---
title: "Requisites of project estimate; factors"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:requisites-project-estimate-factors"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/requisites-project-estimate-factors
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Requisites of project estimate; factors

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 5: Project Estimate

- Asked in: 2079 Bhadra, 4+4 marks
- Video: [Introduction to Estimate | Why do we Prepare Estimate ? [HINDI]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si5pR646ZvA) — Learn Civil Tech & Tricks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/requisites-project-estimate-factors
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-5

## Question

What are the requisites for a project estimate? Explain in brief the factors you consider while preparing a building project estimate.

## Short answer

Requisites are drawings, specifications, current rates, site data, norms and standards, and policy data. Building estimate factors include building type, location and soil, seismic zone, material and labour cost, construction time, method, services, taxes, contingency and supervision.

## Answer

#### Requisites for a project estimate

An estimate can be prepared properly only when the following are available:

1. **Drawings:** plans, elevations, sections and detailed drawings of all items, to scale and dimensioned.
2. **Specifications:** the quality of materials and workmanship for every item.
3. **Rates:** current District Rates for materials, labour and equipment, with rate analysis of non-scheduled items.
4. **Site data:** survey, soil and geological reports, access, lead and lift of materials.
5. **Norms and standards:** DUDBC norms, Nepal Building Code, Nepal Road Standard, units of measurement.
6. **Policy data:** provisions for contingency, overhead, profit, VAT and supervision as per the Public Procurement Act and Rules.

#### Factors considered in a building project estimate

- **Type and purpose of the building** (residential, school, hospital) and its quality of finish.
- **Location and site condition:** soil, water table, slope, access, local availability of materials and labour.
- **Seismic zone and structural system** - load-bearing or RCC frame, as per NBC.
- **Cost of materials, labour and transport:** changes in market rates and seasons.
- **Time:** shorter completion time needs more machinery and overtime cost.
- **Construction method and equipment:** mixers, lifts, scaffolding.
- **Services and external works:** sanitary, electrical, water supply, fire safety, boundary wall.
- **Taxes, overhead, profit, contingency (5%), escalation and supervision cost.**

## Check yourself

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

1. Which is a requisite for a project estimate?
   A. Only the contractor's quotation
   B. Drawings, specifications, current District Rates, site data, norms and policy data
   C. Only the completion report
   D. A signed contract
   Answer: B. These are the inputs needed before an estimate can be prepared. (Key point: Requisites)

2. How does shorter completion time affect the cost?
   A. It reduces the cost always
   B. It has no effect
   C. It needs more machinery and overtime, so cost increases
   D. It removes the need for supervision
   Answer: C. Faster work needs extra equipment and overtime. (Key point: Time factor)

3. Why is the seismic zone and structural system considered?
   A. They decide the rate of VAT
   B. They decide only the paint colour
   C. They only affect the number of doors
   D. They decide the structural design as per NBC and so the quantities and cost
   Answer: D. Load-bearing or RCC frame with seismic detailing changes quantities. (Key point: Seismic zone)

## 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×
- [Preparing a detailed estimate of a building](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aprepare-detailed-estimate-building) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 2, asked 4×
- [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×
- [Project estimate: preparation and reports](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aproject-estimate-reports) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 5
- [What is project? How is building project estimated](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Aproject-building-estimate-how) — 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×

## Related in other subjects

- [Factors while routing signal traces on PCB](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Finstrumentation_ii%3Aroute-factors) — Instrumentation II, chapter 8, asked 4×
- [Material handling and factors to consider](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaterial-handling-factors) — Construction Management, chapter 6