---
title: "Preliminary estimate: two-storied health post"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prelim-est-health-post"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-health-post
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary estimate: two-storied health post

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2067 Asar (old course), 6 marks
- Video: [Plinth Area, Carpet Area, Floor Area | Estimation and Costing | Civil Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olVqqEPAmZc) — Green Success
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-health-post
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare a preliminary estimate of a two storied health post building to get administrative approval of Ministry. Data are given as below.
30% built up area is occupied by circulation space. [10% built up area is occupied by walls - struck out in the paper]
Plinth area rate is Rs. 18000.00/sq.m.
Extra cost for interior design 1% of building cost.
Extra cost for electrical installation 8% of building cost.
Extra cost for other service 5% of building cost.
Contingency = 5%
Supervision charge = 3%

## Short answer

Assuming a 400 m² carpet area, plinth area = 400/(1-0.30-0.10) = 666.67 m². Civil cost = 666.67 × 18,000 = Rs 12,000,000; add 1% interior, 8% electrical, 5% other services, then 5% contingency and 3% supervision gives total estimate Rs 14,774,400.

## Answer

#### Assumptions
The question does not give the carpet area (and the wall percentage is struck out in the paper). I take an assumed total carpet area of 400 m² for the two floors (200 m² each), and the wall area as 10% of the built-up area, as in similar questions. The method is the same for any other carpet area $C$: plinth area $= C/0.60$.

#### Plinth area
$$
\text{Plinth area} = \frac{400}{1 - 0.30 - 0.10} = 666.67\ \text{m}^2
$$

#### Estimate
| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Building cost (plinth area x rate) | 666.67 m² x 18,000 | 12,000,000.00 |
| Interior design | 1% of civil cost | 120,000.00 |
| Electrical installation | 8% of civil cost | 960,000.00 |
| Other services | 5% of civil cost | 600,000.00 |
| **Total building cost** | | **13,680,000.00** |
| Contingency | 5% of 13,680,000 | 684,000.00 |
| Supervision charge | 3% of 13,680,000 | 410,400.00 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **14,774,400.00** |

**Answer: Plinth area = 666.67 m²; total estimated cost = Rs 14,774,400.00 for the assumed 400 m² carpet area.** (Cost = 1.14 x 1.08 x 18,000 x C/0.60 = Rs 36,936 per m² of carpet area.)

## Check yourself

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

1. If circulation is 30% and walls 10% of built-up area, how is plinth area obtained from carpet area C?
   A. C / (1 - 0.30 - 0.10) = C/0.60
   B. C x (1 + 0.40)
   C. C / (1 - 0.30)
   D. C x 0.60
   Answer: A. Carpet area is the 60% left after circulation and walls, so plinth = C/0.60. (Key point: Plinth area from carpet area)

2. For the assumed carpet area of 400 m², what is the plinth area?
   A. 560 m²
   B. 666.67 m²
   C. 240 m²
   D. 400 m²
   Answer: B. 400/0.60 = 666.67 m². (Key point: Plinth area value)

3. On what are interior design (1%), electrical (8%) and other services (5%) calculated?
   A. On the total including contingency
   B. On the carpet area only
   C. On the civil (plinth area) building cost
   D. On the supervision charge
   Answer: C. These extras are percentages of the civil cost: 14% of 12,000,000 = 1,680,000. (Key point: Basis of extras)

4. Contingency (5%) and supervision (3%) are applied to what amount?
   A. Only the civil cost of Rs 12,000,000
   B. The plinth area
   C. Each service item separately but not the total
   D. The total building cost of Rs 13,680,000
   Answer: D. They are 8% of the total building cost (13,680,000), giving 1,094,400 and a total of Rs 14,774,400. (Key point: Contingency and supervision)

## Related in Estimating and Costing

- [Preliminary estimate: two-storied VDC office](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-vdc-office) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3
- [Preliminary estimate: 4-storied office, 2000 m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-office-2000-d) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Preliminary estimate: office, 2000 m², Rs 20000](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-office-2000-g) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3
- [Preliminary estimate: five-storey office, 2500 m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-five-storey-2500) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3
- [Preliminary estimate: school for 600 students](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-school-600) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3
- [Preliminary estimate: 4-storey office, cube rate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-office-4-storey-250) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3