---
title: "Preliminary estimate: 4-storey office, cube rate"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prelim-est-office-4-storey-250"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-office-4-storey-250
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary estimate: 4-storey office, cube rate

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 5 marks
- Video: [Preliminary Estimate of  building |Cubic rate Method |Estimating & valuation Board exam solution](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgPVOZOtqBs) — OPengineer
- 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-4-storey-250
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare a preliminary estimate of the four storied office building having carpet area of 250 m² per story. The height of each story is 3.5 m and on the roof floor there is parapet wall of 0.90 m height. The cube rate of the building in that locality is Rs. 250/cu.m. Take 10% built up area is covered by walls and 35% by circulation purposes. Assume other necessary suitable provisions.

## Short answer

Volume = 6,772.73 m³; civil cost at Rs250/m³ = Rs1,693,181.82. Adding 1% architecture,6% water,6% sanitary,8% electrification,5% contingency,3% supervision yields total Rs2,212,650.

## Answer

#### Plinth area and volume
Total carpet area = 4 x 250 = 1000 m².
$$
\text{Total plinth area} = \frac{1000}{1 - 0.10 - 0.35} = 1,818.18\ \text{m}^2
$$
Plinth area per storey = 1,818.18 / 4 = 454.55 m².

Height = 4 x 3.5 + 0.90 (parapet) = 14.9 m, so volume = 454.55 x 14.9 = 6,772.73 m³.

#### Estimate
The cube rate is used as printed (Rs 250/m³). The provisions for architecture 1%, water supply 6%, sanitary 6%, electrification 8%, contingency 5% and supervision 3% are assumed.

| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil cost (volume x cube rate) | 6,772.73 m³ x 250 | 1,693,181.82 |
| Architectural treatment (assumed) | 1% of civil cost | 16,931.82 |
| Water supply (assumed) | 6% of civil cost | 101,590.91 |
| Sanitary work (assumed) | 6% of civil cost | 101,590.91 |
| Electrification (assumed) | 8% of civil cost | 135,454.55 |
| **Total building cost** | | **2,048,750.00** |
| Contingency (assumed) | 5% of 2,048,750 | 102,437.50 |
| Supervision charge (assumed) | 3% of 2,048,750 | 61,462.50 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **2,212,650.00** |

**Answer: Volume = 6,772.73 m³; total estimated cost = Rs 2,212,650.00.** If the rate is in fact Rs 2,500/m³, every amount is ten times larger.

## Check yourself

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

1. What total carpet area applies?
   A. 1,000 m2 (4 x 250)
   B. 250 m2
   C. 750 m2
   D. 1,250 m2
   Answer: A. 250 m2 is per storey. (Key point: Total carpet)

2. Walls 10%, circulation 35%. Total plinth area:
   A. 1,000 m2
   B. 1,818.18 m2
   C. 1,450 m2
   D. 2,222 m2
   Answer: B. 1000/0.55 = 1,818.18. (Key point: Plinth area)

3. What height is used for the volume?
   A. 14 m
   B. 3.5 m
   C. 4 x 3.5 + 0.9 = 14.9 m
   D. 4 x 4.4 = 17.6 m
   Answer: C. Parapet of 0.9 m is added once. (Key point: Height)

4. If the rate is actually Rs 2,500/m3 instead of Rs 250/m3, then:
   A. Every amount is halved
   B. Nothing changes
   C. Only contingency changes
   D. Every amount is ten times larger
   Answer: D. The estimate scales directly with the cube rate. (Key point: Cube rate)

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