Estimation

Thumb Rules are Approximate values which we use for calculation of quantities
Like earthwork, concrete work, steel work and labour. The thumb rule for
construction helps you in finding out the solution using a simple mathematical
formula and make smart decisions whenever needed.
But, while using these thumb rules, you must remember that the thumb rule
never gives exact or accurate results, you just have used them for approximate
results.
here is a number of Thumb Rule For Civil Engineers that we used in
construction work. So, the following are some most frequently used Thumb
rules on the Construction site.
The Thumb rule method is an approximate & comparing method. In thumb
rules and the units are not the same when we compare to get the results. So,
ignore units while performing the thumb rule.
The thumb rules in civil engineering are as follows,
1. Thumb Rule for Concrete Volume
The volume of concrete required = 0.038 m3/square feet area
Example:- If Plan Area = 40 x 20 = 800 Sq. m.
So, for the plan area of 800 Sq. m. the area the total volume
of concrete required.
= 800 x 0.038m3 = 30.4m3

2. Thumb Rule for Steel Quantity for Slab, Beams, Footings & Columns
Following are some important thumb rules for steel calculation for slab, beam,
column, and footings.
Steel required in residential buildings = 4.5 Kgs – 4.75 Kgs / sq. Ft.
Steel required For Commercial buildings = 5.0 Kgs-5.50 Kgs/Sq. Ft.

3. Percentage of Steel in Structural Members

Following are thumb rules for reinforcement in concrete members,
1) Slab – 1% of the total volume of concrete (Slab steel calculation thumb rule)
2) Beam – 2% of the total volume of concrete
3) Column – 2.5% of total volume of concrete
4) Footings – 0.8% of the total volume of concrete
Example:
How to calculate the steel quantity of slab having the Length, width, and depth
of the slab is 5m x 4m x 0.15m
Step 1: Calculate the Volume of Concrete:
The Total Volume of Concrete for the given Slab = 5 x 4 x 0.15
= 3m3
Step 2: Calculate The Steel Quantity Using the Formula:
As per the guidelines given in the BN Dutta reference book the steel quantity of
the slab is 1% of the total volume of concrete utilized.
A thumb rule to estimate the Steel quantity of the above slab = Volume of
Concrete x Density of Steel x % of Steel of the Member
Steel weight required for above slab = 3 x 7850 x 0.01 = 235Kgs
For accurate estimation, you can refer to Bar Bending Schedule

4. Thumb Rules For Civil Engineers for Brickwork

The following are Thumb Rules for civil engineering for brickwork
and cement quantity calculations.
5. Thumb Rules For Cement Masonry Quantity

6.Thumb Rules In Building Construction Cost

The thumb rule for house construction cost is a rough estimation of

the total cost of construction based on the built-up area of the
house. Typically, thumb rules are quick and easy to use but are not
precise and may not take into account specific factors that affect the
actual cost of construction.

As an approximate guide, a common thumb rule for house

construction cost is between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 per square foot,
depending on factors such as the quality of

materials used, location, design, and labour costs. This would

mean that a 1000 square feet house may cost between Rs.
15 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs.

Thumb Rule according to materials percentages,

Building Construction Cost Breakup
It is process of dividing the cost of a building into different parts that make up

the total amount, according to who is doing the work, what materials are needed
ajor building construction cost is material cost and labour cost.
Building construction cost breakup for constructing building is shown
in detail below.

Total cost of construction can be divided into two following types:

• Labour Cost – 35% of total cost

• Material Cost – 65% of total cost
All major construction material and labour cost associated in a
building construction is shown below.

Percentage of total cost of building helps to make quick estimate

easier. Major cost of material in building construction is cement and
steel.

Percentage cost of building material is approximately 65% of the

total cost of building. Major cost heading in building construction are
shown below:

• Labour cost – 20% of building cost

• Bricks cost – 12% of building cost
• Cement cost – 20% of building cost
 • Steel cost -15% of building cost
• Wood Cost – 13% of building cost
• Supervision cost – 15% of building cost
• Other Expenses – 5% of building cost

Major construction material and its percentage cost is listed below:

• Cement cost – 17.9% of total material cost

• Steel cost – 15% of total material cost
• Sand cost – 11.4% of total material cost
• Aggregate cost – 5% of total material cost
• Bricks cost – 9.3% of total material cost
• Wood cost – 7.1% of total material cost
• Window cost – 5% of total material cost
• Flooring cost – 9.3% of total material cost
• Plumbing Cost – 8.6% of total material cost
• Electrical cost – 4.3% of total material cost
• Painting cost – 2% of total material cost
• Other material cost – 5.1% of total material cost