---
title: "Lead and lift"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:lead-and-lift"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/lead-and-lift
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Lead and lift

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 4: Analysis of Rates

- Asked in: 2080 Bhadra, 2 marks
- Video: [Lead and Lift || Estimation and Costing || SSC JE, RRB JE and All AE JE #sscje #rrbje](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvEQdx9zcmE) — ECI CIVIL AE JE
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/lead-and-lift
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-4

## Question

What is lead and lift?

## Short answer

Lead is the horizontal distance material is transported, measured in metres or kilometres. Lift is the vertical height material is raised/lowered, in metres. Both add extra cost beyond the initial lead/lift included in norms.

## Answer

**Lead** is the horizontal distance over which a material (or excavated earth) is carried, from its source or place of loading to the point of use or disposal. It is measured in metres or kilometres, and for materials it decides the transport cost.

**Lift** is the vertical height through which the material is raised or lowered, for example from the excavated trench to the ground, or from the ground to the upper floor of the building. It is measured in metres.

Both add to the cost of the item, as extra labour or transport, over and above the initial lead and lift that are already included in the norm. Example: bricks carried 5 km from the kiln to the site (lead) and lifted to a 6 m high floor (lift).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is lead?
   A. Vertical height raised
   B. Thickness of layer
   C. Time taken
   D. The horizontal distance material is carried from source to point of use
   Answer: D. Lead is horizontal distance. (Key point: Lead)

2. What is lift?
   A. The vertical height through which material is raised or lowered
   B. Horizontal distance
   C. Weight
   D. Cost
   Answer: A. Lift is vertical. (Key point: Lift)

3. Which lead and lift are paid extra?
   A. All, including initial
   B. Those beyond the initial lead and lift included in the norm
   C. None
   D. Only lift
   Answer: B. Initial lead and lift are already in the norm. (Key point: Cost)

## Related in Estimating and Costing

- [Rate analysis: 12.5 mm plaster 1:3, per 100 m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Arate-plaster-12-5-1-3-ceiling) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 4