---
title: "Preliminary estimate: office, 2000 m², Rs 20000"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prelim-est-office-2000-g"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-office-2000-g
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary estimate: office, 2000 m², Rs 20000

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 6 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/prelim-est-office-2000-g
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare a preliminary estimate of a building having a total carpet area of 2000 m² for obtaining the administrative approval of the ministry. Given the following data:
- 30% built up area will be taken up by circulation space
- 10% built up area is occupied by walls
- Plinth area rate is Rs 20000.00 /sqm
- Interior design will take 1% of the building cost
- Other extra services will cost 5% of the building cost
- Take supervision charge as 3%

## Short answer

Plinth area = 3,333.33 m². Civil cost Rs66,666,666.67. Adding 1% interior design,5% extra services, assumed 5% contingency,3% supervision gives total Rs76,320,000.

## Answer

#### Plinth area
$$
\text{Plinth area} = \frac{2000}{1 - 0.30 - 0.10} = 3,333.33\ \text{m}^2
$$

#### Estimate
No contingency is given; 5% is assumed (usual practice). Supervision is 3% as given.

| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Building cost (plinth area x rate) | 3,333.33 m² x 20,000 | 66,666,666.67 |
| Interior design | 1% of civil cost | 666,666.67 |
| Other extra services | 5% of civil cost | 3,333,333.33 |
| **Total building cost** | | **70,666,666.67** |
| Contingency (assumed) | 5% of 70,666,667 | 3,533,333.33 |
| Supervision charge | 3% of 70,666,667 | 2,120,000.00 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **76,320,000.00** |

**Answer: Plinth area = 3,333.33 m²; total estimated cost = Rs 76,320,000.00.**

## Check yourself

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

1. Carpet 2000 m2, circulation 30%, walls 10%. Plinth area:
   A. 3,333.33 m2
   B. 2,000 m2
   C. 2,857 m2
   D. 2,800 m2
   Answer: A. 2000/0.6 = 3,333.33. (Key point: Plinth area)

2. Contingency is not given. What is done?
   A. It is omitted silently
   B. A usual 5% is assumed and stated
   C. 25% is taken
   D. Supervision is cancelled
   Answer: B. Assumptions must be stated. (Key point: Missing contingency)

3. Interior design 1% and extra services 5% give a total building cost of:
   A. Rs 66,666,666.67
   B. Rs 73,333,333
   C. Rs 70,666,666.67
   D. Rs 69,000,000
   Answer: C. 1.06 x 66,666,666.67. (Key point: Total building cost)

4. With 5% contingency and 3% supervision, the total cost is:
   A. Rs 70,666,667
   B. Rs 74,200,000
   C. Rs 78,000,000
   D. Rs 76,320,000
   Answer: D. 1.08 x 70,666,667 = 76,320,000. (Key point: Total)

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