2- Approximate Quantities method

This method is based on the calculation of the approximate quantities for

all items of construction elements, such as (foundation, structure, slabs,
doors …. etc.), and pricing of each item to reach to the total cost of the
project.

General notes about approximate estimating

In all previous methods must take the following points in to consideration:

1- The level of required specifications for the new building.

2- The date (inflation rate).
3- Site of the project.
4- General and special conditions of the project.
5- Shape and height of the building.
6- Structure of the building.
7- Visit to the site work before pricing.

3- Detailed Estimate

❖ The detailed estimate includes determination of the quantities and

cost of everything that is required to complete the project.
❖ This type includes materials, labor, equipment, insurance, bonds,
and overheads, as well as an estimate of the profit.
❖ This type, the contractor must have a complete set of contract
documents.
❖ Each item of the project should be broken down into its parts and
estimated.
❖ The detailed estimate must establish the estimated quantities and
costs of the materials , the time required for and costs of labor , the
equipment required and its costs , the items required for overhead

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 and the cost of each item , and the percentage of profit desired ,
considering the investment , the time to complete and complexity of
the project.

Skills required to the success of estimator

1- Be able to read and quantify plans.
2- Have knowledge of mathematics and understanding of geometry.
3- Have the patience and ability to do careful thorough work.
4- Be computer literate.
5- Be able, from looking at the drawings, to visualize the project
through its various phases of construction.
6- Have enough construction experience to possess a good knowledge
of job conditions (methods of handling materials on the job, labor
productivity, most economical methods of construction).
7- Be able to keep a database of information on costs of all kinds (labor,
materials, project overhead, equipment).
8- Have good writing and presentation skills.
9- The estimator should proceed with the estimate in a manner that will
achieve the greatest accuracy (accuracy required (98-99) %.

The steps in working up a detailed estimate

1- carefully check the drawings and the project manual to be sure that
you have everything.
2- Scan the drawings to get a feel for the project.
3- Review the floor plans.
4- Begin to examine the wall sections.
5- Review the structural drawings.
6- Review the mechanical drawings.
7- Visit the site (important).
8- Check carefully through the general conditions.

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 Visit the site by the Estimator
The information that should be collected from visit the site are as follows:

1- site access
2- Availability of utilities (electric, water, telephone…)
3- Site drainage
4- Transportation facilities
5- Any required protection
6- Subsurface soil conditions
7- Local regulations and ordinances
8- Locating the proposed storage trailer and equipment locations
9- The local labor situation
10- Availability of construction equipment rentals
11- Prices and delivery information from local material suppliers
12- The availability of local subcontractor
13- The conditions of the roads leading to the project
14- Housing and feeding facilities if workers must be imported
15- Banking facilities

Models of Bill of Quantities

1- General model / Standard model

2- Manual Standard model

Item No. Description Works Unit Quantity Unit price Total / Sum price

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 3- Specific Purposes model

Description Rod-shape Rod-diameter No. of Length Total Weight of

Item No.
Works reinforcement reinforcement reinf. of reinf. length reinf./m

Works arrangement in bill of Quantities

1- Structure (bearing walls)
1-1 Excavations
1-2 Foundations
1-3 Wall construction works (bricks, stone, block …)
1-4 The Frontages
1-5 Floors
1-6 Slabs and all concrete works
1-7 Roofs
2- Structure (reinforced concrete structure)
2-1 Excavations
2-2 Foundations (piles, raft, footing)
2-3 Columns
2-4 Beams
2-5 Slabs
2-6 Stairs
2-7 Walls
2-8 Floors
2-9 Roofs

3- Finishes

3-1 Internal finishes (Gypsum plaster)

3-2 External finishes (cement plaster)
3-3 Doors

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 3-4 Windows
3-5 Water supplies
3-6 Water drainage
3-7 Electrical and Mechanical services
3-8 External roads, walk ways, cleanup site ….

Measurement units in Bill of Quantities

1- Measurement unit in cubic meters: used to measure the three –

dimensional works, example (excavation ,reinforced concrete , wall
construction , back filling ….)
2- Measurement unit in square meters: used to measure the two –
dimensional (area) works in building (works that be height or
thickness is vary few), Ex. (plaster works , floor area , paints ….)
3- Measurement unit in length meter: used to measure the works that
characterized length wise , Ex. (pipes in water and drainage works ,
the fences …)
4- Measurement unit in number : used to measure the works that
characterized repetition , Ex.( doors , windows , light switches ….)
5- Measurement unit in lump : used to measure the works that
characterized diversity in the quality of materials , Ex. (manholes ,
preparations of site ….)