Quantity Surveying and Estimation

Course Outline:
Introduction to the subject
Prequalification in civil engineering
Tendering Process in civil engineering
Specifications for various items of construction
Rate analysis
Estimation of 1 canal house
Preparation of BOQ (Bill of quantities)
Books Recommended:
Estimating and Costing by E.W. Steel and Terence J. Mc GHEE
Estimating and Costing in Civil Engineering by S. Dutta 22nd edition.
Estimating, Costing and Accounts by D.D.Kohli 9th edition.
Fundamentals of construction, Estimating & Cost Accounting by Keith
Collier 2nd edition.
Introduction to the Subject:
As the name implies quantity surveying is broadly concerned with the
estimation, planning and control of the cost on construction projects. It
covers wide range of activities including:
Cost estimation
Cost planning
Feasibility studies
Cost benefit analysis
Life cycle costing
Valuation(valuation is the process of estimating what something is
worth)
So, this subject is related predominately to cost and contracts on
construction projects.
Quantity surveyor
The person who deals with quantity surveying and estimation is a quantity
surveyor. QS Provides wide range of services including:
Carry out estimating and measurement of construction works prior
to tender.
Determine the types of materials that should be used.
Producing the bill of quantities
Produce tender documentation and manage the tender process
Manage the resultant contract through monthly valuations
The equipment used for construction sites and ensure all timelines are
met and remain within budget.

Effective and efficient utilization of resources (material, manpower and

money) is the main objective of the quantity surveyor

Types of Quantity Surveyors

Because a Quantity Surveyor is trained in a wide variety of skills, most
Quantity Surveyors choose to receive specialized training in one or more
of those skills. The result of that specialized training is the emergence of
several different types of Quantity Surveyors. Listed below are some of
the various types of Quantity Surveyors:
1. Contractors Quantity Surveyor Responsibility includes
subcontractor formations and calculations of all related costs of the
project. The professional is also responsible for keeping the project within
budget at all times and creation of reports that each member must stick
to throughout the project.
They are also known as "Contracts manager" or "Construction
surveyor".
2.Senior Quantity Surveyor This title is the most needed type of
Quantity Surveyor. This professional is expected to take ownership and
responsibility for the teams supported and reports daily to the lead

partner. This person supports the senior staff within several teams and is
responsible for building and developing successful relationships quickly.
3.Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Quantity Surveyor Manages
the financial performance and maintenance contracts related to all
Mechanical and Electrical work. The Surveyor creates contracts for large
governmental clients mainly. This type of surveyor is extensively
knowledgeable in maintenance projects and commercial projects.
4.Project Quantity Surveyor Provides project estimates, tender
appraisals, prepares bills of quantities, finalizes projects and writes project
reviews.
5.Construction Cost Consultant - Some QSs are trained in techniques
of cost control. Those QSs who emphasize the cost discipline often use the
term "Construction Cost Consultant".They ensure that projects are
designed and constructed in such a manner as to secure value for money,
cost certainty and programme dates.
The main distinction amongst QSs is between those who carry out work on
behalf of a client organization, often known as a "professional quantity
surveyor", and those who work for construction companies, often known
as a "main contractor's quantity surveyor".
Job Opportunities
The job opportunities are in abundance for these highly qualified
professionals. Many of the jobs available to a Quantity Surveyor are
located within governmental construction sites, office buildings, schools,
bridges, factories, hospitals, academics and apartment complexes.
Essentially anywhere that any type of building or construction exists a
Quantity Surveyor would be needed. These are only a few of the many
places where available job opportunities may exist for qualified Quantity
Surveyors.
Instructions
Maintain a design copy for the estimation of 1 Canal House and rate
analysis.

Prequalification in civil engineering

Prequalification
It is to make an evaluation of capacity of an organization. Organization
includes:
1.Clients (Who pays)
2.Consultant (who appointed by the client to do the design and supervise the
construction work.)
3.Contractor (Who builds)

Leading clients in Government sector

In Government sector leading clients are:
WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority)
NHA (National Highway Authority)
Pakistan Railways
Irrigation and power department
Communication and works department (C & W)
Leading clients in Private sector
In private sector leading clients are:
Bahria Developer
Eden Developers
Tricon developers (Real estate developers, Tricon village)
Atlas Honda
Coca Cola
Suzuki
Pepsi
Nishat Mills
KFC
Leading consultants
Leading consultants are:
NESPAK
ACE (Allied Consultant Engineering)
AAA consultants
REC (Republic Engineering Consultant)
NDC (National Development Consultants)
Noor Durrani Associates
Leading contractors
Leading contractors are:
Descon
Izhar Group
Banu Mukhtar
Habib Rafique
SKB Engineering
FWO
Examples of Projects
Construction of Islamabad to Peshawar Motorway (M-1)
Client

NHA

Pakistan motorway consultants(National Highway

Consultant
Authority has
appointed Pakistan Motorway Consultants comprising of M/s Engineering
Consultants, M/s A.A. Associates, M/s Engineering Associates, M/s Snowy
Mountain Engineering Corporation and M/s Lois Berger Int. for providing
design review and construction supervision services for the project.)
Contrac
tor
Pakistan motorway contractor
Construction of Pace tower in Gulberg
Client Pace Pakistan
Consult
ant
Noor Durrani
Contrac
tor
Pace Paksitan
Construction of flyover on Mughal Pura
Canal Crossing
Client C & W
Consult
ant
NESPAK
Contrac
tor
FWO
Joint Venture or Consortium
If the services required in construction projects is more than the capacity
of one single organization, then often more than one organization combine
to undertake the design, supervision or construction of the project.
Example: Benazir Bhutto international airport (IKAN & Hussnain
cotex)
Verification of the company
Prequalification of Design Consultant is by client.
Prequalification of Contractor is by client and Design
Consultant.
Prequalification of Supervision Consultant is also by client
and Design consultant.
Note: Major Authority and decision stands with the client.
Criterias of Prequalification
An organization has to undergo through two phases of prequalification:
1.Technical ability
2.Financial ability

1-Technical ability
Major requirements in technical ability evaluation are:
Registration of company with PEC.
Registration of company with government and private client.
List of Past projects.
List of present projects in hand.
List of technical staff.
List of registered office with telephone, fax and e-mail addresses.
List of equipment and machinery (for contractor only)
2-Financial ability
Major requirements in financial ability evaluation are:
Bank reference certificate for successful maintenance of accounts.
Latest bank statement.
Income tax registration certificate.
Sales tax registration certificate.
National tax number (NTN)
Litigation or arbitration certificate.
List of costs of Past and Present major projects.
Notes: In short duration project we check financial ability.
In Intermediate duration project we check 50% FA & 50% TA. In
long duration project we check Technical ability.
Client always give the prequalification notice in newspaper in
form of advertisement.
Assignment
a)Required to collect any Prequalification notice from any
newspaper for design consultant, contractor and supervision
consultant.
b)Bring tender notice.

Tendering process in Civil engineering

Tendering Process:
A Tender Process is a method by which suppliers are selected for the
provision of products and services to an organization. The process
involves creating a suite of Tender Documents to manage the supplier
selection process. The Tender Documents help the organization to select
the best possible supplier available.
Tender means to offer or present something formerly.

Definition: A written offer to contract goods or services, at a

specified cost or rate. (i-e a bid) Example of tender notice

Steps involved in tendering process

After the prequalification of selected companies, these companies are
brought in stage of tendering. Only prequalified company can enter the
tender notice.
For tendering minimum 3 companies are required.
It comprises 3 parts in civil engineering.
1.Tendering of design consultant
2.Tendering of contractor
3.Tendering of supervision consultant
1-Tendering of design consultant
Tendering of design consultant can be done immediately after
prequalification of design consultant. However, the tendering of contractor
is impossible unless the design consultant finished the preparation of
tender document.
The fee or charges of design consultant is either based on lump sum
basis or %age against the total cost of the project.
In lump sum contract, design consultants are asked to submit a single
lump sum cost for the work and smallest bid is picked by the client.
Note: normally design consultant rate varies 2-8% of total cost of
the projects.
The minimum design consultant fee asked or bid by the prequalified
design consultant is selected for the project and a formal contract is
established between client and design consultant.
Vetting consultant
The vetting consultant is company involve in the project by client to check
the work of design consultant. It is the consultant who is checking the
design consultant. (It is very rare)
2-Tendering of contractor
After the preparations of tender documents by design consultant and
selection of contractor through the prequalification process, the client or
design consultant can start the tendering of contractor.

Only the pre qualified contractor is allowed to participate in tendering

process. The client or design consultant gives the advertisement with the
title Tender notice. (Tender notice is a legal requirement)
Tender Notice includes:
Tender Fee:
The client or design consultant is issuing the tender document through
prequalified contractor only after the payment of tender fee. A tender fee
is a fee mutually agreed between client and design consultant for the cost
of printing of tender documents and to hold the tendering process.
Generally, more the cost of the project more is the tender fee.
Date, time and place of opening of tender:
In tender notice advertisement, tender fee, tender submission time, time
and date of opening of tender, place of opening of tender and conditions
for the contractor participation are described.
Security deposit or Tender guarantee:
Registered contractors are usually required to submit a specific sum as
security or earnest money deposit to be adjusted against work done,
normally in the form of Bank Guarantee or Surety.
The contractors who are prequalified and interested to participate in
tendering are required to deposit 2-5% of the tender cost as tender
guarantee. The tender security can be in the form of demand draft (D.D)
or insurance company guarantee. The tender guarantee is required for the
reason that the lowest tender should not withdraw from the project.
The bank or insurance guarantee is a legal document on stamp paper with
undertaking by the bank that if contractor will not take the project than
the bank will pay the client
the tender security. The tender security of a successful contractor remains
with the client and for others it is returned with 30-90 days after opening
the tender.
The tender document should be properly sealed and submitted to client
before the official tender opening date.
The tender document submitted by each company is opened by client in
presence of contractor representative.
Any tender not accompanied by tender security will not be considered
during tendering.

On the day of opening of tender only the cost highlighted on the summary
page of BOQ is announced and the unofficial lowest tender is selected.
Then the complete checking of BOQ is carried out based on the final
analysis a comparative statement of tendering contractor is established
and the lowest company is selected for the project.
Non Responsive Tender:
Any incomplete or error based tender is known as non responsive
tender. If two tenders come on the same price then they are allowed to
retender their BOQ and who so ever is coming lowest is selected for
project.
3-Tendering for supervision consultant
If for a project the supervision cost of design consultant is more than the
budget of client, or design consultant dont have in house supervision
capability or if design consultant is overloaded with no. of projects than in
that case an independent supervision consultant has been engaged.
If design and supervision consultant are same than at the time of design
tendering supervision charges are also included. However if supervision
consultant is separate then the supervision charges can be asked in
tendering process in any of the following modes:
1.Lump sum basis
2.Percentage against total cost of project
3.On monthly basis
Depending upon the requirement of project any of the above modes of
tender fee is selected. Only the prequalified design consultant can
participate in the tender of supervision consultant.
The scope of services of supervision consultant is to:

ender with respect to construction and to ensure the quality in scope,

schedule and budget of the project.

Preparation of tender documents

It includes the following
Technical specifications:
It is a part of tendering process and it is supposed to be prepared by
design consultant. Technical specifications used in civil engineering are of
two types:

a)General Specifications
b)Detail Specifications
a)- General Specifications:
These specifications are normally regarding the quality of materials given.
These general specifications tender document.
provided in drawings in which very brief information or finished product is
described. No detail description is are referring to detail specifications
which are the part of
e-g

Product

Concrete
In foundation

Material
1 Cement : 2 sand: 3
crush
Brick and mortar

b)- Detail Specifications:

These specifications are always in the form of thick booklet as the part of
tender document. The detail specifications refer all the major and minor
materials and products, quantity and usage requirement for any specific
construction project.
Detail technical specifications should be properly noted by contractor for
evaluation of rates of project. Without the understanding of detail
specifications contractors are unable to provide their rates in BOQ. Detail
technical specification for any construction comprise of following items.
1.Civil Works
Concrete: Detail specifications of concrete include.
1)Mixing of concrete by volume or by weight.
2)Concreting by manual method or concrete mixer or concrete plant.
3)Grade of concrete.
Grades of concrete are normally referring to the concrete class; mostly
used classes include A,B,C,B1,B2,C1,C2 etc. These classes are based on
compressive strengths of concrete i-e (A=12000 psi, C2=3000 psi)
4) Curing requirement of concrete.

5)Admixture of concrete (admixtures are modern chemicals added in

concrete to improve its physical and chemical properties)
6)Formwork or shuttering of concrete.
7)Vibration or compaction requirement.
Steel: Detail specifications of steel include.
1)Yield and ultimate strength of steel.
2)Hot rolled or cold formed steel.
3)Tor or deformed steel.
4)Lap reinforcement.
5)Bending and cutting reinforcement.
6)Brand of steel. (i-e Prime steel, Mughal steel, Ambreli steel, Malik steel)
Bricks: Detail specifications of bricks include.
1)First class brick, 2nd class, 3rd class, under-burnt (Pilla Brick) and overburnt brick (khinger brick).
2)Porosity of brick.
3)Efflorescence of brick.
4)Compressive strength of brick.
Cement: Detail specifications of cement include.

1)Brand of cement.(i-e DG cement, Maple leaf cement, Askari cement, White

or grey cement for decorative purpose)
2)Physical and chemical properties of cement including compressive
strength, soundness, durability.
3)Initial and final setting time of cement.
4)Water-cement ratio.
5)Slump requirement.
Sand: Detail specifications of sand include.
1)Type of sand. (i-e Ravi,Chenab, Lawrencepur)
2)Gradation requirement sand (fine, medium and coarse)
3)Specific gravity.
4)Shear strength.
5)Angel of internal friction.
6)Compaction requirement.
7)Permeability requirement.
Crush: Detail specifications of crush include.
1)Sources of crush. (i-e margalla crush, sargodha crush, dena crush, sakhi
sarwar)
2)Specific gravity and water absorption.
3)Soundness requirement.
4)Optimum Moisture Content and max. dry density (d).
5)Gradation.
6)Crushing value.
7)Flakiness index.
8)Elongation index.
9)CBR value.
2.Architectural work
Flooring: Detail specifications of flooring include.
1)Type of floor.(i-e Marble, Terrazzo or chip, Tiles, cement floor(cheapest))
2)Fixing of marble or tile by white or grey cement.
3)Pigment requirement.
4)Size of tile or marble.(standard size 1 x 1, if we increase size,
price will increase)
5)Skirting Requirements.
6)Boders.
7)Brands of marble includes (Boticena, China verona,Indian green, Ziarat
white, Ziarat grey )
8)Brands of tiles include (Master, Sonex, Fort, Emco)

Majority of imported tiles comes from china however the best imported
tiles are from Spain and France.
9)Grinding requirement of floor.
10)Use of chemical polish (only for grinding floor)
Wood: Detail specifications of wood include.
1) Type of wood

Natural Wood
Teak

Artifical
wood
Formica
Lasani
wood

Shisham

Diar
Plywood
1)Treatment of wood. (Painting, Polishing and termite proofing).
2)Hollow wood finishing or solid wood finishing.
Steel work: Detail specifications of steel works include.
1)Architectural steel is used for railing, doors, grills, strands etc.
2)Protection of steel sheet through painting, oiling and greasing.
3) Dimensions required of steel sheet in window, door and other
installation.
Painting: Detail specifications of painting works includes.
1)Types of paint includes (Distamper, Varnish, Oil paint, Emulsion, Water
paint, Weather shield, Emulsion, Liquo paint)
2)Brand of paints (Berger, ICI, Black horse, Master)
3)Solvent for Paints (oil based or water based)
4)Pigment requirement of paints.
5)Surface preparation requirement.(Level the wall, Apply plaster of paint, do
grinding, apply first layer of paint, small grinding again, apply 2 nd coat of
paint)
3.Plumbing, water supply and sewage work: Detail specifications of
plumbing, Water supply and sewage work includes.
1)Source of water (WASA, Bore underground water, Water tank(storage))
2)Pipes Requirement (Galvanized iron pipe , polypropylene pipe)
3)Grades of pipes (High pressure grade(used in power plant), Low pressure
grade(used in residential plant), Medium Pressure grade(used in tubewells))
4)Accessories of water supply system(Elbows, valves, bents, corks, tees,
reducers)
5)Protection of pipes against rusting and corrosion.
Sewage work:

1)Pipe requirements.
2)Manhole requirement.
3)Manhole covers.
4)Storm water drain pipes.
4.Electrical works: Detail specifications of electrical works include.
1)Electric cable
2)Electric switch
3)Circuit breaker
4)Distribution board
5)Lights
6)Fan
7)AC
8)Electric conduit pipe etc
5.Mechanical Works: Detail specifications of Mechanical works include.
1)Type of motor or pumps
2)Capacity of motor or pump in terms of horsepower or kW
3)Electrical requirements for its running.
4)Maintenance requirement.

Estimation

s the scientific way of working out the approximate cost of an engineering

project before execution of the work.
It is totally different from calculation of the exact cost after completion of
the project. Estimation requires a thorough Knowledge of the construction
procedures and cost of materials & labour in addition to the skill,
experience, foresight and good judgment.
Estimate:
An estimate of the cost of a construction job is the probable cost
of that job as computed from plans and specifications.
For a good estimate the, actual cost of the proposed work after
completion should not differ by more than (5-10)% from its approximate
cost estimate, provided there are no unusual, unforeseen circumstances.
Data required for Estimate:
To make out an estimate for a work, the following data is necessary.
1.Drawings
2.Technical Specifications (Tender Documents)
3.Unit Rates
1.Drawings:
Plan, cross sections, elevations all should be dimensioned.
2.Technical specifications
a)General Specifications
b)Detail Specifications

3.Unit Rates
The rates per unit of various items of work, various materials and wages
of different
categories of labor are required.
Types of estimate
There are two main types of estimates.
a)Rough cost estimate.
b)Detailed estimate.
a)Rough cost estimate
Estimation of cost before construction from plans or architectural drawings
of the project scheme, when even detailed or structural design has not
been prepared, is calledRough cost estimate.
Note: These estimates are used for obtaining Administrative
Approval from the concerning Authorities (client). Sometimes, on
the basis of rough cost estimates, a proposal (project) may be
dropped altogether.
Unit cost is worked out for projects similar to the project under
consideration carried out recently in nearly the same site conditions. Unit
cost means cost of execution of a unit quantity of the work.
The rough cost estimate may be prepared on the following basis for
different types of projects:
i.Cost per square foot of covered area (plinth area) is the most commonly
adopted criterion for preparing rough cost estimate for most of
the residential buildings.
For public buildings, cost. Per person (cost per capita) is
ii. used. For example,
i.Students hostel-Cost per student
ii.HospitalsCost per bed
iii.HotelCost per Guest
iii.Cost

per cubic foot is particularly suitable for commercial offices,

shopping centers, and factory buildings, etc.
iv.For water tank/reservoir, cost may be worked out on the basis of capacity in
gallons of water stored.
v.For roads and railways, cost may be found out per mile/kilometer of
length.
vi.For streets, cost may be per hundred feet/meters of length.
vii.In case of bridges, cost per foot/mete of clear span may be calculated.
b)Detailed estimate.
Detailed estimates are prepared by separately calculating in detail the
costs of various items of the work that constitute the whole project from
the detailed working drawings after the design has been finalized.

I.The mistakes, if any, in the rough cost estimate are eliminated in the
detailed estimate. Detailed estimates are submitted to the competent
authorities for obtaining Technical sanction.
II.The whole project is sub-divided into different items of work or activities. The
quantity for each item is then calculated separately from the drawings as
accurately as possible. The procedure is known as "taking out of
quantities".
III.In fact this is the major part of estimation work. The quantities for each item
may be estimated and shown in the pattern which is called "Bill of
quantities."
IV.

The unit in which each item of the wok is to be calculated is very

important; it should be
according to the prevailing practice as followed in various departments
of the country.

V.Each item of the work is then multiplied by its estimated current rate
calculated by a fixed procedure to find out cost of the item. At the end, a
total of all items of the work
are made to get the total estimated cost.
VI. The rates are usually as per Schedule of Rates for the locality plus a
premium to allow for rise in labour and material rates. A percentage,
usually 5% is also provided on the
total estimated cost for the work to allow for the possible contingencies
due to unforeseen items or expenditure or other causes, besides 2%
establishment charges.
Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
Sr.
No

Descripti
on
No
of Items

Measurements

Quantit
y

Length Breadth Height

Total Remarks
Quantity

Abstract of
BOQ

Description of
Sr. Item
No.

Unit

Quantity

Rate

Types of Detail Estimate:

There are three common types of detail estimates.

Cost

Remark
s

a.Contractor's estimate.
b.Engineer's estimate.
c.Progress estimate.
a)Contractor's estimate. It is made by the Contractor for determining the
cost of to be bid for tender. It is usually a carefully prepared detailed
estimate.
b)Engineer's estimate. It is made by the Design Consultant for the
purpose of financing the work and for checking bids made by contractors.
c)Progress estimate. It is made by the Supervision Consultant at
regular intervals for the completed parts of the project during the progress
of the work for determining the amounts of partial payments to be made
to the contractor. On large contracts, such estimates are commonly made
each month and, hence, are frequently called monthly estimates.
Methods of Detailed Building Estimate
There are many methods available for detail estimation but two commonly
used methods will be discussed here.
1.Separate or individual wall method
2.Center Line Method
1)Separate or individual wall method
In this method:
I.The walls running in longitudinal direction are termed as "long walls and
the walls running in the transverse direction are termed, as "Short
walls", without keeping in mind which wall is lesser in length and which
wall is greater in length.
II.Lengths of long walls are measured as "Out-to out" and those of short walls
as "In-to-in".
Long wall length out-to-out
=Center to center length + half breadth on one Side + half breadth on
other side
=Center to center length + one breadth
Short wall length in-to-in
=Center to center length - half breadth on one Side - half breadth on other
side
=Center to center length - one breadth
III. Different quantities are calculated by multiplying the length x
breadth x height.

Example (Separate or individual wall m