+

BPD 31003
CONSTRUCTION
COST
ESTIMATION
Ts. Dr. Norliana Sarpin
norliana@uthm.edu.my

CONCRETE WORK
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CONCRETE WORKS
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CONTENT

1. Introduction
2. Materials
3. Methods of Mixing
4. Price Factors
5. Site Transportation & Placing
6. Sub-contractors’ Responsibilities
7. In-situ Concrete
8. Production Method
+
CONTENT

9. Concrete Mixture
10. Calculation : Examples 1 & 2
11. Formwork
12. Calculation : Examples 3
13. References
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INTRODUCTION

 There are 3 main factors to be considered in the build-up of

a unit rate for concrete:

a) Materials
b) Method of mixing
c) Site transportation & placing
+
Materials

 The materials required for concrete are:

a) Portland cement
b) Sand
c) Coarse aggregate
d) Water
+
Materials

a) Portland Cement
 50kg/bag.
 The density varies between 1250kg/m 3 & 1420 kg/m3.
 Allowance of 1 hour should be included for unloading
& placing in storage.
+ Materials
1. Ordinary Portland Cement delivered to site in bags per
1000kg
Material:
Cement = RM18.00/bag & 1 bag = 50kg
1000kg/50kg = 20 bag
20 bag x RM18.00 per bag = RM360.00

Labour:
Unskilled labour = RM40.00/day & 1 day = 8hr
Assume: 1000kg cement require 1 labour for
1 hour
RM40.00 x 1 hour / 8 hour = RM 5.00
Total price per tonne = RM365.00
+ Materials
b) Sand
 Sold in tonne / m3.
 The density may be taken as 1600kg/m3

c)Coarse Aggregate
 Sold in tonne / m3.
 The density may be taken as 1400kg/m3 vary
according to the particular material & moisture content

d) Water
 Water requirement for concrete will be covered in
project overheads.
+
Materials

 When dry materials are mixed together with

water, shrinkage of the cement occurs when its pour-up
and wastage when placing & mixture.

 Consolidated when it’s compacted where the fine

material filling the voids caused by the coarse aggregate
particles.

 Therefore, the contractor must add 50% on material cost for

shrinkage, wastage and compaction in preparing the build-
up price.
+
Methods of Mixing

 Estimator to make a decision on how the concrete will be

mixed as this obviously affects the unit rate.

 The main choices available are:

a) Hand mixing
b) Portable machines – concrete mixer
c) Ready-mix
+
Methods of Mixing

a) Hand mixing
 For very small quantities.
 Average output to mix the concrete is 2.0 hours/m3.
 Labour output for hoisting & placing of concrete by
hand.
+ Methods of Mixing
Labour output for hoisting & placing of concrete by hand

Description Unit General

workers
(hr)
Pad foundation M3 6.00
Ground slab not exceeding 150mm M3 7.75
Ditto exceeding 150mm but not exceeding 300mm M3 6.50
Ditto exceeding 300mm M3 5.00
Suspended slab not exceeding 150mm M3 9.25
Ditto exceeding 150mm but not exceeding 300mm M3 7.50
Ditto exceeding 300mm M3 6.50
Wall not exceeding 150mm M3 10.00
Ditto exceeding 150mm but not exceeding 300mm M3 8.50
Ditto exceeding 300mm M3 7.50
Column and beams M3 8.00
+
Methods of Mixing
b) Portable machines – concrete mixer
Cost would be based on the all-in rate for the plant & the
production output.

Number of labour, Labour output and fuel for mixing by plant

Size Workers Output/hr Diesel/hr Lubricator/hr

(m3) (liter) (liter)
5 / 3½ 1 operator, 1 general 1.25 1.10 0.04
7/5 1 operator, 3 general 2.25 1.60 0.06
10 / 7 1 operator, 4 general 3.25 1.80 0.07
14 / 10 1 operator, 4 general 4.50 2.10 0.08
18 / 12 1 operator, 6 general 5.50 2.40 0.10
+
Methods of Mixing

c) Ready-mix
 Quotation given would be used & placing allowed for
in addition.
+
Price Factors

 The estimation for build-up price for concrete will be

influenced by:
a) Types of firm
b) Site location
c) Restrictions working on a storage space
d) Availability of materials including ready-mixed
concrete
e) The actual quantity of the concrete required.
+
Site Transportation & Placing

 A ready-mix lorry can deliver concrete into foundations

directly & it may be necessary to load concrete into
barrows & hoists several floor high.

 Pumping & other specialists might be necessary for certain

contracts.

 The cost of manual assistance should be included in the

price of each item but in most instances any mechanical
plant would be included in the preliminaries.
+
Site Transportation & Placing

 Site transportation & placing of concrete very greatly.

Example:
- A Ready mix concrete truck tipping concrete directly into
footing.
- Loading concrete into a skip & lift up several floors by
crane or hoist.
- Tipping into a wheelbarrow or dumper & carried across
site.
+
Sub-contractors’ Responsibilities

 All concrete works (concrete, formwork,

reinforcement) can, & commonly are subcontracted.
+
In-situ Concrete

 When pricing in-situ concrete work, prices are to include

for:

“mixing, handling, hoisting and placing in position,

pour joints and making good after removal of
formwork”.
+
In-situ Concrete

Factors affecting cost of in-situ concrete:

a) Quality of concrete e.g. strength, pump-quality.
b) Production method e.g. site-mixed or ready mixed
concrete.
c) Site transportation & placing system e.g. pumping,
dumper.
d) Waste allowance.
e) Quantity - large or small volumes.
f) Plain or reinforced concrete.
g) Completion requirements.
+
Production Method

 Ready-mixed concrete (RMC) is the most common form of

concrete production because:

a) Better quality, manufactured under carefully controlled

conditions.
b) Generally cheaper than site-mixed concrete.
c) No site space required for concrete plant.
+
Production Method

 A basic quote per m3 can be obtained

from a RMC company. Additional quote may be
added if:
a) Quantities less than 3m3
b) Long distance
c) Deliveries after business hours
d) Admixtures
e) Pumping-quality concrete
f) Site waiting time
+
Concrete Mixture
1. The mixture as follows:
 1:2:4 – 20mm
 1:1 1/2 :3 –19mm
 1:3:6 – 40mm
 1:4:8 – 40mm

Clarification:
1:2:4 – 20mm means:
1 = cement volume (m 3)
2 = sand volume (m 3)
4 = aggregate volume (m 3)
20mm = size of aggregate (diameter)
+
Example 1: In-situ Concrete
Find cost per m 3 for:
Concrete Grade 15 (1:3:6) in footing per m3 (using a 10/7 runner,
continuously). A 10/7 mixer takes 10 m3 of dry materials and
produces 7 m3 of concrete per mix. Working continuously at the rate
of 16.25 mixes per hour, this produces approximately 3.25m3 of
mixed concrete in an hour.
Assumptions:
Cost of mixer (rental) = RM 130.00 per day
Cost of diesel for mixer = RM 24.00 per day
Cost of lubricator for mixer = RM 11.20 per day
Labour wages = RM 40.00 per day
No. of labour = 6 persons (2 fillers, 2 wheelers, 2
spreaders)
+
Example 1: In-situ Concrete
Cost of Ordinary Portland Cement (50kg) = RM 18.00 per bag
Cost of unloading = RM 1.00 per bag
Cost of sand = RM 120.00 per tonne
Cost of coarse aggregate = RM 150.00 per tonne
Density of Ordinary Portland Cement = 1420kg/m 3
Density of sand = 1600kg/m 3
Density of coarse aggregate = 1400kg/m 3
Consolidation and wastage = 50%
Profit and overhead = 10%
8 hour working per day
+ Example 1: In-situ Concrete
RM RM RM/
m3
Material Cost
(a) 1 m3 Ordinary Portland Cement
Cement per tonne = 1000kg = (1000kg/50kg) = 20
bags
1 tonne cement = (RM18.00 per bag x 20 bags) = 360.00
Unloading = (RM1.00 per bag x 20 bags) = 20.00
Total cement price per tonne = 380.00

1m3 at 1420kg/m3 at RM380.00 per tonne

= [(1m3 x 1420kg/m3) / 1000kg ] x RM380.00/tonne = 539.60

(b) 3 m3 Sand
1 m3 sand 1600kg/m3 at RM120.00 per tonne
= [(3m3 x 1600kg) / 1000kg ] x RM120.00/tonne = 576.00

(c) 6 m3 Coarse aggregate

1 m3 aggregate 1400kg/m3 at RM150.00 per tonne
= [(6m3 x 1400kg/m3) / 1000kg ] x RM150.00/tonne = 1,260.00
+ Example 1: In-situ Concrete
RM RM RM/m3
Material Cost
Total Cost (1:3:6) = 2,375.60

(d) Add shrinkage, consolidation and wastage 50% = 1,187.80

Total Material Cost (1:3:6) = 3,563.40

(e) Divide by part of mix (i.e. 10 m3) = (RM3,563.40 / = 356.34

10m3)
Cost of materials of 1 m3 of concrete = 356.34

Labour Cost
6 labourer at RM40.00 per day:
= 6 labourer x (RM40.00 / 8 hour)
= RM30.00 per hour

Cost to produce = 3.25m3/hour = RM30.00/hour

1 m3 = RM30.00 / 3.25m3 = 9.23
Cost of labour for 1 m3 of concrete = 9.23
+ Example 1: In-situ Concrete
RM RM RM/m3
Plant Cost
(a) Rental cost of a 10/7 mixer = RM130.00 per day
1 hour = (1 hour / 8 hour x RM130.00) = 16.25

(b) Diesel = RM24.00 per day

1 hour = (1 hour / 8 hour x RM24.00) = 3.00

(c) Lubricator = RM11.20 per day

1 hour = (1 hour / 8 hour x RM11.20) = 1.40
Cost to produce 3.25m3 per hour = 20.65

Cost per m3 = (RM20.65 / 3.25m3) = 6.35

Cost of plant for 1 m3 of concrete = 6.35

Total unit rate (RM) per m3 (material + labour + = 371.92

plant)
Add 10% Profit and Overhead = 37.19
Cost per m3 for concrete (1:3:6) = 409.11
+ Example 2: In-situ Concrete

Find cost per m 3 for:

Concrete Grade 25 (1:2:4) in pad footing per m3 (using a 7/5 runner,
continuously). A 7/5 mixer takes 7 m3 of dry materials and produces 5
m3 of concrete per mix. Working continuously and this produces
approximately 2.25m3 of mixed concrete in an hour.

Assumptions:
Cost of 7/5 diesel concrete mixer (rental) = RM 150.00 per day
(inclusive diesel)
Labour wages = RM 40.00 per day
No. of labour = 6 persons (2 fillers, 2
wheelers, 2 spreaders)
+
Example 2: In-situ Concrete

Cost of Ordinary Portland Cement (50kg) = RM 0.40 per kg (inclusive

unloading)
Cost of sand = RM 120.00 per tonne
Cost of coarse aggregate = RM 150.00 per tonne
Density of Ordinary Portland Cement = 1420kg/m 3
Density of sand = 1600kg/m 3
Density of coarse aggregate = 1400kg/m 3
Consolidation and wastage = 50%
Profit and overhead = 10%
8 hour working per day
+
Example 2: In-situ Concrete
RM RM/
m3
Material Cost
(a) 1 m3 Ordinary Portland Cement
Cement per tonne = 1000kg at RM0.40 per kg
1 tonne cement = (1000 kg x RM0.40 per kg) =
RM400.00
1m3 at 1420kg/m3 at RM400.00 per tonne
= [(1m3 x 1420kg/m3) / 1000kg ] x RM400.00/tonne = 568.00

(b) 2 m3 Sand
1 m3 sand 1600kg/m3 at RM120.00 per tonne
= [(2m3 x 1600kg/m3) / 1000kg ] x RM120.00/tonne = 384.00

(c) 4 m3 Coarse aggregate

1 m3 aggregate 1400kg/m3 at RM150.00 per tonne
= [(4m3 x 1400kg/m3) / 1000kg ] x RM150.00/tonne = 840.00

Total Cost (1:2:4) = 1,792.00

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Example 2: In-situ Concrete
RM RM/m3
Material Cost
(d) Add shrinkage, consolidation and wastage 50% = 896.00
Total Material Cost (1:2:4) = 2,688.00

(e) Divide by part of mix (i.e. 7 m3) = (RM2,688.00 / 7m3) = 384.00

Cost of materials of 1 m3 of concrete = 384.00

Labour Cost
6 labourer at RM40.00 per day:
= 2 fillers + 2 wheelers +2 spreaders
= 6 labourer x (RM40.00 / 8 hour)
= RM30.00 per hour

(a) Cost to produce = 2.25m3 per hour = RM30.00 per

hour
1 m3 = RM30.00 / 2.25m3 = 13.33
Cost of labour for 1 m3 of concrete = 13.33
+
Example 2: In-situ Concrete
RM RM/m3
Plant Cost
(a) Rental cost of a 7/5 mixer = RM150.00 per day (inclusive diesel)
1 hour = (1 hour / 8 hour x RM150.00) =
RM18.75

Cost to produce = 2.25m3 per hour = RM18.75

per hour
Cost per m3 = (RM18.75 / 2.25m3) = 8.33
Cost of plant for 1 m3 of concrete = 8.33

Total unit rate (RM) / m3 = 405.66

Add 10% Profit and Overhead = 40.57

Cost per m3 for concrete (1:2:4) = 446.23

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FORMWORK
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Formwork

The following are the prices to be included in the cost of

formwork.

“all necessary boarding, supports, erecting,

framing, cutting, perforations for pipes, angles,
removal, cleaning, wetting, etc.”
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Formwork

Factors Affecting Cost of Formwork:

a)Amount of re-use, from 1 (e.g. stairs) up to perhaps 10

(e.g. walls).
b)Degree of standardisation i.e. repetition.
c)Complexity & difficulty of work.
d)Strength requirements i.e.loads–spacing for props,
ties, bracing increased.
+
Sub-contractors’ Responsibilities

 Formwork is commonly subcontracted, frequently in

conjunction with the concrete work.
+
Material

 Formwork usually consists of sawn timber framing &

waterproof plywood lining.

 Formwork is carried out by carpenter / joiners. One of the

major principles of estimating costs of formwork is to
accurately determine the number of uses that will occur.

 Cost of formwork will be higher if a single flight in-situ

concrete staircase is being constructed (it is very likely
that new timber will be used & thrown away after one
use).
+
Material

 The amount of strutting timber requires various

according to the heights of the soffit above floor level.

Location Strutting (m3)

Side of column 0.02
Sides of foundation and wall 0.04
Sides and soffit of beam 0.05
Sides and soffit of slab 0.06
+
Material

 Initial waste in cutting of timbers will be from 5% - 25%

according to the nature of the work.

 Nails and bolts should be allowed in building up rates.

Allow 0.50kg nails/m2 for initial use & 0.125kg/m2 for each
re-use.

 Plywood is commonly used for forms and sheeting giving

1 use – 20 uses, depending on position & quality.

 Example: slab & wall giving 6 for times usage,

whereas foundation, beam & column giving for 4 times
usage.
+
Material

 Metal props / scaffolding units are commonly used for

slab soffit; and clamps for columns and walls. When
steel props or clamps are hired, the hire period will be
based on the time for erection, placing of reinforcement,
placing, curing and dismantling.

 Initial cost is greater, the number of uses obtained is

very considerable and the labour in erection and
dismantling can be reduced.
+
Labour

 The initial preparation and fixing is the most costly. It

would reduce by 5% for each re-use.

 Labour erecting and dismantling varies with the nature of

the work.
+
Labour

 An average general guide and the figures given are for

initial construction.

Situation Erection hours/m2 Striking and

Removal
hours/m2
Carpenter Labourer Labourer
Slab, walls and 1.00 0.75 0.75
associated features
Beam and column 1.50 0.75 0.75
Walls and associated 0.75 0.75 0.75
features
(metal forms)
+
Labour

 For thick floors and for vibrated work, increase the labour
constants by 20%
+
Example 3: Formwork
Question:
Find the unit rate per m2 for:
Formwork to horizontal soffit of suspended floor slab not
exceeding 3.50m high.
Assumptions:
12mm thick plywood = RM 15.00 per m2
Timber per tonne = RM 900.00 (1.40m3)
Usage of formwork to floor soffit = 6 times uses
Timber in support required per m2 of floor soffit = 0.06m3
Cost per m3 of timber in support = RM 450.00
Allow for mould oil, nails and bolts per use per m2 = 15%
Wastage for materials per use = 10%
+
Example 3: Formwork

Assumptions (Cont’):
Carpenter preparing and erecting of floor soffit per m2 = 1.00 hour
Labour dismantling and keeping of floor soffit per m2 = 0.75 hour
Wages of Carpenter = RM 60.00 per day
Wages of General worker 8 hours working per day = RM 40.00 per day
Profit and Overhead = 10%
+
Example 3: Formwork
RM RM RM/m2
Material Cost
(a)12mm thick plywood = 15.00
(b)Timber in support per m2 = (0.06m3 x RM900.00 / = 38.57
1.40 per m3)
Cost of timber based on 6 uses = 53.57
Therefore, 1 use = (RM53.57 / 6 times) = 8.93

(c) Allow for mould oil, nails & bolts 15%

= (15% x RM8.93) = 1.34

Total Cost = (RM8.93 + RM1.34) = 10.27

(d) Wastage for materials, 10%

= 10% x RM 10.27 = 1.03

Total Materials Cost per m2 = 11.30

+
Example 3: Formwork
RMRM RM/m2
Labour Cost
(a) Carpenter output 1.0 hour of preparing and erecting of timber
per m2
1 m2 = (1.0 hour x (RM60.00 / 8 hours)) = 7.50

(b) Labour output 0.75 hours of preparing, erecting, dismantling

and keeping of timber per m2
1 m2 = (1.5 hour x (RM40.00 / 8 hours)) = 7.50

Total Labour Cost per m2 = 15.00

Total cost per m2 = 26.30

Add 10% Profit and Overhead = 2.63

Cost of formwork to soffit of slab per m2 = 28.93

+
References

Brook, M. (2004) Estimating & Tendering for Construction Work, 3rd

Edition. Elsevier/ Butterworth – Heinemann.

Dagostino, F.R., Feigenbaum, L., Kissoon, C. (2003) Estimating in

Building Construction, 6th Edition. Pearson/ Prentice Hall, p. 131-144.

Dagostino, F.R., Peterson, S. J. (2011) Estimating in Building

Construction, 7th Edition. Prentice Hall, p. 92-111.

Peurifoy, R. L., Oberlender, G. D. (2002) Estimating Construction Costs ,

5th Edition. McGraw Hill, p. 256-261.
+

Thank you
norliana@uthm.edu.my
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NEXT LECTURE

Brick Works
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Example 4: Formwork

Question:
Formwork to horizontal suspended beam size 300mm x
600mm x 10m long. It will take 1 carpenter, assisted by 2
labours about 22.50 hours to erect and dismantle of 1
member of this formwork to beam. Find:
a)The unit rate per m2
b)Cost per number of suspended beam
+ Example 4: Formwork
Assumptions:
Usage of formwork to sides and soffit of beam = 4 times uses
12mm Thick plywood = RM 15.00 per m2
Strutting timber required per m2 = 0.05 m3
Cost per m3 of strutting timber in support = RM 450.00
Allow for nails and bolts per use per m2 = 0.20kg at RM4.50 per kg
Allow for mould oil per use per m2 = RM 0.30
Wastage for materials per use = 10%
Wages of labourer = Carpenter at RM 60.00day,
General worker at RM 40.00/
day
Working hour per day
= 8 hours
Profit and Overhead
= 10%
+
Example 4: Formwork
a) Cost per m2
RM RM
Material Cost RM/m2
(a) 1 m2 of 12mm thick plywood = 15.00
(b) Timber in support per m2 = (0.05m3 x = 22.50
RM450.00/m3)
Cost of timber per m2 based on 4 uses = 37.50

Therefore; 1 use = (RM37.50 / 4 times) = 9.38

(c) Allow for nails and bolts= (0.20kg x RM4.50/kg) = 0.90

(d) Allow for mould oil per use per m2 = 0.30
Total Cost = (RM9.38 + RM0.90 + RM0.30) = 10.58

(e) Wastage for materials, 10% = (10% x RM10.58) = 1.06

Total Materials Cost per m2 = 11.64
+ Example 4: Formwork
RM RM RM/m2
Labour Cost
Total m2 per beam = (0.60+0.30+0.60) x 10m =
15.0m2
Cost of 1 carpenter and 2 labours per beam = 22.50
hours
(a) Carpenter per beam = 1 x (22.50 hours x RM60.00 / = 168.75
8 hours)
(b) Labour per beam = 2 x (22.50 hours x RM40.00 / 8 = 225.00
hours)
Total labour cost per beam = 393.75

Total Labour Cost per m2 = (RM393.75 / 15m2) = 26.25

Total cost per m2 = 37.89

Add 10% Profit and Overhead = 3.79

Cost of formwork per m2 = 41.68

+
Example 4: Formwork

RM RM RM/m2
b) Find cost per no. of suspended beam

Total m2 per beam = 15.0m2

Cost per no of suspended beam

= (15m2 x RM41.68/m2) = 625.20