Contents Question Corner

 Definition of estimating
 Types of Estimation
 Taking Quantities
Estimation for Architecture   Accuracy in estimation
Students  Units of Measurement
 Method of estimating
 Details of Measurement  house or a shop?
and calculation of 
Quantities
1. How much do you like 
architecture? 
2. How much do you like 
your bike or car?
3. How much do you like 
your mom or dad?
4. How much space do you 
require to park a car, build a 

Find the answers 
on your own!

Definition of estimating 1.  Detailed Estimate 5.  Sub-Estimate

Estimate is a document that gives the quantities

of different works, the rates and the expenditure 6.  Annual Maintenance Estimate
2.  Approximate / Rough /
anticipated in a project. Preliminary Estimate

Estimation or Estimating is the process of 7.  Repair Estimate

calculating the quantities and costs of various 3.  Revised Estimate
items of works involved in a project

8.  Complete Estimate
4.  Supplementary Estimate
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Detailed Estimate
 This estimate gives item-wise
quantities of works, rates and
item-wise cost anticipated.
Sub-Estimate
 In the main estimate lump-sum
provisions are made as a % of
construction cost to works like
electrification, sanitary & water
supply, interior decoration,
leveling etc.
 Before taking up these minor
works separate sub-estimates
are being prepared for each
and every item in detail
Approximate / Rough /
Preliminary Estimate
 This estimate is prepared by
any rough method to get the
approx. cost of construction.
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Annual Maintenance
Estimate
 Maintenance works such as
painting, cleaning, servicing of
electrical equipment's, etc. are
to be carried out periodically.
 For such expenditures annual
maintenance estimates are
prepared
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Revised Estimate
 When any major change or
alteration is made in the plan
/ structural arrangement
 When the estimated cost is
likely to exceed by more
than 5% during execution.
Supplementary Estimate
 During execution of work, it
may be necessary to do a few
extra items of work which
were not included in the
original estimate.
Repair Estimate Complete Estimate
This estimate includes in addition
In addition to periodical to the cost of construction,
maintenance repairs are to be
carried out for the damaged
 The cost of land, the expenses
parts of a structure such as
towards surveying, preparation of
 Replacement of roof sheets, drawings, getting the approval,
decayed wooden items, legal assistance, registration of
corroded steel items, pipes, documents, payment of taxes,
wires, switches etc supervision charges, insurance,
providing safety devices etc..
 Repairs for the cracked roofs,
walls, sunshades, shelves etc
 Renewal of broken glass /
window shutters
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 Trade System
Taking Quantities (Quantity Surveying) In the trade system, the 
measurements are recorded 
Technique of computing the quantities of various trade by trade. For e.g) 
works involved in a project by any standard method. “brickwork” is a trade in the 
construction of a building Group System

In the group system, 
Systems of taking quantities measurements are recorded 
item by item.
a) Trade System
b) Group System

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Importance of Inaccuracy in
What estimates are made in projects?
accurate estimates estimates is caused
1. If estimate is due to
1. Time estimates are used in scheduling
work, assigning resources and determining exceeded it becomes  Omission of items
delivery dates.
difficult to explain, to
 Changes in design
2. Cost estimates are used for budgeting. account and arrange
 Improper rates
3. Cost and benefit estimates are used in for additional money
cost/benefit analysis to determine the
 Incorrect calculation 
overall viability of a project. methods

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3
 Dimensions shall be
0.01 metre i.e) 1 cm
measured to the
UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS METHODS OF
MEASUREMENTS nearest….
 Metric system, based on IS : 1200
 Item-wise finished item of work

 Including materials, labour,

transport, fabrication, hoisting,
tools, machinery, overheads

 Dimensions in the sequence of

length, breadth and height or 0.01 cu m i.e) 0.1 cu ft
depth or thickness
0.01 sq m i.e) 0.1 sq ft

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Quintal Kg
CU M SQ M M No.  Rolled steel joist,  Supply of stiff paint,
Channels, Steel explosives for blasting
 Earthwork  Surface dressing  String course, drip  Cutting of trees reinforcement..
course, coping
 Excavation  Jali work  Door & window /
 Cornice sanitary fittings Litre Bags
 Brickwork  Lime conc in roof
 Pargetting  Ornamental pillar  Supply of varnish, oil…  Supply of cement – bags
 R.C.C  D.P.C. chimney caps, base, of 50 Kg each
 Half-brick work flower brackets..
 Supply of timber  Brick edging
 Thin partition wall  Fixing of glass
 Lime concrete  Iron railing panes or
 Cement  Stone slab in roof  Barbed wire fence windows % nos. Tonne
Concrete
 Trestle, crates …  Supply of bricks..  Supply of bitumen, tar etc.
 Expansion,
construction joints  Painting furniture

cm Sq cm
 Welding of rails, steel,  Cutting of angles, tees,
trusses, rods etc. plate etc.
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4
DETAILS OF MEASUREMENT FORM

Item No. Description No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity

or Depth Necessity of Approximate Estimates
Particulars
Preparing detailed estimates consumes a lot of 
time and manpower.

ABSTRACT OF ESTIMATE FORM Hence, Approximate estimates are prepared first 

for any project for enabling the client to decide 
Item No. Description or Quantity Unit Rate Amount
whether the project can be taken up or not.
Particulars

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METHODS OF APPROXIMATE ESTIMATION

a) Service unit method or Unit cost method
b) Plinth area method
c) Carpet area method
d) Cube rate method
e) Typical bay method
f) Rough Quantity method
S.No Building Type Service Unit
1 Hostel Student
2 Hospital Bed
3 Hotel Room
4 School Class room
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Rough Method

The approximate quantities of different items are worked 
out based on main items of work only and the cost is 
estimated assuming suitable rates.

METHODS OF MEASUREMENT
 Centre line method
 Long wall short wall method

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6
Centre line method for rectangular areas Centre line method for Cross walled areas
This method calculates the total length of the walls in the building & 
multiplies it by width and depth or height to get the total quantity.
0.3m
0.3m

4.3m c/c

5.3m c/c
0.3m 5.0m x 4.0m clear 0.3m 0.3m 0.3m

0.3m
0.3m
5.3m c/c
9.6m c/c
Total length of wall = (2 long walls + 2 short walls)c/c
Total length of wall = (2 long walls + 3 short walls)c/c 
– 2 x (0.5width of the wall)c/c

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Centre line method Long wall & short wall method
This method calculates the total  This method is sometimes 
length of the walls in the  referred as out‐to‐out and 
building and multiplies the same  in‐to‐in method. 
by width and depth or height to 
LONG   WALL (L)
get the total quantity.
SHORT WALL (B)

SHORT WALL (B)

LONG   WALL (L)
Area = (2 Long walls + 2 short
walls ) X width of the wall

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