QUANTITY SURVEY AND

ESTIMATION - l
UNIT - l
 Introduction to Subject
 Purpose of Estimating
 Data for Estimate
 Accompaniments of an Estimate
 Qualities of an Estimator
 Spot Items
 Contingencies
 Prime cost & Provisional sums
 Provisional Quantities
 Extra items of work
 Different types of Estimates their uses and characteristics
 Schedule of Quantities.
 Schedule of Rates and its uses.
 Stages of work
 Complete Estimate of a project.
 Methods of taking out quantities.
 Measurement sheet
 Abstract sheet
 Bill of Quantities.
Introduction to subject

 Cost estimation is one of the most important aspects of Architectural practice

 The first step after the completion of the design process

 The client needs to allocate a budget for the particular project

 Thus he needs to get a fair idea regarding the cost of the project

 The cost of project varies on multiple factors

Introduction to subject
 Some of them include – Location of site , type of strata on site , specifications of the
materials used , client background etc.

 This subject has direct relation with other subjects like specification writing ,
professional practice , working drawing and Architectural design

 In todays era client expects an all inclusive service from an Architect in which quantity
surveying and cost estimation play a vital role

 Bill of quantities forms a very important part if the tender document

 A hardcore practical subject which has direct application in your practice

Purpose of Estimating

 To ascertain the necessary amount of money required by the owner to complete the
proposed work.
 To ascertain quantities of materials required in order to programme their timely
procurement.
 To calculate the no. of different categories of workers.
 To fix up the completion period of work.
 To invite Tenders & prepare bills for payment.
 For Valuation
Data required for Estimate
 Working Drawings with schedules of door , window etc

 Specifications of materials

 Current Market rates – Labor and Item rate

 Unit of measurement

 Soil investigation report

 Contour survey of site

 Special foundation drawings and its quantities

 Quantity of material required

Qualities of an Estimator

 Estimator has ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications

 Estimator should have good communication skills

 He should have knowledge of basic mathematics

 He should have patience

 Estimator should have good understandings of fields operations and procedure

 He should have ability to visualize three dimensional projects by looking at the drawing
Qualities of an Estimator

 He should have ability to interpret the risks and then neutralize as much as possible

 He should have good organizational ability

 So that he can communicate his estimate in logical and clear presentation to the client

 He should have ability to prepare construction schedule

 He should have ability to anticipate all construction steps in building projects

 He should have good understanding of labor productivity and equipment performance

 He should have ability to use the construction company’s job costing system
Qualities of an Estimator

 He should have ability to think alternate methods of construction

 Estimator should have ability to develop strategy for being successful in bidding and
negotiation phase of the project

 Estimator should have ability to meet deadlines and still remains calm

 He should have a solid load of ethics

 Estimator should have understanding of contractual relationship

Spot Items

 The term ‘spot items’ refers to items of existing buildings that require alteration
and repair

 In order for quantity surveyors to be able to price spot items, they need to be inspected
on site to gain an understanding of the extent of work that will be involved.

 A good working knowledge of the construction technology and methodology is required

to be able to write spot items, making it easy to visualize and price accurately.
Spot Items

 In a bill of quantities, the measurement unit will be stated as ‘Item’, although quantities
may be given if they are considered more appropriate.

 Items that have quantities are generally much easier for an estimator to price.

 Typically, spot items will be set out in progression from location to location in the
building, as this makes monitoring and estimating easier and clearer.
Contingencies

 Contingencies refer to costs, and are amounts that are held in reserve to deal with
unforeseen circumstances.

 Contingencies are an allowance to the risks associated with the project

 It is a plan than can be enacted to mitigate project risks, such as adverse weather, an
industrial dispute, supplier failure and so on.

 Contingencies are often expressed in terms of percentages, it may be 3% to 5% of the

estimated cost of work is provided in the total estimate.

 The percentage contingencies applied are at their greatest in the early stages of the
project when there are the greatest number of possible risks.
Prime cost and provisional sums

Prime Cost

 The Architect prepares a bill of quantities based on the specifications of items which
have been decided by discussion with the owner.

 However there are many items whose exact specifications cannot be decided at the
start of the project.

 For example many finishing items such as floor tiles, dado tiles, sanitary and plumbing
fittings etc.

 The owner takes the decisions on these items as the work reaches the finishing stage by
going through the choice of materials available at that time.
Prime cost and provisional sums

Prime cost

 The problem is how to get an estimate for these items at the start of the work?

 For such items the contractor is to mention the cost of the materials he has considered
in giving the estimate.

 This is called as the prime cost of the item.

 The prime cost serves as a basis for deciding the addition or deduction in cost due to the
materials selected by the owner.
Prime cost and provisional sums

Prime cost

Example : Item of work : Vitrified tile flooring 600 x 600

 Cost of tiles = Rs A
 Cost of labor = Rs B
 Profits = C
 Overheads = D
 The item rate contract for vitrified tiles is A+B+C+D
 Out of these, cost of tiles (A) is variable as it will depend on the selection of the tile
hence while giving the item rate the contractor will mention the cost of tiles assumed
(A)
 If the cost of the tile selected by the client is Z then
 Cost of item = Z+B+C+D, here the cost of installation has remained the same only the
cost of tile is variable
Prime cost and provisional sums

Provisional sums

 In some cases the item involves a specialist agency or vendor such as for example a lift
manufacturer or security system etc.

 In such as case the contractor will keep provision for tentative price of such items in the
quotation. This is called the 'Provisional Sum’.

 The contractor will take quotations for such items from the vendors after which the
owner can take a decision on the same.

 Example: Cost of installation of solar photovoltaic panels is assumed on the basis of

standard thumb rule and taken as part of the estimate and is mentioned as a provisional
sum.
Prime cost and provisional sums

Provisional sums

 At the time of execution of this item quotations from various vendors supplying the
solar panels will be taken and actual cost of the item will depend on the rate given by
the vendor.

 If the contractor is involved in the installation process or helps in coordinating the

execution of the item then he is entitled to claim coordination charges.

 If however the work is done without the involvement of the contractor he cannot claim
any charges for the same.

 The provisional sums are important to give the client a fair idea of the total cost of the
project.
Provisional quantities

 Where work can be described and given in items in accordance with the tabulated rules
of measurement

 But the quantity of work cannot be accurately determined, an estimate of the quantity shall
be given and identified as a ‘provisional quantity’

 Work items identified as a ‘provisional quantity’ shall be subject to re measurement when

they have been completed.

 The ‘approximate quantity’ shall be substituted by the ‘firm quantity’ measured, and the
total price for that item adjusted to reflect the change in quantity
Extra items of work

 “Extra work” is work that was “entirely independent of the contract and not contemplated
by the parties”.

 “Extra work” entitles the party performing it to extra compensation for the work
Types of Estimates and its characteristics

1) Preliminary Or Approximate Or Rough Estimate

 This is an approximate estimate to find out an approximate cost in a short time and

 Thus enables the authority concerned to consider the financial aspect of the scheme, for
according sanction to the same.

 The accuracy of cost estimated by approximate methods depends on the judgment,

skill, and experience of the estimator and upon the correctness of the prices used.

 During Preparation of the estimate detailed surveying, design, drawing, etc. are not
required.
 Purpose of an Approximate Estimate :-

1. To give a rough idea of the probable expenditure.

2. To save time & Money.

3. Administrative approval.

4. For Insurance & Tax Schedule.

5. Valuation and rent fixation

Types of Estimates and its characteristics

1) Preliminary Or Approximate Or Rough Estimate

 Such an estimate is framed after knowing the rate of similar works and from
practical knowledge in various ways for various types of works such as:

 Plinth area or square-meter method

 Cubic rate or cubic meter method
 Service unit or unit rate method
 Bay method
 Approximate quantities with bill method
 Cost comparison method
 The cost of materials and labor.
 Plinth area or square-meter method :-

The floor area of the proposed structure is worked out, and then multiplied by a suitable rate.
This rate of construction per square meter of floor area is worked out by dividing the known
cost of construction of a similar building by the floor area of that building.

There are some variations of this method:

1. One way is to add all the usable floor areas and exclude basement and roof (This method
is adopted by the tool provided below this article)
2. Another way is to use certain rate for each floor, including roof and basement
3. Use different rate for basement floor, other floors, and roof
4. Another way is to have the unit rate of the lower floor include basement and foundations
and that for the top floor include roof.
 Cubic rate or cubic meter method :-

This method is more accurate than the square meter of floor area method because the
depth of foundations and the height of the structure above the ground level are the additional
dimensions taken into consideration. The American Institute of Architects recommends
considering the actual cubic space enclosed within the outer surfaces of the outside walls
and contained between the outer surfaces of the roof and 15 cm below the finished surface
of the lowest floor.
By this method, the volume or cubic content of the proposed building is worked out
and multiplied by the rate per cubic volume of similar building in that locality
constructed recently.
 Service unit or unit rate method :-

Buildings are constructed to serve a specific purpose. For example hospitals are designed to
accommodate certain number of beds. Each bed is then considered a service unit. Hotels
are designed to accommodate certain number of guest rooms. each guest room is
considered a service unit. Same applies to offices, residential houses, etc. Whenever a
building is constructed the Engineer or the architect keeps the record of the place, actual
cost, number of service units, and the year of construction. From this record, it is possible to
work out the cost per service unit. This cost is then adjusted to account for inflation, and
peculiarities of the project under consideration. Then the adjusted cost per service unit is
simply multiplied by the number of service units in the proposed project to get an approximate
cost estimate.
 Bay method :-

This method is particularly suitable for buildings which consist of repetitive bays, such as a
garage, a workshop building. Detailed quantities are taken out of all the different items of
work involved in a typical bay and finding out the cost of such items using suitable rates.

 Approximate quantities with bill method :-

In this method, multiply the total length of the walls of a building in running meter by the cost
of construction per meter length of such a wall. The total length of the wall of a building is
worked out from the plan. Different sections of walls in a building are considered separately.
A section of a wall includes all items of works from foundation concrete to roofing. Thus the
cost of excavation, foundation concrete, brickwork, D.P.C., proportionate cost of flooring and
woodwork, R.C. roof, lime concrete on roof, parapet, plastering and finishing on walls etc.,
per meter length are accounted. The cost of a wall below and above the plinth level should be
kept separate.
 Cost comparison method:-

The approximate cost of the proposed structure is found out by modifying the known cost of
similar existing structure with due consideration to price fluctuation between the dates of
construction of the old and proposed structure.
This method gives the best results but it is only applicable to structures which are repetition of
similar works.
Types of Estimates and its characteristics

2) Detailed Estimate

 This includes the detailed particulars for the quantities, rates, and costs of all the items
involved for satisfactory completion of a 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.
Types of Estimates and its characteristics

2) Detailed Estimate

A detailed estimate is accompanied by

 Report
 Specifications
 Detailed drawings showing plans, different sections, Key or Index plan etc.
 Design data and calculations
 The 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.
Revised Estimate :-
A revised estimate is a detailed estimate for the revised quantities and rates
of items of work originally provided in the estimate without material deviation
of a structural nature.

A revised estimate is prepared for the following reasons:-

i) 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.

ii) When the expenditure of work exceed or likely to exceed by more than
10% of the administrative approval (for work more than Rs. 5 lakhs).

iii) When there are material deviations from the original proposal but not
due to material deviation of structural nature.
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.
Types of Estimates and its characteristics

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.
Schedule of Quantities

 A Schedule of Quantities comprises of a collection of Materials, Labour, Activities

and Durations

 It provides a simple means of adding a complete Activity to a Job Order in a single action.
Schedule of Rates and its uses

 SOR means Schedule of Rates.

 Normally for arriving at cost of building two basic things are required:
1) Quantity of each and every item of work
2) Prevailing market rates of each particular item.

 The quantities can be easily worked out by an engineer based on the drawings and
specifications.

 The rates would however, vary from place to place depending upon the rates of
construction materials, labour, working environment etc.

 Hence all government departments publish standard rates for all building items collectively
and all the estimates have to be worked out based on those rates only.

 It would thus be very easy to compare offers / quotes from different contractors.
Stages of work
 Site clearance
 Setting out of site
 Making arrangements for electricity , water connections , watchman's cabin, site office etc
 Substructure
a) Foundation work – PCC , DPC , Brick wall for foundation , backfilling of soil
b) Work up to plinth level – Murrum and rubble soling packing
 Superstructure
a) Work upto 1st slab level ….. Continued up to last slab , Casting RCC staircase
b) Construction of walls – Brickwork , Casting lintels , chajjas for windows , Door / window
frames
c) Waterproofing and laying water supply and drainage pipes
d) Installation of grills
e) Plaster – Internal and external
f) Painting – Internal and external
g) Flooring
h) Installation of railings , glass panels etc.
i) Compound wall , security system , water tanks , parking pavement , gas bank etc
Measurement sheet

 The quantities of various items involved in the structure are calculated using plan,
elevation and section of the structure.

 For calculating the quantity of various item of the structure, a Measurement sheet is
used.
Abstract sheet

 The cost under item of work calculated from the quantities already computed at
workable rate, and the total cost is worked out in a prescribed from known as abstract
sheet.
Bill of quantities

 The bill of quantities is a document prepared by the cost consultant that provides
project specific measured quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and
specifications in the tender documentation.

 Also commonly known as BOQ

 An important document in the tender document

 The contractors will fill in rates for items of work based on the quantities and
specifications mentioned in the BOQ

 The quantities may be measured in number, length, area, volume, weight or time.