---
title: "Preliminary estimate: school for 600 students"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prelim-est-school-600"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prelim-est-school-600
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preliminary estimate: school for 600 students

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2081 Bhadra, 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-school-600
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare the preliminary estimate for a school building for 600 students. The carpet area required per student is 1.2 m² and for office rooms is 50 sqm. If 20% of built up area of building is occupied by circulation area and 10% by walls. The provision for architectural treatment is 1% of civil cost, for water sanitary works is 5% of civil works and 6% of civil cost for electrification. If prevailing plinth area rate in the area is Rs 3400/sq. ft. Assume other data if necessary.

## Short answer

Carpet area 770 m² gives plinth area 1,100 m². Rate Rs 3,400/sq.ft = Rs 36,597.26/m². Civil cost Rs 40,256,986. Adding 1% architecture, 5% water/sanitary, 6% electrification, 5% contingency, 3% supervision yields Rs 48,694,850.27.

## Answer

#### Carpet and plinth area
Carpet area of classes = 600 x 1.2 = 720 m²; add offices 50 m²; total carpet area = 770.00 m².
$$
\text{Plinth area} = \frac{770}{1 - 0.20 - 0.10} = 1,100.00\ \text{m}^2
$$

#### Rate conversion
Plinth area rate = Rs 3,400 per sq. ft; 1 m² = 10.7639 sq. ft, so rate = 3,400 x 10.7639 = Rs 36,597.26 per m². (The rate is used as printed in the question, in sq. ft.)

#### Estimate
Contingency 5% and supervision/work-charged 3% are assumed, since the question leaves them open.

| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Building cost (plinth area x rate) | 1,100.00 m² x 36,597.26 | 40,256,986.00 |
| Architectural treatment | 1% of civil cost | 402,569.86 |
| Water supply and sanitary works | 5% of civil cost | 2,012,849.30 |
| Electrification | 6% of civil cost | 2,415,419.16 |
| **Total building cost** | | **45,087,824.32** |
| Contingency (assumed) | 5% of 45,087,824 | 2,254,391.22 |
| Supervision / work-charged (assumed) | 3% of 45,087,824 | 1,352,634.73 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **48,694,850.27** |

**Answer: Plinth area = 1,100.00 m²; total estimated cost = Rs 48,694,850.27 (about Rs 4.87 crore).**

## Check yourself

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

1. What is the total carpet area?
   A. 770 m2 (600 x 1.2 + 50)
   B. 720 m2
   C. 650 m2
   D. 850 m2
   Answer: A. Offices of 50 m2 are added to the 720 m2 of classes. (Key point: Carpet area)

2. With 20% circulation and 10% walls, plinth area is:
   A. 924 m2
   B. 1,100 m2
   C. 770 m2
   D. 1,540 m2
   Answer: B. 770/0.70 = 1,100. (Key point: Plinth area)

3. Why is Rs 3,400 per sq ft converted to Rs 36,597.26 per m2?
   A. 1 sq ft = 10.76 m2
   B. Dividing by 10.7639
   C. 1 m2 = 10.7639 sq ft, so the per-m2 rate is 3,400 x 10.7639
   D. VAT is added
   Answer: C. Area is in m2, so the rate must be per m2. (Key point: Rate conversion)

4. Extras are 1% + 5% + 6% of civil cost. Total building cost equals civil cost x:
   A. 1.06
   B. 1.05
   C. 1.20
   D. 1.12
   Answer: D. Rs 40,256,986 x 1.12 = Rs 45,087,824. (Key point: Extras)

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