Detailed Estimate and

Abstracting
Prepare a detailed estimate of part of a wall of a building
from the plan and section and general specifications.
General Specifications:
1. Foundation concrete shall be of lime concrete
2. Foundation and Plinth shall be of 1st class brick work in
lime mortar
3. Damp Proof Course-2.5mm C.C 1: 1.5:3 with water
proofing compound
4. Superstructure: 1st class brickwork in lime mortar
5. Wall finishing: Inside wall 12 mm cement plastered 1:6
and whitewashed 3 coats.
Outside wall 12 mm cement plastered 1:6 including 10 cm
below ground level and finished with colour wash over one
coat of whitewashing.
 Methods of building estimate

Dimensions (L, B, H or D) are to be taken out from the drawing (plan, section and elevation)

Accurate measurement of dimensions.

For symmetrical foundations, earthwork in excavation in foundation, foundation concrete, brickwork in foundation
and plinth, and brickwork in superstructure may be estimated by:
(a) Separate or individual wall method- Popularly known as Long wall-Short wall method
(b) Center line method
 Methods of Building Estimate

1. Long wall-short wall method

In this method, the wall along the length of room is considered to be long wall while the wall perpendicular to long wall
is said to be short wall.
To get the measurement of materials and works length of long wall or short wall, calculate first the center line lengths
of individual walls.
Length of long wall is measured out to out, while length of short wall is measured in to in.
Then the length of long wall, (out to out) may be calculated after adding breadth of wall to its center line length.
Thus the length of short wall measured in to in and may be found by deducting breadth from its center line length.
The length of long wall usually decreases from earth work to brick work in super structure while the short wall
increases. These lengths are multiplied by breadth and depth to get quantities.
Long wall length (out to out) = c/c length + one breadth
Short wall length (in to in) = c/c length - one breadth

Length of short wall = 4.3-0.3 = 4.0 m

c/c 4.3 m
30 cm
4m

5m

30 cm

c/c 5.3 m

Length of long wall = 5.3+0.3 = 5.60 m

2. Center line method

This method is suitable for walls of similar cross sections.

Here the total center line length is multiplied by breadth and depth of respective item to get the total quantity at a

time.

When cross walls or partitions or verandah walls join with main all, the center line length gets reduced by half of

breadth for each junction.

Such junction or joints are studied carefully while calculating total center line length.

The estimates prepared by this method are most accurate and quick.
Q. The plan represents the plan of a superstructure wall
of a single room building of 5m x 4m, and sections
represent the cross-sections of the walls with foundation.
Estimate the quantities of :
(1) Earthwork in excavation in Foundation
(2) Concrete in Foundation
(3) Brickwork in foundation and Plinth; and
(4) Brickwork in Superstructure.
Solution:
The length of the long wall centre to centre=
5+1/2 *0.30+ ½*0.30= 5.30 m
The length of the short wall centre to centre=
4+1/2 *0.30+ ½*0.30= 4.30 m
Item Particulars of Items No. Length Breadth Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. (L) (B) (H) (m3)

1. Earthwork in excavation in
foundations
Long walls 2 6.20 0.90 0.90 10.04 Length=5.30+0.90=6.20 m
Short walls 2 3.40 0.90 0.90 5.51 Length=4.30-0.90=3.40 m
Total 15.55
2. Concrete in foundations
Long walls 2 6.20 0.90 0.30 3.35 Length same as for excavation.
Short walls 2 3.40 0.90 0.30 1.83 Quantity= 1/3 of excavation
Total 5.18
3. Brick work in foundation and plinth
Long walls
1st footing
2nd footing 2 5.90 0.60 0.30 2.13 Length=5.30+0.60=5.90 m
Plinth walls 2 5.80 0.50 0.30 1.74 Length=5.30+0.50=5.80 m
Short walls 2 5.70 0.40 0.60 2.74 Length=5.30+0.40=5.70 m
1st footing
2nd footing 2 3.70 0.60 0.30 1.33 Length=4.30-0.60=3.70 m
Plinth walls 2 3.80 0.50 0.30 1.14 Length=4.30-0.50=3.80 m
2 3.90 0.40 0.60 1.87 Length=4.30-0.40=3.90 m
Total 10.95
Item Particulars of Items No. Length Breadt Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. (m) h (m) (m) (m3)

4. Brickwork in
Superstructure
Long walls 2 5.60 0.30 3.50 11.76 Length=5.30+0.30=5.60 m
Short walls 2 4.00 0.30 3.50 8.40 Length=4.30-0.30=4.00 m
Total 20.16
If total centre length is multiplied by breadth and depth, we get

the quantity of earthwork.

However, in doing so certain portion of earthwork is added twice

(red border) while leaving equal portion (black border).

Hence, it does not affect the quantity.

 Length of short wall = 4.3-0.3 = 4.0 m
Outer dimensions
•Foundation outer length = 5.3+0.9=6.2 m
•Foundation outer breadth = 4.3+0.9=5.2 m

c/c 4.3 m
90 cm
Areas of long walls 4m
•Two long walls each: 6.2×0.9=5.58 m2
•For 2 walls: 2×5.58=11.16 m2
Areas of short walls 5m
•Two long walls each: 5.2×0.9=4.68 m2
•For 2 walls: 2×4.68=11.16 m2 90 cm
Total wall trench area c/c 5.3 m
11.16+9.36=20.52 m2

At each of the 4 corners, we counted a square of 0.9×0.9=0.81 m2 twice.

So we subtract: 4×0.81=3.24 m2
•Net excavation area: 20.52−3.24=17.28m2
•Multiply by depth (0.9 m): V=17.28×0.9=15.552m3
Q. Estimate the quantities of the following items of a two roomed building from the given plan and
section.
(1) Earthwork in excavation in foundation, 2) Lime concrete in foundation, (3) 1st class brickwork in
cement mortar 1:6 in foundation and plinth; and (4) 2.5 cm c.c damp proof course, and (5) 1st class
brickwork in lime mortar in Superstructure.
Item Particulars of Items No. Length Breadth Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. (L) (B) (H) (m3)
Long wall, C/C. Length=
4+6+0.30+(0.30/2+0.30/2)=10.60
m
Short and inter walls, C/C.
Length= 6+(.30/2+.30/2)=6.30 m
1. Earthwork in excavation in
foundations
Long walls 2 11.70 1.10 1.0 25.74 L=10.60+1.10=11.70 m
Short walls 3 5.20 1.10 1.0 17.16 L=6.30-1.10=5.20 m
Total 42.90
2. Concrete in foundations
Long walls 2 11.70 1.10 0.30 7.72 Length same as for excavation.
Short walls 3 5.20 1.10 0.30 5.15 Quantity= 3/10 of excavation
Total 12.87
3. Brick work in foundation and plinth
Long walls
1st footing 2 11.40 0.80 0.20 3.65 L=10.60+0.80=11.40 m
2nd footing 2 11.30 0.70 0.10 1.58 L=10.60+0.70=11.30 m
3rd footing 2 11.20 0.60 0.10 1.34 L=10.60+0.60=11.20 m
4th footing 2 11.10 0.50 0.10 1.11 L=10.60+0.50=11.10 m
Plinth wall above footing 2 11.00 0.40 0.80 7.04 L=10.60+0.40=11.00 m
Item Particulars of Items No. Le2ngt Bread1. Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. h (L) 30th (B) (H) (m3)
3. Brick work in foundation and
plinth
Short walls 3 5.50 0.80 0.20 2.64 L=6.30-0.80=5.50 m
1st footing 3 5.60 0.70 0.10 1.18 L=6.30-0.70=5.60 m
2nd footing 3 5.70 0.60 0.10 1.03 L=6.30-0.60=5.70 m
3rd footing 3 5.80 0.50 0.10 0.87 L=6.30-0.50=5.80 m
4th footing 3 5.90 0.40 0.80 5.66 L=6.30-0.40=5.90 m
Plinth wall above footing Total 26.10
4. Damp Proof Course
2.5 cm thick c.c Lengths same as for plinth in
Long walls 2 11.0 0.40 ---- 8.80 item 3.
Short walls 3 5.90 0.40 --- 7.08
15.88
Deduct door sill 2 1.20 0.40 0.96
Total 14.92 m2
5. 1st class brickwork in lime mortar
in superstructure
Long walls 2 10.90 0.30 4.20 27.47 L=10.60+0.30=10.90 m
Short walls 3 6.00 0.30 4.20 22.68 L=6.30-0.30=6.0 m
Total 50.18
Deductions in superstructure
Door openings 2 1.20 0.30 2.10 1.51
Window openings 4 1.00 0.30 1.50 1.80
Shelves 2 1.00 0.20 1.50 0.60 Back of shelves 10 cm thick wall
Lintels over doors 2 1.50 0.30 0.15 0.14 Length of lintel= Clear Span +
Lintels over windows 4 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.23 2* thickness; Bearing 15 cm
Lintels over shelves 2 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.12 Bearing 15 cm
4.40 Bearing 15 cm

45.75
 Centre-line method
Item Particulars of Items No. Length Breadth Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. (L) (B) (H) (m3)
Total Centre line length=
(2*10.6)+ (3*6.30)=40.1 m
1. Earthwork in excavation in 1 39.00 1.10 1.0 42.90 L=40.10-2*(1.10/2)=39.00 m
foundations

2. Concrete in foundations 1 39.00 1.10 0.30 12.87 L same as above

3. Brick work in foundation and plinth

1st footing 1 39.30 0.80 0.20 6.29 L=40.10- 2*(0.80/2)=39.30 m
2nd footing 1 39.40 0.70 0.10 2.76 L=40.10- 2*(0.70/2)=39.40 m
3rd footing 1 39.50 0.60 0.10 2.37 L=40.10- 2*(0.60/2)=39.50 m
4th footing 1 39.60 0.50 0.10 1.98 L=40.10- 2*(0.50/2)=39.60 m
Plinth wall above footing 1 39.70 0.40 0.80 12.70 L=40.10- 2*(0.40/2)=39.70 m

4. Damp Proof Course L=40.10- 2*(0.40/2)=39.70 m

2.5 cm thick c.c 1 39.70 0.40 --- 15.88
Deduct door sill 2 1.20 0.40 --- 0.96
Total 14.92 m2
Item Particulars of Items No. Le2ngt Bread1. Height Quantity Explanatory Note or Remarks
No. h (L) 30th (B) (H) (m3)
5. 1st class brickwork in lime mortar
in superstructure 1 39.80 0.30 4.20 50.15 L=40.10- 2*(0.30/2)=39.80 m

Deductions in superstructure
Door openings 2 1.20 0.30 2.10 1.51 Back of shelves 10 cm thick wall
Window openings 4 1.00 0.30 1.50 1.80 Length of lintel= Clear Span + 2*
Shelves 2 1.00 0.20 1.50 0.60 thickness; Bearing 15 cm
Lintels over doors 2 1.50 0.30 0.15 0.14 Bearing 15 cm
Lintels over windows 4 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.23 Bearing 15 cm
Lintels over shelves 2 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.12
4.40

Total 45.75
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
4 Damp Proof course
2.5 cm thick c.c.
Long wall 2 11.00 0.40 - 8.80 L = 10.60 + 0.40 = 11.00 m
Short wall 3 5.90 0.40 - 7.08 L = 6.30 – 0.40 = 5.90 m
Total 15.88
Deduct door sills 2 1.20 0.40 - 0.96 DPC is not provided at sill of
the door and verandah opening
Net 14.92 sq.m
5 1st Class brick work in
lime mortar in
superstructure
Long wall 2 10.90 0.30 4.20 27.47 L = 10.60+0.30 = 10.90 m
Short wall 3 6.00 0.30 4.20 22.68 L = 6.30-0.30 = 6.00 m
Total 50.15 cu.m
Item no. Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
Depth
5 Deduct
(contd.)
Door openings 2 1.20 0.30 2.10 1.51 D -1.20 m x 2.10 m
Window openings 4 1.00 0.30 1.50 1.80 W – 1.00 m x 1.50 m
Shelves 2 1.00 0.20 1.50 0.60 S – 1.00 m x 1.50 m, Back of
shelves 10 cm thick wall
Lintel over doors 2 1.50 0.30 0.15 0.14 Length of lintel = clear
span+2*bearing
= 1.20+(2*0.15) = 1.50 m
Lintel over windows 4 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.23 L = 1.00+(2*0.15) = 1.30 m
Lintel over shelves 2 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.12 L = 1.00+(2*0.15) = 1.30 m
Total of deduction 4.40 cu.m
Net total 45.75 cu.m
 5m
Total Centre line length
𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒
=σ
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠

1 Junction = ½ ( width at
respective level)
4m

Component= L, B, H
L= ( Total Centre line length-
Deductions for Junctions)

Types of Junctions:

0.3 m L- Junction 2 walls 0 Junction

T- Junction 3 walls 1 Junction
Cross walls 4 walls 2 Junction
 Assignment Problem

Q. Estimate the quantities of the following items

of a residential building from the given drawings:

(1) Earthwork in excavation in foundation,

(2) Lime concrete in foundation,
(3) 1st class brickwork in 1:6 cement sand mortar
in foundation and plinth; and
(4) 2.5 cm c.c damp proof course, and
(5) 1st class brickwork in lime mortar in
Superstructure.
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. (m) (m) Depth (m)
1 Earthwork in Excavation in
foundation
Long wall 2 11.50 0.90 1.00 20.70 L = 10.60 + 0.90 = 11.50 m
Short wall 3 4.40 0.90 1.00 11.88 L = 5.30 - 0.90 = 4.40 m
Bedrooms right side (both)
Long wall 2 9.60 0.90 1.00 17.28 L = 9.60 – 0.90/2 + 0.90/2 = 9.60 m
Short wall 3 3.90 0.90 1.00 7.02 L = 4.80 – 0.90 = 3.90 m
Front verandah
Front Long wall 1 9.50 0.60 0.50 2.85 L = 9.65 – 0.90/2 + 0.60/2 = 9.50 m
Front Short wall 1 1.50 0.60 0.50 0.45 L = 2.25 – 0.90/2 – 0.60/2 = 1.50 m
Back verandah including
bathroom
Long wall (rear wall incl. 1 9.50 0.60 0.50 2.85 L = 9.65 – 0.90/2 + 0.60/2 = 9.50 m
bath)
Short wall (rem. Walls of 2 2.00 0.60 0.50 1.20 L = 2.75 – 0.90/2 – 0.60/2 = 2.00 m
bath)
Total 64.23 cu.m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. (m) (m) Depth (m)
2 Lime concrete in foundation
Long wall 2 11.50 0.90 0.30 6.21 L = 10.60 + 0.90 = 11.50 m
Short wall 3 4.40 0.90 0.30 3.56 L = 5.30 - 0.90 = 4.40 m
Bedrooms right side (both)
Long wall 2 9.60 0.90 0.30 5.18 L = 9.60 – 0.90/2 + 0.90/2 = 9.60 m
Short wall 2 3.90 0.90 0.30 2.11 L = 4.80 – 0.90/2 = 3.90 m
Front verandah
Front Long wall 1 9.70 0.60 0.20 1.16 L = 9.65 – 0.50/2 + 0.60/2 = 9.70 m
Front Short wall 1 1.70 0.60 0.20 0.20 L = 2.25 – 0.50/2 – 0.60/2 = 1.70 m
Back verandah including
bathroom
Long wall (incl. bath) 1 9.70 0.60 0.20 1.16 L = 9.65 – 0.50/2 + 0.60/2 = 9.70 m
Short wall (rem. Walls of 2 2.20 0.60 0.20 0.53 L = 2.75 – 0.50/2 – 0.60/2 = 2.20 m
bath)
Total 20.11 cu.m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
3 1st Class brick work in 1:6
cement mortar in
foundation and plinth
Drawing and left bedroom
Long wall
1st footing 2 11.20 0.60 0.20 2.69 L = 10.60+0.60 = 11.20 m
2nd footing 2 11.10 0.50 0.20 2.22 L = 11.20-2x0.05 = 11.10 m
Or L= 10.60+0.50= 11.10 m
Plinth wall above footing 2 11.00 0.40 0.90 7.92 L = 11.10-0.10 = 11.00 m
Or L= 10.60+0.40= 11.00 m
Short wall
1st footing 3 4.70 0.60 0.20 1.69 L = 5.30-0.60 = 4.70 m
2nd footing 3 4.80 0.50 0.20 1.44 L = 4.70+2x0.05 = 4.80 m
Plinth wall above footing 3 4.90 0.40 0.90 5.29 L = 4.80+0.10 = 4.90 m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
3 Bedroom right side (both)
(con Long wall
td.)
1st footing 2 9.60 0.60 0.20 2.31 L = 9.60-0.60/2+0.6/2 = 9.60
m
2nd footing 2 9.60 0.50 0.20 1.92 L = 9.60-0.50/2+0.5/2 = 9.60
m
Plinth wall above footing 2 9.60 0.40 0.90 6.91 L = 9.60-0.40/2+0.4/2 = 9.60
m
Short wall
1st footing 2 4.20 0.60 0.20 1.01 L = 4.80-0.60 = 4.70 m
2nd footing 2 4.30 0.50 0.20 0.86 L = 4.20+2x0.05 = 4.30 m
Plinth wall above footing 2 4.40 0.40 0.90 3.17 L = 4.30+0.10 = 4.40 m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height Quantity Explanatory note
no. or Depth
3 Front verandah
(con Front wall
td.)
Footing 1 9.65 0.40 0.20 0.77 L = 9.65-0.40/2+0.40/2 = 9.65 m
Plinth wall above footing 1 9.60 0.30 0.70 2.02 L = 9.65-0.40/2+0.30/2 = 9.60 m
Side Short wall
Footing 1 1.85 0.40 0.20 0.15 L = 2.25-0.40/2-0.40/2 = 1.85 m
Plinth wall above footing 1 1.90 0.30 0.70 0.40 L = 2.25-0.40/2-0.30/2 = 1.90 m
Back verandah incl. bath
Long wall
Footing 1 9.65 0.40 0.20 0.77 L = 9.65-0.40/2+0.40/2 = 9.65 m
Plinth wall above footing 1 9.60 0.30 0.70 2.02 L = 9.65-0.40/2+0.30/2 = 9.60 m
Short wall (rem. Wall of
bath)
Footing 2 2.35 0.40 0.20 0.38 L = 2.75 – 0.40/2 – 0.40/2 = 2.35 m
Plinth wall above footing 2 2.40 0.30 0.70 1.01 L = 2.75 – 0.40/2 – 0.30/2 = 2.40 m
Total 44.95
cu.m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
4 2.5 cm DPC
Drawing and left bedroom
Long wall 2 11.00 0.40 - 8.80 Same as plinth wall
Short wall 3 4.90 0.40 - 5.88 Same as plinth wall
Bedroom inner side
Long wall 2 9.60 0.40 - 7.68 Same as plinth wall
Short wall 2 4.40 0.40 - 3.52 Same as plinth wall
Verandah Pillars 4 0.50 0.30 - 0.60 5 cm extra on all sides
Bathroom
Rear wall 1 2.50 0.30 - 0.75 L = 2.20 + 2x0.15 = 2.50 m
Side and inter wall 2 2.40 0.30 - 1.44
Total 28.67 sq.m
Deduct
Door sills D1 6 1.20 0.40 - 2.88
Door sills D2 2 1.00 0.40 - 0.80
Door sills D3 1 0.75 0.30 - 0.23
Total deduction 3.91 sq. m
Net total 24.76 sq. m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
5 1st Class brick work in
superstructure in lime
mortar- Drawing and left
bedroom
Long wall 2 10.90 0.30 4.00 26.16 L = 10.60 + 0.30 = 10.90 m
Short wall 3 5.00 0.30 4.00 18.00 L = 5.30 – 0.30 = 5.00 m
Bedroom right side
Long wall 2 9.60 0.30 4.00 23.04 L = 9.60-0.30/2+0.30/2 = 9.60 m
Short wall 3 4.50 0.30 4.00 10.80 L = 4.80-0.30 = 4.50 m
Front verandah
Front verandah as solid 1 9.60 0.20 3.05 5.86 L = 9.65-0.30/2+0.20/2 = 9.60 m
Side wall as solid 1 2.00 0.20 3.05 1.22
Back verandah incl. bath
Back long wall as solid 1 9.60 0.20 3.05 5.86 L = 9.65-0.30/2+0.20/2 = 9.60 m
Side wall & inter wall of bath 2 2.50 0.20 3.05 3.05
Total 93.99
cu.m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
5 Deduct
Door openings
Door opening D1 6 1.20 0.30 2.10 4.54
Door opening D2 2 1.00 0.30 2.00 1.20
Door opening D3 1 0.75 0.20 1.80 0.27
Window openings
Window opening W1 11 1.00 0.30 1.50 4.95
Window opening W2 1 2.00 0.30 1.50 0.90
Window opening W3 2 0.75 0.20 1.20 0.36
Clerestory window
C.W opening 18 0.75 0.30 0.60 2.43
Shelves opening 5 1 0.20 1.50 1.50 Back of shelves 10 cm thick wall
Front verandah opening in 1 8.40 0.20 2.40 4.03 L = 9.60 - 3x0.40 = 8.40 m
between pillar
Front verandah opening side 1 2.00 0.20 2.40 0.96
Back verandah opening 1 6.80 0.20 2.40 3.26 L = 9.60 - 2.40 – 0.40 = 6.80 m
Item Particular or items No. Length Breadth Height or Quantity Explanatory note
no. Depth
5 Lintel
Over Door
Door opening D1 6 1.50 0.30 0.15 0.405 Bearing 15 cm
Door opening D2 2 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.117 Bearing 15 cm
Door opening D3 1 0.95 0.20 0.15 0.029 Bearing 15 cm
Over Window
Window opening W1 11 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.644 Bearing 15 cm
Window opening W2 1 2.30 0.30 0.15 0.103 Bearing 15 cm
Window opening W3 2 0.95 0.20 0.15 0.057 Bearing 10 cm
Over C.W opening 18 0.95 0.30 0.15 0.770 Bearing 10 cm
Over Shelves 5 1.30 0.30 0.15 0.293 Bearing 15 cm
Verandah lintels
Front 1 9.75 0.20 0.15 0.293 L = 9.60 + 0.15 = 9.75 m
Side 1 2.15 0.20 0.15 0.065 L = 2.00 + 0.15 = 2.15 m
Back 1 7.50 0.20 0.15 0.225 L = 9.60 - 2.40 + 2x 0.15 = 7.50 m
Total deductions 27.401 cu.m
Net total 66.59 cu.m