A) What is Quantity Surveying

Quantity Surveying means calculating the quantity of material

e.g. total volume of concrete .total weight of reinforcement bars

Total area finished.

B) What is Estimate?

Estimate is the method of working out the probable quantities of any work and then calculating
its cost. It is the process which is carried out before the construction begins.

C) What is the PURPOSE of estimate?

1) Estimate is used for inviting tenders for government or private contract work and to
arrange contract and to control the expenditure during the execution. it is used for
preparing schedule of Procurement of material

2) It is useful in preparation of bar chart and cash flow

3) It is useful for obtaining technical sanction of done work in government organization

4) It is useful in pre arrangement of labor, materials , and required resources for construction
work

5) The estimate gives an idea of the time required for the completion of the work.

6) Estimate is required to control the expenditure during the execution of work.

7) Estimate gives an idea of completion of work .

8) Estimate determines the feasibility of work.

D) Following factors affects the estimate

1) The nature of work

 2) Location of site

3) Transportation and availability of material

4) Local labor availability

5) Specifications of Item or description of item

E) Following Data is required for preparing detailed Estimate

1) Drawings (Detailed drawings of Plans, elevations and sections, working drawings)

2) Specifications: Detailed specifications about workmanship& properties of materials etc.

3) Rates: Standard schedule of rates of the current year.

The rates per unit of various items.

The wages of different categories of labor, skilled and unskilled as Mason , carpenter, Mazdoor .

The location of work and its distance from the source of materials and the cost of transportation should
be known.

Specifications

F) General Specifications

This gives the nature, quality, class and work and materials in general terms to be used in various
parts of wok. It helps no form a general idea of building.

Detailed Specifications

These 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.

F) Define Quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyor is a qualified person who takes out the quantities of building item and by referring a
District schedule rates of material of local DSR book , he prepares the Estimation of a Building .

G) What are the Qualities of quantity surveyor?

The quantity surveyor must be well versed with working drawings.

He should be able to read the drawings correctly and bill the quantities accurately

He should have a thorough knowledge of the construction procedure and the various items of work
involved in the execution and the different materials to be used in construction along with the
specifications of the Building items.

He should be able to prepare schedule to be priced by tenderer.

H) Duties of a Quantity Surveyor.

Preparing bill of quantities.

Preparing bills for part payments during the execution of work .

Preparing bill of adjustments in case of variations ordered during the execution of work .

Giving legal advice in case of court proceedings

A.1 ) Procedure of Preparing Estimate

1) Calculating the quantities of each item from drawings

2) Following Specification of items for deriving the rate of that item.

3) Preparing the abstract of estimate.

B ) Following Data is required for preparing detailed Estimate

1) Drawings (Detailed drawings of Plans, elevations and sections, working drawings)

2) Specifications: Detailed specifications about workmanship& properties of materials etc.

3) Rates: Standard schedule of rates of the current year.

The rates per unit of various items.

The wages of different categories of labor, skilled and unskilled as Mason , carpenter, Mazdoor .

The location of work and its distance from the source of materials and the cost of transportation should
be known.

C) What are Contingencies (Miscellaneous incidental expenses)

At the time of preparing estimate it is possible that a few items can be missed out or unnoticed. Which
cannot be classified under any sub-head or item, To make financial provisions for all such items and also
to provide increase in rate a 5% additional amount of the estimated cost is calculated.

For example, suppose there is an item in estimate for cement plastering 1:4 with neat cement finish, but
during execution, it is desired to provide nosing at the end of the steps. As there is no allocation of funds
for this small work, the cost of such work may be met up from the contingency fund.

Sometimes due to change of design or due to increased volume of work, and whose cost cannot be
covered from the contingency fund, a supplementary or revised estimate is submitted for its sanction
before taking up the work.

Provision for contingences 3% to 5% of the total estimated cost is made in the estimate. If there is saving
of this amount, it can be used for construction of extra items of work with the authority sanction and
can be used for expenses to minor design in work.

D ) Following are the accompaniments of Estimate

1) Report- brief history with reference to the proposal surveying, soil description, labor amenities, total
cost , return of revenue income ,roads and drains etc

2) General specifications

3) Detailed specifications

4) Detailed drawings , site plan , layout plan ,plans , sections, elevations,

5) RCC design – design of foundations , slab, lintel, beam , columns , etc

6) Schedule of rates or (Analysis of rates- if rates are not as per schedule of rates )

E) What is Prime cost

It is not always possible at the times of preparing estimate and entering the contract , to specify exactly
the types of articles required

E.g. water supply fittings, sanitary fittings, door and window fitting etc are to be decided during the time
of actual fitting according to the choice of owner or engineer in charge .for the execution of such items a
reasonable amount is kept in the estimate as prime cost .and same is also provided in bill of quantities
of contract .contractor is not allowed any profit on the prime cost articles , but he may be allowed actual
cost of carriage .the work of fixing is provided in the contract agreement.
F) What are Provisional Quantities

When the quantities of a particular item are not certain provisional quantities are provided separately
for such items. For this purpose the quantities are calculated from measurements of the drawings with
probable increase and are kept separately in the bill of quantities and marked as provisional .In the
tender and in the bill of quantities of contract the provisional quantities are shown separately and the
contractor have to quote rates for the provisional quantities but the payment of these items are made
on the completion of work as actually done on site .

E.g . If the nature of soil is uncertain , if extra depth of foundation is required than the quantities
calculated .then the probable extra depth are worked out separately and these items are paid after
completion of work.

G) Provisional sum

Provisional sum is the amount provided in the estimate and bill of quantities for some specialized work
to be done by specialist firm .the work like installation of lift , air conditioning etc. The amount is
provided as lump sum amount.

The items of work under provisional sum are,

Work which cannot be taken off accurately , or which requires site measurement are described as
provisional.

The service pipe connection with water mains , if the length of pipe and charges of local authorities are
not known , shall be provided provisional .

H) Departmental charges

When the engineering department takes up the work of other department a percentage amount of 10%
to 15% of the estimated cost is charged to meet the expense of establishment, designing , planning ,
supervision . These charges are also known as supervision charges of work.

I) Tools and plants

For big work or project a percentage of 1% to 1.5 % of the estimated cost is provided for the purchase of
tools and plants which will be required for the execution of the work.

J) Report

Estimate is accompanied with a report .

Report gives all information in brief of the whole work or project .Report should be such as to give clear
picture or idea of whole project or work .

report consists of

Brief history with reference to the proposal

object , necessity, utility and feasibility of the project with reasons.

Surveying,

nature of soil, topography of land , orientation.

General specifications and basis of design calculations

Arrangements for water supply sanitary works, electrical installation , Roads and drains.

Miscellaneous items as Labor amenities, Temporary accommodations for staff , material storage .etc.

Total cost and how to be financed

Return or revenue income if any

manner of execution

Rent statement

Time of execution

K) What is Extra Items of work.

Extra work is understood to fall outside the scope of the contract, i.e. work that wasn’t contemplated
and requires an extra payment on the side of the client. Additional work, on the other hand, is generally
understood to include work which is necessary to perform the contract. Extra work may arise in the
situation that a client asks to do something else as well, or to look into more detail into that other thing
too. All these questions add up and may ultimately result in significant costs afterwards.

As a supplier, it is wise to lay down a clear extra work procedure prior to the execution of the
agreement. This prevents dreadful invoices afterwards and discussions about what does and what
doesn’t amount to extra work. Also make it clear against what rates extra work is performed, which
usually is the hourly rate but may be a discounted rate too.

By documenting this extra work can turn out well for both parties. There is clarity about the fees to be
paid, but there may also be new arrangements for the delivery

M) Carpet area
Carpet means the useful or utilized space inside the room or tiled area except wall area

N) Plinth area

It is defined as a building measured at floor level or the built up plinth above ground. It is built up area
which includes wall area .

Complete set of estimate includes

Detailed estimate is prepared in standard forms and the complete set of estimate consists of

Title page giving name of the engineering department ,Division, District of Sub Division ,Estimate No,
Name of Work and amount of estimate .

Index Of Contents and Plan And Drawings

Report

Design Calculations

General Specifications

Detailed Specifications

Analysis of Rates , if required ( it is a determination of cost of each construction work per unit quantity
.this cost includes , the cost of material ,labours , machineries contractors profit and other
miscellaneous expenses required for particular work to be complete in unit quantity .. E.g cost of 1 cum
of M15 RCC work in slab .cost of 1 sqm plastering or painting work in sqm unit with 2 or 3 layers )

Details of measurements and calculations of quantities .

Abstract of estimated cost

General abstract of cost

Drawings –plans, elevations ,detailed drawings , site plan , working drawing set ,

At the end of the abstract of estimated cost or summary of estimated cost and signature of the assistant
engineer ,executive engineer , superintending engineer and on the back page head of account should be
given .

O) Work charged establishment

During the construction of a project, a certain number of work supervisors, watchmen, and
administrative staff is appointed on temporary or contract basis .Their salaries are paid from the amount
reserved for work charged establishment.

For work charged establishment a percentage of 1.5 to 2 % of the estimated cost is included in the
estimate.

P) Work Order

A work order means an order issued for a definite scope of work to be performed in building contract

Work order means an individually negotiated document that is executed by both parties and which
authorizes the project

Work order means a letter which may be issued in the way of letter containing detailed terms and
conditions of the work and such other particulars in a written format agreement which has a legal
binding from both the parties .

A variation prder may be in the form of a change order or extra work order .

Q) Overhead costs

They are categorized in

General overheads-office staff establishment , stationary, printing charges ,postages , travelling

expenses , telephone , rent and taxes

Job overheads

Salary of engineers , supervisors ,etc. repairs , carriage and depreciation of tools and plants , amenities
of labor ,workmen compensation , insurance , interest on investment , various types of losses.

10% is added as a overhead cost .

R) Lumpsum

Following are some of the lumpsum items in estimate

1) Water supply and sanitary arrangement

2) Electrical installations like, motor , meter .

3) Architectural Features
 4) Contingencies and unforeseen items

The actual cost should not exceed the lumpsum amount provided in estimate .

Measurement sheet format ( guidelines for entering measurement sheet )

Measurement sheet is used for calculating the quantities of building item

Name of work

Date

The details of measurement are taken out from drawings and entered in respective columns of length ,
breadth and height.

Total quantity is calculated by multiplying the values .

Item no Description of item no length Breadth/width Height / thickness Total quantity

unit

Abstract sheet format ( guidelines for entering Abstract sheet )

Abstract is made for calculating the cost of project

Item no description quantity Per unit Rate rate amount

Cost A

Add 5% contingencies

Cost B = 1.05 X Cost A Cost B

Add 2.0 % for work charge establishment

Cost C = 1.02 X cost B Cost C

Final Cost

A) Different types of estimate

1) Approximate estimate

a) Service unit method

b) Plinth area method

c) Cube rate method

d) Bay method

e) Building cost index method

f) Running meter method

2) Detailed estimate

a) Unit quantity method

b) Total quantity method

1) What is Approximate estimate

Approximate estimate can be defined as, an estimate that gives the approximate cost of the proposed
work and it is based on the experience of carrying out similar works in the past.

Approximate method gives a rough idea of how much funds are required for carrying out project, if
extra funds required for project, necessary arrangements of the fund can be done

Financial Feasibility of the project and return of investment can be find out /calculated.
Method of approximate estimate

a) Service unit method

structure hospital lodge school auditorium

Service unit bed bed students chairs

This method is used in road ways where the cost is estimated on KM unit and for sewage projects, water
supply it is estimated on population and for water tank the cost is calculated on per liter.

e.g: the cost of 15 bed lodge is 20,00,000 ( twenty lakhs ). What will be the cost of 30 bed lodge to be
constructed

30 x20,00,000/15=40,00,000( forty lakh)

b) Plinth area method

This estimate is prepared on the basis of plinth area of building.

The rate of unit plinth area is calculated from the cost of similar buildings which has same specifications

In case of multi storey buildings cost can be calculated floor wise

c) Cubic content method

In cubic method we have to take consideration the plinth area as well as the height of the building .in
this case the height of the building is measured from the floor level up to roof top in case of flat roof . In
case of sloping roof the height up to half way is taken for measurement .

H=h1+h/2
d) Bay method

• This method is used when there is repetitive type of work in construction.

• E.g. . Bridges , Arches , Portal frames , cycle stands , identical bays and unit are considered and
the cost of one such bay is worked out to finalize the approximate cost of the proposed building
.
 e) Building cost index method

In this method we consider the relative changes in the prices of specific items such as bricks , sand,
cement , coarse aggregate ,other building item , labor employed in a certain year with respect to the
respective prices of the same items in the past year , which is termed as a base year .

After selecting base year the building items whose prices are affected are decided with certain
weightages and building cost is calculated .

E.g. if the building cost index increases 1.3 , it means there is a increase by 30 % .

f) Running meter method

In this method, the project is divided in to two parts as sub structure and super structure and the cost
per running meter of the substructure and super structure is worked out and then this rate is utilized for
calculating the approximate cost of the proposed project.

What is detailed estimate (accurate estimate?)

1)It is an accurate estimate and consists of working out the quantities of each item of works, and
working the cost.

2)The dimensions length, breadth, height of each items are taken out correctly from drawing and
quantities of each item are calculated.

3)Once the quantities are worked out , the rates for various items are referred from the D.S.R ( District
Schedule Rate ) and the cost is calculated .

4)The measurements are referred from the working drawings of the building.

This estimate is essential for technical sanction.

• Types of detailed estimate

a) Unit quantity method

b) Total quantity method

1) Unit quantity method

For this method we require a record of unit quantity rates for a similar construction which is constructed
in same locality with same specifications of buildings .This method is mostly used for preliminary
estimate.

2) Total Quantity method

In this method the project is divided in to different components, and cost of each item is calculated
separately and then total cost id calculated by clubbing all building components

Measurement sheet format ( guidelines for entering measurement sheet )

Measurement sheet is used for calculating the quantities of building item

Name of work

Date

Item no Description of no length Breadth/width Height / Total quantity

item thickness

Abstract sheet format ( guidelines for entering Abstract sheet )

Abstract is made for calculating the cost of project

Item no description quantity unit rate

 Add 5% contingencies

Cost B = 1.05 X Cost A Cost B

Add 1% for work charge establishment

Cost C = 1.01X cost B Cost C

Final Cost

What is Revised estimate

1. When the original sanctioned amount exceeds by about 5%

2. When there is a drastic change in original plan

3. If there is change in specification or type of work e.g. proposed load bearing structure is proposed to
have a framed structure

4. When the expenditure of a work exceeds by about 10%

5. A comparative statement is prepared to highlight the change in original estimate.

What is Supplementary estimate

When there is addition, reduction or alteration in original estimate work a supplementary estimate is
prepared.

When there is a change in specifications of item e.g. change in the company of electrification
supplementary estimate is prepared.

The amount which is changed is shown separately in the abstract sheet.

A separate sanction is required for this amount.

What is Annual Maintenance Estimate and Repair estimate

To maintain the structure for annual repairs a sum of 1% to 1.5% of the total original cost of project is
provided .

In case of building it includes painting, minor repairs of the building , cleaning of water tanks is carried
out under maintenance .

In case of roads it includes repairing of pathway , cleaning of rainwater gutters is carried under annual
maintenance estimate

In case of irrigation cleaning of culverts , repairing of pumps, lift irrigation is carried out .

A special repair estimate is prepared if damage of building is more due to some biggest calamities.

Schedule of rates

It Is a list of rates of various items of works. It is in the form of a printed books known as a schedule of
rates .it is prepared by P.W.D
Rate per unit of various items , of works and materials , rates of wages of labor and rates of transport
are given in the schedule of rates .P.W.D maintain printed schedule of rate book for various items of the
work and estimate is prepared with these rates .these rates include material cost , labor cost ,
transportation cost , profit etc. .

The schedule of rate is prepared on basis of analysis of rates .usually transport of materials up to 8 km is
included in the rates .extra cost is considered of the material is not available within 8 km.

As the rates vary from year to year the rates are increased or decreased by a percentage on the
schedule of rates .

Bill of quantities

A schedule of quantities or bill of quantities is a document that contains description and /or
measurements of all items of work required to carry out a given construction project .

Bill of quantities is used for inviting tenders . The column of rate and amount is filled by the contractor .

E.g

Item no Description of quantity Rate rs Unit per Amount

items

1 excavation 35.71 cum

The rates and amount with totaled amount are compared and decision of the work is to be given is
finalized .
Stages of construction work

A) Pre-Construction

1) To Acquire Land or Plot.

2) To Seek Technical Help.

3) Prepare Estimation and Budgets.

4) Permission from Authorities.

Land survey: Survey of the land has to be carried out with the help of authorized land surveyor

Soil test report of the land.

Land documents.

Architecture/ elevation/ sectional drawings.

Structural report.

Architect Certificate of undertaking on Record and Certificate of the undertaking of Civil Engineer on
Record

5) Approach a contractor.

1) Site Preparation or Leveling

The construction site must be cleaned before the work is executed. This work involves the removal of
roots of trees, debris and leveling ground area.no high tension wire in your plot .soil data of plot.
Location of Drainage line on site . Level of your plot. Deciding location of underground water tank and
septic tank.

2) Setting out Centre Line or marking foundation plan

3) Excavation

The foundation of building ground is excavated with the help of excavating machines as per the building
dimension specified in drawings.

4) P.C.C

In this foundation trench, a layer of PCC (Plain cement concrete) is laid in the dug portion before placing
the reinforcements for the foundation.

4) Footing

After the PCC work foundation reinforcement work is started. The foundation bottom level must check
before concreting it. The remaining space between the foundation is filled with earth.

5) Column From Footing to Ground Level

6) Ground beam

7) External brick wall till 150 mm

8) Layer of DPC on external brick wall

9) External brick wall completed till plinth level

10) Plinth beam

11) Filling of murum .

12) Ramping the murum

13) Soiling

14) P.C.C

15) Column till ground floor slab lintel .

16) Loft

17) Ground floor slab with electrical conduits in slab

18) External brick work

19) Internal brick work

20) Fixing of door frames

21) Window Lintel and chajja

22) Fixing of window frames

23) External plaster

24) Internal plaster

25) flooring

26) plumbing

27) Waterproofing

28) Electrical points

29) Plumbing Fittings and fixtures

30) Painting
References

Prof. B.N.Dutta- Estimating and Costing in Civil Engineering.

Rangawala - Estimating Costing and Valuation.

A.P.Dongre- quantity surveying and costing