Building Estimate –

Importance, Estimate
of Building In Excel
by Civil Lead

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Table of Contents
What is an Estimate?
Importance of Estimating
Data Needed for the preparation of an
estimate
Drawing
Specifications
Rates
Factors to be viewed for the preparation
of detailed estimate
Quantity of materials
Availability of the materials
Transportation of materials
Location of site
Availability of labour
Procedure For Building Estimation
Drawing Interpretations
Prepare Quantity Sheet or Building
Estimate Format
Calculation Of Quantity of Different
Items
How to get the Building estimate Excel
Sheet?
What is an Estimate?
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An estimate is the expected or probable cost of work

and is generally prepared before the construction’s
execution.
For the construction of all engineering works, it is
essential to know the probable cost of construction for
the complete work previously that includes labour cost,
material cost, transportation cost, scaffolding cost, tools
and plants cost, water cost, taxes, charges for
supervision and establishment and contractor’s profit.
If the above estimated probable cost is higher than the
available fund, exercises are performed to reduce the
cost by changing the specifications or reducing the work.
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For preparing an estimate, the quantities of several work
items are determined by straightforward mensuration
systems, and from these quantities, the cost is
computed.
The calculations mainly consist of (length x breadth x
height) or ( length x breadth) or ( height/thickness).
Hence an estimator has to go into details of each item,
whether big or small by imagining building or structure,
etc. from the study of drawing and specifications.
Accuracy in the estimate is essential; otherwise, it is
difficult to arrange for additional money if the expenditure
exceeds the estimate.
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The rate of each item should be reasonable and

preferably the present market rate.
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Importance of Estimating
1An estimate helps to determine the approximate cost of
works before their execution; thus, we can know
whether the work can be completed according to
given specifications within a specific budget. 
2It is needed to invite tenders for the work and to
prepare a contract for the project.
3An estimate helps to check the work performed by
contractors during and after execution. Contractor’s
payment is also made per the present
measurements by examining the already made
calculations for each work item.
4It provides an idea for the necessities of controlled
materials like cement, steel, and brick, etc. 
5 A complete estimate helps to advise the client on the
following.
• Properties Valuation based on land and building for
purchase, sale, and mortgage, etc.
• Standard rent Fixation 
• On a cover note regarding fire insurance
• The sale price of flats in case of the building being
constructed on an ownership basis.
• On an arbitration proceeding to claim the reasonable
amount of building.
Data Needed for the
preparation of an estimate
Drawing
Fully complete dimensioned drawings, i.e., plan,
sectional elevation, section, and other details.
Specifications
The detailed specification provides work nature, quality
and class, materials to be used in different parts of work,
material quality and proportion, preparation method,
workmanship, and work’s execution description.
Rates
The rates of the different work items, construction
materials, and the labour wages of various categories
(skilled or unskilled) should be available for making an
estimate. 
Sanctioned SOR (Schedule of rates) should be followed,
or the rate may be calculated by the rates analysis
method.
After collecting the above information, the estimate is
then worked out under various sub-heads of work, and
the quantities/cost under each sub-head are then worked
out.
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Factors to be viewed for the
preparation of detailed
estimate
Following factors should be examined while preparing
the detailed estimate.
Quantity of materials
For large works, many materials are required; the same
can be purchased at a cheaper than the rate of a smaller
quantity of materials. So the rate should be framed out
according to the volume of the work.
Availability of the materials
The estimated cost of work will be higher if the materials
required are not available as and when required, the
workers and supervisory will remain idle due to this. It will
also affect the work progress. So it should be assumed
that the materials required for the execution of work
should be available at the worksite as and when
required.
Transportation of materials
The cost of transportation of smaller quantities of
materials will be more than the cost of transportation of a
large number of materials bought at a time.
Location of site
Suppose the worksite is located at an old place where
frequent loading, unloading is necessary several times.
Due to different modes of transport, damage or loss of
materials should be considered carefully.

Availability of labour
Daily wages of local labour should be considered before
the preparation of an estimate, as for as possible local
available labour should be engaged.
Also, Read – House Construction Cost Calculator
Excel Sheet
Procedure For Building
Estimation
Drawing Interpretations
Before Calculating the quantities of different items, you
must read the drawing thoroughly and correctly.
1The dimension of each room
2Schedule of openings
3Work Specification
4Wall Thickness
5Foundation Type and its details
6Stair Details
Prepare Quantity Sheet or Building Estimate
Format
Sample of quantity sheet for estimation is as follows.

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Calculation Of Quantity of Different Items
Now you have to calculate the quantities of different
items from their length, width and height/depth. By
multiplying length x breadth x height you will get the
quantity in cubic meter (If dimensions are in meter) and
by multiplying ( length x breadth) or ( height/thickness)
you will get the quantity in Square meter ( If dimensions
are in meter).
Important Points
1Depth for excavation is considered from the bottom of
PCC to ground level.
2Trench size is considered greater than footing size due
to working space for labours. Here in the above
quantity sheet footing size is 1meter × 1 meter and
we have considered 0.3 meters extra for the working
area.
How to get the Building
estimate Excel Sheet?
To get the building estimation quantity sheet, please mail
“I want estimation excel sheet”
to civillead18@gmail.com.
Also, Read