = 5.6 m Length of Short wall = 4.3-0.3 = 4.0 m
Quantity of brickwork in wall = 2 x (5.6+4.0) x 0.3 x 3.5 cu.m
Problem-2
Estimate in detail the quantities of following items of work for a given plan and
section as shown in Fig.2 using Centre line method and Long wall & short wall
method.
Concrete in foundation
Brickwork in 1st step in foundation
First class brickwork in super structures
Estimation of Quantity of Concrete
in Foundation
Center Line method:
Total Length of Center Line = (4 x 5.3) +(3 x 4.3) = 34.1 – 0.9 = 33.2 m
width of foundation = 0.9 m
Total quantity of concrete in foundation =33.2 x 0.9 x 0.3 cu.m
Long Wall & Short Wall method:

Length of Long wall = 5.3+5.3+0.9 = 11.5 m Length of Short wall = 4.3-0.9 = 3.4 m
Quantity of concrete in foundation= [ (2x11.5) + (3X3.4) ] x 0.9 x 0.3 cu.m
References:

 Dutta, B.N., “Estimating and Costing in Civil Engineering”, UBS

Publishers & Distributors Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 2003.

 https://www.wikipedia.org/
 https://nptel.ac.in/course.php
 https://www.vidyarthiplus.com/studymaterials.php
THANK YOU