--- title: "Methods of taking out quantities" subject: "Estimating and Costing" chapter: 2 key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:methods-taking-out-quantities" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/methods-taking-out-quantities site: BCT Engineering --- # Methods of taking out quantities Estimating and Costing · Chapter 2: Method of Estimating - Asked in: 2075 Asoj, 4 marks; 2070 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2080 Baisakh, 4 marks; 2078 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2082 Bhadra, 1 marks; 2074 Chaitra, 5 marks (asked 6 times) - Video: [Methods of Taking Out Quantities Long wall and Short Wall, Center Line Method - Estimates](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggefp_tACQ) — Ekeeda - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/methods-taking-out-quantities - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-2 ## Question What are the various methods of taking out quantities? Explain briefly. ## Short answer The main methods are long wall-short wall, where long walls are out-to-out and short walls in-to-in; centre line method, which uses total centre line length minus deductions at junctions; and partly centre line method for outer walls by centre line and inner walls separately. Other methods include individual wall, bay method for framed structures, and unit methods for approximate estimates. ## Answer Quantities of a building (mainly walls and foundation) are taken out by the following methods. #### 1. Long wall and short wall method - Walls running in the long direction are called **long walls**; those running in the short direction are **short walls**. - Long wall length (out-to-out) = centre-to-centre length + half the width of the trench/wall at each end. - Short wall length (in-to-in) = centre-to-centre length - half the width at each end. - Each wall is multiplied by its own width and depth. It is accurate but needs more calculation; it suits walls of different thicknesses. #### 2. Centre line method - The total centre-line length of all walls is found and multiplied by the section (width x depth) of the wall or foundation. - Where walls meet, half the width of the wall is deducted from the total length for each T-junction (a cross-junction counts as two T-junctions). - It is quick and best for buildings with uniform walls and rooms of the same type. #### 3. Partly centre line and partly cross wall method - Used when the outer walls have one section and the inner (cross) walls another. The outer walls are measured by the centre line method, and the cross walls are measured separately by their in-to-in lengths and multiplied by their own section. #### 4. Individual wall (separate wall) method - Each wall is measured one by one. #### 5. Bay method - The building is divided into bays between columns, and each bay is measured; it is used for framed structures and sheds. #### 6. Unit (approximate) methods - Cost per unit area/volume for a quick estimate. In practice, the **long wall-short wall** and **centre line** methods are the two used in building estimates in Nepal. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Out-to-out length of a long wall in long wall-short wall method is A. centre-to-centre length - half width at each end B. centre-to-centre length only C. centre-to-centre length + half width at each end D. twice the centre-to-centre length Answer: C. Long walls are lengthened by the full width b. (Key point: Long wall length) 2. Short wall length (in-to-in) is A. centre-to-centre length + half width at each end B. centre-to-centre length + width C. sum of all wall lengths D. centre-to-centre length - half width at each end Answer: D. Short walls are shortened. (Key point: Short wall length) 3. In the centre line method, for each junction deduct A. half the wall width from the total length B. the full wall width C. nothing D. twice the wall width Answer: A. Half width per junction corrects overlap. (Key point: Centre line junction) 4. The centre line method is best for A. walls of very different thicknesses B. buildings with uniform wall sections C. framed sheds D. unit-cost estimates Answer: B. It is quick but inaccurate where sections differ. 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