smuhammad@live.

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Quantity Survey & Estimation

Credit Hours = 2

Lecture # 1

Course Instructor
Engr. Shad Muhammad
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Qurtuba University of Science & IT, D. I. Khan.
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Quantity? Survey? And Estimation?

 What can be included in quantity?

 Can civil structures estimate be exact?

 What about unknown features or contingencies?

 What is estimated cost?

 Probable cost of construction----Estimated Cost

 Is quality of work a part of quantity survey?

Quantity Survey is a schedule of quantities of all the items of work in a structure.

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What if estimate exceeds available money?
You have 2 options to reduce the cost:

1. Reduce the amount of work

2. Change the specification

Amount of work controls the quantity of work.

Specifications controls the quality of work.

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How and from where to take quantities?

1. Plans
2. Elevations
3. Sections

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Data Required for the Preparation of an Estimate or
Quantity Survey

1. Drawings: Complete and fully dimensioned drawings (i.e. plans, elevations, sections and other
details) of the building or work in question are required.

2. Specifications: Detailed specifications, giving the nature, quality and class of work, materials to
be used, quantity of the material, their proportions, and method of preparation are required.

3. Rates: The rates of various of work, materials to be used in the construction, wages of different
categories of labor (skilled or unskilled) and cost of transportation charges should be available for
preparing an estimate of work cost.

4. Actual Finished Work: Quantities can be calculated from the actual work done in the project
site.

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Quantities Calculation

The quantities mainly can be calculated as:

 Quantity = Length ×Width × (Height or Thickness) = Volume

 Quantity = Area of cross-section × Length = Volume

 Quantity = Length ×Width = Area

 Quantity = Length

 Quantity = Number of Units

 Quantity = Weight

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 Advices?
 Learn to read drawings in detail.

 Learn to link plans with sections and elevations, etc.

 Try to work on visualization of hidden features of the structure.

 Start from simple to advanced drawings.

 In preparing an estimate, items are usually classified and grouped sub-

head wise, but for beginners it is convenient to make up the items in the
same order, as far as possible, as they would be executed or constructed.

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 Metric System and Units

 Very simple as units are multiples of ten or one-tenth of the other.

 Produce simplification in calculations.

 FPS [Foot (ft), Pound (lb), Second (s)] System works on fractions which make it

difficult.

 Arithmetic operations should be well commanded for this subject.

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 Metric System and Units
Conversion Examples:
 1 km=1*103 m = 1000 m
 1 kg =1*103 g = 1000 g
 1 milliliter = 1*10-3 l = 0.001 l

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 Units for Civil Engineering Works
Quantity Unit
.
Length Meter (m)
Area Square Meter (m2)
Volume Cubic Meter (m3)
Mass Kilogram (kg)
Capacity Liter (lit)

Liter: (Unit of Capacity)

1. The capacity of a cube whose side measures as one decimeter (1 tenth of meter).
2. Volume occupied by 1 kg of pure water at the temp of its max. density (i.e. 40c) and under normal
pressure.

Kilogram: (Unit of Mass)

1. Weight of pure water contained in cubic decimeter.
2. Prototype of Kg is a platinum cylinder whose diameter and height are same as 39mm.

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 System International (SI) Units
1. Base Units
.
2. Derived Units
3. Supplementary Units

…Just overview them, need not to go in details

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 Method of Estimating
Estimated Cost:
 Probable cost of the construction.
 It is known at initiation of work. (Project Initiation)

Actual Cost:
 Account of all expenditure is maintained day-to-day during execution of work in the account section and
at the end of the completion of work. And when the account is complete, actual cost is known.
 The actual cost is known at completion of work. (Project Closure)

Remember: The actual cost should not differ much from the estimated cost worked out at the beginning.

Cost at Project Initiation = Cost at Project Closure

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 Method of Estimating
Detailed Estimate:
 Preparation of detailed estimate consists of working out the quantities of different items of work and then
working out the cost.

Estimate is prepared in 2 Phases:

1. Details of Measurements and Calculation of Quantities: The whole work is divided into
different items of work as earthwork, concrete, brickwork, etc. and the items are classified and grouped
under different sub-heads, and the details of measurement of each item of work are taken out and
quantities under each item are computed in prescribed form-Detail of measurement Form (shown below).

1. Detail of Measurement Form

Item No. Description No. Length Breadth Height Quantity
Or Particulars Or Depth Or Content

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 Method of Estimating
2. Abstract of Estimated Cost: The cost under item of work is calculated from the quantities already
computed at workable rate (Market Rate), and the total cost is worked out in a prescribed form,
Abstract of Estimate Form (shown below).

 A percentage of 3 to 5% is added for contingency, to allow for petty expenditures, unforeseen

expenditures, changes in design, changes in rates, etc. which may occur during execution of work.
 A percentage of 1.5 to 2% is also added to meet the expenditure of work-charged establishment.

2. Abstract of Estimate Form

Item No. Description Quantity Unit Rate Amount Remarks
Or Particulars (If any)

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 Main Items of Work
1. Earthwork
2. Concrete In Foundation
3. Damp Proof Course
4. Masonry
1. Deduction For Openings, bearings Etc,
5. R.C.C Works
6. Flooring And Roofing
A. Ground Floor
B. 1st Floor And 2nd Floor
C. Roof
D. Floor Of Door Sills
7. Plastering And Painting

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 Main Items of Work
8. Pointing
9. Pillars
10. Door And Windows
11. Wood Work
12. Iron Work
13. White –Washing Or Color –Washing Or Distempering
14. Painting
15. Lump Sum Items
16. Other Items
17. Electrification And Sanitary And Water Supply

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 Main Items of Work
1. Earthwork:
 In excavation and filling.

 Calculated in m3 (L*B*D).

 Foundation trench are usually dug to the exact

width of the foundation with vertical sides.

 Filling of trench after laying foundations are not taken into considerations mostly.

 If trench filling is accounted, this may be calculated by deducting the masonry / foundation from excavation.

 Earthwork in plinth filling is calculated by taking the internal dimensions in between plinth-wall (L*B*D).

 Thickness of concrete in floor usually 7.5cm (3’’) must be deducted from plinth filling calculations.

 If sand filling is done in plinth, then separate calculations should be taken. [Extra earth separate calculations]

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 Main Items of Work
2. Concrete in Foundations:

 (L*B*H) = m3

 L*B of foundation concrete is same as for

excavation. Only depth and thickness differs.

 Thickness of foundations concrete varies from (20 cm to 45 cm), usually 30 cm or (9” to 18”) usually 12”.

 Foundation concrete usually consists of lime concrete or weak concrete.

 Cement : Sand : Coarse Aggregate = 1:4:8 or 1:5:10

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 Main Items of Work
3. Soling:
 Computed as (L*B*t) = m3

 When the soil is soft or bad, one layer of dry brick or stone soling is applied below the

foundation concrete.

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 Main Items of Work
4. DPC: Damp Proof Coarse:
 Computed as (L*B) = m2

 Usually, 2.5 cm (1”) thick rich cement concrete (1:1.5:3)

or

 2cm (0.75”) thick rich cement mortar (1:2) mixed with standard waterproofing material is

provided at plinth level to full width of the plinth wall.

 1 kg of CEM-Seal or Impermo per bag of cement is used.

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 Main Items of Work
5. Masonry:
 Computed as (L*B*H) = m3

 Foundation & plinth masonry is taken under one item & masonry in superstructure is
taken under separate item.

 In storied building, the masonry in each storey as ground floor, first floor, etc are computed
separately.

 In taking out quantities the walls are measured as solid & then deductions are made for
openings as doors, windows, etc.

 Masonry of different classes, masonry with different mortar, etc are taken out under separate
item.

 Arch masonry is taken separately.

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 Main Items of Work
5. Masonry:
 Splayed or rounded sides of wall are taken as rectangular & extreme dimensions are

taken to find out the quantities.

 Thin wall partitions are measure in m2.

 Honey combed brick wall is taken under separate item in m2. No deductions are made for

holes.

 Stone masonry is calculated in same manner as bricks.

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 Main Items of Work
6. R.C.C Work:
 May be in roof slab, beams, lintels, columns, foundations, etc.

 Computed in m3

 Bearings are added with the clear span to get the dimensions.

 Quantities are computed in m3 exclusive of steel reinforcement and its bending but inclusive of
centering and shuttering & fixing and binding of reinforcement.

 The rebars including bending is taken up separately under steel works in quintals. [1 quintal =
100 kg]

 The volume of steel is not to be deducted from R.C.C work.

 Centering and shuttering (formwork) are usually included in the R.C.C work, but may be taken
separately in m2 of surface in contact with concrete.

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 Main Items of Work
6. R.C.C Work:
 In absence of detailed design, the percentage

of steel reinforcement is taken as:

Section Steel Percentages
1. Beams 1 to 2 %
2. Columns 1 to 5 %
3. Lintels, slabs 0.7 to 1 %
4. Foundations 0.5 to 0.8 %

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 Main Items of Work
7. Flooring & Roofing Work:

A) Ground Floor:
 The base lime concrete & floor finishing of cement concrete or stone or marble or mosaic, etc

are usually taken as one item and computed in m3

 The ‘L’ and ‘B’ are measured as inside dimensions from wall to wall of superstructure.

 Both base concrete and floor finish are paid under one item.

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 Main Items of Work
7. Flooring & Roofing Work:

B) 1st Floor, 2nd Floor, etc:

 Supporting structures is taken separately in m3 as R.C.C and the floor finish is taken separately

in m2 as 2.5 cm or 4 cm (1” to 1.5”) cement concrete or marble or mosaic, etc.

 If a cushioning layer of lime or weak concrete is given in b/w slab and floor, the cushioning

concrete may be measured with the floor under one item or taken separately.

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 Main Items of Work
7. Flooring & Roofing Work:

C) Roof:
 Supporting structures is taken separately in m3.

 The bearing of the roof or floor slab is given as the same thickness as the slab usually 10 cm

or 15 cm (4” to 6”).

 In case of Tiled, Galvanized Iron Sheet (G.I Sheets) or Asbestos Cement Sheet roofing are taken

out in m2 & measured flat including overlaps with all fittings & supporting trusses & members
are taken out under separate item.

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 Main Items of Work

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 Main Items of Work
8. Plastering & Pointing:
 Plastering usually 12 mm (1/2”) thick is calculated in m2.

 For walls, the measurements are taken for the whole face of the wall for both sides as solid &

deductions are made for any openings.

 Plastering of ceiling usually 12 mm (1/2”) is computed in m2 under separate head as this

work is done with rich mortar.

 Thin rich cement mortar plastering in R.C.C work may also be taken under a separate item,

specially in the ceiling inside room.

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 Main Items of Work
10. Cornice:
 Ornamental or large cornice is measured in running meter (rm) or running foot

(rft) for the complete work including masonry, plastering, moulding, etc & paid in r/ft or r/m.

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 Main Items of Work
11. Pillars:
 Pillars are taken separately in m3 for their net volume & quantities are calculated by correct

geometrical measurements by simple measurement method.

 Plastering of pillars are calculated in m2 multiplying the circumference of perimeter by

the height.

 Quantity = X-Sectional Area * Height

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 Main Items of Work
11. Pillars:

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 Main Items of Work
12. Doors & Windows:
A) Chowkhat or Frame:
 Door & window frames or chowkhats are computed in m3.

 Length is obtained by adding the length of all the members of the chowkhat, top and two

verticals if there is no sill member.

 And add the bottom if sill is present. And this length is multiplied by the two

dimensions of the x-sec of the member.

 If there is a horn projection these projections also should be added to length.

 If there is no sill member, vertical members should be inserted into the floor by about 2.5 cm to

4 cm (1” to 1.5”).

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 Main Items of Work
12. Doors & Windows:
B) Door / Windows / Shutters:
 Computed in m2 (B*H).

 A clearance of 6 mm (0.75”) may be allowed at the bottom of door if there is no sill member.

 But for measurement of payment, the clearance should be taken into account.

 The name of timber used, the thickness of the shutters, type of shutters & the nature of fittings

(iron, brass, etc.) should be noted in the item.

 Fittings are computed in numbers.

 Fittings may also be included in sq. m rate of shutters.

 Hold fasts are taken separate, under separate item by weight or by number.

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 Main Items of Work
12. Doors & Windows:
C) Door / Windows / Shutters:
 Wooden beams, posts, wooden roof trusses, chowkhats, etc. come under this item and the

quantities are computed in m3.

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 Main Items of Work
13. Iron Work:
 Computed in weight in kg or quintal & the quantities are calculated by multiplying

running meter by the length.

 The weight per running meter can be obtained from the steel section book.

 For steel joint, the length is equal to the clear span + 2 bearings.

 Density of mild steel = 7850 kg/m3 or 78.5 q/m3 or 490 lb/ft3.

 The weight of bolts, nuts & rivets with heads can be calculated by counting there

numbers & sizes & consulting steel tables.

 For steel roof truss, 5% of the steel work is usually provided for rivets, bolts & nuts.

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 Main Items of Work
14. White-Washing or Color Washing or Distempering:
 Quantities computed in m2.

 No. of coats of white washing or coloring are taken as one job or work and the rates cover for the

number of coats which should not be a multiplying factor.

 The no. of coats should be mentioned in the items list.

 Deductions are dealt in the same manner as for plastering.

 Other type of surface finish are done similarly.

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 Main Items of Work
15. Painting or Varnish:
 Painting or varnishing of doors & windows are computed in m2.

 The dimensions are the outer dimensions of doors & windows.

 The area is measure flat (not girthed).

 No separate measurement is taken for the chowkhat, as area is same as the area of wall openings.

 For iron bars, grills, etc. the area of the clear opening inside the chowkhat is taken.

 For beams, rafters, purlins, posts, etc. the timber or iron, the area of actual exposed surface is

taken for painting.

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 Main Items of Work
16. Lump-sum Item:
 Sometimes, a lump-sum rate is provided for certain small items for which detailed quantities

cannot be taken out easily or it takes sufficient time to find the details.
 For example: As front architectural or decoration work of a building, fire place, site cleaning &

dressing, etc.

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 Main Items of Work
17. Electrification & Sanitary & WatersupplyWork:
 For sanitary & water supply work 8% & for electrification 8% of the estimated cost of the

building work are usually provided in estimate.

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 Deductions

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 Deductions

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 Rates

 Rates of different items in the estimate are the current rates for the completion of the items of

work which include supply of material, transport, labor, scaffolding, overheads, contractors’
profit, taxes, etc.

 The rates are usually taken from “Schedule of Rates or Market Rates”.

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 Degree of Accuracy in Estimating

 Depends upon rate of item and the unit of payment.

 Higher the rates, the greater should be the accuracy with which the quantities are calculated.

 Where rates are high & paid per unit, dimensions should be absolutely correct, though

taking dimensions to the nearest 1cm to 0.5cm (1/2” to ¼”) may be allowed for practical
purposes.

 The quantities in such cases should be worked out to 2 decimals.

 In case of wall, where masonry is paid in m3, a few cm added to or subtracted from the length or

height would put little effect on total content.

 But if the width or thickness of the wall where every half cm or quarter affects the results

considerably.

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 Principle of Units for Various Items of Work

 Mass, voluminous & thick works shall be taken in cubic units or volume.

 Shallow, thin & surface works shall be taken in square units or in areas.

 Long & thin work shall be taken in linear or running units.

 Piece work, job work, etc shall be taken in numbers.

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 Brick Sizes
Brick Actual Size (cm) Nominal Size (inch) Volume (cm3)
1. Standard Modular Brick 19 cm * 9 cm * 9 cm 20 cm * 10 cm * 10 cm 2000 cm3

2. Traditional Brick 22.9 cm * 11.2 cm * 7 cm 22.9 cm * 11.4 cm * 7.6 cm 1984.056 cm3

Thickness of the wall with Standard Modular Brick (India)

Wall ½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3

Brick

Thickness of 10cm 20cm 30cm 40cm 50cm 60cm

wall

Thickness of the wall with Traditional Brick (Pakistan)

Wall ½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3

Brick

Thickness of 11.4cm 22.9cm 34.3cm 45.7cm 57.1cm 68.6cm

wall
In Inches 4 ½”Muhammad
Engr. Shad 9” 13 ½” 18” 22 ½" 27”
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  Please refer to “Estimating and Costing in Civil
Engineering” by B.N DUTTA
 Page 4 to 25
 Page 602 to 620 for further reading.
 Come to me in case of any complexity
 An MCQ’s based quiz#1 will be conducted from Above Pages on 4th
Week of the semester.

If you want to be great, DO SMALL TASKS GREATLY!

Boys, see you next week!!!

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