QUANTITY & ESTIMATION

LECTURE -I
NOTES BY AR. ANNUJJ SETH
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, USAP

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Intent of the subject
To understand the use and purpose , technique and role of
estimate for the proper use of cash in architectural works.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

What is Estimate?
An estimate is the probable cost of a construction job and is usually
prepared before the construction is taken up.

What is Estimation?
Estimation is the scientific way of working out the approximate
cost of an engineering project before execution of the work.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Need of Project Estimate

•To complete the work within the limits of funds available.

•To prepare the estimate for the proposed work from its

plan and specifications.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Purpose of Estimation
§ MONEY-to determine necessary amount of money required by the
owner to complete the proposed work.
§ QUANTITY– to determine the quantities of materials required in
order to program their timely procurement.
§ WORKER– to determine the number of various types of workers
required in each work.
§ TOOLS AND PLANTS-to arrange necessary tools and plants as per
schedule of work in correct numbers.
§ SCHEDULE– to create a schedule of work.
§ TIME-to calculate the completion time of project
§ COST BENEFIT RATIO-to justify cost benefit ratio
Introduction to Estimation and Costing
 Advantages of Project Estimation:-

§ Detail out each step required to perform an operation.

§ Allow the Comparison of similar project at different

sites.

§ Costs for totally new activities can be estimated

without prior activity data.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

 How is the Estimate of the project prepared?

§To prepare an estimate, drawing consisting of the plan,

elevation and section through important points, along with a
detailed specification giving specific description of all
workmanship, properties and proportion of materials are
required.
§It is prepared by calculating the quantities, from the
dimensions on the drawings for the various items required to
complete the project and multiplied by unit cost of the item
concerned.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

 Different Types of Estimates

§ Preliminary Estimate or Approximate Estimate

§ Plinth Area Estimate

§ Cube Rate Estimate or Cubical Content Estimate

§ Approximate Quantity Estimate

§ Detailed Estimate or Item Rate Estimate

§ Revised Estimate

§ Supplementary Estimate

§ Annual Repair or Maintenance Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing
Preliminary Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Preliminary or Approximate estimate

§This estimate is the estimate which helps in providing the INITIAL

PROJECT COST.
§ The calculations for approximate estimate can be done with the
following data. The data can be had from a similar construction
already complete in the nearby area, executed by the department.
§ For example: To calculate approximate estimate for a Hospital, per
bed cost is calculated from the recently completed hospital and is
multiplied with the number of beds required.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

§Why it is required?
It is required for preliminary studies of various aspects of
work or project, to decide the financial position and policy
for administrative sanction by the competent administrative
authority.
§How it is prepared?
It is prepared from the practical knowledge and cost of
similar works. This estimate is prepared showing separately
the approximate cost of all important items of work as cost of
land, cost of each building, cost of road, water supply,
sanitary works, electrification etc.
Introduction to Estimation and Costing
Plinth Area Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

What is plinth area?

It is the built up covered area measured at floor level of the basement

or of any storey of building.

How it is calculated?

The area is obtained by multiplying length and breadth (outer

dimensions of building).

Plinth area Estimate Method:-

The cost of construction is determined by multiplying plinth area with

plinth area rate.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing
Area =
13’6”X16’6”=222.75 sq ft.
Rate @ per sq. feet= Rs.
600/-
Plinth area estimate for
the room = Area * Rate
per sq. feet
= 222.75 * 600 =
Rs. 1,33,650/-

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Cube Rate Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

This method is generally used for multi-storeyed buildings. It is

more accurate than the plinth area method.

The cost of a structure is calculated approximately as the

total cubical contents (Volume of buildings) multiplied by

Local Cubic Rate. The volume of building is obtained by

Length X breadth X depth or height.

(The length and breadth are measured out to out of walls excluding the plinth offset.)

The cost of building = volume of buildings X rate/ unit volume.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Let Height of the room =
10’ (3m)
Volume = L x B x H=
13’6”X16’6”X 10’=2227.5
cu ft.
Rate @ per cubic feet=
Rs. 100/-
Cubic Content estimate
for the room = Volume *
Rate per cubic feet
= 2227.5 * 100 =
Rs. 2,22,750

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Approximate Quantity Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

In this method approximate total length of walls is found in
running metre and this total length multiplied by the rate per
running metre of wall gives a fairly accurate cost.
How it is done?
For this method, the structure may be divided into two parts :-
• Foundation including plinth
• Superstructure
The running metre cost for the foundation and superstructure
should be calculated first and these running meter rate should
be multiplied by total length of walls.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Running metre rate for the foundation includes:-

Approximate quantities of items such as excavation, foundation,

brickwork up to plinth and damp proof course are calculated

and multiplying by the rates of these items the price is

determined.

Similarly for superstructure the price per running metre is

determined from the approximate quantity of brickwork,

wood works, roof, floor etc.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Detailed Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Detailed estimate is an accurate estimate and consists of

working out the quantities of each item of works, and working

the cost. The dimensions, length, breadth and height of each item

are taken out correctly from drawing and quantities of each item

are calculated, abstracting and billing are done

The detailed estimate is prepared in two stages:-

1. Details of Measurement and Calculation of Quantities

2. Abstract of Estimated Cost

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Revised Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

It is a detailed estimate and is required to be prepared under any

one of the following circumstances:-

•When the original sanctioned estimate is exceeded or likely to

exceed by more than

•When the expenditure on a work exceeds or likely to exceed

the amount of administrative sanction by more than 10%>

•When there are materials deviation from the original proposal ,

even though the cost may be met from the sanctioned amount.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

The revised estimate should be accompanied by a

comparative statement showing the variation of each item of

works, its quantity, rate and cost under original and revised,

side by side, the excess or saving and reasons for variation.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Supplementary Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

§It is detailed estimate and is prepared when addition works are

required to supplement the original works, or when further

development is required during the progress of work.

§This is a fresh detail estimate of the additional works in addition

to the original estimate.

§The abstract should show the amount of the original estimate and

the total amount including the supplementary amount for which

sanction is required.
Introduction to Estimation and Costing
Annual Repair or Maintenance
Estimate

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

§It is a detailed estimate and is prepared to maintain the

structure or work in proper order and in safe condition.

§For building: This includes white washing, colour washing,

painting, minor repair etc.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing

Assignment Questions

1. Explain estimate, estimation in your

words. What is the need of using
estimate in architecture.
2. Explain the types of estimates with
example.

Introduction to Estimation and Costing