---
title: "Preparing a detailed estimate of a building"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:prepare-detailed-estimate-building"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prepare-detailed-estimate-building
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Preparing a detailed estimate of a building

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 2: Method of Estimating

- Asked in: 2074 Asoj, 6 marks; 2073 Shrawan; 2068 Baisakh (old course), 4 marks; 2082 Bhadra, 2 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Estimation of Building | Building Estimation and Costing | Estimation and Costing | cost estimation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOUt8b-PzuU) — Civil Engineers Guide
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/prepare-detailed-estimate-building
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-2

## Question

Describe how you will prepare a detailed estimate of a building.

## Short answer

Study the drawings and specifications, then list items in construction order. Take out quantities using the long wall-short wall or centre line method on dimension sheets. Abstract quantities into a bill of quantities, adopt or analyse rates, and compute cost (quantity × rate). Add contingency (3–5%) and VAT (13%) to get the total estimated cost, and prepare a report.

## Answer

A detailed estimate is prepared by dividing the building into items of work, taking out the quantities of each item from the drawings, and applying rates. The steps are:

1. **Study the drawings and specifications:** plan, section, elevation, foundation and structural drawings, and door/window schedules.
2. **List the items** in the order of construction: earthwork, PCC, foundation masonry/RCC, DPC, superstructure masonry, columns, beams, slab, doors and windows, plastering, flooring, painting, roofing, sanitary and electrical works.
3. **Take out quantities** of each item using the long wall-short wall or centre line method. Use the dimension columns: **number x length x breadth x height**, and make deductions for openings. A quantity sheet looks like this:

| Item | No. | L | B | H | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|

4. **Abstract the quantities** (collect similar items) in a **bill of quantities**.
5. **Rate analysis:** adopt rates from the District Rate or analyse them using DUDBC norms and local rates.
6. **Abstract of cost:** quantity x rate for each item gives the amount; sum of all items is the base cost.
7. **Add provisions:** contingency (3 to 5%), work-charged establishment/supervision, and VAT (13%) to get the total estimated cost.
8. **Prepare the report:** a brief report with the specifications, assumptions, drawings, and the cost summary.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is the first step in preparing a detailed estimate?
   A. Study the drawings and specifications
   B. Add VAT
   C. Prepare the report
   D. Analyse rates
   Answer: A. Drawings must be understood first. (Key point: First step)

2. The dimension columns in a quantity sheet are
   A. Rate x Amount
   B. No. x L x B x H
   C. Unit x Rate
   D. Date x Name
   Answer: B. They give quantity per item. (Key point: Dimension columns)

3. How is the amount of each item found?
   A. Quantity + rate
   B. Rate / quantity
   C. Quantity x rate
   D. Quantity x VAT
   Answer: C. Sum of amounts is the base cost. (Key point: Abstract of cost)

4. Which are added to the base cost?
   A. Only discount
   B. Only wastage
   C. Nothing
   D. Contingency (3-5%), work-charged establishment and VAT (13%)
   Answer: D. Gives total estimated cost. (Key point: Provisions)

## Related in Estimating and Costing

- [Tasks in preparing building project estimate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aworks-considered-building-project-estimate) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Principle of units; data for detailed estimate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprinciple-units-data-required) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 1
- [Procedure of preliminary estimate (office building)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-estimate-procedure-office) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Data required for detailed estimate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Adata-for-detailed-estimate) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 1
- [Requisites of project estimate; factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Arequisites-project-estimate-factors) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5
- [Preliminary estimate: 4-storied office, 2000 m²](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprelim-est-office-2000-d) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 3, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Preparing cement mortar by manual process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Amortar-prep-manual) — Building Technology, chapter 3, asked 2×
- [Contractor asks supervisor to prepare running bill](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Acontractor-running-bill-bribe) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 7
- [Prepare tender notice for commercial complex](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Aprepare-tender-notice-100mln) — Construction Management, chapter 5
- [Procedure to prepare bills](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Abill-preparation-procedure) — Construction Management, chapter 8, asked 3×