COST ESTIMATES
The method of cost estimating varies with the steps of
development of the project.
1. BUDGETARY ESTIMATE
This estimate is prepared in response to a demonstrated need.
Accordingly, it should best be related to square meter to be
built, number of people to be served, units to be produced, or
functions to be accomplished. The best source is prior
experience.
2. SCHEMATIC DESIGN ESTIMATE
At the schematic and design phase the spatial design has been
committed to a plan and few elevations. There should be a site
plan available. To a large degree, this phase utilizes square-
meter costs, but parametric and modular costs can become
much more practical. It is also possible to segregate certain
areas and provide detailed cost-breakdown analyses.
3. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATE
The design development estimate is based upon drawings
which are an evolution of the schematic design drawings. They
are often a full size larger and therefore accurate quantity
take-off is possible. The spatial solution for the buildings has
been completed, and so the architectural and structural take-
off is substantially accurate. At this stage, the mechanical,
electrical, heating and ventilating systems are just coming into
focus. The estimating approach is usually combined, since a
quantity take-off is possible only for architectural and
structural and parametric or square-meter costs must be used
for the mechanical and electrical systems.
4. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS ESTIMATE
At this stage of project development, a tremendous amount of
detail work is in progress. Estimates can be made on a quantity
take-off basis for all the areas. The designer will be doing a
quantity take-off basis for all the areas. The designer will be duplicate an area.
doing a quantity survey type estimate, but once the drawings
and specifications have been released to the contractors, one
of the principal methods of developing a cost bid is to solicit8. Do not convert unit until the final total is obtained. For
firm price quotations from the sub-contractor or suppliers.
5. CONSTRUCTION AND BIDDING DOCUMENTS
Estimates during the construction are based on reality. The 9.
actual cost of work in place can be used as a guideline in
estimating extra work or changes in scope. Quantity survey
methods are used by contractors in estimating the projected
savings in scope which would result from accepted value-
incentive programs.
GENERAL ESTIMATING GUIDELINES
Do not round-off quantities until the final summary.
Mark drawings with different colors as items are taken
off.
Keep similar items together, different items separate.
Identify location and drawing numbers to aid in future
checking for completeness.
Measure or list everything on the drawings or
mentioned in the specifications.
Use indicated dimensions rather than dimensions
measure off directly from drawings.
It may be necessary to list items not called for to make
the job complete.
Be alert for noted plans such as not to scale: changes
in scale throughout the drawings; reduced size
drawings; discrepancies between the specifications
and the drawings.
Develop a consistent pattern of performing an
estimate, for example:
o Start the quantity take-off at the lower floor
and move to the next higher floor.
o Proceed from south to north or vice-versa,
clockwise or counterclockwise.
o Proceed from the main section of the building
to the wings.
o Take-off floor quantities first, elevations next,
THen detail drawings.
List of all gross dimensions that can either be used
again for different quantities or used as a rough check
of other quantities for verification (exterior perimeter,
gross floor area, individual floor, areas, etc.)
Utilize design symmetry or repetition (repetitive
floors, repetitive wings, symmetrical design around
the center line, similar room, lay-outs, etc.)
NOTE: extreme caution is needed here so as not to omit or
instance, when estimating reinforcing bars, take off itemized
units according to bar size, then summarize and convert to
kilos or tons.
When figuring alternates, it is best to total all items involved in
the basic system. Then total all items involved in the
alternates. Thus you work with the positive numbers in all
cases. When adds and deducts are used, it is often confusing
whether to add or subtract a portion of an item especially on a
complicated or involved alternate.
 ESTIMATING METHODS

Estimating the cost of a project, or a portion is basically a two-step process:

a. Defining the project component to which cost can be applied. Example:

DESCRIPTION OF WORK QUANTITIES UNIT
No. of Units
Excavation 10 Cu.m
Painting, exterior masonry 100 SM

b. Assigning unit cost in order to arrive at a component cost. Example:

DESCRIPTION OF QUANTITY MATERIAL LABOR TOTAL
WORK No. of Units Unit Total Unit Total
Units Cost Cost Cost Cost
Excavation 10 cu.m P16.50 P165 P165
manual
Painting, exterior 100 SM P34 P3,400 P3.80 P380 P3780
masonry

\][.

Estimating procedures vary considerably form industry to industry and many special approaches have been
developed. The following is not all-inclusive but does not describe the basic well-known approaches.

ESTIMATING BY USER UNITS METHOD

The facility to be designed or constructed is defined in terms of its capacity to serve.

Examples:
a. Number of patient beds
b. Number of prison inmates
c. Student population
d. Number of parking spaces

In some cases, as using agency which builds the same types of structure many times has a well-developed
historical file on cost and use requirements. An estimate on this type of data can be quiet accurate.

Example: to come up with a ballpark estimate of a hotel, use P50,000/bed or for a hospital, use
P100,000/bed.

TABLE 1. UNIT GROSS AREA REQUIREMENTS

The figures in the table below indicate typical ranges in square meters as a function of the user unit. This
table is best used in the budgetary and schematic design phases to help determine the size requirement
for the total project.

BUILDING TYPE UNIT AVE.AREA SQ.M

Auditorium & Play Theaters Seat 2.30
Apartments Unit 80.00
Bowling Alleys Lane 87.00
Churches Seat 2.60
Dormitories Bed 20.00
Garages, Parking Car 33.00
Housing, Public Hi-Rise Unit 75.00
Hospitals Bed 79.00
Hotels Rntl. Unit 56.00
Motels Rntl. Unit 43.00
 Restaurants Seat 32.50
Schools, Elementary Pupil 7.00
High School Student 11.00
College Student 11.00
Vocational Student 12.50
Shooting Ranges Point 41.80
Theaters and Movies Seat 1.40

ESTIMATING BY SQUARE METER METHOD

a. Square meter costs are found by multiplying the area of space times a cost factor. The cost factor is usually
available from the historical cost file of past projects. This is the method most commonly used by Architects.

Example:Lobby

100 SM x 1.5 (Fig. 1 EEBA) x P400/SM = P600,000.00

b. Space Factor to be Used in Estimating by Area

In order to arrive at an accurate cost per square meter of a building, the building spaces and its appendages
should be converted into their equivalent values in relation to the predominant enclosed space.

The United Architects of the Philippines presents herewith the various factors that should be used in converting
building spaces to their equivalent enclosed building area (EEBA).

AREA/SPACE SPACE FACTOR

Typically Floor (Fully enclosed space) 1.00
Auditorium 1.50
Balcony 0.40
Canopy Entrance 0.45
Lobby and Lofty Spaces 1.50
Basement 1.00
On-stilt 0.55
Covered area (partially walled spaces) 0.60
Stairs 1.25
Toilets 1.50
Kitchenettes 1.50
Media-aguas 0.25
AHU Rooms 0.70
Deck terrace (with waterproofing) 0.35
Interstitial space less than 1.50 m 0.35
More than 1.50 m 0.70
Open Terrace (no roof) 0.30