SINHGAD COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, VADGOAN PUNE

QUANTITY SURVEYING AND ESTIMATION-I

SEM- 1 FOURTH YEAR 2022-23
QUESTION BANK
ADITI BHALEKAR

Q1. Enlist type of estimate and explain any one.

TYPES OF ESTIMATE:
• Approximate Estimate. • Detailed Estimate.
Approximate Estimate: • It is required for preliminary studies of various aspects of a work or project to
decide the financial position and policy of administration sanction by the competent authority like
Municipal Corporation, development authority, etc.
• In case of commercial projects as Irrigation, residential buildings and other similar projects which earns
revenue income, the probable income may be worked out.
• In this type of estimate all important works like cost of each building, cost of roads etc are shown
separately.
• The approximate estimate is prepared from the practical knowledge and cost of similar works carried
out by P.W.D or by an Architect.
• E.g. Approximate cost of 100 bed hospital @ Rs. 50,000/- per bed comes to Rs. 50 lakhs
Detailed Estimate:
• It is an accurate estimate and consists of working out the quantities of each item of work and working
out the cost. The dimension, length, breadth and height of each item are taken out correctly from
drawing and quantities of each item are determined. Then abstracting and billing is done.
• A detailed estimate is prepared in two stages:
• 1. Details of measurement and calculation of quantities.
• 2. Abstract of estimated cost.
Q2. Estimate is not actual cost of project- Explain
-Actual and estimate costs show the difference between prediction and the reality of the costs.
-Estimated costs are those used to plan for expenses and record transactions beforehand, while actual
costs are the result of the actual cost-incurring activity.
- Estimate refers to a price set on a project, especially some type of operation or services.
- To reach such an estimate, a variety of factors are taken into consideration, including the labor needed
to complete the project and the materials involved. This is also sometimes called the "standard cost."
- Estimated costs are a type of prediction while actual costs are the costs ready to be charged to the
customer.

- Actual Cost refers to the amount of money that was paid to acquire a product or asset.
- This is not the budgeted or forecasted costs that management has anticipated as they might include
vendor expenses like the costs of delivery, set up and testing.
- The actual approach and the use of estimates are blended together. Budget costs and compared to
actual costs to create a difference.

Q3. Explain Bill of Quantities

• It is a statement of various items of work giving description, quantities and unit of rates.

• It is prepared in a tabular form similar to abstract sheet but rate and amount columns are left blank.

• It is used for inviting tender and supplied to the contractor to fill up the rates and amount columns.

• It becomes easy for the engineer incharge for comparing the rates and total amount quoted by
contractor.

Q.4 Explain Schedule of rate. Draw the format.

• It is a document prepared by the local authority like ZP, PWD, Municipal Corporation or government
department.

• It contains all description of all items with their current rates but the quantities are not mentioned.

• These rates are inclusive of materials, labour, transportation charges, etc and are revised every year

. • All rates are based on the rate analysis of the items.

Q5. Explain role of an architect in estimation.

-The estimation of the costs at different stages of the project progress helps in having a control over the
budget. This keeps the client and the project team alert before a bigger budget issue is faced.
-The architects do have an important role in visualizing top to down of the whole building structure, that
results in emerging with new ideas and designs.

-This brings difficulty in their implementation without the help of engineers and without understanding
the practicality of construction.

-Hence, the greatest challenge or the responsibility of the architect is not to underestimate the cost of
materials and the construction time.

-This point helps in bringing out effective cost estimation. The extent and details of cost estimation
conducted by the architect too is dependent on the extent of work is carrying out.

-If the client is completely providing the project over to him, where the engineers comes later or under,
the complete construction estimation is performed by the architect.

Q6. List down stages of work.

Q7. Define- Quantity survey and Estimation. List down its importance.

QUANTITY SURVEYING: It is the list of schedule of quantities of all possible items of work required for
construction for any building or structure. These quantities are worked- out from the drawings of the
structure. Thus quantity survey indicates the quantities of work to be done under each item, which
when priced per / min. gives the amount / cost of the project. In short, quantity survey means
estimating the quantities of different items of work.

PURPOSE & IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITY SURVEYING:

-To do the complete estimation analysis of any project there is a great importance of quantity surveying.
A quantity surveyor will analyze the quantities, measurements, and cost of material altogether with the
cost of labor and the machinery required for the execution of a project.

- It plays an important role in determination of estimated expense for a particular project to make the
necessary financial arrangements before starting the actual work.

- Quantity survey involves brief study of a structure from foundation to top level.

ESTIMATING: It is a scientific method of working-out approximate cost of the building or structure. It is

also referred as the method of working out the probable quantities of any work and then calculating the
cost. It requires a thorough knowledge of construction, material, cost of material & labour in addition to
technical skills, experience, forecast & good judgment.

PURPOSE & IMPORTANCE OF ESTIMATING: • It helps in working out the approximate cost of the building
/ structure / project even before the construction begins.

• For framing & inviting tender.

• For preparing the schedule of procurement of required material on site for construction.

• For obtaining technical sanctions in Government projects.

• For Reasoning of amount claimed in arbitration proceedings.

• Forms a basis for valuation of properties / land / buildings for sale, purchase & mortgage.

• For calculating sale price of flats in case of buildings constructed on ownership basis.

• For arrangement of resources – material, labour, machinery required on site.

• For preparing Bar-Charts & cash flow charts

Q8. Define specification and specification writing.

• The drawing of a structure will show proportions and relative positions of its various parts.

• It is not possible to furnish the data regarding the quality materials and workmanship on the drawing
due to shortage of space.

• Hence information regarding quality of materials and workmanship is conveyed in the separated
contract document which is known as the specifications for the work.

• Specification writing (spec writing) is the skill of communication where projects are described on the
basis of solutions that stand as key guides to successful workmanship.

• The writing is done in such a way that it provides stages and plans to be executed that will, in the end,
provide a cost-effective venture. It is mostly used in construction sites and coating processes.

Q9. Enlist principles of specification writing.

a) Description of materials: The quality and size of material required to do an item of work shall be full
described for checking up at site according to the bindings provided in specification. The proportion of
mixing or treatment of materials if required before use shall be clearly described.

b) Workmanship: complete description of workmanship, the method of mixing to the proportion, the
method of laying, preparation of base or surface, compaction, finishing and curing etc. specifically
applicable to the item of the work shall be clearly stated in different clauses.

c) Tools and plants (T. & P.): The tools and plants to be engaged to carry out a work shall be described.
The method of operation and by whom to be supplied shall be stated.

d) Protection of new work: the method of protection of new work against damage or the method of
caring if required, the test of complete work if necessary shall be described in separate clauses.

e) Expression: while writing a specification endeavour shall be made to express the requirements of the
specification clearly and concise form, avoiding the repetition and unusual words. The style of tense
shall remain same throughout. The sentence shall be short, simple and concise.
f) Clauses of the specifications: as far as possible, the clauses shall be arranged in the order in which
work shall be carried out. Correct and complete but not repeated information shall be give that the
owner and contractor can carry out the work following the specifications

Q10. Discuss the difference between working drawings and specification writing.

- A Specification is a specific description of a particular subject. An engineering specification contains

detailed description of all workmanship and materials which are required to complete an engineering
project in accordance with its drawings and details.

- Many a time it is not possible to furnish the information on the drawings, regarding the quality of
materials to be used and the quality of workmanship to be achieved during construction, due to
Shortage of space.

- This data regarding the materials and workmanship is conveyed in a separate contract document
which is known as the “Specification” for the work.

- A set of drawings/design based on which construction of a building is carried out are known as working
drawings.

-Set of graphical instructions (using drafting or designing tools like AutoCAD, etc.) with basic
construction information to construct a structure are included in working drawings.

Q11. Discuss the relation between working drawings and specification writing.

Q12. Discuss the importance of the specification writing in contract document. Or Explain
specification as an integral part of the contract document.

• Contract document consists of drawings and specifications.

• The instructions which can be easily expressed graphically are shown on drawings i.e dimensions

• The instructions which can be easily expressed well in the words are written in the specifications.

• The provisions in the specifications are generally given more legal strength in most of the contracts.
Most of the contracts state that in case of discrepancy between drawing and specifications, the
provision of specification shall govern.

• Thus specification writing is important aspect of designing and construction.

Q13. Explain the principal of specification writing.

1. Subject matter: • It should relate to the information required for the contract • Only requirements to
be enforced should be included. • Reduced use of cross references • Inapplicable text should not be
included.

2. Grammar: • Should comply with the rules of grammar • Addition, omission or misplacement of
hyphens, commas and semi-colons should not alter the sense. • Avoid use of pronouns and relative
pronouns.
3. Abbreviations: • Abbreviations known in building industries should be used • For any other use it
should be defined. Eg. BB, CM, MT.

4. Development of styles: • No attempt should be made to make an elegant and impressive style. •
Arranging ideas with clarity and brevity. • Should be improved rather than coping from some
manufacturer.

5. Selection of words • Use only suitable words with desired meaning. • No use of words having more
than one meaning.

6. Accuracy • Information should be complete, correct and should not be repeated. • All items affecting
the cost of work should be included and described in detail without any repetition.

7. Conflicting requirements e.g. in case of pile foundation, penetration of piles and soil bearing should
not be mentioned.

8. Practical limits & commercial • Consideration to practical limitations of materials and workmanship
should be considered • Should be in accordance with commercial sizes and patterns of the selected
materials • Otherwise expensive and time consuming task

9. Clearness • No meaning should be left on engineer's interpretation • Same meanings should be

followed by both the parties.

10. Fairness • Should not hold contractor responsible solely for all the risks • Unfair specification may
sometimes prove to be expensive due to consideration of excess risks.

Q14. Explain types of specification giving example of one of the types.

Specifications are broadly divided in to two categories 1. Brief specifications 2. Detailed specifications

• Brief specifications: ▫ While preparing the estimate the quantity surveyor writes down the brief
description of very item. These are known as brief specifications ▫ They are not form of contract
document and are only useful to the person preparing the estimate of work.

e.g
 • Detailed specifications: ▫ These specifications form a part of contract document. ▫ The detailed
specification describes the item of work in details. ▫ The specification in which detailed information of
the various quantities of materials, procedure of workmanship to be adopted.

e.g step by step detailed specifications of reinforced cement concrete(RCC)-

1- Cement Materials: In the reinforced cement concrete (RCC) the cement is fresh portland cement of
grade 33 and the cement takes according to I.S. 269 specifications.

2- Coarse Aggregate Materials: The coarse aggregate must be free from dust, dirt, and other unwanted
materials, and the coarse aggregate is stone chips of granite or other similar stones.

The stone chips of coarse aggregate must be retained on a 4.75mm I.S sieve and the size of these stones
are 20mm.

The coarse aggregate takes according to I.S. 383 specifications.

3- Fine Aggregate Materials: The fine aggregate must be free from dust, dirt, and other unwanted
organic matters.

Fine aggregate consists of hard, sharp, and angular grains, and this fine aggregate must be retained on
150 microns I.S. sieve. - And the fine aggregate shall be passed through a 4.75mm I.S. sieve. - The fine
aggregate takes according to I.S. 383 specifications.

4- Water: In the reinforced cement concrete (RCC) portable water is used.

5- Reinforcement: In the RCC the steel reinforcing bars must be free from corrosion, loose rust, scales,
oil, grease, paint, etc.

The steel reinforcing bars in RCC shall be of tor steel or mild steel and these bars shall be hooked and
placed in position according to the design and drawing.
The steel reinforcing bars are bound together with binding steel wire.

More Read- General & Detailed Specification, Objective Of Specification

6- Centering and shuttering: In the RCC the centering and shuttering must be made of timber and tight
with wedges.

In the suttering fan clamps and other fitting connections shall be provided according to the Engineer-in-
charge.

7- Cement Concrete Proportion: In the RCC the ratio of cement, sand, and stone chips is 1:2:4, and the
ratio of the slab, beam, and lintel is 1:3/2:3.

The measurement of cement shall be measured by the number of bags and sand and stone chips shall
be measured by weight.

8- Mixing Of Concrete: First, the required proportion of stone chips, sand, and cement is put into a
mixer and the mixing of concrete is starts and after some time the required water is added to the
materials.

After 2 minutes of thorough mixing of cement, sand, stone chips, and water the mixed concrete is ready
for use.

9- Laying Of Concrete: The laying of concrete is not exceeding 150mm and the laying of concrete must
be compacted by wooden thapi or other equipment like a vibrating machine.

The process of laying of concrete shall be continuous if the continuity breaks for a day or for some hours
then in this situation the concrete end is made roughened and the end shall be at an angle of 30 degrees
for the good joint when the work starts in the future.

10- Curing: The surface of laid concrete shall be cured after 24 hours of laying concrete work with the
water above 25mm depth.

The curing process for the laid concrete must be carried out for 14 days minimum.

11- Removal Of Formwork: The removal of shuttering and the centering must be carried in such a way
that it does not damage our main structure.

12- Measurement: The measurement of RCC finished work is taken in m3 and the measurement of steel
reinforcement is taken in quintal.

Q15. Explain with examples how to write open specifications & closed specifications.

Q16. List out type of specifications and describe with an example.

SAME AS QUESTION 14

Q17. State the relationship between working drawing, bill of quantity, schedule of rate with
specification.

- A set of drawings/design based on which construction of a building is carried out are known as working
drawings.

- Set of graphical instructions (using drafting or designing tools like AutoCAD, etc.) with basic
construction information to construct a structure are included in working drawings.

- Bill of Quantities or Schedule of Quantities is a complete list of all items of work involved in connection
with the estimate for a project with the description, quantity and unit of rate against each item of work.

- These are filled up in a tabular form similar to the abstract of estimated cost but the rate and amount
column remain blank.

- Schedule of rate is a document prepared by the local authority like ZP, PWD, Municipal Corporation or
government department.

- It contains all description of all items with their current rates but the quantities are not mentioned.

- These rates are inclusive of materials, labour, transportation charges, etc and are revised every year.

- Contract document consists of above 3 components which are working drawing, bill of quantity and
schedule of rate.

Q18. What aspects are considered in writing detailed specifications?

- The detailed specification describes the item of work in details.

- It contains detailed information of the various quantities of materials, procedure of workmanship to be

adopted.

- It also specifies the method of preparation and execution and the method of measurements of the
work.

- They specify the qualities, quantities and proportions of materials and the method of preparation and
execution for a particular item of works in a project.

- The detailed specifications of the different items of the work are prepared separately and they
describe what the work should be and how they shall be executed. While writing the detailed
specifications, the same order sequence as the work is to be carried out is to be maintained.

Q19. Discuss the methodology for writing detailed specification giving an example.

REFER Q 14 AND 18

Q20. Write short notes on:

1. Centre-line method
 • Centre to centre distances are calculated in this method to work out quantities.
• Length of item= Total centre line length – n X(1/2 Width of item)
• For buildings having different types of walls, each set of walls should be taken sepertaely.
• Advantages- • Can be used for rectangular, circular and polygonal buildings • Method is simple
and quick • Calculations are easy and less

2. Block method

3. Essential of Estimate SAME AS PURPOSE AKA Q7

4. Spot Items

- These are extra items which includes alterations or modifications in the existing works.
- Alterations or modifications in the work are included in spot items.
- In a bill of quantities, the measurement unit will be stated as ‘Item’, although quantities may
be given if they are considered more appropriate.
- Items that have quantities are generally much easier for an estimator to price.
- Typically, spot items will be set out in progression from location to location in the building,
as this makes monitoring and estimating easier and clearer.
- Example- removal of existing kitchen ota, removal of partition wall.

5. Schedule of Rate
It is a document prepared by the local authority like ZP, PWD, Municipal Corporation or
government department.
• It contains all description of all items with their current rates but the quantities are not
mentioned.
• These rates are inclusive of materials, labour, transportation charges, etc and are revised every
year.
• All rates are based on the rate analysis of the items.
• These rates are worked out on the assumption that materials are available within a radius of
8km.If materials are not available within that initial transportation of 8km, the extra
transportation charges are added to the rates.
• In case of small jobs execution like repairs, service fittings to the building, the contractors are
usually asked to quote how much percentage up or down they require based on schedule of
rate

6. Data required for estimate

7. Measurement Sheet
- Measurement Sheet is record of Measurements taken for the selected Item. Measurements
help in identifying quantity of Item delivered over a period until the draft Delivery Note is
submitted.
- It includes:

- Date: Date on which measurements were taken

- Delivery Note: Select Draft Delivery Note for which Measurements are to be taken.

- Item: Select Item for which measurements are taken, Item must be from Delivery Note.

- Description: Description of Item

- Measurement Table: List of Measurements recording Location, Number of measurements,

dimensions data and quantity.

- Total Quantity: Total quantity measured

8. Abstract Sheet

9. Provisional Sums
Provisional Sum While preparing an estimate, the details of a specialized item or special work
done by specialists, are not known, some amount is provided in the estimate or bill of quantities
for such items. It is called Provisional Sum. • E.g. Installation of lift, air conditioners fitting,
installation of refrigerating machine. During execution of work.

10. Contingencies and Prime Cost

-While preparing a detailed estimate it has to be very carefully checked to see that all items of
the work are incorporated. However, it is likely that few items though important are overlooked
which may result I raising the estimate of the project. Hence a provision of certain amount (i.e.
5-10%) of the total cost is made in the estimate which takes care of these items which are
unforeseen. This amount is known as Contingencies.
-Prime cost is the initial cost of an item at store. This doesn’t include cost of handling i.e.
loading, unloading at store and on site, transportation to construction site.
Q21. Explain functions of (each 5 marks)

1. Working drawings
-A set of drawings/design based on which construction of a building is carried out.
-Set of graphical instructions (using drafting or designing tools like AutoCAD, etc.) with basic
construction information to construct a structure.
-They provide-
a. Technical guidelines for construction team.
b. For contractor
c. Construction info
d. Technical drawings
e. Schedules & Detail Drawings
f. Large scale (1:5, 1:10, 1:20, etc.) / enlarged drawings (part plan, section, and typical
detail, etc)

2. Open Specification
• Suitable for basic material such as cement, sand, steel. For such material can be easily
written down.
• Provide for an atmosphere for true competitive market resulting at lower cost to the owner.
• Creates a healthy competition among manufacturers and suppliers. Progress of work does
not suffer due to short supply of materials.
• Allows products of any manufacturer to be used if the product meets the specified
requirements.

3. Closed specification
• The architect can complete the drawings of the project before the tenders are invited.
• Since complete details are known the designer can decide the fittings room dimensions etc.
• The owner has a choice of material he prefers.
• Restricts a product to a single manufacturer.

4. Safety nets and helmets at site

- Construction Safety nets are used at high-rise building construction sites
for preventing accidental fall of people or objects from the site.
- Construction safety nets are the safest and cost effective fall prevention system.
- Safety nets are designed to decrease the fall distance, to absorb the energy of a fall, and to
reduce the likelihood or seriousness of an injury.
- Safety helmets are designed to protect the head against falling objects and the side of the
head, eyes, and neck from any untoward impacts, bumps, scrapes, and electrical exposure.

5. Scaffolding

6. Signage At construction site

- signs can help prevent injuries and ensure that all staff and visitors are aware of any
dangerous hazards.
 - ensure workplace occupational health and safety requirements.
- serve as a reminder and be of use to those who aren’t familiar with your construction site or
processes.

7. Restricted specification

8. Engineer in charge
- Estimation engineers are responsible for preparing cost estimates for engineering projects.
- They work with clients and project managers to determine the scope of work, gather
information about the project, and develop cost estimates.
- They work with various data to develop cost estimates, including project plans, blueprints,
and specifications.
- Write technical specifications describing company products and get them stipulated in
projects at design stage. Ensure that specifications cover complete range of products along
with drawings, if required, for project design stage.