QUANTITY SURVEYING METHODS

 UNIT METHOD
 SUPERFICIAL FLOOR AREA METHOD
 ELEMENTAL ESTIMATE
 APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES

UNIT METHOD

The unit method estimating consists of choosing a standard unit of accommodation and
multiplying an approximate cost per unit. Estimate the building cost base on depends on the
population unit. The unit cost method of estimation is used for project design estimates and bid
estimates.

SUPERFICIAL FLOOR AREA METHOD

Superficial area method is the most popular preliminary estimating method. This method is
an approximate cost obtained by using an estimated price for each unit of gross floor area. The main
reason for the popularity of the area method is its simplicity.

ELEMENTAL ESTIMATE

The elemental method is an approach towards calculating the total estimated cost of
construction projects. It considers the major elements of a building and, if properly implemented,
provides a cost estimate based on an elemental breakdown of the building.

The elemental cost analysis method uses elemental cost analysis of previous project as a
basis for the estimate. The cost is on a superficial basis but the superficial unit cost is broken down
into elements and sub-elements, which allows for cost adjustment of variations in the design of the
new project compared with the previous scheme. The method is flexible, easily understood by all
parties, facilitates comparison between projects and facilities analysis of cost implications of design
decisions. However, it is a time-consuming process and requires a high level of expertise.

APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES

The only safe and sure way of estimating construction costs is to take out quantity of works
under the different items and multiply these quantities by the prevailing unit rates at the
geographical location of the construction project.

However, this can be done only when drawings, specifications, and bill of quantities have
been prepared and made available to the contractor.

When accurate cost of construction is not yet required, and a rough idea is sought at some
stage to help decision makers decided whether to proceed or not, approximates estimates of
construction cost are used.
 The approximate cost estimating methods are used to serve either of the following
purposes:

To give a rough idea of the probable expenditure: At the early stage of the development of a
project it is necessary to ensure whether the project can be financed. A rough idea of the probable
expenditure has to be obtained and if this appears feasible, then further details may be considered.

For example, while you’re renovating your office building or some commercial property you have to
find the cost of flooring to see if a change at this stage is feasible or not. You can hire commercial
flooring estimators who can prepare a quantity estimate to help you out in the cost analysis.

Administrative approval: In the case of government and other public works, proper sanction has to
be obtained for allocating the expenditure required for the detailed investigations and preparation
of plans and estimates. This sanction is given based on approximate cost estimating method.

Valuation and rent fixation: Sometimes it is required to estimate the cost of an existing structure,
for one or more of the following reasons: for sale or purchase, for rent fixing, for framing tax
schedules, or for insurance requirements. In these cases, the approximate methods are adopted.

For the overall evaluation among these quantity surveying methods, elemental and approximate
quantities methods are highly recommended for getting accurate estimates.

Common Estimating Methods in Construction

 Project Comparison Estimating or Parametric Cost Estimating

 Area & Volume Estimating
 Assembly & System Estimating
 Unit Price & Schedule Estimating

Project Comparison Estimating or Parametric Cost Estimating

It is often used in early planning stages when little information is known about the program
other than overall project parameters. This method is sometimes called a "preliminary" or "ballpark"
estimate and has no better than 15% to 25% accuracy. Project comparison estimating uses historical
information on total costs from past projects of similar building type. For example, the number of
beds in a hospital, or number of spaces in a parking garage, or number of courtrooms in a
courthouse can form the basis of a project comparison estimate by comparing them to similar scope
projects recently done in the same geographic region.

This estimating method requires the assumption of an approximate gross area for the
proposed work and a sufficient historical record of similar building types. The greater the number of
prior project combinations for which scope and prices are known, the easier it is to perform Project
Comparison Estimating.
 Fig. B illustrates an example of regression analysis used to develop a project comparison
estimate. The scattered points in the figure show the combinations of overall project size and cost.
The line shown is the "best fit" of a linear relationship between size and construction cost and may
serve to predict a preliminary budget. The distances between the line and the points give a visual
impression of the statistical confidence of the estimate.

Square Foot and Cubic Foot Estimates

These are another method of developing both preliminary and intermediate budgets based on
historical data. This method is effective in preparing fairly accurate estimates if the design is
developed enough to allow measurement and calculation of floor areas and volumes of the
proposed spaces. There are several historical databases available to support this method of
estimating providing unit costs ($/S.F. & $/C.F.) that are adjusted annually and many of the large
estimating firms maintain their own databases. More accurate estimates made with this method
make adjustments and additions for regional cost indices, local labor market rates, and interpolation
between available cost tables. Further adjustments may be made to account for other unique
aspects of the design such as special site conditions or design features being planned. In addition,
the estimate can develop overall "core and shell" costs along with Tenant Improvement build-out
costs of different space types, allowing for relative ease of determining the impact of changes to the
program. Estimates made with this method can be expected to be within 5% to 15% accuracy.

Assembly and Systems Estimates

These are intermediate level estimates performed when design drawings are between 10% and 75%
complete. Assemblies or systems group the work of several trades or disciplines and/or work items
into a single unit for estimating purposes. For example, a foundation usually requires excavation,
formwork, reinforcing, concrete—including placement and finish—and backfill. An Assembly and
Systems estimate prices all of these elements together by applying values available in assemblies
cost data guides. These guides are based on historical databases, typically organized in
MasterFormat™. Estimates made with this method can be expected to be within 10% accuracy.
Unit Price and Schedule Estimating

The work is divided into the smallest possible work increments, and a "unit price" is established for
each piece. That unit price is then multiplied by the required quantity to find the cost for the
increment of work. This calculation is often called "extending". Finally, all costs are summed to
obtain the total estimated cost.

For example, the cost to erect a masonry wall can be accurately determined by finding the
number of bricks required and estimating all costs related to delivering, storing, staging, cutting,
installing, and cleaning the brick along with related units of accessories such reinforcing ties, weep-
holes, flashings, and the like. This method of estimating provides the most accurate means of
projecting construction costs, beyond which accuracy is more likely to be affected by supply and
demand forces in the current market.