QUANTITY SURVEYING AND CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT

MODULE- 1
TECHNICAL TERMS
1. ESTIMATE
An estimate is the anticipated or probable cost of work and is usually prepared before the
construction is taken up. It is indeed calculations or computations of various items of an
engineering work.
2. QUANTITY SURVEY
It is the schedule of all items of work in a building. These quantities are calculated from the
drawing of the building. Thus quantity survey gives quantities of work done in case of each
items, when priced gives the total cost. In short, quantity survey means calculations of
quantities of materials required to
3. DETAILED SPECIFICATION
Detailed specifications gives the nature, quality and class of work, materials to be used in the
various parts of work , quality of the material, their proportions, method of preparation,
workmanship and description of execution of work are required.
4. RATES
The rates of various items of works, materials to be used in the construction and the wages of
different categories of labor (skilled and unskilled) should be available for preparing an
estimate. The cost of transportation charges should also be known. As far as possible
sanctioned “Schedule of Rates” shall be followed or the rates may be worked out by the
“Analysis of Rates” method.
5. SITE PLAN
It is the plan drawn for a particular construction showing its position with respect to
approaching roads, main bazars, markets and other permanent features in a populated area. It
shows the location of the area under construction with respect to the other areas and on it
generally the names of the owners of areas or property holders adjoining to it are also
denoted. North line is also clearly marked on it.
6. LINE PLAN
Line plan can be defined as the plan of a particular construction simply showing main
features with the help of the single lines of different portions of the constructions. Details of
constructions are not generally shown on this plan. This inside and outside dimensions shown
on this plan should necessarily be corresponding to actual dimensions.
7. INDEX PLAN
This is the plan of a particular colony showing the positions of different houses in single lines
their number if any position of roads, schools, market, hospitals and other features etc. this
plan is generally fixed on the entrance, or at exit or in the central place of the colony, for the
guidance of the inhabitants and outsiders.
8. DETAILED PLAN
This plan indicates a plan of a construction drawn to a definite scale, showing all detailed
information required for its execution. Various sections and elevations are clearly drawn on
this plan.
9. CENTRE LINE PLAN
This is actually a layout plan drawn to facilitate the laying out of foundation lines and other
features. It is generally fixed on the entrance or at exit in the central place of the colony for
the guidance of the inhabitants and outsiders.
10. SUPPLEMANTARY ESTIMATE
When some additions are done in the original work, a fresh detailed estimate is prepared to
supplement the original work. This estimate is called supplementary estimate. It is also
accompanied by all the papers as required in thru detailed estimate.
11. ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL

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For any project required by the department an approval so sanction of the competent
authority with respect to the cost and work is necessary at the first instance. Thus
administrative approval denotes the formal acceptance by the administrative department
concerned of the proposals for incurring expenditure.
12. TECHNICAL SANCTION
It means the sanction and order by the competent authority of the department for the detailed
estimate design calculations quantities of work rates and cost of work. After the technical
sanction of the estimate is received the work is then taken up for construction.
13. COMPETENT AUTHORITY
An officer or any other authority in the department to whom relevant powers are delegated by
the government (Financial Department).
13. ORDINARY MEASUREMENT BOOK
It is measured book in which entries regarding the work done or supplies made and services
performed are recorded for the purpose of making payments to the contractors or the labor.
Entries in the M.B are generally recorded by the sectional officers or by any other officers
deputed for the purpose
14. LUMPSUM ITEMS
Sometimes while preparing estimate for the certain small items like front architecture or
decoration work of a building it is not possible to workout detailed quantities so far such
lump sum items a lump sum rate is provided.
15. PLINTH AREA
The built up covered area of a building measured at floor level of any storey is called plinth
area.
17. CIRCULATION AREA
The total cost of construction including all expenditures incurred plus the cost of external
services up to the end of the completion of the work is called capital cost. It also includes the
cost of preliminary works, miscellaneous items and supervision charges etc.

INTRODUCTION
GENERAL
Estimating is the technique of calculating or computing the various quantities and the
expected Expenditure to be incurred on a particular work or project. In case the funds
available are less than the estimated cost the work is done in part or by reducing it or
specifications are altered, the following requirement are necessary for preparing an estimate.
1. Drawings like plan, elevation and sections of important points.
2. Detailed specifications about workmanship& properties of materials etc.
3. Standard schedule of rates of the current year.

UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS
The units of measurements are mainly categorized for their nature, shape and size and for
making payments to the contractor and also. The principle of units of measurements normally
consists the following:
a) Single units work like doors, windows, trusses etc., is expressed in numbers.
b) Works consists linear measurements involve length like cornice, fencing, hand rail,bands
of specified width etc., are expressed in running meters (RM)
c) Works consists areal surface measurements involve area like plastering, white washing,
partitions of specified thickness etc., and are expressed in square meters(m2)
d) Works consists cubical contents which involve volume like earth work, cement concrete,
Masonry etc are expressed in Cubic metres.

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RULES FOR MEASUREMENT

The rules for measurement of each item are invariably described in IS- 1200. However some
of the general rules are listed below.
1. Measurement shall be made for finished item of work and description of each item shall
include materials, transport, labor, fabrication tools and plant and all types of overheads for
finishing the work in required shape, size and specification.
2. In booking, the order shall be in sequence of length, breadth and height or thickness.
3. All works shall be measured subject to the following tolerances.
I) linear measurement shall be measured to the nearest 0.01m.
ii) Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 sq.m
iii) Cubic contents shall be worked-out to the nearest 0.01 cum
4. Same type of work under different conditions and nature shall be measured separately
under separate items.
5. The bill of quantities shall fully describe the materials, proportions, workmanships and
accurately represent the work to be executed.
6. In case of masonry (stone or brick) or structural concrete, the categories shall be measured
separately and the heights shall be described:
a) From foundation to plinth level
b) From plinth level to first floor level
c) From Fist floor to second floor level and so on.

REQUIREMENTS OF ESTIMATION AND COSTING

1. Estimate gives an idea of the cost of the work and hence its feasibility can be determined
i.e. whether the project could be taken up with in the funds available or not.
2. Estimate gives an idea of time required for the completion of the work.
3. Estimate is required to invite the tenders and Quotations and to arrange contract.
4. Estimate is also required to control the expenditure during the execution of work.
5. Estimate decides whether the proposed plan matches the funds available or not.

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PROCEDURE OF ESTIMATING OR METHOD OF ESTIMATING.

Estimating involves the following operations
1. Preparing detailed Estimate.
2. Calculating the rate of each unit of work
3. Preparing abstract of estimate
DATA REQUIRED TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE
1. Drawings i.e. plans, elevations, sections etc.
2. Specifications.
3. Rates.
DRAWINGS
If the drawings are not clear and without complete dimensions the preparation of estimation
become very difficult. So, it is very essential before preparing an estimate.
SPECIFICATIONS
a) General Specifications: This gives the nature, quality, class and work and materials in
general terms to be used in various parts of wok. It helps no form a general idea of building.
b) Detailed Specifications: These gives the detailed description of the various items of work
laying down the Quantities and qualities of materials, their proportions, the method of
preparation workmanship and execution of work.
RATES
For preparing the estimate the unit rates of each item of work are required.
1. for arriving at the unit rates of each item.
2. The rates of various materials to be used in the construction.
3. The cost of transport materials.
4. The wages of labor, skilled or unskilled of masons, carpenters, Amador, etc.,
COMPLETE ESTIMATE
Most of people think that the estimate of a structure includes cost of land, cost of materials
and labor, but many other direct and indirect costs included and are shown below.

L.S.Items.
The following are some of L.S. Items in the estimate.
1. Water supply and sanitary arrangements.
2. Electrical installations like meter, motor, etc.,
3. Architectural features.
4. Contingencies and unforeseen items.

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In general, certain percentage on the cost of estimation is allotted for the above L.S.Items
Even if sub estimates prepared or at the end of execution of work, the actual cost should not
exceed the L.S.amounts provided in the main estimate.

1.3.8 WORK CHARGED ESTABLISHMENT:

During the construction of a project considerable number of skilled supervisors, work
assistance, watch men etc., are employed on temporary basis. The salaries of these persons
are drawn from the L.S. amount allotted towards the work charged establishment. That is,
establishment which is charged directly to work. An L.S.amount of 1½ to 2% of the
estimated cost is provided towards the work charged establishment.
METHODS OF TAKING OUT QUANTITIES
The quantities like earth work, foundation concrete, brickwork in plinth and super structure
etc., can be workout by any of following two methods:
a) Long wall - short wall method
b) Centre line method.
c) Partly centre line and short wall method.
LONG WALL-SHORT WALL METHOD
In this method, the wall along the length of room is considered to be long wall while the wall
perpendicular to long wall is said to be short wall. To get the length of long wall or short
wall, calculate first the centre line lengths of individual walls. Then the length of long wall,
(out to out) may be calculated after adding half breadth at each end to its centre line length.
Thus the length of short wall
Measured into in and may be found by deducting half breadth from its centre line length at
each end. The length of long wall usually decreases from earth work to brick work in super
structure while the short wall increases. These lengths are multiplied by breadth and depth to
Get quantities.

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Details of measurements form

ii) Abstract of Estimated Cost :

The cost of each item of work is worked out from the quantities that already computed in the
details measurement form at workable rate. But the total cost is worked out in the prescribed
form is known as abstract of estimated form. 4%of estimated Cost is allowed for Petty
Supervision, contingencies and Unforeseen items.
Types of Estimates
ABSTRACT OF ESTIMATE FORM

The detailed estimate should accompanied with

I) Report
ii) Specification
iii) Drawings (plans, elevation, sections) iv)
Design charts and calculations
v) Standard schedule of rates.

FACTORS TO BE CONSISDERED WHILE PREPARING DETAILED

ESTIMATE

i) Quantity and transportation of materials:

For bigger project, the requirement of materials is more. such bulk volume of materials will
be purchased and transported definitely at cheaper rate.
ii) Location of site:
The site of work is selected, such that it should reduce damage or in transit during loading,
unloading, stocking of materials.
iii) Local labor charges:
The skill, suitability and wages of local labors are considered while preparing the detailed
estimate.
DATA
The process of working out the cost or rate per unit of each item is called as Data. In
preparation of Data, the rates of materials and labor are obtained from current standard

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scheduled of rates and while the quantities of materials and labor required for one unit of item
are taken from Standard Data Book

Types of estimates

• Approximate estimate
• Detailed estimate
• Supplementary and revised estimate

1. Approximate estimate or
preliminary estimate or abstract
estimate

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2. Detailed estimate

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3. Supplementary and revised estimate

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