Unit Rate Final

Oromia Construction Authority Cost Estimation Manual 202
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Purpose
Cost estimating is the predictive process used to quantify, cost, and price the resources required
by the scope of the project, to better manage budgets and deliver projects that do not exceed
the identified scope, and that are on time throughout the development process
The need to solidify the estimation process can be seen in four areas:
 State financial plan

 Creation of public satisfaction and a positive response
 Project control
 Problems currently being encountered
The state financial plan is affected as cost estimates are used to obtain and allocate funding for
the overruns of the estimated project costs. This leads to the second reason for the need for cost
estimates: influencing public opinion
Public satisfaction is increased if transportation projects show and prove to the general public
that they are timely and within budget. Public declaration of the estimated cost of projects
needs to be thoughtfully provided only after care is taken to produce a well-documented, quality
estimate.
Project control relies on cost estimates to help keep projects within the appropriate fiscal
boundaries. Although not necessarily a “check and balance” format, the existence of the original
estimate will keep the project from growing and expanding beyond its spending limit.
As projects encounter problems, and their estimates come “under fire,” great scrutiny is given to
the project and its associated estimates. The ability to confront and solve problems and
obstacles relies in large part on the quality of the estimate and the documentation, which, if
done properly, will provide critical support to project success.
The reliability of project cost estimates at every stage in the project development process is
necessary for responsible fiscal management. Communication with decision makers on critical
budget issues is also adversely affected.
This manual provides guidance and instruction to design staff and project managers for a
consistent approach to cost estimating. At the same time, it provides guidance on how to treat
the common and recurring challenges encountered in the estimating process
Finally the main purpose of costing or estimating according to Oromia Construction authority is
to: • know the volume of work in reference to the fund available
• determine actual cost per unit of item for variation & supplementary works
• identifying engineering estimate of the work for bidding purpose
• work out economical use of materials , labour and equipment’s
Unit Rate ManualPage 1

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• in cases of variations to determine the extra cost to be incurred
Introduction
Oromia Construction Authority is responsible for the cost throughout all phases of Regional
building projects, from project initiation and Construction. Industrial & research firms that
prepare building studies, and develop final cost and construction documents, will submit Cost
Estimates and participate in cost control activities for each phase of projects.
Rigorous Cost Management is essential throughout each project’s planning, design, and
construction phase. This Estimating Manual contains forms and guidelines based on industry
standards to enable consistency for all Designers and Consultants in the Cost Management of
Oromia projects. Once an initial budget has been established, Industrial & research firms will
constantly monitor the project budget by employing a series of increasingly precise cost
estimating techniques, matching the development of the project design through each phase
Projects benefit from following a thoughtful and deliberate process when developing project
cost estimates. It is applied to all phases of project delivery, starting with the planning phase
estimate and ending with the Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) phase.
Each phase of an estimate may require different estimating inputs, methods, techniques, and
tools. The task of cost estimating, by its very nature, requires the application of prudent
judgment, from the initiation to the completion. Following is a short description of each step in
the cost estimating process.

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CHAPTER ONE
1.Specifications
Specification is defined as the designation or statement by which written instructions are given
distinguishing and/or limiting and describing the particular trade of work to be executed. In
short specification is a statement of particular instructions of how to execute some task.
Specification is one of the contract documents.
Specifications are written based on the prepared design, drawings, general and scientific trends
of workmanship, quality expected, equipment involved and materials to be used for the
particular trade of work. The specifications should clearly specify: -
1) Design and drawing
2) Labour employment
3) Materials to be used
4) Construction method
5) Equipments used
Specifications should be clear, concise, and brief descriptions of what is required to execute the
proposed trade of work. The information that is needed for construction is usually conveyed by
two basic communication lines. They are Drawings (pictorial) and Specifications (written).
In so doing the methods of communication should compliment each other and neither should
overlap or duplicate the other. Specifications are devices for organizing the information depicted
on the drawings and they are written descriptions of the legal and technical requirements
forming the contract documents. Their difference is that the drawings should generally show the
following:
1) Dimensions, extents, size, shape, and location of component parts
2) Location of materials, machineries, and fixtures
3) Interaction of furniture, equipments and space
4) Schedules of finishes, windows and doors
1.1. Types of Specifications
In general, specifications can be broadly classified into four categories as follows:

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1. Manufacturer’s specification: Manufacturers prepare specification of their product for the
guidance of their users, which may include property description and installation guide lines.
2. Guide Specification : Specifications prepared by an individual or group of individuals based on

manufacturer’s specifications, established trends of workmanship, service and laboratory tests
and research findings to be used as guide lines for preparation of contract specifications.
3. Standard Specification: Specifications which are intended to be used as a reference standard

in the construction of a project. The guide specification which has been standardized by a
recognized authority is considered as standard specification.
4. Contract (Project) Specification: the specification prepared for a particular project to

accompany the drawings and other contract documents. The specifications described above can
be prepared following the format which has general and specific parts (general specification and
specific specification).
In the general part of the standard specifications the following items are included:-
• Administrative and Procedural Requirements
• Scope, definitions
• Reference organizations and Standards
• Project description, site facilities
• Submittals and quality assurance
• Delivery, storage and handling
• Project records, Insurances, Other general requirements
In the specific part of the standard specifications, detailed description of the quality of items to
be used is given. In addition to this, preparatory actions and methods of incorporating the items
into the project are indicated.
1.2. Specification writing
Basically specifications are not to be created; they are prepared based on existing standards,
codes, guidelines, and laws.
Specification writing embodies certain methods of presenting information and instructions.

When specifications are to be written, the following shall be taken into consideration:-
a) Specification writing require
1. Visualization (having clear picture of the system)
2. Research (to know the legal impact correctly)

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3. Clear thinking (understanding things directly without misleading)
4. Organizing (organizing what we know to write the specification)
b) Specification writing require professional ability to read drawings
c) Specification writing require wide knowledge of the construction materials, various levels of
workmanship, different construction equipments and method of construction to be employed
d) Specifications use simple and clear language such that it can readily be understood.
e) Specifications shall be brief and short as much as possible (avoid long sentences without
punctuations)
f) Specifications shall include all items affecting the cost of the work
g) Specifications shall be fair and do not attempt to throw all risks and responsibilities on one of
the parties signing the contract, the employer or the contractor.
h) Specifications shall avoid repetition of information shown on drawings to avoid mistakes and
duplications within the specifications and drawings
i) Specifications shall not include inapplicable text and do not specify the impossible or anything
not intended to be enforced.
1.3. What are the useful references in specification writing?
The following are useful references in Specification Writing: -
1.Codes and ordinances of governments, cities, or municipalities. For example, Ethiopian

Building Code of Standards (EBCS)
2. Standards prepared by distinct societies and government agents. For example, ACI standards,
ASTM standards, BS, ES.
3. Standards or model specifications prepared by manufacturers, professional societies, and

government bodies.
4. Master specifications and previously written specifications.
5. Information or experience acquired by personal observation and contact with trained or

experienced people in the construction industry.
1.4. Specification language
The specification writer should present his instructions regarding the particular work under
consideration in such a manner that: -
1. The drawings are more clearly interpreted, not duplicated.

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2. Rights, obligations, and remedial measures shall be designated without ambiguity or
prejudice.
3. Clearly express the extent of works under consideration; therefore, the phraseology used in
this regard shall be: -
i) Judged by its quality not its length
ii) Should be concise and short and written with commonly used words
iii) Punctuations are important but their usage shall be limited to few
iv) Capitalizing the first letters is mandatory for the following expressions: -
a) Parties to the contract; e.g. Employer/Client /Contractor/ Engineer
b) Space within the building; e.g. Bed Room, Toilet, Living Room
c) Contract documents; e.g. Bill of Quantity, Working Drawing, Specification
v) Minimize pronouns, better to repeat nouns
vi) Minimize the use of symbols
vii) Do not use foot notes, do not underline within a sentence for emphasis
vi) Words shall be used as follows:-
a) shall in place of must; use “shall” for the duties of the contractor or the consultant to
represent the word “must”
b) “will” is used for the duties of the employer to represent the word “must”
c) “must” –avoid the use of the word “must” and substitute by the word shall to prevent the
inference of different degrees of obligation
d) Avoid the use of words which have indefinite meanings or limitless and ambiguous in their
meanings. For example, any, either, same, similar, etc.
2. Bill of Quantities
Describe the expected amount of work (measured) in works; it sets out the units of
measurement, the units of work, the unit price and the total cost of the works.
3. Drawings
Drawings are the means by which the designer conveys the physical, quantitative, and visual
description of the project to the contractor. The drawings are a two-dimensional representation
of the physical structure that meets the objectives of the owner. They are also known as plans or
blueprints.

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CHAPTER TWO
2.1. Introduction
Quantity surveying is a term or processes used in the construction industry to take

measurements of civil works, prepare specifications, and estimate the cost of works either for
each trade of work or for the whole project.
The following tasks are covered in quantity surveying:
1. Preparation of specification
2. Taking measurements of civil works (Taking off quantities and preparing BOQ)
3. Preparation of approximate (preliminary) cost estimate at the very early stage of the project
4. Preparation of detail cost estimate at different stages (taking as built measurements and
preparing payment certificates or approval of payment certificates prepared by taking
measurements)
5. Preparation of tender documents and examining tenders
6. Preparation of schedule of prices to negotiate with pre-qualified bidders (labour rates,

material supply rates, equipment rental rates)
7. Determination of values of works (executed works) and preparation of payment certificates 8.

Preparation of final accounts on completion of all of the works.
9. Valuation of property
2.2.Measurement of Civil Works
Measurement of civil works includes the billing of each trade of work either from drawings or
the building itself for defining the extent of works under each trade. The standard book, which is
used here, is standard technical specification & method of measurement for construction of
buildings by BaTCoDA, March 1991.
Specification Worksheet (BOQ form)

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It is the format which is used in a bill of quantity to list (include) a short description of the
specification along with its measuring unit, quantity and unit prices to determine the total cost
for each trade of item.
Project: X
Ite Description Unit Quantity Unit Price Amount
m
There are four clearly defined steps in preparation of Bill of Quantities:
1. Taking off 2. Squaring 3. Abstracting 4. Writing the final Bill of Quantity
2.2.1. Taking off
This is the process of preparing / defining a detailed list of all labor and materials necessary for
the work and entering the items on properly dimensioned paper. The standard form used for
entering the dimensions taken or scaled from drawings to determine the accurate quantity in
each trade of work, except reinforcement steel, is called take off sheet or dimension paper. The
dimension paper used for taking off is usually double – ruled as shown below (A4 size).
Title
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Column 1 is used for stating the number of times an item occurs and is called the timising
column.
Column 2 is called dimension column as it is used to enter the dimensions of the items of works.
The dimensions are entered in the order indicated below:Length, Width, Height or thickness.
Column 3 is called squaring column. The stated dimensions in column 2 are multiplied to
determine the quantity of the work either in ml, m2, m3 or in Pcs. or No.
Where as column 4 is called description column and description of the work item is briefly
stated.
A separate sheet (Bar Schedule) is used to prepare reinforcement quantities as shown below.

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The following tasks are part of the taking off (used to facilitate defining the quantities):
Describing the item, bracketing (relating the description to the quantity), timising, dotting on
(adding to the timising factor), the ampersand (ditto), waste calculations, deduction of items,
correction of dimensions (nullifying)
Project: Bending Schedule to:

Location Mark Shape Diameter Length No ∑L for
each
diameter
Total
W/m
∑W
2.2.2. Squaring:
The dimensions entered in Column 2 are squared or cubed as the case may be, multiplied by the
timising factor, and the result entered in Column 3. This task is called squaring. All squared
dimensions should be carefully checked by another person before abstracting, and if correct the
item should be ticked with red.
2.2.3. Abstracting:
The squared dimensions are transferred to abstract sheets and all similar dimensions are
collected in the same category to obtain the total quantity of each item.
2.2.4. Writing the Final Bill
After the abstract sheets have been completed and checked, the final bill of quantity is written.
The dimensions are copied from the abstracts, and as each item is transferred it should be ticked
by a vertical line from the abstract sheets. The description of each item in the final BoQ should
be short, precise and descriptive as per the specification.
2.3. Basic Principles in Taking Off
1. Drawings shall be fully understood and clearly detailed.
2. During discrepancies in detailing, dimensioning or if missing items exist obtain clarification

from the designer.
3. The BoQ shall accurately represent the works to be executed.
4. Works, which cannot be measured accurately, shall be expressed as provisional quantity (PQ)
and will result in provisional sum (PS) and lump sum (LS)

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5. Shall be prepared in such a way that discrepancies or mistakes in taking off will not result in
excessive variation in the project cost which directly will affect the budget allocation for the
project.
6. There shall be the understanding that measurements are taken to the nearest cm.
7. Built items shall generally include all possible entrants like labour, materials (including storing,
loading, unloading and handling), fixing, use of plant and equipment, wastage of materials,
equipment; which will result in a better process for establishing prices and profit.
8. There shall be understanding that there is a standard paper format to carry out
measurements of civil works, namely take off sheet or dimension paper, bending schedule and
specification worksheet.
9. Prior knowledge of the regulations is necessary (For E.g. roofing is measured in horizontal
projection).
10. Measurements of civil works shall be carried out in such a way that it can be easily checked
and audited.
2.4. Types of Taking Off
Mensuration – the calculation of geometric quantities such as length, area, and volume, from
dimensions and angles that are already known.
Girth (perimeter) computation –linear measurement. There are various methods of taking off
quantities for computation of girth.
Centre line method –suitable only when the cross sections of all walls are symmetrical. In this
method centre line length is found and same is used for taking off quantities (therefore only
width and depth vary).
Crossing method – lengths and breadths of walls as shown in plan are taken for working out
various items and this method is useful only if the offsets of footings are symmetrical.
In- to- in and out- to-out method –some wall lengths are taken out to out and others in to in
(offsets are added to out to out lengths) and same are deducted from in -to-in lengths; used for
any type of measurement irrespective of condition of symmetry.
2.5. Technical Specification and Method of Measurements for the different trade of Works
2.5.1. Building Project
The following specifications and methods of measurement are provided to guide the quantity
surveyor in the preparation of quantities for a building project. A typical building project will
have the following work items.
A-SUB STRUCTURE

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1. Excavation and earth work
2. Concrete Works
3. Masonry work
B. SUPER STRUCTURE
1. Concrete Works
2. Masonry Works
3 .Roofing
4. Carpentry and Joinery
5. Metal Works
6. Finishing
7 .Glazing
8. Painting
9 .Sanitary installation
10. Electrical installation
11. Civil Site Work
2.5.1.1. SUBSTRUCTURE
Any structure below the ground floor slab level including the basement, retaining walls, ground
slab, grade beam, and foundation is called a substructure. In most of the cases, substructure
work can be categorized as follows:
1. Excavation and earthworks (mandatory)
2. Concrete works (can be neglected sometimes)
3. Masonry works (mandatory)
1. Excavation and Earthworks
What types of works are included in excavation and earthworks?
a. Site clearance
Carbonations elements are not good in concrete, steel and timber works. In soils under
structures even 5% of these elements will damage the structure. Therefore, these materials
(including trees, bushes and the top 20 to 30 cm soil), termite hills, any other obstruction, too,

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have to be cleared. A working space of 1m is required on each side. It is sometimes necessary to
prepare separate specification for obstructions (demolition works) because reusable items like
doors and windows are there.
b. Excavation (bulk excavation)
Excavation to get reduced levels of every structural element below the ground level is called bulk
excavation. They are subdivided as follows depending on the subsurface condition.
™ -Ordinary soil - with boulders and without boulders and can easily be removed by shovel. ™-
Weathered rock –it can be divided easily without blasting ™
- Rock- bedded rocks that cannot be dug without blasting (requires using explosives)
Note: - Working space for bulk excavation is 25 cm (not used for shallow masonry) ƒ Depth of
excavation less than 30 cm – measured per m 2 ,depth > 30 cm per m 3
c. Fill / Embankment
Shall be measured in m3 of net volume to be filled. Fill is required because the reduced level of
every structural element above the structure has to be covered. Excavation and embankment
should not be added at a time in computing their volume, because their costs are different. The
major consideration under embankment is compaction. Compaction is done usually at 20 cm lift
thickness. The subdivisions under fill are:
Back fill: - filling by using the excavated soil but by removing coarse particles.
Borrow fill: - filling by using fill material from another place when there is shortage of fill or
when better quality material is required.
d. Disposal - cleaning the building area including cart away.
e. Sundry items – application of termite proof solution, providing hard coring, dust blinding,
expansion joints, etc are itemized as sundry items; measured in m2.
2. Concrete Works
a. Concrete
Cast in situ concrete – formed on site and requires formwork and reinforcement. Cast in situ
concrete shall be measured by volume except in ribbed slabs and grouting.
Prefabricated concrete –fabricated (manufactured) in a factory and brought to the site and
joined to make a building. It does not require formwork but needs a special care when
connecting the different elements. It is fast means to construct a building, though the different
elements may lack homogeneity.
Pretension (Post tensioned) Concrete –involves in bending up the concrete itself to make it
ready for the downward bending due to load.

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Concrete ancillaries- include windowsills, lintels, expansion joints, and permanent and
temporary embedded materials. It is measured in ml or enumerated.
Grades of Concrete
C5 - lean concrete, to protect the structural concrete from damage.
C15- for totally supported structural elements
C20- used for slabs; mix proportion is 1:2:4
C25 – Commonly used grade of structural Concrete; mix proportion is 1:2:3
C30 –Used for chemical stores and nuclear plants
b. Formwork – measured in m2
A temporary structural element, which supports slabs, beams in casting concrete. It shall be
designed and erected to safely support, vertical and lateral loads that might be applied until such
load can be supported by the concrete structure. Period of removal (minimum):
1. Vertical formwork to columns, walls and beams: 16 hrs
2. Soffits formwork to slab: 21 days
3. props to cantilever slabs: 14 days
4. Soffits formwork to beams: 21 days
5. Props to cantilever beams: 14 days
c. Reinforcement
The reinforcement bars are tied by ø6 mm mild steel wire and measured in kg
3. Masonry Works
Masonry works are works that are executed by laying building material units of specified
dimension through a binding material such as mortar. Stone obtained from quarries shall be
hard and sound, free from vents, cracks, fishers, discoloration or other defects that will
adversely affect strength or appearance. Stone chips to be produced shall not be less than 450
mm average and 380 mm in individual length. Stone for various masonry works shall be selected
and shaped as follows:
a. stone for facing works shall generally be selected for consistency in grain, color and
texture ,throughout the work
b. stone for below ground work shall be chiselled from natural stone

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Stone wall is measured by volume, whereas stone pavement is measured by area, specifying
thickness.
2.5.1.2. SUPERSTRUCTURE
1. Concrete works –
a. Concrete - mostly as discussed in substructure part
b. Formwork: Specify the type of material used and where to use (zigba or steel)
c. Reinforcement: Differentiation is made as to the diameters and where used (sub and super
structure) and Weight per unit length for Ф6 is 0.222 kg/m; for any other diameter d2, with
weight per unit length w2: w2 = (d22/62) * 0.222
2. Masonry works – measured by volume
Classification of stone masonry works:
1. Stone wall concealed from view or to be left for further finish (cheaper)
- shall be built in stone sizes of not less than 300 mm per course (one lay ) and 400 mm wide
per stone
- faces of stone walls to receive further finish shall have horizontal and vertical joints raked out
to form adequate key for further finish.
2. Roughly dressed stone wall (expensive)
- Shall be built in stone sizes of not less than 300 mm per course and 400 mm wide.
- The joints of the fair chiselled natural stones shall be finished slightly proud (aesthetical) and
cleaned off flush at completion
- The joints shall be raked out to a depth of 15 mm as the work proceeds and prepared for
jointing
3. Dressed stone wall facing (more expensive)
- The pattern type and size of the stone units shall be as detailed on drawings
- The joints of dressed stone wall shall be finished good and raked out to an approximate depth
of 15 mm.
4.Hollow and solid concrete blocks, measured by area specifying the thickness .Blocks shall be
manufactured from cement, aggregates, red ash, or pumice with no fine volcanic dust. Trial
mixes shall be prepared to attain the average minimum compressive strength after casting and
curing for 28 days. There are different classes of HCB:
Class A = 42 kg/ cm2 (for light loads)

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Class B = 35 kg /cm2 (for external walls)
Class C = 20 kg/cm2 (for partition walls)
Class AA=70 kg/cm2 (for load bearing sub structural works)
Class A-AA= 50 kg/cm2 (for load bearing super structural works)
Class AA and A-AA shall be obtained from 0.1 aggregate not from pumice or red ash. Blocks shall
be uniform in texture, size, and shape and free from any cracks and defects and also the surface
of blocks shall have a good key for plaster and rendering. The standard thicknesses of HCBs are
10cm, 15cm, and 20cm.
Bricks, measured by area specifying the thickness Bricks are fire resistant, watertight and can
also resist compressive action of up to 50 MPa. Bricks can be used for external, internal,
retaining and load bearing walls. Bricks shall be well made and adequately burnt, free from
cracks and particles of lime. Bricks exposed to weathering shall be selected for least in
absorption, high durability, uniform in color and texture. The thicknesses of bricks are 25 cm (for
double layer) and 12 cm (for single layer)
Adobe walls, measured by area specifying the thickness It is a mixture of clay, water and straw or
‘chid’ with high resistance to drying shrinkage and cracking. It shall be dried gradually; ordinary
type of masonry wall, and used for very low cost houses.
Stabilized soil block wall It is a mixture of soil, water, and Portland cement, used for low cost
houses.
Note: During measurement, no deduction is made for opening up to 0.25 m2 in area
5. Roofing and wall cladding
Galvanized corrugated iron sheet (CIS) Galvanized CIS for roof and wall cladding shall be of the
required size and thickness CIS less than G32 cannot be used for roofing and wall cladding of
permanent structures but for temporary works e.g. fence works, for provisional works. Include
G26, G28, G30, G32 and G35, where G26 is the thickest
Galvanized plain steel sheet (GPSS)
GGPSS is used for wall cladding, ridge cup, gutter, down pipes, flashing, copping, edge trimmers
etc; shall be to the size, thickness and galvanization required; shall not be less than G28; G24 is
usually used for gutter, down pipes; Overlaps at edges shall be minimum 15 cm
Galvanized ribbed sheets (EGA sheets)
Usually used for factory, hall etc. Shall comply with the requirements of the manual ‘KASI’ or
other standards acceptable to the Engineer to the sizes, thickness and distance to ribs.
Aluminium corrugated sheet for roofing and cladding

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The minimum thickness shall be 24 SWG (SWG = standard wire gauge), Corrugated sheets shall
have uniform corrugation parallel with the sides of the sheets.
Aluminium plain sheet accessories
Used for ridge cap, gutter, down pipes, flashing, copping etc.
Roof clay tiles
Tiles shall be manufactured in wet weather and prepared from clay. Clay tiles shall show clean
fracture when broken and shall not be less than 10 mm thick. Clay tiles shall be fixed to timber
using roof, nails, the holes in clays shall be pierced (using embedded in clay tiles)
Fixing accessories of roofing
Fixed to timber using chiselled or diamond edge and convex head galvanized nail drawn from
mild steel, Washers shall be diamond or flat pattern produced from rubber or bitumen coated
fiber homogenous and free from porosity (to prevent leakage)
Hooks, bolts, nuts and screws: - Shall be fixed to steel structures; the sizes of fixing accessories
shall be as recommended by the manufacturers and match with structural drawing.
Hangers and brackets
Used to fix gutters and down pipes; Formed from mild steel not less than 2 mm thick and 10 mm
wide; Hangers and brackets shall always be primed (coated) with anti-rust paint.
Gutter and down pipe Gutters
shall be laid to slopes as indicated on drawings not less than 0.05 percent. Gutter and down
pipes shall be overlapped min 15 cm and joints welded.
Method of measurement for roofing
Roof cover, side cladding, and the like shall be measured by area (m2), flat over the projection
area without addition for slopes and laps. Ridges, flashing, down pipes etc shall be measured by
length stating girth (development length) and without addition for laps, passing angles etc.
Rain water spout shall be enumerated stating the sizes and length. The same is true for most of
prefabricated items.
The following shall be understood as included: perforating, sealing, nailing, bolting, screwing,
battens, joists, wedges, spillers, covering lists , back supports, brackets , cutting ,bracing ,
trimming, jointing, boring ,etc.
6. Carpentry and joinery works

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Carpentry: -work on timber intended for structural purposes eg columns, beams, slab, truss etc
Joinery: - work on timber intended for finishing purposes eg floor finishes, wall claddings, doors
and windows, ceilings etc
Carpentry – includes Truss, rafter, beams and columns.
Shall be made from eucalyptus, kerero, zigba, tid, or other equivalent posts and Shall be
fabricated as per the detailed drawings. Posts shall be uniform in diameter and free from cracks
and shall be pealed off and allowed to season until the acceptable moisture content is achieved,
i.e. 20 % (seasoning = drying up to a certain moisture content)
Eucalyptus and kerero posts to be exposed to weather or buried below ground shall be pressure
impregnated. Trusses and rafter shall be tied with 6 to 8 mm diameter mild round steel.
Purlins - shall be produced from eucalyptus or zigba or other equivalent posts. Purlins shall be in
the sizes shown on drawings (standard dimension 5*7cm). The splices of purlins at joints shall be
minimum 60 cm and shall be securely nailed to trusses and rafter.
Joinery
A. Ceiling
Ceiling shall be built to types, size and thickness on drawings. The face of the panels to be
exposed to view shall be smooth enough to receive further finish. Soffits nailed to supporting
ceiling buttons.
Soffits are made of chip wood, plywood, hard board, soft board nailed to timber buttons
Minimum size of buttons is 4*5 cm and maximum spacing is 60 cm in both directions. Button
shall be fixed to the truss or rafters in 4*5 cm sawn timber suspenders. The joints of ceilings to
wall shall be covered with moulded corner lists not less than 50mm and joints of panels be
covered with mild timber and moulded lists not less than 30 mm wide.
Suspended ceiling Soffits
Cheap wood, plywood and other ceilings suspended from supports by wire, chains and steel
profiles and materials resting on the metal profile. Milled timber Soffits Made of zigba or kerero,
Minimum thickness is 15 mm, Minimum panel width is 60 mm Timber boards shall be grooved
and tongued, Buttons shall be 50*50 mm and c/c 50 cm spacing.
Milled timber accessories
Fascia board shall have minimum thickness of 20 mm, Edges shall be chamfered. For Milled
timber cladding - Use a smooth joint that is without tongue and grove, and Cladding to wall shall
be to the size, shape and patterns as on the drawings.
B. Doors, Windows and Wall Panels
Door frames

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Shall be notched to receive iron mongery (hinge, lock and handle) and Lists of cover joints
between frame and wall shall be milled timber not less than 50 mm wide.
a) Glazed wooden doors - the side , top bottom and intermediate rails shall be mortised and
tenoned - rails shall be single width timber
b) Panel wooden doors - plywood or other panels are used in place of glazing
c) Flush wooden door - Finished thickness of flush doors not less than 40mm, Face panels on
either face shall not be less than 8 mm, Cover panels if tongued, boards shall not be less than
15mm
Wall panels - Wall Panels include fully solid or partly glazed partition for buildings, Tongued and
grooved milled timber boards not less than width of 80 mm and 15 mm thick, If open jointed
milled timber is used, width=100mm and thickness=15mm, Block board with specified plywood
exposed surface of less than 20mm thickness
C. Cupboard and counters
Built in cupboards: - fixed cupboards on construction of the building; shall be constructed from
milled timber and paneled boards. It has frames of 40x40 mm milled timber, fixed to wall, the
bottom part is made up of 20mm thick edge lipped block board with exposed faces covered by
plywood, and Rear, side and top part of the cupboard shall be lined with 6mm exposed face
smooth finish plywood
Drawers: - shall be built in 20 mm thick milled timber, bottom of drawer shall be block board not
less than 6mm thick, shall have milled timber plastic or metal guide rails to each other
Shelves: - 20 mm thick block board with upper face finished smooth and be supported on
hardwood metal or plastic support securely screwed or nailed to the cupboard frame
Methods of measurement for carpentry and joinery
- Structural members other than truss shall be measured by length stating size (eg columns,
beams)
- Roof trusses shall be enumerated stating type and referring drawings (sometimes measured in
meter length)
- Boarding, flooring, partitions, Soffits (ceiling),curtain walls are measured by area and shall be
understood as including frames , corner lists and hard wares(hinge ,handle , lock )
- Fascia boards, eaves, skirting shall be measured by length stating girth
- Built in furniture and boards shall be enumerated stating sizes
5. STEEL STRUCTURAL WORK
Steel is used for constructing:-

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- Beams, columns, suspended slab, truss, rafter
- Composite structure (steel +concrete)
- Up to 15m span we can use timber trusses, but for span greater than 15m,we have to use a
steel structure
Bolts and nuts
- are used to connect (fix )structural steel with concrete or other material
- welding is usually not recommended for steel structures because it does not allow movement
Steel plates (steel to steel connection)
- used for splices of joints
- used for bearing plates
Fabrication
- shall follow sequences which are suitable for assembling and erection
- cutting shall be sawing, shearing (steel cutter ),copping or flame cutting (oxyacetylene cutter)
- holes shall be drilled or punched
- holes shall not be more than 3mm larger than diameter of bolts Assembling erection
- adequate care shall be taken to ensure that components are not bent or twisted
- bolted connection shall be drawn together
- washers shall be provided where slot holes are oversize
- anchors and embedded connection shall be set and grouted before mounting Method of
measurement
- Beams, trusses, columns and purlins, bracings, rails, etc shall be measured by weight (Kg),
identified by profiles and type of structures
- Connection plates, base plates, angle iron ties, brackets shall be measured by weight or
enumerated stating profiles and dimensions respectively
- Anchor bolts enumerated stating size and development length
7. METAL WORKS
Includes either iron or aluminium works:
- Metal door window frames and Steel profiles produced from standard grade of steel

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- Aluminium profiles: - wrought aluminum and alloys are used. Nuts, bolts, screws and fasteners
are coated or produced from non-oxidizing metal.
Fabrication
- Formed accurate to required profiles and sizes Erection
- be placed accurately in position aligned, plumbed, and levelled
- they are usually door and window frames and hence no assembling of parts except fabrication
and erection
Classification
1) Casement doors and windows
- side , bottom, and top hinged
- LTZ frame (iron made)
- SECCO profile (steel)
- RHS frames (refer KASI manual)
- SECCO profile is more expensive than LTZ
2) Heavy duty sliding door
- Guide and roller trucks shall be in mild steel in the sizes specified
- Rollers shall be heavy duty and produced from stainless steel and be provided at top
3) Louver window
4) Security grills
- Produced from mild steel galvanized or percolated solid plates or hollow profiles of patterns as
shown on drawings
5) Guard rails
- fastened to support securely embedded in concrete or welded
6) Wire netting and fly screen
- netted wire produced from steel
- mesh for flag screen shall not be more than 10 mm
7) Corner protection

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-not less than 30 mm
- shall be securely screwed and embedded to angle of materials for protection
Method of measurement
- Doors and windows enumerated stating sizes (the glazing work shall be measured separately)
- Curtain walls by area
- Balustrade rails, corner protection by length stating development length
- Security grills fixed to windows and doors by area
- Louvers enumerated in size stating number of blades (louver jamb sets)
The following shall be understood as included: chiselling, cutting, welding, riveting, shaping,
grinding, drilling, assembling, fixing, protective treatment , decorative paint , frames,
beads ,lining , anchors , hardwares etc(hard wares include hinge, lock, handle)
8. FINISHING WORK
1) Plastering and Pointing works The ingredients are:
- Cement (ordinary Portland cement), Lime
- Gypsum (such as plaster of Paris )
- Aggregate (fine or crushed aggregates), water
Surfaces to receive plaster, pointing or screed shall be thoroughly cleaned and wetted. The
surface should be raked out to a minimum depth 10 mm to form proper key (if the thickness
of plastering is greater than 2.5cm, it may crack) and the surface should be rubbed with cement
slurry (cement +water).
A. Plastering
First coat: - mix proportion 1:2.5(cement: aggregate by volume)
- minimum thickness of 5 mm
- spread by trowel and allowed to cure for 24 hours before applying the second coat
Second coat: - mix proportion 1:1:6 (cement: lime: aggregate by volume) or 1: 4 (cement:
aggregate by volume)
- max thickness of 12 mm
- dried for 21 days
Fine finish or fine coat cement plaster:

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- mix proportion 1:2 (cement +fine sand)
- shall be finished truly and level, use fine sand for smooth finish as final coat
Fine coat lime plaster: - mix proportion 1:2 (lime: fine aggregate)
- further finish up to 28 days
Fine coat gypsum plaster: - mix proportion 1:3 (gypsum: lime putty)
- cured for 28 days
Render coat: - mix proportion 1:2:5 (cement: lime: fine aggregate) or mix proportion 1:3
(cement: fine aggregate)
- shall be manual or machine sprayed, wetted for 7 days
Cement pointing: - mix proportion 1:2 (cement: fine aggregate)
- can be flush or recess pointing
- plaster and pointing works shall be measured by area and Internal and external works shall be
measured separately
The following shall be understood as included: preparing background , hacking out joints ,
grouting , jointing , recessing etc
a) Floor and Wall Finish
Terrazzo tiles: -used for floor finish and skirting
- shall be pre-cast or cast in situ elements
- shall have a minimum topping of two parts of marble or granite chipping from an approved
quality with one part cement
- the minimum grading of the chip shall be 5mm
- usually have a thickness of 2 cm
- shall be applied onto 3 cm thick cement screed bedding (specified thickness )
Pre-cast cement tiles: - produced from crushed aggregates (0.1 mm gravel) and sand mix

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- minimum thickness shall be 20mm
- shall be applied on 3 cm cement screed bedding
- cheaper than terrazzo tile
Marble tiles
- shall be in accordance with quality, color and texture as shown (specified )
- shall be straight edged and smooth surfaced
- cement mortar backing for walls and cement screed bedding for floors
Marble chips
- flooring thickness shall not be less than 20 mm and does not exceed 50 mm
- chips shall be irregular shape and the smallest dimension shall not be less than 100mm
- the exposed surface of mortar finish to marble chip shall not exceed 1:3 proportion Ceramic
and mosaic tiles
- ceramic tiles shall be glazed type of approved color , texture and size
- ceramic tiles shall be 6mm thick for walls and not less than 15mm for floors
- mosaic tiles shall be in regular square or hexagonal sizes not exceeding 25mm in dimension of
each size
PVC tiles
- usually thermoplastic
- the tiles and skirting shall be resistant to household oil and acids
- the glue (adhesive ) for fixing PVC tiles and skirting shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s
instruction
- usually 2mm thick PVC tiles and 48 mm cement screed is used
Milled timber floor: - Having a thickness not less than 20 mm and minimum width of 70mm and
shall be tongued and grooved
- Width of 70mm and shall be tonged and grooved
- Nailed to sawn timber joists
- Minimum size of joists 60x100mm c/c 50 cm
- Joists shall be accurately embedded in concrete

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- Skirting: - machine smooth finished with minimum thickness of 20 mm and width 80mm, Edges
shall be chamfered
COPPING, CILLS, STEPS, RISERS
- can be from marble , terrazzo , concrete , stone etc and shall be laid as per the drawing
Stone and concrete pavements: - dressed or roughly dressed sand stone or precast concrete
shall be laid on compacted fill of 10 mm sand or red ash bedding and joints pointed with cement
The following shall be measured by area specifying material, size and thickness
- all finishes to floors and walls except skirting , copping and cills
- all finishes to risers , treads, and landings to stairs
The following shall be measured in length specifying material, size and thickness
- skirting, risers, treads, cills and copings, dividing strips in floors
The following shall be understood as included:
- preparing background, hacking , raking , grouting , bedding , jointing , rubbing and priming
8. GLAZING
Transparent glass
- Sheet glass (clear glass)
- Transparent glass shall be clear or tinted, transmitting light and capable of showing objects
Figured glass
- have sufficient imprinting of texture or pattern totally or substantially obscure vision
Opal glass
- vision from inside but not from outside
Wired glass
-shall be in wire mesh, transparent, translucent or figured
Putty
- used for fixing the glass to the frame
- shall be quick , hard setting, tropical putty specially manufactured for glazing works

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Method 0f Measurement
- glazing shall be measured by area
- glazing to louvers and special fixing may be enumerated by stating size and thickness - The
following shall be understood as included: - Bedding, mastic, fixing, beading, cleaning etc.
9. PAINTING WORKS
Oil based priming paints: -
- priming coat
– initial or preparatory coats
- applied to surfaces readily mixed or base paints
Aluminum priming paints
- for wood work
- shall be for brush application
Metallic zinc rich priming paints
- shall be applied to iron and steel surfaces Oil Paints
- water proof
- shall be applied in accordance with manufacturers instruction
- can be applied for walls, wood work , metals
Plaster Emulsion Paints
- normal and usual type of painting
- shall be selected for interior and exterior works
Synthetic Enamel Paints
- used for metals with manufacturers instruction
Method of Measurement
- painting shall be measured by area
- special application to edges shall be measured in length stating the girth
- internal and external surfaces shall be measured separately

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The following shall be understood as included: Trimming, cutting, matching patterns, cleaning,
and priming.
10. SANITARY WORKS
It includes all works on building in connection with supply of potable water and removal of solid
and liquid wastes
CLASSIFICATION OF SANITARY INSTALLATIONS
Pipes
- Galvanized steel pipes
–used for distribution of water (pipes for cold and hot potable water) internally and externally
installed having plain or threaded ends.
- Pipes are measured by length stating diameter taken along the center line over all fittings
Valves:
- Flanges used to connect pipes and for controlling
- Check valves, gate valve, service valves
- shall be in specified material and size at positions indicated in drawings
- Enumerated stating diameter
UPVC (un plasticised PVC)
– rigid thermoplastic conduit
- can be used for cold water distribution
- usually used for solid waste and surface drainage with vent pipe in horizontal and vertical
stacks
- shall be measured in length stating diameter and understood to include accessory joint fitting
like Y,T, joints
Pre-cast concrete pipes – for solid waste and surface drainage
Solid pipes –surface drainage and sewage
Perforated pipes – subsurface drainage
Manholes: - Manholes are used for inspection, reduction of number of pipes, change of
directions at angles and shall be in pre-cast concrete C 20 quality or Class A hollow brick as
indicated and detailed in the drawings.

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- shall be laid on a minimum concrete bed of 150mm
- enumerated stating size and depth including all related earthwork
Concrete pipes shall be measured in length, stating the diameter and understood as including:
setting out, trench excavation, pipe laying, jointing, bedding and backfills
Septic Tanks, Soakawy Pits and Percolation Ditch
Solid and liquid waste (concrete) pipe and Manhole or septic tank
- Measurement shall be done in accordance with the method of measurement for each item of
works
- May be specified on lump sum for costing
Sanitary Fixtures
- Shall be manufactured of standards acceptable for the intended purpose
- Appliances shall be supplied with mounting and plugging devices, valves, chains, waste plug,
traps, handles, flexible pipes, bolts, nuts screws, hinges etc
11. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
It includes supply, erection, installation, testing and commissioning of electrical wires as

generally shown on electrical drawings. Materials shall be fully in accordance with qualities,
tolerances, tests, recommendations, method of workmanship as described on specification and
all accessories shall be fixed at the following heights above finished floor level unless specified
on the BOQ or drawings. 1) Underground cable ducts
- made of pre-cast concrete pipes or galvanized steel pipes
- for protection of power and telephone outlet cable
- it shall be the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that the underground duct is installed
correctly according to each party’s requirement
- pre-cast concrete , galvanized steel UPVC are used (similarly as given for sanitary installation)
- Manholes – similar to the requirements for sanitary installation
2) Distribution boards (DB)
Main distribution boards (MDB) and sub distribution board (SDB)
- The contractor shall supply and install medium voltage MD panel as shown on the drawings.
Arrangement of the panel shall be as to permit the ready incoming and out going cables.

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- Sub distribution board (SDB) shall be surface flush mounted and DB shall be of the type fully
enclosed sheet steel cabinet and hinged cover
- DBs shall be enumerated stating the power and voltage supply including all related works
3) PVC cables – underground cables shall be pvc insulated steel wire and pvc served overall and
all cables shall have copper conductors - measured in meter linear
4) Light points, power and socket outlets
- outlets are either of bell, fan , telephone , TV or antenna
- outlets shall be enumerated and understood as including all related works Light points
- Fed through specified size pvc insulated conductors of thermoplastic conduits of 13.5 mm
diameter for surface installation including junction boxes with cover and insulating caps
- Ditto as above but in steel conduits of 15 mm diameter
Socket outlets – same as light points
Bell points - fed through PVC insulated conductor of 2mm by 0.8 mm2 inside thermoplastic
conduits including junction boxes with covers
Measurement: - enumerated and understood to include related works
5) Electrical fixtures - Light fixtures
–shall be enumerated stating type of fixtures
- Air conditioners - Fans, Bell systems
- Shall be enumerated stating type of fixture
C. EXTERNAL WORKS, SERVICES
Includes pavements, parking, landscaping and gardening, fencing and Excavation and earthworks
for slope stabilization or drainage ditches
Example: - Find out quantities of excavation and earthwork and concrete for the single isolated
footing.
2.5.2.Road Project
The following specifications and methods of measurement have been summarized from the
Technical Specification for Road Projects by the Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA, 2002). The
preparation of quantities is based on high way design and is assumed to have been discussed in
Highway Engineering courses.

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Group Name Group Description of Works

Group I – General / Site Works Living quarters, Offices, Laboratories,
Vehicles with operating costs
Group II – Earth Works Clearing & grubbing, Common earth
work, rock and borrow excavation,
Overhaul, sub -grade preparation, and
capping layers.
Group III – Pavement Works Sub – base, base , surface coatings and
asphalt concrete works
Group IV – Major / Minor Drainage Culvers, Structures ( bridges), Pipes,
Works Drainage works
Group V – Miscellaneous / Incidental Road furniture: guide post, curbs, signs
Works and retaining walls
Group IV – Day Work Provisions Provisions made for different day work
rates
CHAPTER THREE
PROJECT COST ESTIMATION
Introduction

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Project Cost estimation is the process of valuing on monetary expression, including the
cost of all possible entrants necessary for the planning, implementing and monitoring
stages of the proposed project under consideration. The possible entrants are:
- Preliminary investigation (project appraisal costs)
- design and supervision (consultancy cost )
- construction works (contractor’s cost )
- land owning cost, and
- monitoring costs
Cost due to construction is given special attention here; it includes cost due to material,
cost due to labor, cost due to equipment, overhead costs and contractor’s profit. In
order to facilitate estimation of cost due to material, it is important to know the
quantities of various elements involved in construction of various parts of the building
work i.e. material break down is essential. As an example material break down for 1m3
of plain cement concrete of C25 (1:2:3 mix) grade is given below:
Materials required for 1:2:3 cement concrete mix – a commonly used grade of concrete
for structural works.
Wet (fresh) concrete mix ……….……= 1m3
e) Quantity for dry base analysis...= 1.55m3
f) Volume of cement…………………= 1/6*1.55 = 0.258m3 = 0.258m3/0.035m3 per bag

= 7.4 bags of cement
g) Sands ………………………….........= 2/6* 1.55 = 0.517m3 of sand
h) Coarse aggregate………………….= 3/6 *1.55 = 0.775m3 of coarse aggregate
i) Water …………………………….….= 0.16 m3 ( assuming w/c 0.62)
Note: - 1.5 to 1.6 times dry volume of the materials is required to get 1m3 of compact
dense fresh concrete mix.
Types of Costing or Estimation
Estimation can be broadly classified as preliminary (approximate) and detailed
Preliminary /approximate costing

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This type of cost estimation is required to know the financial position of the client before
costly detailed designs are carried out. Such estimates are based on practical knowledge
and cost of similar previous works. Examples of approximate cost estimations are as
follows:
A. Cost per functional unit
Hospital =cost per bed, Dormitory = cost per student, Cinema or theatre = cost per seat,
residential buildings = cost per area, road works = cost per kilometer length, culverts or
bridges = cost per meter span, water supply or sewerage projects = cost per head of
population.
B. Plinth area method – cost per m2.
This estimate is prepared on the basis of plinth area of the building. The rate per meter
square is deduced from the cost of similar building projects in the locality. The plinth
area shall be calculated based on the roof area, by taking external dimensions of the
building at the plinth level. Courtyard and other open area shall not be included in the
plinth area.
C.Cubical Content method – cost per m3
The estimate is based on cubical contents of various buildings, i.e. plinth area of the
building x height x cubic content rate. Height should be taken from the top of flat roof
(or halfway of the sloped roof) to the top of concrete in foundation.
Detailed cost estimate( based on item rate)
This is the most reliable and accurate type of estimate. The quantities of items are
carefully prepared from the drawings and the total cost worked out from up to date
market rates. A detail cost estimate thus requires quantity surveying and analysis of the
different rates for the quantities prepared
Rate Analysis
Rate Analysis is the process of fixing cost per unit of measurement for the different item
of works. Cost due to construction (contractor’s cost) is given special attention here.
Total cost per unit of work (TC) may be grouped into two components; direct cost and
indirect cost. The direct cost (DC) includes cost due to material, cost due to labor, cost
due to equipment, whereas the indirect(IC) cost covers overhead costs, and contractor’s
profit. Overhead costs are expenses for general office facility, rents, taxes, electrical
light, water, and other miscellaneous items.

1
In order to facilitate estimation of cost due to material, it is important to know the
quantities of various materials involved in construction of various parts of the building or
construction work i.e. material break down is essential as shown above. Different
formats, Excel sheets and softwares (like CONMIS) are used for rate analysis; a typical
format is shown below.
Example: - Calculate the Unit price for C -25 concrete per m3 of work (formwork and
reinforcement rated separately). Assume 10% overhead and 8 % profit.
Solution: -
Total cost (TC) = Direct Cost (DC) + Indirect Cost(IC)
IC= 25 % of DC
Direct Cost (DC) = Material Cost (MC) + Labour Cost (LC) + Equipment Cost (EC)
Material cost (MC) – using the material breakdown shown above:
Materials required for 1:2:3 cement concrete mix – a commonly used grade of concrete
for structural works.
Wet (fresh) concrete mix ……..……= 1m3
A. Quantity for dry base analysis...= 1.55m3
B. Volume of cement………………= 1/6*1.55 = 0.258m3 = 0.258m3/0.035m3 per bag

= 7.4 bags of cement
C. Sands ………………………….....= 2/6* 1.55 = 0.517m3 of sand
D. Coarse aggregate…………….….= 3/6 *1.55 = 0.775m3 of coarse aggregate
E. Water …………………………….= 0.16 m3 ( assuming w/c 0.62)
Cement =7.4Bags/m3 *500/2 Birr/Bags =1,850 Birr/m3

Sand =0.517m3 * 400 Birr/m3 =206.8 Birr/m3
Aggregate =0.775m3 * 450 Birr/m3 =348.75 Birr/m3
Water =0.16 m3 * 10Birr/m3 =1.60 Birr/m3
Total =2,407.15 Birr/m3
Labour cost (LC)
Assuming the crew consists of a site engineer, foreman, mason, and four daily labourers
and a productivity of 0.50 m3 per hr:

1
Personnel Salary Per hr Utilization LC/hr

Factor(UF)
Site =4,000Birr/Month(22days*8hrs/ =1/10=0.1(Assuming 2.27
Engineer day) to foreman under
=22.73 Birr/hr site Engineer
Foreman = 200 Birr/Day * 1/8 Day/ hr = 25 = 1/4 = 0.25 6.25
Birr/ hr ( Assuming 4 crew
under foreman)
Mason = 150 Birr/Day * 1/8 Day/ hr = =1 18.75
18.75 Birr/ hr
Daily =4*100Birr/Day*1/8 =1 50
Labours(4 Day/hr=50Birr/hr
)
Mixer = 32 Birr/Day * 1/8 Day/ hr = 4.00 =1 4.00
Operator Birr/ hr
Total LC ( Birr/ hr) ( i.e. 0.5 m 3 ) =81.27
Total LC ( Birr/m3) =81.27Birr/hr/(.5m3/
hr)=162.54
Equipment Cost (EC)
Assuming a mixer with an hourly rate of 20.00 Birr / Hr and productivity of 0.5 m3 per
hour:
Mixer = 20 Birr/hr * 1/0.5 = 40.00 Birr / m3

m3/hr
Total EC = 40.00 Birr/ m3
DC = MC + LC +EC
DC = 2,407.15 + 162.54 + 40.00 = 2,609.69 Birr/m3
IC = 25/100 * 2,609.69 = 652.42 Birr/m3
TC = (2,609.69 + 652.42) Birr/m3 = 3,262.11≅ 3, 262.00 Birr/m3

1
Basic Assumption
1.Social Charge Percentage
Annual leave 5
Holiday 7
Compensation payment 6
Mouring leave 3
Insurance(Workmen Collective) 8
Overtime 40
Idle time payment(3 months) 15
Training 2
Sum 86
2.Labour index factor Percentage
Social charge 66
Displacement allowance 30
Desert allowance 0
Food and Lodging 35
Other expenses 5
Sub Total 136
Basic Salary 100
Market Fluctuation 13
Indexed salary 249
FACTOR TO ADOPT 2.49
3.Indirect Cost Percentage
Project Overhead 10
Head office Overhead 0
Profit margin 8
Income tax provision 3
Price escalation (non legislative) 2
Sum 23
4.Indirect Cost(Provisional) Percentage
Project Overhead 10
Head office Overhead 0
Profit margin 8
Income tax provision 3
Price escalation (non legislative) 2
Sum 25
5.Working hours in a month
Average Calendar days 30
Sundays in a month 4
Holidays(average in a month) 1
Working days in a month 25
Working hours per day 8
Working hours per month 200

1
1.REINFORCEMENT BAR Weight of reinforcement bar per meter =

(Ø 2 X 0.222)/36
Diameter Of Bar Weight per Meter(Kg/m) Wastage Factor

Ø6 0.222 2%
Ø8 0.395 3%
Ø 10 0.617 5%
Ø 12 0.888 10%
Ø 14 1.209 12%
Ø 16 1.579 15%
Ø 20 2.467 17%
Ø 24 3.552 20%
Note: The Wastage factor shown above in the table is used only for material
requirement (Material demand)

1
STRUCTURE STEEL WORK
NOTE: Reference ETHIOPIAN STANDARD ES ISO 657/14:2007 and

KALITI METAL PRODUCT FACTORY Product Catalog
SHS(Square Hollow Section)

Size Unit Conversion Wastage Factor Wastage Factor
Factor For Material For Payment
Demand
Size:-40x40x2.5mm Kg/m 2.89 7% 5%
Size:-40x40x2mm Kg/m 2.31 7% 5%
Size:-30x30x2.5mm Kg/m 2.11 7% 5%
Size:-30x30x1.5mm Kg/m 1.30 7% 5%
Size:-25x25x2.5mm Kg/m 1.71 7% 5%
Size:-25x25x2mm Kg/m 1.41 7% 5%
Size:25x25x1.5mm Kg/m 10.06 7% 5%
Size:20x20x2mm Kg/m 1.10 7% 5%
Size:20x20x2.5mm Kg/m 1.32 7% 5%
CHS(Circular Hollow Section)
Demand
C.H.S ɸ50x2.0mm Kg/m 2.37 5% 3%
C.H.S ɸ50x2.5mm Kg/m 2.93 5% 3%
C.H.S ɸ30x2.5mm Kg/m 1.7 % %
LTZ
Demand
28mm black iron LTZ section steel profile With 1.2mm thickness
L Section Kg/m 1.10 5% 3%
T Section Kg/m 1.33 12% 10%
Z Section Kg/m 1.33 5% 3%


1

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Oromia Construction Authority Cost Estimation Manual 202

 State financial plan

• identifying engineering estimate of the work for bidding purpose

• work out economical use of materials , labour and equipment’s

Unit Rate ManualPage 1

Unit Rate ManualPage 2

1) Design and drawing

1) Dimensions, extents, size, shape, and location of component parts

2) Location of materials, machineries, and fixtures

3) Interaction of furniture, equipments and space

4) Schedules of finishes, windows and doors

1.1. Types of Specifications

In general, specifications can be broadly classified into four categories as follows:

Unit Rate ManualPage 3

2. Guide Specification : Specifications prepared by an individual or group of individuals based on

3. Standard Specification: Specifications which are intended to be used as a reference standard

4. Contract (Project) Specification: the specification prepared for a particular project to

• Administrative and Procedural Requirements

• Reference organizations and Standards

• Project description, site facilities

• Submittals and quality assurance

• Delivery, storage and handling

• Project records, Insurances, Other general requirements

1.2. Specification writing

Specification writing embodies certain methods of presenting information and instructions.

a) Specification writing require

1. Visualization (having clear picture of the system)

2. Research (to know the legal impact correctly)

Unit Rate ManualPage 4

4. Organizing (organizing what we know to write the specification)

b) Specification writing require professional ability to read drawings

1.3. What are the useful references in specification writing?

The following are useful references in Specification Writing: -

1.Codes and ordinances of governments, cities, or municipalities. For example, Ethiopian

3. Standards or model specifications prepared by manufacturers, professional societies, and

4. Master specifications and previously written specifications.

5. Information or experience acquired by personal observation and contact with trained or

1.4. Specification language

Unit Rate ManualPage 5

Unit Rate ManualPage 6

Quantity surveying is a term or processes used in the construction industry to take

The following tasks are covered in quantity surveying:

5. Preparation of tender documents and examining tenders

6. Preparation of schedule of prices to negotiate with pre-qualified bidders (labour rates,

7. Determination of values of works (executed works) and preparation of payment certificates 8.

2.2.Measurement of Civil Works

Specification Worksheet (BOQ form)

Unit Rate ManualPage 7

There are four clearly defined steps in preparation of Bill of Quantities:

1. Taking off 2. Squaring 3. Abstracting 4. Writing the final Bill of Quantity

2.2.1. Taking off

Unit Rate ManualPage 8

Project: Bending Schedule to:

2.2.4. Writing the Final Bill

2.3. Basic Principles in Taking Off

1. Drawings shall be fully understood and clearly detailed.

2. During discrepancies in detailing, dimensioning or if missing items exist obtain clarification

3. The BoQ shall accurately represent the works to be executed.

Unit Rate ManualPage 9

2.4. Types of Taking Off