INFORMATION SHEET

TRAINING: DIPLOMA MODULE CODE:DTCE 125

COURSE: NDCE
MODULE NAME : QUANTITY SURVEYING PREPARED BY: MUSIIMENTA MILLY
SUB-MODULE: ESTIMATION AND COSTING DATE OF EXECUTION ………………..
Most contractors have a director who is responsible for the estimating department and this indicates the
importance of his function.
Construction contractors base tenders on estimate of the cost of the contract for executing the work described in
the contract document. This gives the estimating department a central importance to the commercial success of
the contract.

Definition
Estimating is the process of producing an approximate calculation or judgment of the size, value, cost, duration
of a project, e.t.c.
Estimation is also the prediction of what the key cost of material, land and plant, labour for constructing a facility
will be and a person who carries out estimation is called an Estimator/ Building Economist/ Quantity surveyor.

Importance of estimating
One of the keys to commercial success is the estimator’s ability to estimate to estimate the cost of construction
work and to construct that work to the estimated cost.
In competitive tendering, the tender is based on the estimated cost which represent as much as 90% of the tender.
The other allowances added to are overheads and profits which are smaller to make a contractor win a tender.
The work connected with the construction of a new structure or with alterations and additions to an existing
structure is invariably (always) the subject of a contract agreement. The essence of such a contract is that a
builder promises to erect a structure as shown on the drawing and in accordance with the specification in return
to a specific amount of money called contract sum.

A prospective owner cannot give instructions to a contractor to erect a proposed project and accompany it with
an empty cheque to be filled later.
If these practices were to be adopted, the result would be a cost plus account with greater advantage to a
contractor and a great loss to the client.
Virtually, all contracts are obtained by competition between contractors and the subject of builders estimating
consists of the process involved in arriving at the contract sum.

Contracts without Quantities

These contracts are normally restricted to minor works and the contract documents comprise of drawings,
specifications and form of agreement.
Drawings include plans, elevations, sections and large scale details of proposed work.
The specification is prepared by the architect to supplement the drawings. In the specification, the mixes of
concrete, types of bricks and quantities of any other work are stated and methods of work are normally stated.
A form of agreement is a legal agreement signed by both parties which states the builder’s contract to erect the
structure in accordance with the drawings and specifications and the client agrees for his part to pay the contract
sum.
Formally contractors would simply study the drawings and specifications and would rely of past data to quote
the contract sum. As competition grew keener, it became difficult to use it.
It became necessary to take off measurement and prepare quantities of work involved.

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Applying prices to these quantities, one would come up with the total estimate of the work. The quantities
prepared were not only those of materials but specific elements in the structure like walls, roof, e.t.c.

Contracts with quantities

These contracts are normally prepared for major works and they are based on BoQ.
The BoQs are prepared by the quantity surveyor on behalf of the client. Several copies of BoQs are prepared and
sent out to the contractors who are interested in doing the work to enter in their prices or rate for the execution
of the work.
When the contract is signed, the BoQ and prices become part of the contract agreement and will be used in
preparation of the final accountability and in the settlement of variations.
The provision of BoQ leads to accurate tendering as all those tendering have identical conditions on which to
work and this considerably reduces the cost of estimating.

Functions of an Estimator
The primary function of an estimator in construction work is to properly price the unit rates in a BoQ, calculate
the estimated cost of preliminary items applicable to the contract being priced and to prepare the estimate for
submission to managers for adjudication into a tender.

Parties involved in Estimating and Tendering

i. Client’s/ promoter’s staff or their professional representatives.
ii. Consultant
iii. Contractor; planners, plant managers, site management staff.
iv. Subcontractors and nominated suppliers.

Terms used in Estimating and Tendering

i. Own builder’s work
This is work carried out by builder’s own operatives; employ people to work for you e.g National Housing
employs masons, carpenters.
ii. Own subcontractor’s work
Is the work carried out by subcontractors on behalf of the owners. The estimator is sometimes responsible for
obtaining quotations from subcontractors who are capable of carrying out the work in allocated period for the
trade and to the required quality.
iii. Nominated subcontractor’s work
This is the work executed by subcontractor chosen by the architect. They are normally selected for specialized
works like installation of a lift.
iv. Nominated supplier
Supplier selected by the Architect/ client to supply particular materials (special material e.g a lift).
v. Preliminaries
When preparing a tender for a contract based upon BoQs, there are certain items of expenditure usually termed
project overheads that cannot be satisfactorily distributed among unit rates hence some of the items are calculated
as lump sums and they are placed in the preliminary bill e.g general foremen, site offices, storage sheds, operating
costs, plant, tools, temporary roads, rubbish removal, overtime.
vi. Profits
Is the amount of money added to the net estimated cost as a return on investment capital considering competition
and source of capital.
vii. Accurate Bills of Quantity
A large part of the work of the quantity surveyor is the preparation of a BoQ and its accuracy depends on the
availability of full particulars of work required.

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The fuller and more detailed the Architect’s drawings, the better the chance of an accurate bill with a minimum
of extras arising during the progress of the works.
viii. Overheads
These include payment of salaries to the head office staff, head office operating costs and similar items which
are necessary for the administration of the contract and which are not normally charged directly to the actual
cost of work.
ix. Approximate BoQs
These are used at times when sufficiently full information cannot be given to enable an accurate BoQ to be
prepared. It may be a foundation contract in which the depth of excavation and thickness of contract cannot be
ascertained until the bearing surfaces are exposed.
Nevertheless, it may be known fairly accurately in advance of what items are likely to occur in measurement. A
bill can therefore be prepared which though with approximate quantities can be used for tendering subject to a
complete measurement of the work as executed and revaluation at the tender rate. For example, if volume of
excavation increased, the quantity is charged but the rate remains the same.
x. Schedule of Prices
Information may be so scanty or at times so short that not even an approximate quantity can be given. In such a
case, a schedule of probable/ possible items can be prepared giving descriptions similar to those in a BoQ but
without quantities.
There is difficult in making comparison of tenders with such schedules as there are no quantities. Comparison
however can be made between the major items.
xi. Prime cost contracts
Information may be so lacking that an adhoc (unplanned/ emergency) schedule of prices may not be prepared
and no standardized schedule may be considered suitable. In that case, a form of prime cost contract is used; i.e
one where a contractor is reimbursed his proven cost and paid an additional sum to cover profits and overheads
either as a percentage on that cost or a fixed fee.
xii. All-in contract (Turnkey/package deal)
With this form of contract, the contractor undertakes the whole of the services required from design so dispensing
with the independent architect, consultant and quantity surveyor. Usually barter trade is used as payment terms.
xiii. Estimate Adjudication
After estimators have done their calculation of the approximate cost of the project including profits and
overheads, the work is presented to the management for adjustment and this is the process of converting an
estimate into a tender.
It involves adjusting the estimates downwards or upwards or maintaining the same figure to prepare the tender
document.
xiv. Consultant’s Estimate
This is an average price from past record or the design estimate.
xv. Contractor’s Estimates
These are based on facts calculated from the proposed work.
xvi. Cost engineering
Is an area of engineering practice where engineering judgment and experience are utilized in the application of
scientific principles and techniques to the problem of cost estimation, cost control and profitability.

Estimating Process
1. Acquisition of documents (plans, specification, BoQs, Form of agreement, Conditions of contract) upon
acquiring information from client through newspaper, internet, friends.
2. Decision to tender considering resources, manpower, profitability, location.
3. Programming the estimate.
4. (a) Collection and calculation of cost information through site visits (labour, water, raw materials, power).

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 (b) Decision to tender after visit.
5. Project study.
6. Preparing the estimate having details of work and contract sum.
7. Calculation of project overheads and establishment overheads plus contractor’s profits.
8. Production of estimator’s report.

Note:
The process of preparing a tender document follows the estimating process but after production of the estimator’s
report, the following two steps are done:-
1. Presentation of the estimator’s report to directors to convert it to a tender.
2. Submission of tender.

Techniques / Methods of Estimating

i. Unit rate estimating technique
Is one which is based on the traditional BoQs approach where the quantities of works are defined and measured
in accordance with the standard methods of measurement.
ii. Operational estimating technique
This is a complex procedure based on calculating the total quantity of work involved in an operation ( e.g
excavation and concreting) and estimating the total elapse time of the operation in weeks and combining this
with the selected resources (materials, labour and plant).
This method of calculation if favored by estimators involved in plant dominated activities e.g excavation and
concrete works.

Other estimating techniques

o Global method – It is a crude estimating method which relies on the existence of data for similar projects
assessed purely on a single characteristic such as the size, capacity or output.
o Factorial technique – It is widely used on process plants e.g water works where the key components can be
easily identified and priced and all other works are calculated as factors of this component.
o Spot (gash) techniques– Are direct cost estimates which are not based on calculation but based on
experience.
o Man-hour technique – It is a labour based method. Work I s broken down into unskilled, semi-skilled and
skilled according to the required standards.
o Empirical cost interference and production functional approach.

Types of Cost Estimates for Tendering

These include the following:
o Pre-tender cost estimate (design estimate) – screening, preliminary, detailed, engineer’s, estimate
o Tender/bid estimate
o Control estimate

a) Pre-tender cost estimate (design estimate)

In planning and design stages of a project, various design estimates reflect the progress of the design.
A screening or order of magnitude estimate is one which is usually made before the facility is designed and
must therefore rely on the cost data of similar facility built in the past.
A preliminary or conceptual estimate is one which is based on the conceptual design of the facility at the state
when the basic technologies for the design are known.
A detailed or definitive estimate is one made when the scope of work is clearly defined and the detailed design
is on progress so that the essential features of the facility are identifiable.

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The engineer’s estimate is one based on the completed plans and specifications when they are ready for the
owner to solicit bids from construction contractors.
In preparing the estimates, the design professional will include expected amounts for the contactor’s overheads
and profits.

b) Bid/ Tender estimate

A bid estimate is one submitted to the owner either for competitive bidding or negotiation consisting of direct
construction cost including field supervision, plus a mark up to cover general overheads and profits. The direct
cost of construction for bid estimates is usually derived from a combination of the following approaches: sub-
contractor’s quotation, quantity take-off, construction procedures.
Contractor’s bid estimate often reflects the contractor’s desire to secure a job as well as the estimating tool at its
disposal.
If a contractor believes that the chances of success are not high, he puts in the least amount of possible effort in
making a cost estimate since always a lowest bidder will be the winner of the contract in most bidding contests.

c) Control estimate
For monitoring the project during construction, a control estimate is derived from available information to
establish;
• Budget estimate for financing
• Budgeting cost after contracting but prior to construction
• Estimated cost of completion during the progress of construction
Both the owner and the contractor must adopt some baseline for cost control during the construction.
For the owner, the budget estimate must be adopted early enough for planning along with financing the facility.
The detailed estimate is often used as a budget estimate as it reflects the project scope. The budget cost must
always be revised periodically as is necessary either because of change orders initiated by owner or unexpected
cost overrun.
For the contractor, the bid estimate is used as a budget estimate which will be used for control purposes as well
as for planning construction financing. Revise the budgeted cost periodically to reflect the estimate cost to
completion as well as to ensure adequate cash flow.

Importance of each of the above estimates to different parties in any construction project
To Owner
Design/Pre-tender Cost estimate Bid/ Tender Estimate Control estimate
Assessing best alternative Choosing best bidder Come up with control budget

To Contractor
Design/Pre-tender Cost estimate Bid/ Tender Estimate Control estimate
Understand scope of work Estimating tool Come up with control budget
Determine resource demand Come up with best bid Carryout cost analysis
Execute work as per schedule

To Consultant
Design/Pre-tender Cost estimate Bid/ Tender Estimate Control estimate
Choosing appropriate technology To select best bidder Valuing work done according
Design different facility components according to quotations to to specifications.
Allocating prices as drawn requirements of facility

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EXAMPLES OF ESTIMATING USING UNIT RATE TECHNIQUE
One
Compute the cost per tonne for the provision and fixing a 16mm diameter reinforcement.
Data
Material purchase cost 1923077 per ton
Wastage 5%
Tie wires and spacers 2%
Cutting and bending labour 15hrs per ton
Fixing rate labour 20hrs per ton
Bar bending machinery within on-site cost
Site transportation within on-site cost
Labour for steel fixer 3000 per hr

Solution
Purchasing ………………………………………………. 1,923,077 per ton
Wastage of 5% of purchase……………………………… 96,154/
Add 2% of purchase for spacers and binding wires……… 38,462/
Total ……………. 2,057,693/ per ton
Labour (15+20) x 3000………….. 105,000/ per ton

Total ……………. 2,162,693/per ton

Add 20% profits and overheads ………………………... …..432,539/

Total………………… 2,595,232/ per ton

Two
Compute the cost of dredging per CM if a total of 3,000,000CM of material is to be dredged from a harbour
basin and deposited off on land. From the programmed of work, dredging, reclamation and slope protection
extends over a duration of 6months.
Data
Hire rate for dredger $100,000 per month
Hire rate bulldozer $75,000 per month
Fuel cost estimated at 5% of the equipment cost (the fire rate)
Machine operator is paid $6.5 per hour for an average of 70hrs per week.
Bankman is paid $5.5 per hour for an average of 70hrs per week.

Solution
Dredging
Cost of dredger hiring for 6months……………..$100,000x6……… $600,000
Fuel cost………………………………0.05x$600,000…………….. $30,000

Cost of labour………………………. $(6.5+5.5)x70x26…………… $21,840

Total cost of dredging $651,840

Cost of disposal
Cost of bulldozer hire ……………………….$75,000x6………….. $450,000
Fuel cost…………………………………….0.05$450,000……….. $22500

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 Cost of labour ………………………………$(6.5+5.5) x70x26………. $21,840
Total cost of disposal $494,340
Total cost of dredging and material disposal $(651,840+494,340)………… $1,146,180
Cost per CM 1146180/3,000,000 = $0.382 per CM
Assuming 20% of profits and overheads giving $0.08 per CM,
The total cost per CM $(0.38+0.08) = $0.46

ALL – IN RATE FOR RESOURCES

An all-in rate refers to the total cost/price of executing a unit piece of work. In included the cost of labour, plants,
materials, profits and overheads.
Resources (land, labour, capital, entrepreneurial activities) refer to the valuable elements required for the
accomplishment of a given piece of work/task.

Analysis of Rates
This is the process of determining the rate of an item or work/ supply of the materials. A reasonable profit,
usually 10%-20% for the contractor should be included in the analysis of rates.

Factors affecting the analysis of unit rates

These are sometimes called components/constraints.
Materials – their quantities required for completion of an item are known from their specifications and the prices
are dependent on the market conditions varying from place to place.
Labour – the amount of labour required depends on the average of past works. Since capacity to do work and
wages of labour vary from place to place, the cost of labour is a variable factor; hence, proper studying of
efficiency and wages of labourers before start of rate analysis is required.
Site conditions – difficult site conditions will usually invite slightly higher rates.
Specifications – with very rigid specifications of work, the rate will be higher.
Conditions of contract – with very strict conditions, a higher rate is invited and vice versa.
Quantum of work – if the contract is big, the rates of items are likely lower.
Special equipment – if special equipment is required for certain items, the rate of work is bound to be higher as
the cost of equipment/rent cost is added on the rate.
Place of work – if the site is situated in a highly congested area, it will not be possible to take the materials
directly on site hence, higher rates.
Profits to the contractor
Miscellaneous – factors like time of project completion, climatic conditions, and reputation of the contracting
agency also affect the rate of items.

Purposes of carrying out rate analysis

o To compute the current actual cost per unit of work at the locality.
o To examine the viability of the rates offered by the contractors.
o To calculate the quantity of materials and labour strength required for project planning.
o To fix up labour contract rates.
o To fix profits and overheads.

How to fix up rates per unit of item

The following 5 sub heads are to be examined and the summation of these is the rate per unit of an item.
 Quantity of materials and their cost.

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  Labour costs.
 Cost of equipment and tools.
 Overhead or establishment charges.
 Contractor’s profits.

LABOUR
Labour refers to workers who provide physical effort for the execution of particular works/ physical efforts
provided by work force.
Labour output is the most uncertain part of a unit rate. It can vary considerably depending upon the skill and
output of the operatives, the site organization, weather conditions and other factors outside the control of the
contractor.
An estimator should calculate the hourly cost to the builder of the skilled and unskilled labour which will be
employed on the contract if the tender is successful, and this is classified as the build-up of labour rate.

Factors considered in coming up with labour rates

 Basic rate of pay in accordance with the working rule agreement.
 Third party insurance and federation payments – autonomous (self-governance).
 Guaranteed time inclement (unpleasantly cold/wet) weather.
 Training levy.
 Graduated pension contribution.
 Sickness benefit.
 Holiday with pay contribution at current rate.
 National insurance and redundancy (standby) contribution at current rate.
 Tool allowance.
 Travelling expenses.
 Extra payments of discomfort, extra skill, intermittent (specialist) responsibility.
 Trade supervision.
 Percentage addition to cover the extra cost brought about by the operative working fewer hours than expected.
 Overtime.

EXAMPLE OF BUILDING UP LABOUR RATES

Computations are made basing on a week of 5 days, 8 hours a day giving 40 hours a week.
Consider a year of 50 weeks.
Consider the table below
Unskilled Skilled
Basic pay per day 8000/= 15000/=
Third party as a %age of basic 2.5% 2.5%
Guaranteed time as a %age of basic 2% 2%
Graduated pension as a %age of basic 2% 2%
Sickness benefit as a %age of basic 0.5% 0.5%
Holiday with pay contribution (annually) 200,000/= 350,000/=
National insurance & redundancy (annually) 128,000/= 128,000/=

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 Public holiday (annually) 120,000/= 120,000/=
Training Levy per week 5,000/= 10,000/=

Calculations
Unskilled
Basic pay………………………………………………………8000/8 =1000*40 = 40000/=
Third party……………………………………………………..0.025*40000 = 1000/=
Guaranteed time………………………………………………. 0.02*40000 = 800/=
Graduated pension…………………………………………….. 0.02*40000 = 800/=
Sickness benefit………………………………………………..0.005*40000 = 200/=
Holiday with pay contribution…………………………………200,000/50 = 4000/=
National insurance & redundancy…………………………….. 128,000/50 = 2560/=
Public holiday…………………………………………………..120,000/50 =2400/=
Training Levy…………………………………………………………………………… =5000/=
Total per week =56760/=
Unskilled rate per hour 56760/40 =1419/=

Skilled
Basic pay…………………………………………………………15000/8 =1875*40 = 75000/=
Third party ………………………………………………………..0.025*75000 = 1875/=
Guaranteed time…………………………………………………..0.02*7500 = 1500/=
Graduated pension ……………………………………………......0.02*4000 = 1500/=
Sickness benefit………………………………………………….. 0.005*7500 = 375/=
Holiday with pay contribution…………………………………….350,000/50 = 7000/=
National insurance & redundancy…………………………………128,000/50 = 2560/=
Public holiday………………………………………………………120,000/50 =2400/=
Training Levy ………………………………………………………………………........=10000/=
Total per week = 102,210/=
Skilled rate per hour 102,210/40 =2555.256/=

LABOUR AND LABOUR CONSTANTS

Labour output is the most uncertain part of a unit area. It varies considerably depending on the operatives, site
organization, weather conditions and other factors outside the control of the contractor. Records of labour outputs
of each operative involved in construction have been kept for many years, taking into account varying conditions
and a comprehensive list of skilled and unskilled times has been prepared. These records which give the
average unit times for each operative is what is called labour constant.

Factors considered in the use of manual labour in excavation

 Government policy e.g labour base for rural road construction.
 Depth of excavation
 Availability of labourers
 Volume of excavation
 Urgency of work
 Haulage distance
The following are average labour constants for hand excavation under normal conditions and in ordinary grounds
like heavy soils or medium clay.

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 Description Unit Un skilled labour
Lifting and stacking turf SM 0.3
Exc. Veg. av.150mm SM 0.3
Surface exc.av.dp.150mm SM 0.45
Surface exc. to reduce level CM 2.4
Exc. Basement n.e 1.5m deep CM 2.9
Exc. Basement exceeding 1.5 n.e 3.0m deep CM 5.9
Exc. Basement exceeded 3m, n.e 4.5m deep CM 7.25
Exc.fdn trench exceeding 1.5m, n.e 3.0m deep CM 6.5
Exc.fdn exceeding 3m, n.e 4.5m deep CM 8.125
Exc.isolated stanchion fdn n.e 1.5m deep CM 5.0
Exc.isolated stanchion fdn exceeding 1.5m, n.e 3m deep CM 10.0
Wheeling exc. Mtrl by barrow per 100m CM 1.0
Spread & level exc mtrl in layers 150mm thick CM 1.3
Load exc mtrl into lorry as dug CM 2.0

For excavation in other materials than medium or heavy soils, adjust the above labour constants as follows:
Loose sand …………………………………………………………………………………...x0.7
Stiff clay or gravel ………………………………………………………………………….x1.50
Soft rock …………………………………………………………………………………….x3.00
Hard rock ……………………………………………………………………………………x8.00
Below are the increases in bulk of various types of soils after excavation
Gravel ……………………………………………..% increase ………………………………..10
Sand ……………………………………………………………………………………………12.5
Ordinary earth……………………………………………………………………………………25
Clay…………………………………………………………………………………………….33.3
Chalk …………………………………………………………………………………………..33.3
Rock …………………………………………………………………………………………….50
Example 1
Lifting and stacking turf (SM)
0.30 unskilled hours @500/……………………………………………………………………150/
Cost per SM……………………………………………………………………………………150/
Example 2
Surface excavation av.150mm deep to reduce level (SM)
0.45 unskilled hours @ 500……………………………………………………………………225/
Cost per SM of surface excavation…………………………………………………………….225/
Example 3
Excavate trench to receive fdn exc. 3m, n.e 4.5m deep (CM)
8.1256 unskilled labour hour @500………………………………………………………4062.5/
Cost per CM…………………….………………………………………………………..4062.5/
The labour constant above has been based on the following:
Two labourers excavating and taking 1.625 gang hours per CM to excavate and stage 1.5m

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One labourer at every other 1.5m stage taking 1.625 hours per CM to excavate and stage 1.5m One labourer
clearing back at top of excavation taking 1.625hours per CM

Summary
Excavate and stage 4.5 to 3.0 =2*1.625…………………………………………………….3.250
Stage 3 to 1.5m………………………………………………………………………………1.625
Stage 1.5 to ground level……………………………………………………………………..1.625
Clearing back at top………………………………………………………………………......1.625
Total …………………………………………………………………………………………8.125
8.125 hour per CM = 8.125 @ 500…………………………………………………………4062.5/

Example 4
Calculate the unit rate of excavation of over site 150mm and deposit at a distance 100m from the excavation.
A SM of surface excavation takes unskilled labour 0.45 hours
Say an hour labour rate is 500/=
Cost of excavation for 0.45 @ 500 …………………………………………………………225/=
Deposit 100m away by barrow takes 1 hour @ 500*0.15……………………………………75/=
300/=
The cost of excavating surface to average depth of 150mm and depositing 100m is 300/=.
This excludes the contractor’s profits and overheads.

Example 5
Calculate the unit rate of excavation of over site 250mm and deposit at a distance 200m from the excavation.
Since the depth and haulage distance has changed, we can use proportion.
Cost of excavation 250mm is 0.25/0.15*225….……………………………………………..375/=
Deposit 200m away by barrow takes 2 hour @ 500*0.25……………………………………250/=
625/=
The cost of excavating surface to average depth of 250mm and depositing 200m is 625/=.
This excludes the contractor’s profits and overheads.

Extra payments
Extra payments for discomfort or risk, continuous extra skill or responsibility, intermittent responsibility, and
similar items should be added to the built up hourly rate, in accordance with the working rule agreement.
Overtime
The estimator must decide the amount of overtime which is to be included in the labour rate for the contract
being tendered for.
Fluctuation
When the fluctuation clause is included in the conditions of contract, it is necessary for the estimator to ascertain
whether his built up rates are to be on current rates of wages if known increases are to be included. If known
increases have to be included, they are dealt with in a similar manner to the section ‘firm price tender’
Firm price tender
When the project tendered for has had the fluctuation clause deleted from the conditions of the contract, it’s
necessary for the estimator to add or omit all known increases or decreases in labour after the date of tender and
during the estimated contract period. The estimator also needs to make allowance for further anticipated
variations in labour cost over the period.

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Factors that lead to variation in labour rate
 Variation in attitudes, culture, e.t.c of the individuals.
 Location of work e.g height; underground works, high levels.
 Weather conditions.
 Workmanship expected.
 Level of supervision.
 Site organization.
 Skills of workers.

Factors that affect labour rates

 Supervision.
 Overtime.
 Holidays.
 Training levy.
 Locality.

Example on how labour rates are affected by supervision

Consider skilled labour
 Assume 8 brick layers who are able to lay 4m2 of a 225mm thick wall in one hour.
 One supervisor.
 Assume 8 working hours a day.
Use
Labour 15,000/= per day………………………………………………………..1875/= per hour
Supervision 24000/= per day………………………………………………..…..3000/= per hour
Cost of 8 brick layers per hour = 8*1875………………………………….……15,000/=
Cost of supervision per hour = 3000…………………………………………….3, 000/=
18,000/= per hour
Cost of labour rate per hour (labour rate) 18000/8………………………………2250/=per hour
Labour rate = 2250/= with supervision
=1875/= without supervision
Difference = 375/=

Example on how labour rates are affected by overtime

Consider from Monday to Friday working for 8hours a day which gives 40hours a week.
Consider also working for additional one hour per day from Monday to Friday and working for 6hours on
Saturday.
Consider the factor for overtime as 1.5.
Given a labour rate of 1875/= per hour for a worker.

computations
Total working hrs a week with overtime = 40 + (5*1.5) + (6*1.5) ……………..56.5hour a week
Actual working hours a week = 40+5+6…………………………………………51hrs a week
Total amount per week = 1875*56.5…………………………………………105937.5/= a week
Cost of productive hrs (labour rate) = 105937.5/51…………………………..2078/= per hour
Effect of over time =2078 – 1875……………………………………………..203/=
Note:
Where labour rates cannot be built up due to inadequate time, labour rates can be got from;

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 i. Past records of work.
ii. Current rates from sister companies considering inflation
Multiply past rates by a factor (1+f)n where n is the number of years that have elapsed from the time of tendering
and f is the average inflation rate.

MECHANICAL PLANT
The estimator must decide on the type of machines to be used and their respective sizes before pricing any of
the items involved.
The type of machine will depend largely on; amount of work, nature of work or material to be excavated, weather
conditions, time frame.
Excavation plants, concrete mixers, rollers or even transport vehicles are usually charged on site at an hourly
hire rate based on a normal working week.
Any time worked over the number of hours on hire agreement is charged extra also travelling time expenses to
and from the site.
Methods of acquiring a plant
By purchasing
By hiring
By leasing
Depreciation of machines
Plants suffer wear, tear, and physical deterioration in constant use. Invested capital must be recorded to remain
in business.
Causes of depreciation
o Age
o Introduction of newer most efficient plant
o Lack of maintenance o Nature of work o Wear and tear

Methods of calculating depreciation costs

Methods for calculating depreciation costs were evolved through tradition and permitted by the taxation
authorities for the purpose of retention of the sums accumulated.
a) Straight line depreciation method
Here, the total depreciation sum (total capital spend on acquiring it minus its estimated salvage/scrap value at
the end of its useful life) is divided by the estimated useful life of the asset.
Interest rate is not taken into consideration by convention and for the sake of simplicity.

Example
Consider purchase of a tipper lorry at £16,000. The ripper lorry has a life of 4years and salvage value of £4,000.
Solution
The depreciation cost =£(16,000 – 4000)/4 =£3000.
Year Amount to recover (£) Net book value (£)
0 0 16,000
1 3000 13,000
2 3000 10,000
3 3000 7,000
4 3000 4,000

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b) The declining balance method
This is also called diminishing balance method/ constant percentage book value method. A certain percentage is
fixed of the cost of the equipment to be recovered per year.
The percentage depends on;
 Cost of capital
 Life of the equipment
 Inflation
 Competition
 Profit

Example
Consider purchase of a dump truck at £16,660 with useful life of 4years. Use the method of declining to compute
the yearly amounts to recover if the fixed percentage to recover is 30 and the salvage value is £4,000.
Year Beginning of year (£) End of year (£) Yearly amount to be recovered (£)
0.7P 0.3P
1 16,660 11662 4998
2 11662 8163.4 3498.6
3 8163.4 5714.4 2449
4 5714.4 4000 1714.4
Salvage, S = P(1-r)n
Where n = no of years (period)
r = fixed depreciation rate
P = initial cost.

c) Sinking fund method

Here, the cost of any capital is ignored until such a time when the accumulated sum equals to original sum
borrowed and the redemption of loan takes place.

Where; i = interest on capital.

n = number of years.
Compute for R using i as the interest on capital, add running cost as a percentage of R, then add profits and over
heads.

Example
Consider purchasing an excavator at UGX 300m with a life of 3years and a resale value of UGX100m. Interest
on capital is 20%, running cost is 10%. Profits and overheads are 20%. Calculate the cost per hour of the
equipment assuming 8hours a day, 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year.
Solution

Adding running cost =1.1*142.4 =156.64m

Adding profits and overheads = 1.2*156.64 =188m
Therefore cost per hour = 188,000,000/2000 = UGX 94,000

14 | P a g e Quantity surveying notes ©Musiimenta Milly Asiimwe

d) The sum – of - digits method.
In this method, the digit numbers representing each year of operation of the plant are added together. The
depreciation charge for each year is taken as the depreciable sum multiplied by the ratio of the reverse year’s
number to the total added digits.

Example
If a truck is purchased at 30m shillings and the resale value is 10m at the end of the 5th year, the digits are 1,2,3,4
and 5. Determine the depreciation charge.
Solution
Total digits = 1+2+3+4+5 = 15
Depreciable sum = 30 – 10 = 20m
Depreciation in the 1st year = (5/15)*20 = 6.7m
Book value at the beginning of 2nd year = 30 -6.7 = 23.3m
Depreciation in the 2nd year = (4/15)*20 = 5.3m
Book value at the beginning of 3rd year = 30 -5.3 = 24.7m
Depreciation in the 3rd year = (3/15)*20 = 4m
Book value at the beginning of 4th year = 30 -4 = 26m
Depreciation in the 4th year = (2/15)*20 = 2.7m
Book value at the beginning of 5th year = 30 -2.7 = 27.3m
Depreciation in the 5th year = (1/15)*20 = 1.3m

Factors that affect the cost of a plant

Inclement weather
Lack of supervision
Inexperienced operator
Lack of maintenance
Use of inappropriate machine (poor selection) Haulage distance

Question (try it out)

Compute the cost per hour of a tipper lorry purchased at UGX 40m. The truck was bought through a loan scheme
with 15% interest and has 5years useful life after which, it can be sold for UGX 10m. Assume the operating cost
to be 10% and the owner’s profit 5%. Use the four methods and compare the results.

MATERIALS
The cost of materials varies considerably depending upon the firm which supplies and the purchaser.
Factors determining cost of material (unit rate of materials)
 Quantity to be purchased
 Inflation
 Annual turnover of the supplier
 Law of demand and supply
 Speed with which the purchaser settles the account
 Wastages to be encountered e.g cutting waste, application waste, stock pile waste, residue waste, transit waste
and theft & vandalism.
Sources of information for the prices of resources
Press on radios, TVs by technical teams.
Site visits
Manufacturers
15 | P a g e Quantity surveying notes ©Musiimenta Milly Asiimwe
 Institutions set up as the source of cost information centers e.g UBOS.
From sister companies and dealers
From sub contractors and suppliers Contacting local people

PRELIMINARY & GENERAL WORKS THAT NEED PRICING

 Plant
 Compound and hoarding
 Watching, lighting and security
 Water works supplies
 Temporary road
 Site offices
 Removal of rubbish e.t.c.

EXCAVATION AND EARTHWORKS

Earthworks refer to engineering works created through the moving of massive quantities of soil or unconfined
work.
Before pricing which unit rates for excavation works are needed, the estimator should visit the site to ascertain
what anticipated conditions will be at the time the work is to be carried out.

Examples of earthworks
 Site stripping
 Clearing and grabbing
 Cut & fill site balancing
 Rough and fine grading
 Earth moving and stock pilings
 Earth compaction
 Field survey and layout
 Building temporary roads
 Soil stabilization
 Park development
 Site rehabilitation
 Top soil placement

There are two methods of excavation that is the manual and mechanical method.

Factors considered when choosing the method of excavation

i. Volume of work to be done
ii. Availability of labour
iii. Time frame to complete excavation
iv. Nature of the material to be excavated
v. Depth of excavation
vi. Haulage distance

Factors that affect excavation rate

i. Weather conditions e.g rainy season
ii. Nature of the soil; clay, sandy/rocky
iii. Water content (effects when loading the machine)
iv. Bulking which is the increase in volume due to disturbances during excavation.
16 | P a g e Quantity surveying notes ©Musiimenta Milly Asiimwe
v. Cost of tip and haulage distance
vi. Method of excavation; manual/mechanical
vii. Required width and depth of excavation
viii. Operator’s skills
ix. Level of site organization and supervision

Use of mechanical plant

Factors considered in acquiring a plant are:
 Availability of funds
 Utilization (how much work is available to keep the plant working?)
 Time scale of the project

Ways of acquiring of mechanical plant

 Hiring; the advantage is that a plant can be hired for a minimum period required and the disadvantage is
being expensive if it’s to be hired for a long time.
 Purchasing; the owner of the plant must have sufficient work for the plant to avoid idleness leading to
financial loss. This is through firm’s own contracts or through public hire business.
 Leasing agreement

How to compute for the cost of using a plant per hour

Hiring; negotiable on how much to pay per day or week and dividing by the total working hours.
For purchased plant, a built up of hourly rate is done

Costs to consider when purchasing

 Purchase rate
 Interest on capital
 Recovery of purchase price
 Operating cost (operator, fuel)
 Maintenance
 Insurance
 Taxes

Information required before purchase

 Have knowledge of the life cycle of the plant
 Hours that the plant will be utilized by annum
 Output of plant
 Maintenance and repair requirements

Examples on excavation and earthworks

One
To excavate a basement starting at ground level to reduced level to a maximum depth not exceeding 2m using a
0.25m3 excavator which load directly to lorries for disposal costs 24,000/= per hour. The excavator outputs 9m3
per hour. Assuming a bank man is paid 1200/= per hour, compute the cost per cubic metre.

Solution
Total cost is 24000+1200 = 25200/=
Therefore, cost per cubic metre = 25200/9 = 2800/=

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Two
A CAT 973 Crawler excavator of bucket capacity 2.5m3 and cycle time 2 minutes is to be used to excavate a
48x36x4m basement and load into a 15m3 Volvo Euclid R32 tipper Lorries of speed 40km/hr and 55km/hr
loaded and empty respectively. The travel distance from the basement to the dumping site is 2.7km and the time
for maneuvering at both ends is 2minutes, tipping time is 2minutes and waiting time is 1 minute. Job efficiency
is 85% and bulking is 25%.
Assuming 5 days in a week and 8 working hours a day,
a) Estimate the excavator’s work out put in m3 per day.
b) The contract period in weeks.
c) Number of Lorries required to match the excavator.

Solution
a) Output of excavator

Where; Q = Capacity
CE = Bucket fill factor
T = Time period for which production is done.
F = Soil factor
E = Job efficiency
Cm = Cycle time

∴ Output per day = 63.75x8 = 510mm /day

b) Volume of excavation 48x36x4 = 6912m3

Volume to be transported = 6912x1.25 = 8640m3
Number of weeks = 8640/510 = 17 days = 17/5 = 3.4weeks. Say 4 weeks.

Number of Lorries = (63.75/31.9) = 2 Lorries.

Three
Estimate the cost per CM of a 7m wide road sub-base supposed to be filled to a 600mm thickness in layers of
150mm and compacted using a 10 tonnes roller costing 800,000 per day of 8 working hours. A grader hired at
600,000 per day is to be used for spreading the marrum; the marrum shall be excavated using a 2.5m3 excavator
and it’s assumed to have just the original moisture content for maximum compaction and will be loaded directly
into lorries of 15m3 capacity for disposal at the site 3km away. Travel speed for the lorry is 40km/hr loaded and
55km/hr empty.
The excavator is able to excavate and load in 2 minutes per every bucket. The maneuvering time at both ends is
2minutes, waiting time is 1minute and tipping time is 2minutes. Bulking factor is 25%.
The excavator and lorry were purchased at 400m UGX and 120m UGX respectively and have useful lives of 10
years.
The cost of capital is 15% and as a prospecting contractor, the other figures for maintenance, insurance, taxes,
profits and overheads are to be assumed. Use the method of depreciation of your choice to determine the total
cost of the sub-base per a km.

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Solution
Volume of earth work in a km = 0.5x0.6x (7+7+1.2) x1000 = 4560m3
Adding 30% consolidation, Volume to be transported = 4560x1.30 = 5928m3. Say 6000m3

∴ Output per day = 63.75x8 = 510mm / day

Number of days required = 6000/510 = 12 days

Number of Lorries = (63.75/30.85) = 2.1. Say 3 Lorries.

Assuming that a grader can spread 510m3/day and the roller can compact 510m3/day. Required equipments and
labourers are;
No of equipment No of skilled labourers No of Unskilled labourers
Excavator 1 1 1
Lorry 3 3 3
Grader 1 1 1
Roller 1 1 1

Add one supervisor for both skilled and for unskilled and 2 watch men, 2 flag men plus one standby for skilled
and unskilled.
Total skilled = 1+3+1+1+1 = 7
Total Unskilled = 1+3+1+1+1+2+2 = 11
Assume 3000 for supervisor 2000 for skilled and 1500 for unskilled per hour
Total = (3000 + 2000x7 + 1500x11) x8 = 268,000/ per day

Equipment
Excavator
Initial capital 400m
Interest on capital = 15%
Assume all other rates (profit, overheads, running) = 20%
Using sinking fund method

Adding others 1.2x79.7 = 95.64millions

Recoverable amount per day = 95,640,990/50x5 =382,354/= per day.

Lorry
Initial capital 120m
Interest on capital = 15%
Assume all other rates (profit, overheads, running) = 20%
Using sinking fund method

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Adding other 1.2x23.91 = 28.69millions
Recoverable amount per day for one Lorry= 28,692,000/50x5 =114,769/= per day
Recoverable amount for 3 Lorries = 114,768x3 = 344,304/= per day

Grader
Hire rate per day 600,000x1.2 = 720,000/= per day

Roller
Hire rate per day 800,000x1.2 = 960,000/= per day
Total cost is 268,000 +382,354 + 344,304 + 720,000 + 960,000 = 2,674,658/= per day
Cost per CM = 2,674,658/510 = 5,244/= per CM
Cost per km = 5,244x6000 =31,464,000/= per km.

PROFITS AND OVERHEADS

A profit is a return on business.
Factors considered before assessing the profits
 Quantity commitment (amount of work to handle at a particular time
 Future commitment
 Placing in previous tendering
 Possibility of future work from the same client/ owner
 Assessment of the degree of competition
 Terms of payment
 Expected working conditions
 Source of capital e.g if borrowing money from the financial institutions) Complexity of the work

CONCRETE WORKS
Factors that affect the cost of concrete
There are three main initial factors to be considered in the costs of concrete:
• Method of mixing
• Materials being used, their specifications and grade of concrete
• Site transportation, placing and compaction

Other factors are:

• Type of mixer to be used
• Whether cement is supplied in bag or in bulk
• Workmanship and finishing expected
• Position of mixing in relation to the areas and quantities of concrete to be placed
• Whether in-situ mixed concrete or ready mixed concrete is to be supplied
• Site organization
• Work continuous or intermittent.

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CALCULATIONS FOR COST OF CONCRETE
Correction factors for concrete and for mortar
For concrete
The voids in concrete take up 40%
(V +∂v )0.6 = V
V +∂v =1.667V
∂v = 0.667V
E.g with V = 7,
Total Volume = (7 + 0.667x7)0.6 = 7.0014 ≈ 7CM

For mortar
The voids in mortar take up 25%
(V +∂v )0.75 = V
V +∂v =1.333V
∂v = 0.333V

Question One
Concrete of mix grade 20 (1:2:4).
Calculate using volume batching, the unit rate of concrete and prepare the materials delivery list given the
following information considering a slab of 7m by 15m of 150mm thick:
Item Description Skilled Un skilled Labour Rate (Ush)
1 Concrete 03 6 2500, 1000 respectively

Concrete mixer takes 1hour to mix 2m3 of concrete @ 6250 per hour.
Cement…………………………………………..@ 36,000/ per 50kg bag
Transport for cement………………………………500/ per bag
Unloading cement………………………………….50/ per bag
Sand ……………………………………………….15,000/ per CM delivered
Aggregate………………………………………….40,000/ per ton delivered
Allow 5% westage on concrete
Allow 25% profits and overheads

Densities
Cement……………………………………………..1.3ton/CM to 1.4 (1300kg/m3 to 1400kg/m3)
Moist sand………………………………………….1.3
Dry sand…………………………………………….1.5
Aggregate …………………………………………..1.6

Solution
1400kg of cement are contained in 1CM
1kg…………………………….. …CM/1400…………………………………..(i)
50kg of cement are contained in 1bag
1kg…………………………………bag/50…………………………………….(ii)
From (ii)/(i)
1CM of cement contains 1400/50 = 28bags.
1CM of cement……………………………28bags @ 36,0000……………………1,008,000/
Transport for 28 bags @ 500……………………………………………………….14,000/
Unloading of 28 bags @ 50…………………………………………………………1,400/

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2CM of sand delivered @ 15,000………...................................................................30,000/
4CM of aggregates delivered …..4x1.6x40,000……………………………………256,000/
Total 1………………………………..1,309,400/
Cost of 1CM of dry concrete with ………(1,309,400 + 0.667x1,309,400)/7……….311,824/
Voids catered for
Allow 5% waste……………………………………………………………………..15,591/
Concrete mixer 0.5hrs @ 6250……………………………………………………….3125/
Unskilled labour 6 @ 1000…………………………………………………………...6000/
Total 2…………………………………333,422/
Add 25% profits and overheads………………………………………………………..83356/
Total 3…………………………………..416778/
Cost per CM(1m ) of concrete of grade 20 is ……………….416778/
3

Cost per CM of the floor slab is ...(0.15x7x15m3)…..15.75x416778…….6564253.5/

The unit rate for the floor slab is 6,564,254/ per cubic metre

Cost per SM of floor slab is……0.15x416778…………62517/

Therefore the unit rate for the floor slab is 62,517/ per square metre.

Preparation of materials delivery list

There are 28 bags of cement in 1CM and this was used to produce 7CM.
After mixing with water, volume of concrete = 7x0.6 =4.2CM due to 40% shrinkage.
Therefore, 1CM of concrete requires 28/4.2 = 6.7 bags. Say 7 bags of cement.
4.2CM of concrete were given by 2CM of sand
Therefore, 1CM of concrete requires 2/4.2 = 0.48CM of sand
4.2CM of concrete were given by 4CM of aggregates
Therefore, 1CM of concrete requires 4/4.2 = 0.95CM of aggregates….0.95x1.6 = 1.52tons
Volume of the slab = 0.15x7x15 = 15.75CM
Materials required for the 15.75CM of concrete
Cement = 7x15.75………………110.25 bags. Say 110 bags
Sand = 0.48x15.75………….7.56 CM. Say 8CM.
Aggregates = 1.52x15.75………23.94 tons. Say 24 tons.
Item Description Unit Qty Rate Amount

1 OPC Bag 110 36000 3,960,000

2 Sand CM 8 15000 120,000

3 Aggregates Ton 24 40000 960.000

Total 5,040,000

Question Two
A 150mm thick reinforced concrete slab is to be cast in-situ in concrete grade 30 (1:1.5:3).
a) Compute the unit rate for concrete ignoring the cost of reinforcement and formwork.
b) Produce a material delivery list if the slab required 100m3of concrete.
Data
OPC delivered and offloaded per bag of 50kg cost 29,000/
1 ton of lake sand delivered cost 15,000/

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1 ton of 20mm aggregates from Namanve cost 40,000/
Concrete mixer of capacity 2CM per hour is hired at 40,000/ per day of 8 working hours
Porker vibrator is hired at the rate of 24,000/ per day of 8 working hours
Allow 40% of voids in concrete
Unskilled labour constant for concrete is 6hours
Skilled labour constant is 0.3hours
Unskilled labour rate is 625/
Skilled labour rate for concrete is 1500/
Allow 20% for profits and overheads

Solution
(a) Unit rate of concrete
Volume batching in the ratio 1:1.5:3
1CM of cement……………………………28bags @ 29,000………………………812,000/
1.5CM of sand each ton @ 15,000………...........1.5x1.3x15000 delivered................29250/
3CM of aggregates delivered …..3x1.6x40,000……………………………………...192,000/
Total 1………………………………..1,033,250/
Cost of 1CM of dry cement with ………(1,033,250 + 0.667x1,033.250)/5.5………..313,169/
Voids catered for
Allow 5% waste…………………………………………………………………………156581/
Concrete mixer (40000/8)x0.5hours…………………………………………………….2500/
Porker vibrator (24000/8)x0.5hours……………………………………………………..1500/
Unskilled labour 6 @ 625…………………………………………………………..........3750/
Skilled labour 0.3x1500/………………………………………………………………….450/
Total 2…………………………………………..337,027/
Add 20% profits and overheads……………………………………………………………67405/
Total 3…………………………………………..404,432/
Cost per CM of concrete of grade 30 is ……………….404432/
Cost per SM of floor slab is……0.15x404432…………60665/
Therefore the unit rate for the floor slab is 60665/ per square metre.

(b)Preparation of materials delivery list

There are 28 bags of cement in 1CM and this was used to produce 5.5CM.
After mixing with water, volume of concrete = 5.5x0.6 =3.3CM due to 40% shrinkage.
Therefore, 1CM of concrete requires 28/3.3 = 8.5 bags.
3.3CM of concrete were given by 1.5CM of sand
Therefore, 1CM of cement requires 1.5/3.3 = 0.45CM of sand ….0.45x1.3 = 0.59tons
3.3CM of concrete were given by 3CM of aggregates
Therefore, 1CM of cement requires 3/3.3 = 0.9CM of aggregates….0.9x1.6 = 1.45tons
Materials required for the 100CM of concrete Cement = 8.5x100………………850 bags.
Sand = 0.59x100……………..59 tons.
Aggregates = 1.45x100…………145 tons.
Item Description Unit Qty Rate Amount

1 OPC Bag 850 29000 24,650,000

2 Lake Sand Ton 59 15000 885,000

3 20mm machine crushed aggregates Ton 145 40000 5,800,000

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 Total 31,335,000

FORM WORK
Before pricing the unit rates for form work, the estimator will consider the following items:
• Whether metal or timber form work
• The design of the form work to be used
• The estimated number of times the form work can be used.
• The labour involved in making, fixing and stripping.
Timber form work
The following is a typical method of building up:
Cost of material in making, plus cost of labour in making, divide by the estimated number of uses.

Add the following;

 Labour for fixing and stripping
 Treatment of shutter face with soap oil, shutter paint or any other treatment after stripping
 Repair and cleaning after each use
 Beam hungers, wall ties, and the like, bearing in mind that bolts can be use several times
 Column cramps, steel prop and similar items
 Cost of ply wood sheets including unloading and waste of 7% divided by the number of uses

CALCULATIONS ON FORM WORK

Question One
Compute the cost per square metre of a 225x225x3 column box to be made from 250x25x4.2m soft boards and
braced with 50x50 timbers. The cost of timber per CM is 500,000/ delivered and offloaded. The formwork shall
be supported using eucarlyptus poles costing 2000/ delivered to site. One carpenter and one assistant are expected
to fabricate two column boxes ready for concrete per day.
Solution

Braces
Using a spacing of 500mm
L = 100+275+100 = 475mm = 0.475m
Volume = 0.475x0.05x0.05 = 1.1875x10-3CM
Cost of braces = 1.1875x10-3x500000x7x4 = 16625/=
Boards
3x0.025x0.275x500000x4 = 37500/=
Cost of eucalyptus poles = 4x2000 = 8000/

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 Total cost = 16625 + 37500 + 8000 = 62125/
Add 10% wastage = 6212.5/

Total cost of one column boxes = 68338/

Cost of two columns boxes =68338x2 = 136676/

Adding labour = (15000+10000) =25,000/
Total cost of two columns boxes = 161676/=
Area of column box 0.25x3x4 = 3SM x 2 for 2 column boxes
Cost per SM = 161676/3 = 53892/ per SM for two columns
For one column box = 53892/2 = 26946/= per SM of one column box
Add cost for treatment and then add 20% profits and over heads to get the actual cost per SM of a column
box.

Question Two
What will be the cost of reinforced concrete column of 225x225x3 if it requires 16mm bars of 6No. per column
and 8mm stirrups at 200mm centres are to be used. Reinforcement costs 2,000,000/ per ton delivered to site. Use
example two on calculations for cost of concrete to get the cost per CM of plain concrete (404432/=)
Data
Wastage =5%
Tie wires and spacers =2%
Cutting and bending rate =15hrs/ton
Fixing rate = 20hrs/ton
Bar bending machinery = within on-site cost
Site transportation = with in on-site cost
Labour for steel fixer = 3000/hr

Solution
Compute the volume of the column = 0.225x0.225x3 = 0.1485CM
Using the unit cost of concrete (404432/), compute the cost of concrete required for the column as
0.1485x404432 = 60,058/=
Reinforcement
Purchasing 2,000,000/ per ton
Wastage of 5% of purchase 100,000/
Add 2% of purchase for spacers and binding wire 40,000/
Labour (15+20)x 3000105,000/ per ton
Total 2,245,000/per ton

Length of links = 225 -50 = 175x4 = 700 + 100(bending) = 800mm.

Assume a spacing of 200 as in question
No of links = 3000/200 = 15 + 1 = 16
Total length of stirrups = 16x800 = 12,800mm = 12.8m of 8mm bar.
Length of 16mm bars = 3+0.8 = 3.8x6 = 22.8m
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Computing the weight per linear metre (∏r2ρ)
For 8mm bar; using density of steel as 7800kg/m3

For 16mm bar

Computing the weight of 8mm and 16mm bars

For 8mm bars
12.8x0.39 = 4.992kg
For 16mm bars
22.8 x 1.57 = 35.796
Total weight = 4.992 + 35.796 = 40.788kg = 0.041tonnes.
Cost of reinforcement = 2,245,000x0.041 = 92,045/=
Therefore, total cost of a reinforced column = (60058+92045) = 152,103/=
N.B: Add 20% Profits and Overheads on the 92045/=

BRICK/BLOCK WORK
Factors that affect the costs of brick/block work
 Wall thickness
 Workmanship or finishing expected
 Height of workplace
 Whether activity is continuous or intermittent
 Specification of building unit
 Skills of masons
 Level of supervision and site organization

In order for the estimator to price the unit rate for brick or block, it is necessary for him to know the following:
• How to build up the price per cubic metre for the mortar to be used
• The number of bricks or block in a SM
• The percentage to be added for waste
• Amount f skilled and unskilled hours required for each unit operation

CALCULATIONS FOR UNIT RATE OF A CONCRETE BLOCK/BRICK WALL

Question One
A 225mm thick wall is to be constructed out of 350x225x150mm concrete blocks and bonded using 20mm thick
mortar joints of mix 1:4. Compute the unit rate for concrete block wall and produce a material delivery list for a
plinth wall shown below. Assume all walls as 230mm.

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Solution
Determining the cost of 1CM mortar
1CM of cement 28 @ 29,000……………………….812,000/
4CM of sand 1.3x4x15000……………………….78,000
Total 890,000/=
Cost of 1CM of dry mortar with (890,000x1.33)/5 = 236740/=
with voids catered for
Add 5% waste = 11837/=
Concrete mixer (40000/8)x0.5hrs = 2500/=
Unskilled labour 625x6 = 3750/=
Total 254,827/=
Therefore the unit cost of mortar is approximately 300,000/=
Coordinated block = 370x225x170
Area of one block =0.37x0.17 = 0.0629SM
No of blocks in 1SM = 1/0.0629 = 16blocks.
Volume of mortar = 0.225x1x1 – (16x0.35x0.15x0.225) = 0.04CM

Mortar 0.04 @ 300,000………………………………......... 12,000/

16 blocks delivered @ 2000………………………………. 32,000/
Add 5% waste for cutting of blocks………………………. 1600/
Unskilled hours 1.2 @ 625………………………………. 750/
Skilled hour 0.6 @ 1500……………………………… 900/
Total 47250/=
Add 20% profits and overheads…………………………… 9450/
Total 56700/=
Therefore the unit cost of a 225mm thick block wall = 56700x0.225 = 12,758/=
Adding water to mortar of 1:4 with the voids of 25%, the wset volume becomes 5x0.75 = 3.75CM
Therefore, 1CM of mortar requires 28/3.75 = 7.5 bags.
3.75CM of mortar were given by 4CM of sand
Therefore, 1CM of mortar requires 4/3.75 = 1.07CM of sand ….1.07x1.3 = 1.391tons
Total wall length is 57.93m and total wall height is 0.57m, therefore area = 33SM and the volume is 7.61CM.
1SM of a 225mm wall contains 0.04CM of mortar
1SM of a 230mm wall contains (0.04x230)/225 = 0.041CM of mortar
1SM of a 230mm wall contains 0.041CM of mortar

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33SM of a 230mm wall contains 0.041x33 = 1.353CM of mortar
1SM of a 225mm wall required 16blocks
1SM of a 230mm wall requires (16x230)/225 = 16.4blocks
33SM of wall requires 16.4x33 = 541.2blocks say 542 blocks

Materials required
Cement = 7.5x1.353………………10.1 bags. Say 11bags.
Sand = 1.391x1.353……………..1.9 tons. Say 2 tons.
Item Description Unit Qty Rate Amount

1 OPC Bag 11 29000 319,000

2 Plaster Sand Ton 2 15000 30,000

3 Blocks No 542 2000 1,084,000

Total 1,433,000

Question Two (try it out)

A 150mm thick wall is to be constructed out of 230x150x100mm common bricks and bonded using 20mm thick
mortar joints of mix 1:4. Compute the unit rate for common brick wall and produce a material delivery list for a
plinth wall shown below. Assume all walls are 230mm thick.

GROUND PLAN Section thru the fdn

CARPENTRY AND JOINERY

Timber for carpentry and joinery works can be purchased from the timber merchants in a sawn state, planed or
planed and moulded. The basic selling unit is the cubic metre but joinery rails, e.t.c are normally quoted for per
linear metre. If sawn sections and lengths are required which correspond exactly to the members that are supplied
by the manufacturers, the price will be cheaper than if the builder requires specific length and sections which
requires to be reduced to the required sizes on site. The emphasis in modern construction is to fabricate the
components in a specialist’s sub-contractors workshop wherever possible and reduce the site labour to a
minimum. Examples of such items are roof trusses, doors and frames, windows, staircases, cupboard units e.t.c.

Waste
The cutting and waste factor on insitu carpentry and joinery can be generally at about 10% but for certain
members in some situations, it may be higher.
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Factors that are considered in estimating for any carpentry and joinery work
The size of sections required
Labour involved
Type of item being made e.g roof trusses, door and windows
Purpose of structure

CALCULATIONS FOR UNIT RATE FOR ROOFING

Example One
Calculate the unit rate of a piece of 150mm x 50mm timber if each cubic metre of timber costs UGX 500,000.
Solution
Unit rate = 0.15 x 0.05 x 500,000 = UGX 3750.

Example Two (Roofing in Tiles)

Compute the unit rate for roofing in Kiwa tiles of size 400 x 225 with side laps of 25mm and end lap of
75mm if one tile costs 1600Ushs delivered. The tiles are hooked on 50x38 battens converted from 150x50x4200
pine timber. Each piece of 150x50x4200 costs 24,000Ushs delivered to site. The battens are to be fixed using
76mm nails each costing 30Ushs. What is required for a roof area of 300m2? Galvanized iron sheets costs 5000
Solutions
Tiles
Exposed area of tile ……………………………………..(0.4 -0.075)(0.225 – 0.025) = 0.0625m2
Number of tiles in a SM ……………………………………………………..1/0.0625 = 15.38
Add 2.5% waste………………………………………………………………………. = 0.38
Total number of tiles …………………………………………………………….…………16
16 tiles @ 1600 delivered ……………………………………………………………….25,600/
Unskilled labour for offloading 0.3hrs @ 1000 ……………………………………………300/
Total 1 25900/

Battens
Consider spacing of 325mm
Number (length) of battens in a SM 1/0.325 ……………………………………………….3.08
If 150x50x4200 costs 24,000Ushs, then 38x50x3.08 costs 4,458/=
0.05 x 0.038 x 500,000 x 3.08…………………………………………………………….. 2926/
Allow 10% cutting waste …………………………………………………………………..293/
Total 2 3219/

Nails
Consider a spacing of 600mm
Number of nails 3.08/0.6 ……………………………………………………………………..5
5*30 …………………………………………………………………………………………150/
G32 iron sheet @ 6000 …………………………………………………………………….6000/
Unskilled labour 0.3 @ 1000 ………………………………………………………………..300/
Skilled labour 0.6 @ 2500 …………………………………………………………………1500/
Total 3 7950/

Total cost 37069/

Allow 20% profits and overheads……………………………………………………………7414/

Final cost 44,483/

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The cost of roofing 1 SM of a roof in mangalore roofing tiles is 44,484/
The cost of roofing 300m2 44,483 x 300 = 13,344,900/=

Note: produce a materials list if required

Example Three (Roofing in Corrugated Iron Sheets)

Compute the unit rate for roofing in corrugated iron sheets of size 3000 x 900 with side laps of 114mm (in an
iron sheet each corrugation measures 76mm = 76x1.5 = 114mm) and end lap of 150mm. The iron sheets are
fixed to timber purlins with nails and washers. The roofing sheet costs 15000Ushs per SM, roofing nails costs
5000Ushs per a kilogram having 50 nails. There are 10 nails in a SM of roof surface and the washers cost 50Ushs
each.
Solution
Exposed area is (3 – 0.15)(0.9 – 0.114) ……………………2.24SM
Cost of 2.24SM @ 15000 …………………………………………………………………33,600/
Add cutting waste 5% ……………………………………………………………………….1680/
35,280/
Roofing nails 2.24 x 10 x 5000/50 …………………………………………………………..2240/
Add 5% waste………………………………………………………………………………….112/
37,632/
Washers 2.24 x 10 x 50 ………………………………………………………………………1120/
Add 5% waste ………………………………………………………………………………….56/
38,808/
Unskilled labour 0.3 @ 1000 ………………………………………………………………….300/
Skilled labour 0.3 @ 2500 …………………………………………………………………….750/
39,858/
Add 20% profits and overheads 7,972/
47,830/
The unit rate for roofing in iron sheet of gauge 28 pre-painted is 47,803/

FINISHES
1. Plaster work and other floor, wall and ceiling finishes and beds
Lime plaster has backing and rendering of course stuff and a finishing or setting coat of fine stuff. Before the
price of lime plastering can be analyzed, the basic cost of course, stuff and fine stuff must be ascertained.
The labour in mixing plastering materials is covered by the time of the attendant labourers in the plastering gang,
as two labourers can supply 3 plasterers with all the materials they require and do all the mixing. Generally, the
mixing is carried out by mixing machines.

CALCULATIONS FOR UNIT RATE FOR FINISHES

1. Plastering
Example One
Courses stuff (1:2:9 mix for render backing for lime plaster)
Consider 1Cm of cement of 28bags @ 28,000 ………………………………………..784,000/
2CM of Hydrated lime including unloading @ 450,000 ………………………………900,000/
Plaster sand 9tons @ 15000 ……………………………………………………………135,000/
1,819,000/

Allow for shrinkage, consolidation and waste of 50% …………………………………909,500/

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 2,728,500/

The cost of 1CM of plaster 2728500/12 …………………………227,375/

The labour for mixing is included in the plastering gang, profits and overheads can be added to the net price.

Example Two
Calculate the unit rate for plaster in cement-lime-sand mix of 1:2:9 to a thickness of 20mm. First coat be 12mm
thick, second coat be 6mm thick and finishing coat be 2mm (this is normally lime-cement mix).
Cement-lime-sand mix of 1:2:9 costs 227,375/
First cost 12mm…………0.012 x 227375…………………………………………………..2,729/
Compression of 50%................................................................................................................1,365/
Second coat 6mm……...0.06 x 227375……………………………………………………..1,364/
Compression of 20%................................................................................................................273/
5,371/
Finishing coat cement - lime (1:10) of 2mm
28 bags of cement ………………………………………………………………………784,000/
56 bags of lime (25kg/bag)……………10 x 2 x 28000…………………………………560,000/
1,344,000/
Allow for voids and waste of 10% 134,400/
1,478,400/
Cost per CM 1,478,400/11………………………………………………………………134,400/
Therefore cost of finishing coat 0.002 x 134,400…………………………………………….269/
Unskilled labour 0.75 x 2500 ………………………………………………………………..1875/
Skilled labour 1.5 @ 1000 …………………………………………………………………...1500/
3,375/
Total is 5731 + 269 + 3375 9,375/
Allow 20% profits and overheads 1,857
11,250/
The cost of plastering a SM of wall is 11,250/

2. Floor Screed
Specifications: 40mm thick mix of 1:4 cement – sand
0.04CM @ 300,000………………………………………………………………………12,000/
Waste of 10%.......................................................................................................................1,200/
Cement slurry of 0.5mm thick @ 784,000…………………………………………………392/
Skilled labour 1.5 @ 2500………………………………………………………………….3750/
Unskilled labour 1.5 @ 1000……………………………………………………………….1500/
18,842/
Add 20% profits and overheads …………………………………………………………...3768/
22,610/
The cost of screeding 40mm thick concrete in cement-sand mix of 1:4 is 22,610/

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