Estimates

Estimate

1) Introduction
The estimate also gives an idea of the time required for the
completion of work. Estimate is also required for inviting tender and
to arrange contract and to control expenditure during execution.

The primary object of an estimate is to enable one to know

beforehand the cost of the work. Actual cost is known only after the
completion of work from the accounts. If estimate is prepared
carefully and correctly, there will not be much difference between
the estimated cost and the actual cost.

For complete estimate of project, besides the estimated cost of

different items of work, the cost of preliminary works and surveying,
cost of land including cost of acquisition, leveling and dressing,
percentage charges (5% to 10%), planning, designing and
supervision etc. are required.

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4) Estimate

4.2) Data for Estimates:

Drawings Plans, sectional elevations, and detailed drawings to scale,

fully dimensioned.

2. Specifications

General Specifications Giving the nature and class of work and

materials to be used in the various parts of the project.
Detailed Specifications For the various items of work, laying down
the quantities and qualities of materials, their proportions, and
their method of preparation and execution of work.
Rates rates per unit of different items of work, of various
materials to be used in construction, and the wages of different
categories of labour, skilled or unskilled, as mason, carpenter,
coolie, bhishti, etc. should be available.

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4) Estimate

4.3) Types of Estimates:

The following are the various types of Estimates:

4.3.1) Preliminary / Approximate or Abstract Estimate:

Preliminary or approximate or abstract estimate is required to decide

the financial aspect and policy and for administrative sanction by the
competent administrative authority.

This is prepared from the practical knowledge and cost of the similar
works. This estimate should show separately the approximate cost of
all important items of work, as cost of land, cost of each building, cost
of roads, water supply, sanitary works, electrifications etc.

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4) Estimate

4.3.1) Preliminary / Approximate or Abstract Estimate:

The estimate should be accompanied by a brief report explaining the

necessity and utility of the project and showing how the costs of
separate items have been arrived at. This is also accompanied with a
site plan. A percentage of about 10% is added as contingencies.

The preliminary estimate may be prepared in the following ways-

a. Per unit basis - like per student for schools.

b. Plinth area basis for buildings.
c. Cubic or volume basis for buildings.

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4) Estimate

4.3.2) Plinth Area Estimate:

This is prepared on the basis of plinth area of the building, the rate
being deduced from the cost of similar building, having similar
specifications, height etc.

Plinth area estimate is calculated by multiplying the plinth area of the

building by the plinth area rate. The plinth area should be calculated
for the covered area by taking external dimensions of the building at
the plinth. Courtyard and other open areas should not be included in
the plinth area. Plinth area estimate is only approximate and is a
preliminary estimate, to know the approximate cost beforehand.

If the plan of the building is not ready or available, at the beginning

just to prepare a proposal, floor area of the rooms, verandahs etc. may
be determined from the requirement and one fifth of the total area thus
found, may be added for walls and waste to get the approximate total
plinth area which multiplied by the plinth area rate give the
approximate cost of the building.
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4) Estimate

4.3.3) Cube Rate Estimate:

Cube rate estimate is the preliminary estimate or an approximate
estimate, and is prepared on the basis of the cubical contents of the
building, the cube rate being deduced from the cost of the similar
building having similar specifications and construction.

This is calculated by finding the cubical content of the building, (length

x breadth x height), and multiplying it by the cube rate. The length and
breadth should be taken as the external dimensions of the buildings at
the plinth and the height should be taken from the top of the flat roof
(or halfway of the sloped roof) to half of the depth of the foundation
below the ground level. Parapet is excluded.

If h is the height from ground to roof of the building, and d is the

depth of the foundation level, then HEIGHT = h+(d/2). Cube rate
estimate is more accurate than plinth area estimate as the height of the
building is also considered.

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4) Estimate

4.3.4) Detailed Estimate:

Detailed estimate is an accurate estimate and consists of working out
quantities of each item of work, and working out the cost.

Dimensions, length, breadth, height are taken out correctly from the
drawings and quantities of each item are calculated, and then
abstracting and billing are done.

Details of measurement and calculation of quantities The details of

measurement of each item of work are taken out correctly from plan
and drawings and quantities under each item are computed in a tabular
form name as DETAILS OF MEASUREMENT FORM.

Abstract of estimated cost or bill of quantities The cost of each item of

work is calculated in a tabular form from the quantities already
computed and total cost worked out in an ABSTRACT OF ESTIMATED
FORM.

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4) Estimate

4.3.5) Detailed Estimate:

The rates of different items of works are taken as per schedule of rates or
current workable rates or analyzed rates for finished works.
A percentage usually 3% of the estimated cost is added to allow for
contingency of the miscellaneous items and for unforeseen
expenditure, change of design and rates which may occur during the
execution of works, and a percentage of about 2% is provided for the
work charged establishment.
The grand total gives the total estimated cost of work. The detailed
estimated is accompanied with
*Report.
*Detailed specifications.
*Drawings Plans, sections, detailed drawings, site plan etc.
*Calculation and design (Design of foundations, beam, slab,
lintel etc.)
Analysis of rates, if rates are not as per schedule of rates or for the
non scheduled items.

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4) Estimate

4.3.6) Revised Estimate:

Revised estimate is the 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 5%.
When the expenditure of the work exceeds or likely to exceed
administratively sanctioned amount by more than 10%.
When there are material deviations from the original proposal, even
though the cost may be met from the sanctioned amount.
The revised estimate should be accompanied by a comparative
statement showing the variation in each item of work, its quantity, the
rate and cost under, original and revised side by side, the excess or
saving and reasons for variations.

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4) Estimate

4.3.7) Supplementary Estimate:

Supplementary estimate is a detailed estimate and is prepared when
additional works are required to supplement the original works, or
when further development is required during the progress of work. This
is the fresh detailed 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 the
sanction is required.

4.3.8) A. M. or A. R. Estimate:

Annual repair or annual maintenance is a detailed estimate and is prepared

to maintain the structure or work in proper order and safe condition. For
buildings, this includes whitewashing, colour washing, painting minor
repairs etc. for road works the A.R. estimate provides for patch repairing,
renewals, repairs of bridges and culverts etc.

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4) Estimate

4.4) Contingencies:
In an estimate a certain amount in the form of contingencies, of three
percent to five percent of the estimated cost is provided to allow for the
miscellaneous petty items and for unforeseen items expenditure.
Miscellaneous incidental expenses which can not be classified under
any subhead or item may be met from the amount provided under
contingencies.

4.5) Work Charged Establishment:

Work charged establishment is the establishment which is charged to
works directly. During the construction of a building or a project, a
certain number of works supervisors, chowkidars, mates, munshis,
etc. are required to be employed and their salaries are paid from the
amount of work charged establishment provided in the estimate.

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4) Estimate

4.6) Centage Charges:

When the engineering department takes up the work of other
department, a percentage amount of 10% to 15% of the estimated
cost is charged to meet the expenses of the establishment,
designing, planning, supervision, etc. and this percentage charge is
known as centage charge.

4.7) Electrification & Sanitary Works:

In building works for electrification and sanitary works a percentage
of 20% of the estimated cost is provided
For electrification 12% of the estimated cost
For sanitary works 8% of the estimated cost.

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 4) Estimate
4.8) Report:
Estimate is usually accompanied with a report which gives all information in
brief, of the whole work or the project. Report should consist of the
following
Brief history, with reference to the proposal.
Object and necessity and utility of the project with reasons.
Selection site.
Surveying.
Accommodation provided or brief description of the works provided in the
estimate.
Nature of soil, and topography of the soil, orientation, etc.
General specification and basis of design and calculations.
Arrangement of water supply, sanitary works and electrical installations.
Roads and drains.
Misc. items as labor amenities, temporary accommodation for staff, etc.
Manner of execution.
Total cost and how to be financed.
Return of revenue income if any.
Rent statement if any.
Time for execution. 50
 4) Estimate
4.9) Complete Set of Estimate:
Detailed estimate is prepared in standard forms and a complete set of
estimate consists of
Title page Giving the name of engg. Department, division, district etc.
Index of contents and plan and drawings
Report
Design Calculations
Detailed specifications
Analysis of rates if required
Details of measurements and calculation of quantities
Abstract of estimated cost or bill of quantities
General abstract of cost
At the end of the abstract of estimated cost or summary of estimated cost
there should be signature of the assistant engineer, executive engineer
and superintending engineer, and on the back page head of the account
should be given.

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