Introduction to Estimation
&
Quantity Surveying
Lecture# 8
LECTURE PREPARED BY :Anam Fatima
LECTURE DELIVERED BY : SANA ALEEM
MSc Architecture and Environmental
Design
BSc Architecture Engineering
Estimating in Building
Construction
Thedetermination of probable
construction costs for a project
Prepared from the contract documents:
◦ Plans
◦ Project manual (plans, contract documents
and technical specifications).
Estimating in Building
Construction
Quantities of estimates are used to:
◦ Establish project budget
◦ Order materials
Types of Estimates
Rough order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate
◦ It is the estimation of cost before detailed plans or architectural
drawings of the project have been carried.
◦ This type of estimate is usually made during the initiating phase.
◦ The accuracy of the estimate is in the range of-25% to +75%
from actual.
◦ These estimates are often first costs that an owner sees.
◦ These estimates are used for obtaining Administrative Approval
from the concerning Authorities.
◦ Unit cost is worked out from projects similar to the project under
consideration which have been carried out recently in similar site
conditions. (Unit cost means cost of execution of a unit quantity
of the work.)
Types of Estimates
Detailed estimate
◦ Determines the quantity and cost of
everything required for the project, including:
Materials
Labor
Equipment
Insurance
Bonds
Overhead
Profits, Etc.
Types of Estimates
Detailed estimate
The whole project is sub-divided into different
items of work or activities. The quantity for each
item is then calculated separately from the
drawings as accurately as possible. The procedure
is known as “quantity take off ”.
The quantities for each item may be estimated is
called as “Bill of quantities.”
Each item of the work is then multiplied by its
estimated current rate calculated to find out cost
of the item.
At the end, a total of all items of the work are
made to get the total estimated cost.
Types of Estimates
Assembly estimating
◦ Bid by groups of components
(assemblies)
◦ For example, a light switch would include:
Single-gang box
Single-pole switch
Cover plate
Two wire nuts
20 feet of wire
Types of Estimates
Square-foot estimates
◦ Bid based on an average cost per square foot
◦ May be adjusted for:
Building height
Building perimeter, Etc
◦ Sometimes, a unit other than square footage is
used. E.g. Parking garage are measured by the
number of parking stalls in the garage.
Types of Estimates
Parametric estimates
◦ Parametric estimates use equations that express the
statistical relationship between building parameters
and the cost of the building. Bid based upon the
statistical relationship between building
components
◦ May include:
Square footage
Number of floors
Length of perimeter
Percentage of the building that is common space
Etc.
Types of Estimates
Project comparison
◦ Prepared by comparing the costs of a proposed
project to a similar completed project
◦ Adjusted for difference between the comparison
project and the project being estimated
Estimating Opportunities
Architectural offices Government
Engineering offices Professional quantity
Subcontractors surveyor
Material suppliers Freelance estimators
Manufacturers’ Residential
representatives construction
Project management Computer Software
Quantity Takeoff Skills
Read and quantify plans
Knowledge of math and geometry
Patience
Does careful, thorough work
Computer literate with takeoff software
◦ On-Screen Takeoff
Additional Estimating Skills
Visualize building from plans
Foresee problems
Experienced in the construction process
◦ Methods of handling materials
◦ Labor productivity
Convert labor productivity to costs
Maintain a cost database
Additional Estimating Skills
Computer literate with:
◦ Spreadsheets
◦ Estimating software such as WinEst
Meets bid deadlines
Strong writing and presentation skills
Benefits of Computers
Reduction of calculation errors
Increased estimating speed
Many computerized estimating packages
allow the estimator to track where
quantities came from
Quick and easy to make changes
Computerized Estimating
Computer cannot think for the
estimator.
Computerized estimating is a tool, just
like a calculator
Dangers of Computers
Turn thinking over to computer
◦ Estimating becomes data-entry
Usingthe software for estimates it was
not designed for
◦ Results in incorrect quantities, costs, labor
hours, etc.
Spreadsheets software (Microsoft
Excel)
Often used in conjunction with specialized
software packages
In 2003, the American Society of Professional
Estimators reported that 29% of construction
companies used Excel as an estimating tool.
Advantages
◦ Cheap
◦ Easily to adapted
Specialized Estimating Software
Advantages:
◦ Can take off assemblies
◦ Easily viewed in different formats
◦ Prepares standard and custom reports
◦ Can quickly make changes
Specialized Estimating Software
Disadvantages
◦ Expensive
◦ Time consuming to set up and maintain
WinEst Estimate Sheet
Takeoff Software
Determine quantities from electronic set of
drawings
Advantages
◦ Track where quantities come from
◦ Calculate areas and volumes
◦ Inexpensive to reproduce drawings
Can be emailed
On-Screen Takeoff
