P.O.W.

INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, JORHAT LECTURE NOTES

Prepared by: N.B.Dey , POWIET, Jorhat

ESTIMATNG AND COSTING

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is estimating? Purpose of estimating.

An estimate is the process of calculating of quantities of various items of works

and accordingly the cost of each item of works and finally the probable cost in a
particular work or project. The rates of different items of work are normally
taken from the Schedule of rates (SOR), which enables us to know the
approximate cost of construction which is likely to incur in the construction,
prior to starting of the work.

For a complete estimate, besides the estimated cost of the different items of
main works also the cost of preliminary works and surveying, cost of land
including cost of acquisition, cost of levelling and dressing of ground
and the other external service costs are required to be provided in the
estimate.

Purpose :

1) Estimating is done before undertaking any work or project to know the

probable cost .
2) Preliminary estimate is required to prepare for getting approval or
sanction from the competent authority of any work or a project.
3) An estimate is required before undertaking a work , so that the work can
be completed with in the funds available either by the curtailment of
items of work or altering the specification or by other possible means.
4) Along with the preliminary estimate, a report is also required to submit to
get an overall idea about the project and there by to justify the
investment on the project.

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 5) From a detailed estimate the quantities of various materials and labour
required may also be calculated.
6) From a detailed estimate an idea of thee time of completion of the project
can be obtained.
7) Estimate is also required for inviting tenders and to arrange contract .
8) For controlling the expenditure during execution of work an estimate is
also required.

Mostly used units in Civil Engineering works are

For length- Meter (m)

For Area – Square meter ( m2)
For Volume- Cubic Meter (m3)
For Mass – Kilogram (kg)
For Capacity- litre (lt)
For article that can be counted- Number (no)
Degree of Accuracy
In general
Nearest to In MKS Unit Nearest to
Dimension 1 cm 0.01m
Area 100 sq cm 0.01 Sq m
Volume 10000 cu cm 0.01 Cum
Thin members 0.5 cm 0.005m

Units of Measurements and rate of Payments ( for different items of work):

SL Particular of items Units of Rate of
NO measurement Payments
I. Earth work:
1. Earth work in Excavation cum Per %cum
2. Earthwork in filling in foundation trenches cum Per %cum
3.Earth work in filling in plinth cum Per %cum
II. Concrete:

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 1. Lime concretre in foundation cum Per cum
2. Cement concrete in Lintels cum Per cum
3. R.C.C.in slab cum Per cum
4. C.C. or R.C.C. Chujja, Sun-shade cum Per cum
5. L.C. in roof terracing (thickness specified) sqm Per sqm
6. Cement concrete bed cum Per cum
7. R.C. Sunshade (Specified cum Per rm
Width & Height
III. Damp Proof Course (D.P.C)
(Thickness should be mentioned) Sqm Per sqm
IV. Brick work:
1. Brickwork in foundation cum Per cum
2. Brick work in plinth cum Per cum
3. Brick work in super structure cum Per cum
4. Thin partition walls sqm Per sqm
5. Brick work in arches cum Per cum
6. Reinforced brick work (R.B.Work) cum Per cum

V. Stone Work:
Stone masonry Cum Per cum
VI Wood work:
1. Door and window frames or choukhat, rafters cum Per cum
beams, roof trusses etc
2. Door and window Shutters, panelled, sqm Per sqm
battened, glazed , wire gauged etc. (thickness
specified)
3. Doors and windows fittings (like hinges, tower Number Per number
bolts, sliding bolts, handles)
Sanitary Fittings :
1. Providing and fixing water closet including all
fittings ( Specification specified) Nos Each no
2. Providing and fixing urinals with all fittings
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 complete ( Specification specified) Nos Each no

3 Providing and fixing wash basins with all fittings

complete ( Specification specified) Nos Each no
4. Sanitary Fittings ( Specification specified) Nos Each no
5. Pipe lines of different materials of different Running Per meter
diameters meter
VII. Steel work
1. Steel reinforcement bars etc in R.C.C. and R.B. Quintal Per quintal
work.
2. Bending, binding of steel Reinforcement Quintal Per quintal
3. Rivets, bolts, & nuts, Anchor bolts, Lewis bolts,
Holding down bolts. Quintal Per quintal
4. Iron hold fasts Quintal Per quintal
5. Iron railing (height and types specified) Quintal Per quintal
6. Iron grills Sqm Per Sqm
VIII Roofing
1. R.C.C. and R.B. Slab roof (excluding steel) Cum Per cum
2. L.C. roof over and inclusive of tiles or brick or sqm Per sqm
stone slab etc (thickness specified)
3. Centering and shuttering form work sqm Per sqm
4. A.C. Sheet roofing sqm Per sqm
IX IX Plastering, points & finishing
1. Plastering-Cement or Lime Mortar ( thickness
and proportion specified) Sqm Per sqm
2. Pointing Sqm Per sqm
3. White washing, colour washing, cement
wash(number of coats specified) Sqm Per sqm
4. Distempering (number of coats specified) Sqm Per sqm
5. Painting, varnishing (number of coats
specified) Sqm Per sqm
X Flooring
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 1. 25mm cement concrete over 75mm lime
concrete floor (including L.C.) Sqm Per sqm
2. 25mm or 40mm C.C. floor Sqm Per sqm
3. Doors and window sills (C.C. or cement mortar Sqm Per sqm
plain)
XI Rain water pipe /Plain pipe RM Per RM
XII Steel wooden trusses No Per 1No
XIII Glass panels (supply) Sqm Per Sqm.
XIV Fixing of glass panels or No Per no
cleaning

2.0 Types of Estimate:

Different types of estimates are:

A) Rough Cost estimate or Preliminary Estimate or Approximate

Estimate :
B) Detailed estimate:

A) Rough Cost Estimate or Preliminary Estimate or Approximate

Estimate :

This type of estimate is done for preliminary studies of various aspects of

a work or project such as to decide the financial position and for administrative
sanction by the competent authority.

If the project is a commercial project i.e. through this project, revenue

will be earned, a preliminary estimate or Rough cost estimate is prepared and
compared with the probable income of this project for justification.

Again, if the project gives no direct return, from preliminary estimate and
on the report submitted, proper justification on the necessity, utility, availability
of money etc. may be done before final decision is taken.

An approximate or preliminary estimate can only be prepared from the practical

knowledge and the cost of similar works. Approximate cost of all important item

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of works, such as cost of land, cost of each building, cost of roads etc are
shown separately. A brief report explaining the necessity and utility of the
project and the method of calculation of cost is also attached with the report.

Different types of Rough Cost estimates are

i) Plinth area estimates
ii) Cube rate estimate
iii) Approximate Quantity Method Estimate:
i) Plinth Area Estimate:

This is a very popular method of estimating the approximate cost of a

building and can be prepared even if the plan of the building is not available. In
this method, Plinth area of the building is multiplied by the plinth area rate to
get the building cost i.e. Building cost = Plinth area x Plinth area rate of the
building.

Plinth area is calculated by taking the external dimension of the building at the
floor level without considering the courtyard and other open areas if any.

If the plan of the building is not available, plinth area is calculated from the
Carpet area (as per requirement) and 30% to 40% of the total area thus
obtained may be added for walls, circulation etc to get the approximate plinth
area i.e. PA = Carpet area + 30% to 40% of PA.

ii) Cube Rate Estimate or Cubical Content Estimate:

This is also a preliminary estimate or an approximate estimate and is prepared

on the cubical content of the building.

iii) Approximate Quantity Method Estimate:

Approximate quantity method of estimate is done on the running meter

cost of different items like foundation and plinth, super structure etc. and then
by multiplying with total length of that particular item.

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 Plinth Area: plinth area is calculated by taking the external dimensions
of the building at the floor level excluding the plinth offsets if any. Court yard ,
balconies and cantilever projections are not included in the plinth area.

Floor Area: Floor area= Plinth Area- Area occupied by walls. Also area
occupied by pillars, plasters, and other intermediate supports are not included
in the floor area.

Circulation Area: This is the floor area which are used for movement of
persons staying in the building. Verandahs and Balconies, Passages and
corridors, Entrance halls etc. are the circulation areas of a building.

Carpet Area: Carpet Area = Floor Area – Circulation Area of a building.

Carpet area is the useful area or liveable area.

Let,

PA = Plinth Area; FA = Floor Area; CA = Carpet Area and

CirA = Circulation Area
A per definition
PA =total covered area of a bldg at any floor level
= CA + CirA+ Area occupied by (bath and WC + walls and Pillars)
= FA + Area occupied by walls and Pillars
FA = Area of all rooms
= CA + CirA+ Area occupied by bath and WC.
= PA – Area occupied by walls and pillars
CA= Useful part of the live-able area
=FA- CirA- Area occupied by bath and Toilets
CirA = Floor Area used for movements.
i.e. Area for Verandah, Balconies, Corridors, entrance et.

Approximate % of CA, CirA, Lavatories and wall and columns.

CA = 50% to 60% of the PA
CirA + lavatories etc = 30 to 40% of PA
Walls and pillars = 10% of PA
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 a) Contingencies:- 3-5% of the estimated cost is kept to meet the
contingency expenses. These are the incidental expenses of
miscellaneous in nature and cannot be classified under any distinct item
or sub item in the detailed estimate.
b) Work-Charged Establishment-1.5% to 2% of the estimated cost is
kept to meet this expenses. During the construction a certain amount is
required to pay for chaukidar, supervisors, mates etc. as their salaries
which is paid from the work Charged .

c) Tools and Plants : 1% to 1.5% of the estimated amount is left under this
head for purchasing Tools and Plants which will be required for the execution of
work .

d) Cent-age or Departmental Charges- 10% to 15% of the estimated cost

is charged as Departmental Charge or Cent age charge.

When the engineering department takes up the work of other department an

amount is charged to meet the expenses of establishment, designing, planning,
supervision etc.

Building Services and percentage of the cost:

Building Service items are Water supply and Sanitary , Electrification works,
internal roads , campus lighting , landscaping, fire fighting installations, Motor
Pumps etc.

Building Services cost :

Percentage of
the cost of the building
For water supply and sanitary works 8%

For internal electrification 8%

For Electric fans 4%

For Septic tank 3% to 4%

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EXAMPLES:

EX. 1. Prepare a preliminary estimate of a building project with a total

plinth area of all buildings of 1500 sqm. Given that-

Plinth area Rate = Rs 350.00 per sqm

Spl Architectural treatment– 1.5% of the bld. cost
W/S and Sanitary Installations – 5% of the bld. cost
Internal installations – 14 % of the bld. cost
Extra for services – 6% of the building cost
Contingencies - 3%
Supervision charges- 8%

Sl no items qntty Amount

i) Building Cost 1500 sqm x 350= 525000
@ Rs 350 per sqm
ii) Special Architectural treatment 1.5 % of 525000 = 7875
@ 1.5% of building cost
iii) Water Supply and Sanitary 5% of 525000 = 26250
Installations
@ 5% of the building cost
iv) Internal installations 14 % of 525000= 73500
@ 14 % of the building cost
v) Services 6 % of 525000= 31500
@ 6% of the building cost
SUB TOTAL Rs. 664125
vi) Contingencies @ 5% over all 3% of 664125= 19923.75
vii) Supervision charges @ 8%Over all 8% of 664125= 53130
TOTAL Rs. 737178.75

Approximately Rs 7,37,180.00

Approximate Estimated Cost of the building Project will be:- Rupees Seven Lac
Thirty Seven Thousand One hundred Eighty only.

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Ex.2. Prepare a preliminary estimate of a four storied office building having a
carpet area of 1200 sqm for obtaining the administrative approval of the
Government given the following data . It may be assumed that 30 % of the
built up area will be taken up by the corridors , Verandahs, lavatories,
staircases , etc and 10% of the built-up area will be occupied by walls.

i) Plinth area rate = Rs. 1000 per sqm

ii) Extra for deep foundation = 1% of bldg cost
iii) Spl Architectural treatment = 0.5% of bldg Cost
iv) W/S and sanitary works = 6% of bldg cost
v) electrical installations = 12% of bldg cost
vi) Services = 5% of buldg cost
vii) Contingencies = 2.5%
viii) Supervision charges = 8%

Solution: Built up Area or Plinth area = Carpet area + area occupied by

corridors (verandahs, lavoratories, stair case, etc.) +area occupied by walls.

Let x= built up area or plinth area.

so, x= carpet area + 30% of built up area + 10% of built up area.

= 1200 + 30% of x + 10 % of x= 1200 + 0.4 x

X= 2000 sqm

Prel. Estimate:-

Sl no items Calculations Amount

i) Building Cost 2000 x 1000 2000000.00
@ Rs 1000 per sqm
ii) For deep foundation 1% of 2000000= 20000.00
@ 1% of bld. cost

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 iii) Special Architectural 0.5% of 2000000= 10000.00
treatment
@ 0.5% of building cost
iv) Water Supply and Sanitary 6% of 2000000= 120000.00
Installations
@ 6% of the building cost
v) Internal installations 12% of 2000000= 240000.00
@ 12.0 % of the building cost
vi) For Services @ 5% of bld cost 5% of 2000000= 100000.00
SUB TOTAL 2490000.00
vii) Contingencies @ 2.5% of total 2.5% of 2490000= 62250.00
Civil cost
viii) Supervision Charges @ 8% of 8% of 2490000= 199200.00
total Civil cost
TOTAL 2751450.00
Rounded to Rs. 2751500.00

Estimated Cost of the building Project will be :-

Rupees Twenty Seven Lac Fifty one thousand five hundred only.

Ex.3 :
Prepare the rough estimate for a proposed commercial complex for a
municipal corporation for the following data.
Plinth Area = 500m2/floor
Ht of each story = 3.5m
No. of story = G+2
Cubical content rate = Rs. 1000/m3
Provided for a following as a percentage of structured cost
a) water supply & Sanitary arrangement -8%
b) Electrification -6%
c) Fluctuation of rates - 5%
d) Contractors profit - 10%

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e) Petty supervision & contingencies - 3%

Sol :
Cubical content = No. of story x (Plinth Area x height of each story)
= 3(500x3.5) = 5250m3

Sl no items calculations Amount

i) Cost of the building @ Rs 1000/cum 5250 x 1000 5250000.00

ii) Water supply and sanitation @ 8% of 5250000 = 420000.00

8%
iii) ) Electrification @ 6% 6% of 5250000 = 315000.00

iv) fluctuation of rates @5% 5% of 5250000 = 262500.00

Total building Cost 6247500.00

v) P.S./& contingencies @3% 3% of 6247500 = 187425.00

vi) Contractors Profit @ 10% 10% of 6247500 = 624750.00

Total Rs. 7059675.00

Rounded to Rs : 70 59700.00

Ex.5: Prepare an approximate estimate or rough cost estimate of

a hospital building for 50 beds. The cost of construction altogether for
each bed is Rs. 60,000/-. Determine the total cost of hospital building.
Solution:
Sl no items calculations Amount
i) Numbers of bed @ Rs. 50 X 60,000 30,00,000.00
60,000.00

Total Cost of Hospital building = Rs. 30,00,000/-

Home work:

Pb. 1. Prepare a preliminary estimate for the single storied RCC

institutional building with total plinth area of 1500 sqm. Take plinth area rate
according to PWD SOR 2013-14 with Provisions for Spl Architectural treatment ,
W/S and Sanitary Installations (external and Internal ) electrical installations ,
Contingencies and supervision charges
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