--- title: "Why estimate before execution (water supply)" subject: "Estimating and Costing" chapter: 1 key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:estimating-why-before-execution" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/estimating-why-before-execution site: BCT Engineering --- # Why estimate before execution (water supply) Estimating and Costing · Chapter 1: Introduction - Asked in: 2082 Baisakh, 4 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/estimating-why-before-execution - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-1 ## Question Why is estimating done before execution of a project? Explain in the context of a water supply project to be undertaken by a local municipal authority. ## Short answer For a municipal water supply project, estimating is essential to secure council approval and budget allocation, choose the most economical scheme, provide a reference for tendering, plan procurement of pipes and materials, schedule labour and equipment, determine user tariffs, and control costs during execution. ## Answer An estimate is prepared before execution because no project can be approved, financed, tendered or managed without knowing its probable cost, quantities and time. For a municipal water supply project it matters for the following reasons. 1. **Approval and budget:** the municipal council must approve the programme and allocate funds (from its own revenue, provincial or federal grants, or a loan). The estimate gives the figure for the annual programme and budget. 2. **Feasibility and choice of option:** the estimate for the source, intake, transmission main, reservoir and distribution network allows comparing gravity versus pumping, or pipe materials (HDPE, GI, DI), and selecting the economical one. 3. **Tendering:** the engineer's estimate is the reference for tender evaluation under the Public Procurement Act, 2063. Bids much below or above it are examined. 4. **Quantities of materials:** pipes, fittings, valves, cement, steel and so on can be listed and procured in time, since pipes often have long delivery times. 5. **Manpower, equipment and time:** trenching, pipe laying and tank construction need planned labour and machines and a realistic schedule. 6. **Cost sharing and tariff:** the user committee's contribution and the water tariff are fixed from the capital cost. 7. **Cost control:** after award, progress payments and variations are checked against the estimate. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. In a municipal water supply project, what does the estimate give the council? A. The actual cost of the finished scheme B. The completed drawings of the pipe network C. The figure for the annual programme, budget and funds from revenue, grants or loan D. The contractor's profit Answer: C. Council approval and fund allocation depend on the estimated figure. (Key point: Approval and budget) 2. How does the estimate help choose between gravity and pumping or between HDPE, GI and DI pipes? A. The estimate always picks the cheapest material regardless of suitability B. It is not used for comparing options C. Only the pipe diameter is compared D. Costs of the options are compared and the economical one selected Answer: D. Estimating each alternative allows comparing and selecting the economical option. (Key point: Choice of option) 3. Why are material quantities from the estimate important for pipes and fittings? A. They can be listed and procured in time since pipes often have long delivery times B. Pipes are always available instantly C. Quantities are needed only for cement D. They fix the water tariff directly Answer: A. Quantity lists allow timely procurement. (Key point: Material procurement) 4. From what are the user committee's contribution and water tariff fixed? A. The contractor's profit margin B. The capital cost from the estimate C. The number of bidders D. The length of the tender notice Answer: B. Capital cost from the estimate is the basis of contribution and tariff. 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