Quantity Survey, Contracts & Tenders

Unit 1 : Introduction and Approximate Estimates

a) Introduction to estimates and related terms:

Estimation

* All types of constructions in civil engineering

requires beforehand to obtain the total quantity of
different components so that actual cost can be
obtained.

* This helps to know the budget, expenses while

planning for construction projects in correlation
to available funds. Shortage of funds can hamper
the completion of projects.

* Here therefore we can define the Estimation

as the technical process of calculating quantities
and to establish the cost. This includes preparation
of drawings consisting of plan, section and
elevation alongwith specifications of all the
quantities, material and labour requierment.

Need for Estimation

1. Estimate give an idea of the cost of the work and
hence its feasibility can be determined i..e whether
the project could be taken up with in the funds
available or not.
Need for Estimation

2. Estimate gives an idea of time required for the

completion of the work.
3. Estimate is required to invite the tenders and
Quotations and to arange contract.
4. Estimate is also required to control the
expenditure during the execution of work.
5. Estimate decides whether the proposed plan
matches the funds available or not.

Types of Estimates:

* There is always the difference in the cost estimat-

-ed before starting of the work and after complet-
-ion due to changes in cost of material, labour req-
-uirement, or changes in dimensions.

* It is only the skill of the experienced Estimator

who can efficiently handle/ minimize the cost diff-
-erence between estimated and actual construction
cost.

* For understanding this we need to learn about

types of estimate.

1. Detailed Estimate:

* The complete estimate in all aspects such

that, it provides most accurate quatity, cost of total
work.
1. Detailed Estimate:

* Any detailed estimates accompanies following

- Report
- Specifications
- Drawing with plan, section and elevation
- Design details
- Rates adopted

2. A prelimnary or approximate or rough estimate:

* An estimate prepared within short time, to

get the idea about total approximate cost of the
project.
* This is done as a part of decision process,
wheater or not to saction the project based on
capital requirement.
* References of similar work is also taken into
consideration. There three methods for this type of
estimation
- Unit rate method : Cost is obtained first at
single unit level, then it is multiplied by total number
of units in that proejct.
Example: Kms of highway length, no of beds
in hospital, per litre of water for water tanks.

- Plinth area method : In this method, total area

of building is calculated at plinth level excluding
components outside plinth area of the building.
Then the cost is obatined multiplying per plinth
area.
2. A prelimnary or approximate or rough estimate:

- Cube rate method : In this method, the cos of

the building is obtained based on cubic meter
volume which is more accurate method than the
plinth area method.
The total volume of the building is obtained by
taking product of breadth, width and height.
This obtained volume is multiplied by the cubic
rate of similar type of building.

3. A quantity estimate or quantity survey:

Estimation of the material quantity required to
complete work indetailed is called quantity estimate.

4. Revised Estimate:
If due to changes in price level data or any
other cause the sanctioned estimate exceeds by
more than 5 %, then alternate estimate is prepared
known as the Revised Estimate.
A comparative statement with details about the
variation related to quantitis, item, rates should be
included with reaseons for the variations.

5. A Supplimentary Estimate:
Estimate prepared for the new/ additional
supplimentary work which was not considered while
framing the first estimate.
The abstract of this new update with previous
estimate should be included along with the total
sanctioned required.
6. A Complete Estimate:
A complete estimate of direct or in-direct cost
related to the project. There are many other expen-
-ses required to complete the project not included
in the detailed estimate.

Source: Estimation, Costing & Specifications in

Civil Engg., by M Chakraborty.
Data required for preparation of estimate:

(i) Complete Set of Detailed Drawings:

In order to work out the quantities of various items
of work, a complete set of detailed drawings
consisting of plan, elevation, sections and
foundation details etc. is required.
The relevant dimensions i.e. length, breadth,
depth or height of the items, whose quantities are
to be worked out, can be measured from such
drawings.

(ii) Specifications of Items of Works:

The rate of an item depends upon the specifications
of the work.
Specifications provide information regarding
type of construction, quality of materials,
proportion of mixes, manner in which the work is
to be executed, etc.

(iii) Prevalent Rates of Items of Construction:

After the quantities of various items of work
involved are calculated, they are to be multiplied by
the current market rates of those items.
The Government department such as Buildings
and Communication, Irrigation and Power Depart-
-ment prepares schedule of rates for all items of
work pertaining to the department for a district or
area, on the basis of analysis of rates of items.
A booklet called ‘District Schedule of Rates’
(D.S.R) is available for sale in such Government
Organisations.
Data required for preparation of estimate:

(iv) Standard Mode of Measurement:

I.S. 1200 has specified the procedure of
measurement of various items of work, standard
deductions to made if any, the accuracy of measure-
-ment etc. and is to be followed while preparing
estimates.

(v) Details of foundation strata likely to encounter.

(vi) The exact location of the work site.

(vii) The physical condition of the work site.

Meaning of an item of work:

* All the construction project can be divided into

small no of sub work (tasks) which can be easily
measured, quantified and dealt properly.

* These small work tasks can be based on each

item (member/ parts) requierd to complete the pro-
-ject is known as Item of the work.

* Knowledge of all the item of work is essential

based on the type of project/ construction to hand-
-le properly the process of estimation.
Items of work for different Civil Engineering
projects

1. Earthwork:
- The earthwork in excavation and filling is
taken as separate items.
- The unit for measurement of earthwork is
cubic meter (volumne)
- For foundation of building earthwork in
excavation is taken as size of the trench (L*B*H),
while for the filling it is usually neglected.
- Earthwork filling in plinth in considered by
taking inside dimensions.

2. Concrete in Foundation:
- The amount of concrete in foundation is
taken in cubic meter.

3. Soling:
- For soft soil, one layer of broken dry bricks
or stone is added at base of foundation. Its measur-
-ed in term of square meter (L*B).

4. Damp proof course:

- Rich cement concrete or cement morter cour-
-se mixed with standard water proofing material is
applied at plinth level to full width of wall. Quantities
are computed in sq. m.
Items of work for different Civil Engineering
projects

5. Masonary:
- Masonary is computed in terms of cu. m.
- Both plinth and foundation masonary is taken
as one unit.
- In multi storeyed building. for each floor maso-
-nary is taken as separate unit.
- Deduction for openings, bearings are to taken
into consideration while obtaining quantities.

6. Flooring and Roofing:

- At the ground floor level, the lime concrete
course with flooring tiles is taken as one unit measu-
-ered in sq. m. (1 brass = 100 sq. ft.)
- At other floor level the cushioning between
slab and tiles i.e. the lime concrete and flooring tiles
used as the flooring item can be taken as one unit.
- For roofing, the supporting structure is taken
separately in sq. m. The lime concrete used in surface
finishing over roof is taken separately in sq. m.

7. Plasterning and pointing:

- Plastering of walls, both side in size of 12mm
thick is calculated in sq.m.
- Proper deductions are to be taken into consid-
-eration.
- Plastering for ceiling is taken 12 mm, also
measured in terms of sq.m. (1 brass = 100 sq. ft.)
Items of work for different Civil Engineering
projects

7. Plasterning and pointing:

- Pointing for the walls is also considered
interms of sq. m. with deductions considered just
like the plastering.

8. Cornice:
- Large and ornamental cornice is measure in
running meter (or running ft.) including masonary,
plastering, finishing.

9. Pillars:
- Pillars are taken separately for their geometeric
volumn. The plastering of these pillars is measured
in sq.m.

10. Doors and Windows (Wooden):

- Chowkhat or frame is measure in cu. m. with
total length obtained from horizontal and vertical
members, then multiplied by cross section area.
- Horizntal member at bottom may or may not
be present i.e. sill member.
- Horn projections should also be considered in
length.
- Leaves or shutter are measured in terms of
the sq.m., such that area is considered for height *
breadth.
Items of work for different Civil Engineering
projects

11. Painting:
- The measurement is same as that of the plast-
-ering with proper deductions, measured in the sqm
(or sq.ft. ie 1 brass=100 sq.ft.).

Enlisting the items of work for different

Civil Engineering projects.

1. Buidling construction
-Site clearance.
-Excavation for foundations.
-P. C. C. in foundations.
-Masonry in foundations.
-C. R. masonary in plinth.
-Damp proof course at plinth level.
-Plinth filling with hard murum.
-Brick Work (or stone masonary) in Superstructure.
-Providing and fixing door and window frames.
-Lintels over openings.
-Flat R.C.C. or sloping roof.
-External and internal plastering and pointing.
-Providing and laying flooring.
-Door and Window shutters.
-Water supply and sanitary arrangement.
-Electrification.
Enlisting the items of work for different Civil
Engineering projects.

2. Road/Highway Construction

-Surveying
-Clearing and Piling
-Earthwork
-Finish Grading
-Surfacing
-Drainage

Assignment

Write the list of items/work for following

constructions projects.

1. Industrial steel shed

2. Reinforced concrete reserviour
3. Construction of canal for reserviour
Units of Measurement
A. Materials:
Units of Measurement
 Units of Measurement
D. Concreting:
Units of Measurement
G. Roofing:
 Deductions for Openings:

1. Doors and Windows

* No deductions are to be made in following cases,

- Opening upto 1000 sq.cm or 0.1 sq.m. (1 sq.ft.)
shall be neglected.
- Ends of beams, purlins, posts, rafters etc.
upto 500 sq.cm. i.e. 0.05 sq.m.
- Bed plates, wall plates, bearings of chajjas
upto 10 cm depth.
- bearings of floor and roof slab are not
deducted.

For all other opening follow

a. Rectangular Openings: Full deductions to made

deduct=l*h*thickness of
wall

b. Doors and windows with small segmental archs:

deduct=l*h*thickness of wall
1. Doors and Windows

For all other opening follow

c. Segmental Arch Openings:

r Deduct=(area of rectangle (l*h)

+ area segment (2*l*r/3))

h * wall thickness

L
d. Semi-circular arch:

Deduct= (area of rectangle(l*h)

r
+ area of semi-circle
( 0.5 ∗ π ∗ r2 ) )
h
* wall thickness

L
e. Arch Masonary work:
deduct= Lm*t*wall thickness
1. Doors and Windows

f. Lintels over openings:

Deduct= L* t * wall thickness

2. Plastering and Pointing:

* No deductions shall be made for ends of

beam, posts, rafter
* For small openings of size 0.5 sq.m (5 sq.ft)
there shall be no deductions such that no additions
are made for jambs, soffits and sills of these
openings.
* In case of openings greater than 0.5 sq.m but
at the same time not exceeding 3 sq.m, deductions
shall be made only for one side. Allowed other face
to consider jambs, soffits and sills.
* Now for openings greater than 3 sq.m (30 sq.
ft) the deductions are made for both faces.
The jambs, soffit, and sills are taken into account
and added.
Components of Estimate

1. Face Sheet

* As the name suggest the sheet which is attached

at the face of the detailed estimate highlighting
the following details
* The face sheets gives idea about nature of the
project.
* Statement of total budget of the project.
* Primary objectives of the project.
* Estimation method used and followed.
* Complete time required for completion of project.
* Charges details required to be paid upfornt.
 Components of Estimate

Typical Facesheet
Components of Estimate

Abstract Sheet (BOQ) :

* The cost under item of work calculated from the

quantities already computed at workble rate, and
the total cost is worked out in a prescribed from
known as abstract sheet.

* For the form shown description of each item

should be such as to express exactly what work,
material, proportions of morter etc. have been pro-
-vided.

* A percentage of 3 to 5 percent is added for cont-

-ingencies.

* A percentage of 1.5 to 2 percent is added to meet

expenditure of work-charged establishment.

* Abstract sheet is also known as Bill of Quanity

(BOQ), which is attached in tender such that it helps
contractor to quote the rate for that tender.
Components of Estimate : Abstract Sheet (BOQ)
Components of Estimate :
Measurement Sheet

* The entire work is divided into different items of

works (sub-items), all such items are grouped into
the sub-heads.

* The measurement details of each item of work

is computed and quantities under each item is
computed in particular format known as Details of
Measurement.
 Components of Estimate

Rate Analysis:

The process of determining rate per unit of any

work in Civil Engineering project like earthwork,
concrete work, brickwork, plastering, painting etc. is
known as Analysis of Rates or simply Rate Analysis.

The rates of materials and labour vary from

place to place and hence the rates of different items
of works also vary from place to place. The rates of
these works further help in determining cost of
particular work and in turn cost of the project.

Necessity of Rate Analysis

- To determine the actual cost per unit of the
items.
- To work out the economical use of materials
and processes in completing the particulars item.
- To calculate the cost of extra items which are
not provided in the contract bond, but are to be
executed as per the directions of the department.
- To revise the schedule of rates due to increase
in the cost of material and labour or due to change
in technique.
Components of Estimate

Factors Deciding Rate of Items

The various factors that are involved in determining

rate of any item, process or work are
mentioned below:
- Specifications of works and material about
their quality, proportion and constructional
operation method.
- Quantity of materials and their costs.
- Cost of labour and their wages.
- Location of site of work and the distances
from source and conveyance charges.
- Overhead and establishment charges.
- Profit and miscellaneous expenses of the
contractor.

Lead statement

The distance between the source of availability of

material and construction site is known as "Lead”
and is expressed in Km.
The cost of conveyance of material depends
on lead.
This statement is required when a material is
transported from a distant place, more than 8kms
(5 miles).
The lead statement will give the total cost of
materials per unit item including first cost, convey-
-ance loading-unloading, stacking charges etc.
 Components of Estimate

Provisional Sum

Generally provisional sum is an amount allocated for

a specialized work by a specialized firm, for which
the details are not available at the time of tender.

The provisional sum amount will be a best

guess at the time of tender by the employer or
contractor depending upon the type of provisional
sum.
Hence claim made by the contractor need not
necessarily be the exact amount mentioned in the
contract.
A provisional sum is an allowance (or best
guess), usually estimated by a cost consultant, that is
inserted into tender documents for a specific
element of the works that is not yet defined in
enough detail for tenderers to accurately price.
e.g. Earthwork (soil condition)
 Components of Estimate
Prime Cost Items:

* A prime cost is defined as ‘an item that has not

been selected, or whose value is not known, at the
time a domestic building contract is entered into and
for the cost of supply and delivery of which the
builder must make a reasonable allowance in the
contract’

* What this essentially means is that these are items

that may not be selected yet – usually fixtures and
fittings such as handles, stovetops and tapware – as
it’s too early in the process.

* In order to ensure a consistent cost, the builder

will make allowances for these items without knowing
the specific cost.

* This allowance will include any mark-up or profit

from the builder, as well as sourcing and installation
costs.

* A provisional sum (PS) is an estimated amount in

contract to cover work or materials, or both;
the extent of which cannot be accurately quoted
While PS items are included in a contract for
things such as bulk excavation or siteworks.
However, there can be unforeseen events on
site such as unstable ground conditions or large rocks
underground, that can cause significant cost
increased.
Components of Estimate

Contingencies:

* The term contingencies indicate the incidental

expenses of miscellaneous characters which cannot
be classified under any distinct item sub-head, yet
are present in the work.

* To cater this generally lum sum amount of 3 % to

5 % is considered separately for these contingency
items, directly not included in any item sub-heads.

* During work, items required on site but not coming

under any item sub-heads, cost of such items is
included in the contingency part.

* The saved amount from the contingencies can be

utilized for extra items of work, if any unforeseen
expenditure, expenses due to minor changes in
design with proper permission of competent
authority.
Components of Estimate

Work Charged Establishments:

* The establishment which is charged based on the

work/ service provided directly.

* At the time of construction work certains no of

work supervisors, chaukidars, mates munshies etc.
are required.

* Such employments are work charged ie. paid only

for the sevice period. The amount is considered
separately as under work charge establishment.

* Generally 1.5 % to 2 % of total estimate is allocated

towards the work charge establishment.

* These employees are temporary staffs whose

appointment has to be sanctioned by the competent
authority.

* Their service is are automatically terminated at the

end of temporary period. If again/ further service
is required then the fresh order is taken.
Components of Estimate

Centage Charges or Departmental Charges:

* The work of other departments is taken up by the

engineering department, then the expenses of
establishments, planning, designing, supervision
are to be meet.

* Such expenses charged are generally 10 % to 15 % of

the total estimate, know as the centage charges or
departmental charges.

* These charges are also made contributory and

deposite works of local bodies, private persons.

* If centage charges are included in the estimate

provided by central government undertaking certain
work for execution, then such charges are also
known as supervision charges.