Estimating & Valuation — Exam Pattern Analysis 2014–2025

Q 1(a) — Fundamentals of Estimating

Data Requirements & Importance of Estimating — Asked 8×

Years: 2024S, 2023S, 2022F, 2021S, 2021F, 2020F, 2018F, 2017S

Methods of Taking Out Quantities — Asked 5×

Years: 2024S, 2023S, 2019S, 2018S, 2014S

Types / Classification of Estimates — Asked 4×

Years: 2016S, 2015S, 2015F, 2014F

Requirements of an Estimate — Asked 3×

Years: 2018S, 2016F (repeated), 2016S

Characteristics of Estimating — Asked 2×

Years: 2021F, 2017F

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Q 1(b) — Rate Analysis & Material Calculations

Prepare Rate Analysis for Sanitary Items — Asked 12×

• Wash Basin complete set: 2024S, 2023F, 2022F, 2021F, 2020F, 2019F, 2018F, 2016F
• W.C. Commode with cistern: 2021S, 2020S, 2020F, 2019S

Factors Affecting Rate Analysis — Asked 7×

Years: 2024S, 2022F, 2021F, 2019S, 2018F, 2018S, 2016S

Define / Explain Rate Analysis & Necessity — Asked 6×

Years: 2023F, 2020F, 2018F, 2016S, 2016F, 2015S

Calculate Material Quantities — Asked 5×

• Brick masonry with openings: 2024S, 2022F, 2021F, 2019F
• Plastering work: 2024S, 2021F, 2019F, 2017F
• Concrete work: 2021S, 2018S
• Reinforcement bars: 2018S

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Q 2(a) — Preliminary Estimate

Preliminary Estimate by Plinth Area Method — Asked 14× (Every Year)

Years: 2024S, 2023S, 2023F, 2022F, 2021F, 2021S, 2020S, 2020F, 2019S, 2018F, 2017S, 2016S, 2016F, 2015F, 2015S, 2014S

Standard Components to Include:

• Carpet area given → calculate built-up area (add circulation 20–40%)
• Wall area (usually 8–10% of built-up area)
• Plinth area = Built-up area + Wall area
• Base cost = Plinth area × Plinth area rate
• + Water supply & sanitary (6–13% of building cost)
• + Electrical work (8–12% of building cost)
• + Architectural treatment (0.5–3% of building cost)
• + Deeper foundation (1–1.5% of building cost)
• + Contingencies (2.5–5% of total)
• + Supervision charges (5–10% of total)

Preliminary Estimate by Cubic Content Method — Asked 3×

Years: 2023F, 2021F, 2017S

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Q 2(b) — Specification Writing

Detailed Specification for Specific Works — Asked 13×

• Brick work in cement mortar: 2023F, 2021S, 2019F, 2017S, 2016F, 2015F
• R.C.C. work (M20/1:2:4): 2022F, 2021S, 2019S, 2018S, 2015S, 2015F
• P.C.C. work: 2020S

General Specification for Road / Bituminous Work — Asked 3×

Years: 2019S, 2019F, 2016S

Specification for Plastering Works — Asked 2×

Years: 2017S, 2016F (repeated)

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Q 3(a) — Earthwork in Road Construction

Calculate Earthwork in Cutting & Filling (Hill Road) — Asked 15× (Appears Every Year)

Years: 2024S, 2023S, 2023F, 2022F, 2021F, 2021S, 2020S, 2019S, 2019F, 2018F, 2017S, 2017F, 2016S, 2016F, 2015F, 2015S, 2014F, 2014S

Key Components:

• Formation width (typically 7–11 m)
• Side slopes in cutting (1:1 or 1.5:1)
• Side slopes in banking/filling (2:1 or 1.5:1)
• Cross slope of ground (varies 6:1 to 15:1)
• RL of ground level and formation level given
• Depth of cutting / height of banking at different chainages
• Use graphical method or Prismoidal formula

Cost Estimate of Earthwork — Asked 2×

Years: 2023F, 2021S

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Q 3(b) — Unit of Measurement & Mode of Payment

Tabulate Unit of Measurement & Payment for 5 Items — Asked 8×

Years: 2023F, 2022F, 2021F, 2020F, 2019F, 2018F, 2017F, 2016F

Most Frequently Asked Items:

• Honey comb brick wall / Brick coping (5×)
• C.G.I. sheet roofing (5×)
• Cement pointing work (4×)
• Marble skirting / Wooden skirting (4×)
• Centering & shuttering for R.C.C. (3×)
• Distempering / Emulsion painting (3×)
• Door & window frames/shutters (3×)
• Excavation work (2×)
• Reinforcement bars (2×)

How Items Are Measured (Description) — Asked 3×

Years: 2015S, 2014S, 2014F

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Q 4(a) — Detailed Quantity Estimates — Structural Works

Estimate from Slab Culvert Drawing — Asked 7×

Years: 2024S, 2021S, 2019S, 2018S, 2018F, 2017F, 2014S

Standard Items to Estimate:

• Earthwork in excavation
• 1st class brickwork in (1:6) cement mortar
• R.C.C. slab (1:2:4)
• Reinforcement bars
• Cement pointing (1:1)
• Wearing coat

Estimate from Aqueduct / Minor Drawing — Asked 3×

Years: 2023F, 2020S, 2016S

Estimate from T-Beam Decking Drawing — Asked 2×

Years: 2023S, 2015S

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Q 4(b) — Additional Rate Analysis / Specifications

Rate Analysis for Road Works — Asked 5×

• Double coat surface dressing: 2014S, 2014F
• Premix asphalt/carpet: 2023S, 2023F, 2022F

Rate Analysis for Brickwork / Concrete — Asked 5×

• 1st class brick work in cement mortar: 2016F, 2015F
• M20 concrete (1:1.5:3): 2017S, 2015S, 2015F

Define Specification Types — Asked 3×

Years: 2023F, 2022F, 2016F

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Q 5(a) — Detailed Quantity Estimates — Building Works

Estimate from Building Drawing (2-Room / Single Room) — Asked 13×

Years: 2024S, 2022F, 2021F, 2020F, 2019S, 2019F, 2018S, 2018F, 2017F, 2017S, 2016S, 2016F, 2015F

Standard Items to Estimate:

• Earthwork in excavation in foundation
• P.C.C. (1:3:6 or 1:2:4) in foundation
• Brick work in (1:6) cement mortar in superstructure
• R.C.C. work in slab / lintel / footing
• Doors & windows frame and shutter
• Sand filling in floor (150 mm thick)
• Flat brick soling
• D.P.C. work
• Plastering work

Estimate from Framed Structure Drawing — Asked 3×

Years: 2024S, 2020S, 2017S

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Q 5(b) — Septic Tank & Soak Pit Estimates

Estimate from Septic Tank & Soak Pit Drawing — Asked 7×

Years: 2022F, 2021F, 2019F, 2017S, 2015S, 2015F, 2014S

Standard Items to Estimate:

• Earthwork in excavation for septic tank and soak pit
• P.C.C. (1:3:6) in foundation
• Brick work in (1:4 or 1:6) cement mortar
• R.C.C. baffle wall / Precast R.C.C. slab
• Cement plaster (1:4)
• Sand filling in soak pit
• Brick aggregate filling

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Q 6(a) — Valuation of Property

Valuation of Existing Building (Depreciation Method) — Asked 11×

Years: 2024S, 2023F, 2022F, 2021F, 2019S, 2019F, 2018S, 2018F, 2017F, 2016F (repeated)

Key Components:

• Plinth area of building given
• Plinth area rate (Rs. per sqm)
• Age of building & Life of building (typically 75–100 years)
• Rate of depreciation (rd = 1, 1.3, or 2%)
• Cost of land (Rs. per sqm) & Area of plot
• Sometimes distress value (60–80% of total value)

Valuation by Rental Method (Net Income Method) — Asked 5×

Years: 2022F, 2021F, 2020F, 2019F, 2015S

Key Components:

• Gross annual rent / income
• Various expenses (insurance, management, taxes, repairs)
• Net income = Gross income − Expenses
• Year's purchase calculation
• Future life of building
• Rate of interest and redemption of capital

Valuation of Cinema Theatre / Multiplex — Asked 3×

Years: 2023F, 2021F, 2020S

Valuation for Repairs (Economic Analysis) — Asked 2×

Years: 2023S, 2014S

Define Valuation / Circumstances / Factors & Methods — Asked 4× & 2×

Years: 2024S, 2018S, 2017S, 2014F | 2017S, 2014S

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Q 6(b) — Specification & Contract Documents

Importance / Essential Part of Specification in Contract — Asked 9×

Years: 2023S, 2022F, 2021F, 2020F, 2019F, 2017F, 2016S, 2016F, 2015S

Points to Consider While Writing Specification — Asked 5×

Years: 2023S, 2020F, 2018S, 2016S, 2015F

Specification Writing Techniques — Asked 3×

Years: 2023F, 2021S, 2017S

Define Specification / Purpose / Types & Difference Between Spec and Drawings — Asked 3× & 2×

Years: 2021S, 2018S, 2018F | 2022F, 2021F

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Q 7 — Short Notes (Any Two, 2 × 5 marks)

Topic	Frequency	Years
Scrap Value & Obsolescence	6×	Multiple
Specification Writing Techniques / Types of Specification	6×	Multiple
Revised Estimate & Supplementary Estimate	5×	2023F, 2020F, etc.
General Specification for Sanitary / Water Supply Works	4×	2024S, 2021S, etc.
Annual Repair and Maintenance Estimate	3×	2017F, 2016F, etc.
Value and Cost / Book Value vs Market Value	3×	2016S, 2015S, etc.
Capitalized Value & Year's Purchase	3×	2017F, 2016F, 2014F
Methods of Estimate / Types of Estimate	3×	2019F, 2014F
Overhead and Contingencies / Contractor's Profit	3×	2015S, 2014S, 2014F
Earthwork Estimation in Road Works	2×	2018S, 2014S
Complete Estimate / Detailed Estimate	2×	2021F, 2019S
Abstracting BOQ (Bill of Quantities)	1×	2015F
General Specification for C.G.I. Sheet Roofing	1×	2023F
Importance of Estimating and Valuation	1×	2022F
Factors Affecting Rate Analysis	1×	2015F
Rental Method of Valuation / Profit Based Method	1×	2018F, 2014F

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Exam Preparation Strategy

Must-prepare topics that appear almost every year:

1. Preliminary Estimate by Plinth Area Method — Q2(a)
2. Earthwork in Cutting & Filling for Hill Road — Q3(a)
3. Detailed Estimate from Building Drawing — Q5(a)
4. Rate Analysis for Sanitary Items (Wash Basin / Commode) — Q1(b)
5. Valuation of Existing Building by Depreciation Method — Q6(a)
6. Detailed Specification for Brick / RCC Work — Q2(b)
7. Estimate from Slab Culvert Drawing — Q4(a)
8. Unit of Measurement & Payment Table — Q3(b)

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Important Drawing Estimates to Practice

• Two-room building with foundation details
• Slab culvert (2.4 m to 2.7 m span)
• Septic tank and soak pit
• Framed structure building
• T-beam decking
• Aqueduct / Minor