Construction Cost Estimating Service New York USA

Gamyte produces takeoffs and fully priced bids on commercial construction cost estimator projects from the plan – including quantities, materials, material prices and labor prices. We make winning new work cheaper, easier and more accurate for Sub-Contractors bidding on Commercial Projects. No more late nights preparing bids!

A cost estimate is predicted expenditure of a project which is generally prepared before the project is taken up. It is prepared in different types based on the requirement of project. It can be prepared in detailed manner by taking all items of works into consideration and sometimes it can also be prepared approximately without going into much details.

 
Types of Cost Estimates Used in Construction
Following are the different types of cost estimates used in construction,

Preliminary Cost Estimate
Plinth Area Cost Estimate
Cube Rate Cost Estimate
Approximate Quantity Method Cost Estimate
Detailed Cost Estimate
Revised Cost Estimate
Supplementary Cost Estimate
Annual Repair Cost Estimate
1. Preliminary Cost Estimate
Preliminary cost estimate is also called as abstract cost estimate or approximate cost estimate or budget estimate. This estimate is generally prepared in initial stages to know the approximate cost of the project. By this estimate, the competent sanctioning authority can decide the financial position and policy for administration section.

Preliminary estimates are prepared with reference to cost of similar type projects in a practical manner. In This estimate, approximate cost of each important item of work is displayed individually to know the necessity and utility of each item of work. The items of work include cost of lands, cost of roads, electrification, water supply costs, cost of each buildings etc.

2. Plinth Area Cost Estimate
Plinth area cost estimate is prepared on the basis of plinth area of building which is the area covered by external dimensions of building at the floor level  and plinth area rate of building which is the cost of similar building with specifications in that locality.

 
Plinth area estimate is obtained by multiplying plinth area of building with plinth area rate. For example if we require plinth area estimate of 100 sq.m in a particular locality and plinth area rate of a building in same locality is 2000 per sq.m then plinth area estimate is 100 X 2000 = 200000.

Open areas, courtyards etc. are should not be included in plinth area. If building is multi storied, plinth area estimate is prepared separately for each floor level.

Types of Estimates
Fig 1:Estimate

3. Cube Rate Cost Estimate
Cube rate cost estimate of a building is obtained by multiplying plinth area with the height of building. Height of building should be considered from floor level to the top of the roof level. It is more suitable for multi storied buildings.

This method of estimation is accurate than plinth area method.  The rate per cubic meter is taken into consideration based on the costs of similar type of buildings situated in that location. Foundation, plinth and parapet above the roof level are not considered in this type of estimate.

4. Approximate Quantity Method Cost Estimate
In approximate quantity method cost estimate, Total wall length of structure is measured and this length is multiplied by rate per running meter which gives the cost of building. Rate per running meter is calculated separately for foundation and superstructure.

In case of foundation, rate per running meter is decided by considering quantities such as excavation cost, brick work cost up to plinth. While in case of superstructure quantities like brickwork for wall, wood works, floor finishing etc. are considered for deciding rate per running meter.

5. Detailed Cost Estimate
Detailed cost estimate is prepared when competent administrative authority approved the preliminary estimates. This is very accurate type of estimate. Quantities of items of work are measured and the cost of each item of work is calculated separately.

The rates of different items are provided according to the current workable rates and total estimated cost is calculated. 3 to 5 % of estimated cost is added to this for contingencies as miscellaneous expenditure.

The detailed Estimated should consist following details and documents.

Report
General Specifications
Detailed Specifications
Drawings/plans – layout plans, elevation, sectional views, detailed drawings etc.
Designs and calculations – In case of buildings design of foundations, beams, slab etc.
Schedule of rates
Detailed Estimate
Fig 2: Detailed Estimate

Read more: Methods of Detailed Construction Estimation Preparation

6. Revised Cost Estimate
Revised cost estimate is a detailed estimate and it is prepared when the original sanctioned estimate value is exceeded by 5% or more.

The increase may be due to sudden increase in cost of materials, cost of transportation etc. The reason behind the revision of estimate should be mentioned on the last page of revised estimate.

7. Supplementary Cost Estimate
Supplementary cost estimate is a detailed estimate and it is prepared freshly when there is a requirement of additional works during the progress of original work. The estimate sheet should consists of cost of original estimate as well as the total cost of work including supplementary cost of work for which sanction is required.

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