---
title: "Project estimate: preparation and reports"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:project-estimate-reports"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/project-estimate-reports
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Project estimate: preparation and reports

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 5: Project Estimate

- Asked in: 2075 Asoj, 1+2+3 marks
- Video: [Construction Cost Report Basics for Quantity Surveyors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te6OoNofWXY) — QSplorer
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/project-estimate-reports
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-5

## Question

What do you mean by Project estimate? How do you prepare a project estimate? State the reports on estimate.

## Short answer

A project estimate is the calculated cost from quantities, rates and other charges. Reports are the preliminary report, detailed estimate report, revised report for changed or exceeded estimates, supplementary report for extra work, and completion report comparing actual cost.

## Answer

#### Project estimate

A **project estimate** is the calculated cost of completing a project, found from the quantities of all works, their rates and the other charges. It is used to get approval, fix the budget and decide the tender price.

#### Preparing a project estimate

1. Study the project needs and collect the survey, design, drawings and specifications.
2. Prepare a preliminary (approximate) estimate to check feasibility.
3. Take out quantities of all items from the drawings.
4. Analyse rates using norms and District Rates.
5. Calculate the cost of each item (quantity × rate) and prepare the abstract of cost.
6. Add contingency (about 5%), supervision, price escalation and VAT 13%.
7. Write the report and send it for approval.

#### Reports on estimate

1. **Preliminary report** - the need and feasibility of the project with a rough cost.
2. **Detailed estimate report** - quantities, rate analysis, specification, drawings and abstract of cost.
3. **Revised report** - when the estimate is exceeded by more than a permissible limit or the plan is changed.
4. **Supplementary report** - for additional work not in the original estimate.
5. **Completion report** - after completion, comparing actual cost with the estimate.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is a project estimate?
   A. The actual money spent after completion
   B. The contractor's profit
   C. The calculated cost of completing a project from quantities, rates and other charges
   D. A list of drawings
   Answer: C. It is used for approval, budget and deciding the tender price. (Key point: Project estimate)

2. When is a revised estimate report prepared?
   A. For additional work not in original estimate
   B. After completion to compare cost
   C. Before survey
   D. When the estimate is exceeded by more than a permissible limit or the plan is changed
   Answer: D. Additional work is covered by a supplementary report. (Key point: Revised report)

3. Which report covers additional work not included in the original estimate?
   A. Supplementary report
   B. Completion report
   C. Preliminary report
   D. Revised report
   Answer: A. Revised is for exceeding limits or changes; supplementary for new additional work. (Key point: Supplementary report)

4. What does a completion report do?
   A. Gives a rough cost before survey
   B. Compares actual cost with the estimate after completion
   C. Lists the quantities for tendering
   D. Approves the estimate
   Answer: B. It is prepared after completion. (Key point: Completion report)

## Related in Estimating and Costing

- [Detail estimate report for sewerage project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aestimate-report-sewerage) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Project estimate for water supply project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aproject-estimate-water-supply) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5
- [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
- [Define project; irrigation project estimate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aproject-irrigation-estimate) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [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×
- [Stages of project estimate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Astages-project-estimate) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5

## Related in other subjects

- [Site preparation components and facility arrangement](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Asite-preparation-facilities-urban) — Construction Management, chapter 6
- [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
- [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
- [Plastic explosive; TNT preparation; detonator](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Aplastic-explosive-tnt) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 7