QUANTITY SURVEYING

Lecture 2

Marvin O. Madera
 EXCAVATION
Calculating the quantities of earth that must be excavated is
considered to be one of the most difficult aspects of the estimator’s
task.

The number of cubic yards to excavate is sometimes easy enough to

compute, but calculating the cost for this portion of the work is
difficult because of the various hidden items that may affect the cost.
These include such variables as the type of soil, the required slope of
the bank in the excavated area, whether bracing or sheet piling will
be required, and whether groundwater will be encountered and
pumping will be required.
 SPECIFICATIONS
The estimator must carefully check the specifications to
see exactly what is included in the excavation.

If the owner is using separate contracts, it is important

that the estimator understand exactly what work each
contractor is performing. On the other hand, if the
general contractor is the sole contractor, that person
becomes responsible for addressing all of the
coordination issues.
 SOIL
One of the first items the estimator must
consider is the type of soil that will be
encountered at the site. The estimator may
begin by investigating the soil borings shown on
the drawings or included in the specifications
 CALCULATING EXCAVATION
Excavation is measured by the cubic yard for the
quantity takeoff (27 cf 1 cy). Before excavation,
when the soil is in an undisturbed condition, it
weighs about 100 pounds per cf; rock weighs
about 150 pounds per cf.
EARTHWORK—NEW SITE GRADES
AND ROUGH GRADING
 ELECTRICAL
With separate contracts, the electrical contractor
will bid the electrical work directly to the owner;
the owner will select the contractor and sign a
contract. In this case, the electrical contractors are
responsible for the electrical work; and although
there will be certain mutual responsibilities and
coordination between electrical contractors and
general contractors, according to the general
conditions
 SINGLE CONTRACTS
Learning to estimate electrical work is a special skill requiring extensive
knowledge of the properties and behavior of electricity.

The wiring is considered the rough work, and the fixtures are
considered the finish work. The wiring will usually be concealed in a
conduit, which is installed throughout the building as it is erected. The
wiring is pulled through the conduit much later in the job.

Estimators go through the plans and specifications in a systematic

manner, taking each different item and counting the number of each.
Every item must be kept separate.
 SEPARATE CONTRACTS
The electrical contractor does the takeoff and bidding,
but this does not mean that the estimator for general
construction should not review the drawings and
specifications for this work.

Even under separate contracts, there are many areas of

mutual responsibility and coordination. Keep in mind that
the entire building must fit together and operate as one
unit.
CHECKLIST
 PLUMBING
Plumbing, like electrical work, may be bid under
either single or separate contracts. Regardless of
the type of contract, the areas of responsibility
and coordination still exist, and the general
contractor should have a basic understanding of
what his responsibilities to the plumbing
contractor are.
CHECKLIST