---
title: "Preliminary estimate: residential, 500 m² carpet"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prelim-est-residential-500"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-residential-500
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary estimate: residential, 500 m² carpet

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2082 Baisakh, 7 marks
- Video: [Preliminary Estimate of building |Plinth area Method |Estimating & Valuation Board Exam solution](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Sru3gynFI) — 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-residential-500
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare the preliminary estimate for the building project from the following data. Residential building of 4 stories having total carpet area of 500 m² and the wall is 8% of plinth area and that for circulation area occupied by passage, verandah, staircase, etc. is 10% of plinth area. The provision for architectural design is 10% of the civil cost, provision for water supply and sanitary are 6% of civil cost for each and for electrification is 8% of civil cost. The floor height of one flat of the building is 3 m and height of parapet wall on the top is 1.2 m. The rate of per cubic content is Rs. 5000 per m³. Assume suitable percentage contingencies and work charge establishment.

## Short answer

Plinth area = 609.76 m², volume = 2,012.20 m³. Civil cost = Rs 10,060,975.61. With 10% architecture, 6% water, 6% sanitary, 8% electrification, 5% contingency, 2.5% work-charged establishment: total Rs 14,060,213.41.

## Answer

#### Assumptions
The total carpet area of 500 m² is for the whole four-storey building, and the plinth area is the same on each floor. Contingency is taken as 5% and work-charged establishment as 2.5% of the total building cost.

#### Plinth area and volume
$$
\text{Total plinth area} = \frac{500}{1 - 0.08 - 0.10} = 609.76\ \text{m}^2
$$
Plinth area per floor = 609.76 / 4 = 152.44 m².

Height of the building = 4 x 3.0 + 1.2 (parapet) = 13.2 m.

$$
\text{Volume} = 152.44 \times 13.2 = 2,012.20\ \text{m}^3
$$

#### Estimate
| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil cost (volume x cube rate) | 2,012.20 m³ x 5,000 | 10,060,975.61 |
| Architectural design | 10% of civil cost | 1,006,097.56 |
| Water supply | 6% of civil cost | 603,658.54 |
| Sanitary work | 6% of civil cost | 603,658.54 |
| Electrification | 8% of civil cost | 804,878.05 |
| **Total building cost** | | **13,079,268.29** |
| Contingency (assumed) | 5% of 13,079,268 | 653,963.41 |
| Work-charged establishment (assumed) | 2.5% of 13,079,268 | 326,981.71 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **14,060,213.41** |

**Answer: Volume = 2,012.20 m³; civil cost = Rs 10,060,975.61; total estimated cost = Rs 14,060,213.41.**

## Check yourself

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

1. Carpet 500 m2, walls 8%, circulation 10%. Total plinth area:
   A. 609.76 m2
   B. 410 m2
   C. 450 m2
   D. 500 m2
   Answer: A. 500/0.82 = 609.76. (Key point: Plinth area)

2. What building height is used for volume?
   A. 4 x 3.0 = 12 m
   B. 4 x 3.0 + 1.2 = 13.2 m
   C. 3.0 + 1.2 = 4.2 m
   D. 4 x 4.2 = 16.8 m
   Answer: B. Parapet height is added once at the top. (Key point: Height)

3. How is the civil cost found here?
   A. Plinth area x rate per m3
   B. Carpet area x 5,000
   C. Volume x cube rate (2,012.20 x 5,000)
   D. Height x 5,000
   Answer: C. Volume = 152.44 x 13.2 = 2,012.20 m3. (Key point: Cube rate method)

4. Architectural 10%, water supply 6%, sanitary 6%, electrification 8%. Total building cost equals civil cost x:
   A. 1.10
   B. 1.20
   C. 1.06
   D. 1.30
   Answer: D. The extras sum to 30%, giving Rs 13,079,268. (Key point: Extras)

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