ESTIMATING AND COSTING(22503)

Chapter 3: Detailed Estimate

Detailed estimate is the procedure of calculation of quantities of items of
work for any structure or project.

Quantities of all items of work are calculated from their respective dimensions
on drawings and then entered on the measurement sheet. Multiplying these
quantities with their respective rates on a separate abstract sheet will give the
cost of all items of work. Other expenses required for satisfactory completion of
project are added to the above cost , and the total cost is calculated. This is
the most accurate method.

Such detailed estimates are made for administrative approvals, technical

sanctions, budget provisions and also for contract documents.
Purposes of detailed estimate:
• To know the quantities of items of work
• To know the materials required for each item of work
• To know the types of labour for each item of work
• To know the cost of each item
• To know the overall cost of the project
• To know the amount of finances required at every stage of the project
• To check the feasibility of the project
Data required for detailed estimate:
• Drawings: A detailed drawing showing plan elevation, sections, site plans etc.
• Specifications: These specify quality, quantity, proportion of materials, workmanship,
method of execution for all items of work. It is a guide for supervising the work as per
the owner’s specifications. The rates of items depend on specifications.
• Rates: The rates per unit of various items of work , cost of different materials, and
wages of all categories of labour are required for making detailed estimate. These may
be taken from PWD schedule of rates or may be worked out by Rate Analysis method.
• Updated mode of measurement: The units which are commonely used are: 1) For length
: metre, 2)For area : square metre, 3) For volume : cubic metre 4) For capacity : litre
etc. Standard deductions/ additions should be updated for accuracy
• Standing circulars of tax and Insurance: It is used to find rates if not in DSR.
Factors to be considered during preparation of detailed estimate:
• The nature of work: huge project/small project
• Quantity and availability of material
• Transportation of materials
• Location of site
• Local labour charges
Procedure for preparing Detailed Estimates:
Step 1: Divide the whole project in various items.
Step 2 : Divide the various items and group them under different sub heads
Step 3: Enter the quantities of each item in measurement sheets and calculate the
total quantities.
Step 4: After taking out the quantities, squaring of the dimensions is done. It means
the calculation of number, length, area and volume is entered in the measurement
sheet. The values are cross checked and the final value is rounded up.
Step 5 : The quantities computed and the rates are entered in the abstract sheet. 3
to 5 % of total cost is added as contingencies such as petty expenditure, unforeseen
expenditure etc. A percentage of 1.5 to 2% of total expenditure is added as work
charged establishment. The final total gives the total estimated cost.
 Methods of detailed estimate
1)Unit quantity method: The estimate can be prepared quickly and easily , but
it requires rates of unit quantities for similar structures in same locality with
similar specifications. While considering unit rates, we should also consider the
foll points:
1) Price level variations
2) Specification required
3) Location of site
4) Number of units in the structure
5) Soil conditions etc
This method is used for preparing preliminary estimates.
2) Total quantity method:
• In this method ,items are obtained by dividing the whole structure into
different components.
• Total quantities of various items are calculated with the help of detailed
drawings.
• The total quantity of each item is multiplied with the unit rate of that item.
• The unit rates of different items are obtained by doing rate analysis or by
referring to DSR.
• The total estimate is then obtained by adding the total cost of each item.
Long wall and short wall method for taking out quantities.
• In this method longer walls in building in one direction are considered as long wall and it is
measured out to out.

• Walls in perpendicular direction of long walls, are consider as short walls and measured in to in for
a particular layer of work.

• This is most practical method as it can be used under all circumstances.

• Following steps are involved in this method:

1) First the foundation plan showing centre line with all dimensions is prepared. Centre to centre
length is calculated by adding half width of each cross wall to inner dimensions of a room.
2) Group the walls as long walls and short walls and measure the length of walls using the equation:
Length of long wall = c/c length of long wall + width of item at that layer.
Length of short wall = c/c length of short wall - width of item at that layer.
• 3) Multiply number of walls, length, breadth and depth to get the quantity of item.

• This method is simple, quick and accurate. Method is also known as PWD method.

• At every layer from foundation to superstructure, length of long wall decreases gradually and length
of short wall increases.
Centre line method :
• Centre line method is used for calculating quantities of rectangular , circular and polygonal
buildings.
• This method is simple and quick.
• Calculations in this method are less and easy.
• Centre line method involves the following steps.
a)Prepare centre line plan at foundation from given drawing and write centre line lengths of each
wall.
b) Find the total length of centre lines having the same type of footing .
c) Calculate the number of junctions of cross walls. It may be noted that corners of buildings are
not taken as junctions.
d)If two walls meet at one point , then take n=2 at that point.
Calculation of length of an item = Total centre line length - n x (1/2 width of item)
Where n= number of junctions of cross walls with main walls .
d) For buildings having different type of walls , each set of walls should be taken separately.
e) Multiply number, length, breadth, depth to get the quantity of item.
Approximate percentage of steel required for various RCC members

RCC work is usually estimated under two items:

1) The concrete work including centering, shuttering and binding of steel bars
in position and the quantity is measured in cubic metre.
2) Steel reinforcement in mT or quintal. (1 quintal =100kg, 1Ton = 1000 kg)

Since the quantity of steel is small, no deduction is made from the volume of
concrete.
Binding wire is not taken seperately, but included in the item of RCC work.

If detailed drawings are not available, steel reinforcement is calculated

approximately on the basis of percentage of concrete. The density of steel is
taken as 7850 kg/m3.
Lintel,slab : 0.7 to 1 %
Beams : 1 to 2 %
Columns : 1 to 5 %
Foundation and footings : 0.5 to 0.8 %
Calculation of length of hooks and length of bars

Where D is the depth of beam – cover in mm

d is the diameter of bar in mm
BAR BENDING SCHEDULE

It is a list of reinforcement bars in a tabular form showing all its details.

Sr No Description Shape of Diameter of No of Total length of Weight in Weight of
bar bar in mm bars bar in mm Kg /m steel

Total Kg

Density = 7850 kg/m3

Weight of bar in kg/m = Area *7850kg/m3
Example : Weight of 12 mm bar = *7850 =0.887 kg/m
Advantages of bar bending schedules

1) It helps to convert the measured length of reinforcement in terms of

weight.
2) The requirement of different sizes of bars in terms of weight can be
known for procurement from the market.
3) It helps the bar bender to cut and bend the reinforcement accurately at
site.
4) It facilitates the site engineer to check the actual reinforcement placed
in structural members.
5) It helps in faster preparation and checking of bills.
 Important Definitions
• Provisional quantities: - When the quantities of particular items are uncertain due
to unavailability of data, provisional quantities of those items are entered in the
measurement sheet and these quantities are called provisional items and
corresponding quantities are called provisional quantities. Eg : Depth of
excavation, depth of footing, length of piles etc

• Tools and plants: - For big projects , 1 to 1.5 % of estimated cost is provided for
purchase of tools and plants required for execution of work. Usually contractor has
to use his own tools and plants.

• Contingencies: - It is the incidental expense of a miscellaneous character which

cannot be reasonably predicted during preparation of estimate and to meet such
unforeseen expenses an additional amount of 3% to 5% of the estimated cost of the
works is provided in the total estimate
• .

• Provisional sum: - Certain amount provided by experienced estimators in the estimated

cost of the project for some special type of work whose details are not known at the time
of preparing estimate is called provisional sum. Some special works are as follows:-
Shifting of water lines, Installation of air conditioner and its fittings etc.

• Day Work: - The term Day work is used to denote a procedure of costing or valuing an
item of work on the basis of actual labours and material required. Certain types of work
cannot be paid by measurement viz. special types of architectural works, dismantling
partition wall, taking out root of trees during earthwork in excavation for foundation
trenches etc. are paid on the basis of actual quantity of materials and labour hours
required to complete the job are denoted by Day Work.
• Work Charged Establishment: - During the construction of a project/work some supervisory
staff such as supervisors, watchman, store clerk etc. are appointed on temporary basis. The
wages to be paid to this staff is charged directly to the estimate of the work. To meet this
expenditure a provision is made in the estimate of every work, which is known as work
charged establishment. It is about 2 to 2.5 % of the estimated cost of the work.
• Centage charges: - These are the charges or cost of establishment, planning and design of
project, approval of layouts, audit etc. It also includes supervision charges. Generally 10 to
15 % of estimated cost is provided as centage charges.
• Prime cost: - Prime cost is the actual cost of articles at shop and refers to supply of
articles only and not to carrying out work. During preparation of an estimate, it is not
always possible to specify exact types of articles required, for ex: water supply fittings,
sanitary fittings, door and window fittings, etc. are to be decided during the time of actual
fitting according to the choice of the owner or Engineer-In-Charge. For the execution of
such items reasonable amount is kept in the estimate as Prime Cost.
• Water supply and sanitary arrangements, electrification works: -

In a building work, for internal electrification, sanitary and water supply

works, a percentage of 20% of estimated cost of building is provided.
8 % for sanitary and water supply works
8% for Electrification
4% for electric fans and lights
Internal electrification includes electric wiring for light, fan and plug points,
brackets, switch boards etc.
Internal water supply works include water pipeline, taps, valves, water
fixtures, overhead tanks etc.
Sanitary works include sewer pipelines, water closets, flushing cisterns, taps,
fixtures etc.
In unsewered areas, an additional amount of about 3 to 4 % of building cost
may be required for provision of septic tank, soak pit etc.
• Bill of quantities (BOQ) :-
• It is a detail statement of specifications of work , dimensions, quantities, rate
and amount of money required for construction of civil engineering structures
during contracting. During tendering process, BOQ is prepared by engineers of
departments and provided to contractors along with the tender form. The
contractor then fills the tender for the work.

Item Description of item Unit Quantity Rate Per Amount

No
1

Total
Spot items or Site items:
• Spot items refers to items of existing buildings that require repairing and
alterations.
• An existing building has to be repaired to increase its life. The engineer
inspects the building and identifies the spot items which needs to repaired.
• The mode of measurement and quantity of spot items are then entered in the
BOQ.
• BOQ is then given to the contractor and the quotation is invited
• Common examples of spot items are:
1. Retrofitting of column
2. Filling of cracks
3. Waterproofing of slabs
4. Making changes in the location of doors and windows etc