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

# Preliminary estimate: two-storied VDC office

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 3: Types of Estimate

- Asked in: 2065 Shrawan (old course), 7 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-vdc-office
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-3

## Question

Prepare a preliminary estimate of a two storied VDC's office building to get administrative approval of district development committee having carpet area 500 m². 30% of the built up area is occupied by circulation element and 10% of built up area is occupied by walls. Plinth area rate for civil work is Rs. 10,000 per m². Cost of water supply, sanitary and electrification is 15% of civil cost. Cost of other services is 10% of civil cost. Departmental charge 8% of total cost.

## Short answer

Plinth area = 500/(1-0.30-0.10) = 833.33 m². Civil cost = 833.33 × 10,000 = Rs 8,333,333. Add 15% for water supply/sanitary/electrification and 10% other services, then 8% departmental charge on the total yields Rs 11,250,000.

## Answer

#### Plinth area
$$
\text{Plinth area} = \frac{500}{1 - 0.30 - 0.10} = 833.33\ \text{m}^2
$$
(for the two floors together; 416.67 m² per floor.)

#### Estimate
| Item | Basis | Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil cost | 833.33 x 10,000 | 8,333,333.33 |
| Water supply, sanitary and electrification | 15% of civil cost | 1,250,000.00 |
| Other services | 10% of civil cost | 833,333.33 |
| **Total cost** | | **10,416,666.67** |
| Departmental charge | 8% of total cost | 833,333.33 |
| **Total estimated cost** | | **11,250,000.00** |

**Answer: Total estimated cost = Rs 11,250,000.00.**

## Check yourself

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

1. With 30% circulation and 10% walls, what is the plinth area for 500 m² carpet area?
   A. 833.33 m²
   B. 650 m²
   C. 714.29 m²
   D. 500 m²
   Answer: A. 500/(1 - 0.30 - 0.10) = 833.33 m². (Key point: Plinth area)

2. What is the civil cost at Rs 10,000 per m² plinth rate?
   A. Rs 5,000,000
   B. Rs 8,333,333.33
   C. Rs 10,416,666.67
   D. Rs 833,333.33
   Answer: B. 833.33 x 10,000 = 8,333,333.33. (Key point: Civil cost)

3. Water, sanitary and electrification (15%) and other services (10%) are taken on what?
   A. The carpet area
   B. The total cost including departmental charge
   C. The civil cost
   D. The departmental charge
   Answer: C. Both are percentages of civil cost: 25% giving a total cost of 10,416,666.67. (Key point: Service percentages)

4. On what is the 8% departmental charge calculated, and what is the final estimate?
   A. 8% of civil cost; Rs 11,083,333
   B. 8% of carpet area; Rs 10,416,667
   C. 8% of total cost; Rs 10,500,000
   D. 8% of total cost; Rs 11,250,000
   Answer: D. 8% of 10,416,666.67 = 833,333.33, so total = 11,250,000. (Key point: Departmental charge)

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