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SPECIFICATIONS AND BUILDING ESTIMATES

 AC 513 - Architectural Correlation
SPECIFICATIONS AND BUILDING ESTIMATES

SPECIFICATIONS
TERM DEFINITION
Written or printed description of the work to be done describing qualities of the materials to be used, the equipment
to be installed, and the mode of construction.
SPECIFICATION
Construction drawings and construction specifications are intended to complement each other in order to present
the full requirement of the project. Drawings indicate quantity and specifications indicate quality.
PURPOSE OF GIVING SPECIFICATIONS
The cost of a unit quantity of work is governed by its specifications.
Specification of a work is required to describe the quality and quantity of different materials required for a construction work and is one of the essential
contract documents.
This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing the work. Thus specification of a work serves as a guide to a supervising staff of a
contractor as well as to the owner to execute the work to their satisfaction.
A work is carried out according to its specification and the contractor is paid for the same. Any change in specification changes the tendered rate.
As the rate of work is based on the specification, a contractor can calculate the rates of various items of works in tender with his procurement rates of
materials and labor. Thus tender rate without specification of works is baseless, incomplete and invalid.
Specification is necessary to specify the equipment tools and plants to be engaged for a work and thus enables to procure them beforehand.
The necessity of specification is to verify and check the strength of materials for a work involved in a project.
SOURCES FOR INFORMATION
1. Testing 3. Government Sources
2. Product Catalogs 4. Other sources
TWO MAJOR TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
Is one in which only one material or process appears, or in which a description of a material is so detailed that only
CLOSED SPECIFICATION
one product can qualify.
On the other hand, is one that allows the use of a number of products that the specification deems equal and
OPEN SPECIFICATION acceptable for the work. Theoretically, it allows competition to the supplier or product but within broad limits of
equality.
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
These specs are most often written by professionals, but occasionally they are done by advertising agency. These
MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS
specs general purpose is to sell their particular product by presenting the best qualifications.
FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS OR These are guides and master copies to which portions are applied to the projects. There is no manufacturers name
GOVERNMENT SPECIFICATIONS because it is strictly open specs.
COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS It is either closed or open specs. Because the project is not government, the owner has a preference for a particular
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SPECIFICATIONS AND BUILDING ESTIMATES

product.

Descriptive in nature. They describe the materials to be used and the methods of acceptable installations. It allows
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS contractor to select materials but limits the Architects control to accept and reject. Usually used for private
projects.

It is more of a style rather type, theses specs are called shorter version of the actual length of the written
STREAMLINED SPECIFICATIONS
specification. It is done by eliminating certain words.
Like streamlined, preliminary specs is also a style. It is exactly what the title implies, a preliminary listing of materials or
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS methods required by the project. Sometimes it is used only for guides or owners approval or contractors lists or
requirements.
Like the previous two, this also is a style and more closely related to a preliminary spec except that it is used as a
TABULATION SPECIFICATIONS
final Specification.
MATERIAL TAKE OFF Without the unit price.
LUMP-SUM ESTIMATES Using per area method.
UNIT-PRICE ESTIMATES The computation method.
THE UNIFORM SYSTEM OR MASTER FORMAT
The problems of inadequate and unsatisfying communication between Architects and Builders have always been present, and with multitude products
and methods appearing in the market it is quite evident that a more standardized system is required in construction specifications. In past years no
standardized arrangement for specifications was in use and each office developed its own system but most often missed or not coordinated with the actual
construction.
In 1948 the construction specification institute/ CSI were formed. Its goal is to establish a standardized system of arrangement for specification writing.
But not until 1963 that CSI published the CSI Format for Building Specifications or simply The Format. This presentation was reduced to sixteen (16) basic divisions.
In addition to the adaptation of the format as the guiding principle, they also introduce three (3) major parts known as The Uniform System for Construction
Specifications, Data filling, and Cost Accounting, or simply The Uniform system.
THREE-PART FORMAT (THE UNIFORM SYSTEM)
1. Specification Outline 3. Cost Accounting Guide
2. Filling System
SIXTEEN (16) DIVISIONS (FORMAT)
Division 1 General Requirements Division 9 Finishes
Division 2 Site work Division 10 Specialties
Division 3 Concrete Division 11 Equipment
Division 4 Masonry Division 12 Furnishing
Division 5 Metals Division 13 Special Construction
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SPECIFICATIONS AND BUILDING ESTIMATES

Division 6 Wood and Plastics Division 14 Conveying Systems

Division 7 Thermal and Moisture Protection Division 15 Mechanical
Division 8 Doors, Windows, and Glasses Division 16 Electrical
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
TERM DEFINITION
is a social unit, which has been deliberately designed to achieve some specific goals. It comes from the Greek work
ORGANIZATION
organon meaning tool.
is the formal system of task and reporting relationships that control, coordinates, and motivates employees so that
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
they cooperate to achieve the organizations goal/s.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART typical depiction of structure
COORDINATION PROCESS
1. Unity of Command
4. Decentralization
2. Span of Control
5. Line and staff relationship
3. Delegation of authority
TYPES OF ORGANIZATION
Sole Proprietorship
TYPES OF ORGANIZATION ACCORDING
Partnership
TO OWNERSHIP
Corporation
Small Companies
TYPES OF ORGANIZATION ACCORDING
Medium-size
TO STRUCTURE
Large Company
CONSTRUCTUON CONTRACTS
is an agreement between two or more people in which one person agrees to perform a specific task or provide
CONTRACT
goods or a service to another in exchange for something in return.
TYPES OF CONTRACTS
The contractor agrees to perform a stipulated job of work in exchange for a fixed sum of money. In other words a
SINGLE FIXED CONTRACT OR LUMPS SUM single tendered price is given for the completion of a specified work to the satisfaction of the client by a certain
date.
UNIT PRICE CONTRACT Construction contract in which the client or owner pays a fixed sum for each completed unit of work.
The owner pays all costs of construction with a fixed sum of money. The fee is fixed and does not fluctuate with the
COST-PLUS FIXED FEE CONTRACT
actual cost of the project.
COST PLUS PERCENTAGE FEE OF COST OF
The contractor is reimbursed for all his costs with a fixed % age of costs to cover his services.
PROJECT
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SPECIFICATIONS AND BUILDING ESTIMATES

ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT Constructor will manage the affair while the owner will pay
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT Architect and the owner will hire project manager.
GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PLUS The contractor guarantees that he will construct the project in full accordance with the drawings and specifications
PARTICIPATION ON SAVINGS and that the price to the owner will not exceed some total upset price.
TURNKEY PROJECT Constructor finances without any support to the owner.
THE BIDDING PROCESS
Step One: ADVERTISE AND POST INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID (IAEB)
Serves as the notice to the public and all interested parties of the procurement and the bidding opportunities of the
IAEB
Procuring Entity.
Step Two: ACCEPT LOIs; ISSUE ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS AND CONDUCT OF ELIGIBILITY CHECK
Step Three: ISSUE THE BIDDING DOCUMENTS
Step Four: PRE-BID CONFERENCE, ISSUANCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL/BID BULLETINS
is the initial forum where the Procuring Entitys representatives and eligible bidders discuss the different aspects of
PRE-BID CONFERENCE
the procurement at hand.
Step Five: RECEIVE AND OPEN THE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ENVELOPES
Bid or Proposal or Tender, referes to a signed offer or proposal to undertake a contract submitted by a bidder in
BID
response to, and in consonance with, the requirements stated in the bidding documents.
Step Six: EVALUATE THE BIDS
Step Seven: POST QUALIFICATION
is the process of verifying, validation, ascertaining all the statements made and documents submitted by the bidder
POST QUALIFICATION with LCB, which includes ascertaining the said bidders compliance with the legal, financial and technical
requirements of the bid.
Step Eight: AWARD THE CONTRACT
CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATION
ADVANCE PAYMENT A contractor may request for an advance payment but it should not exceed 15% of the total Contract Price
PROGRESS PAYMENTS The first progress payment may be paid after 20% of the work had been accomplished by the Contractor.
Refers to the amount equal to 10% of the progress payment, before deductions are made, that is withheld by the
RETENTION MONEY
Procuring Entity to cover the uncorrected discovered defects and third party liabilities.
The contractor may request for penultimate payment for the project it is implementing when 90% of the work has
FINAL PAYMENT
been completed.
VARIATION ORDER Refers to any increase or decreases in quantities within the general scope of the project as bid and awarded.
CHANGE ORDER Covers any increase/decrease in qualities of original work items in the contract.
EXTRA WORK ORDER Covers the introduction of new work necessary for the completion/improvement or protection of the project which
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are not included as items in the original contract.

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES are damages agreed upon by the parties to the contract, to be paid in case of breach thereof.

ESTIMATES
TERM DEFINITION
is to determine the forecast costs required to complete a project in accordance with the contract plans and
PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING
specification.
TWO DISTINCT TASKS IN ESTIMATING
To determine the probable real cost
To determine the probable real time to build the project
TYPES OF ESTIMATES IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
1. Detail Estimate
4. Comparison Estimate
2. Unit Based Estimate
5. Parametric Estimate
3. Model Estimate
TERM DEFINITION
This type of estimate includes everything that needs to complete the project as well as overhead and contractors
profit. For this type of estimate, an estimator needs complete set of drawing and instruction manual of the project.
This estimate shows required materials, labor, time to complete the project, complete cost details and overhead
DETAIL ESTIMATE
and also contractor profit. It also includes insurance, bond, equipment and other necessary things that need to
complete the project. Estimator for this type of estimating should be experienced person because complete
project budget, time duration and contractor profit depends on his visualization.
This type of estimate is prepared by calculating building area and then multiplying area by predefined unit cost.
And then adjusted the cost by considering building height, length, width and other necessary building components.
UNIT BASED ESTIMATE
Required documents for preparing this type of estimate is a simple floor plan with measurement and key elevation
of the building. This type of estimation is used to check whether the project was designed within owners budget.
This type of estimate is prepared based on a model project estimate which is developed before. Preparing this type
of estimate needs answering several key questions depending on model project. Such as length and width of
MODEL ESTIMATE building, number of base, size of base, floor height, number of bath etc. Keep in mind that proposed project should
be similar to model project. this type of estimate may prepare a details estimate of whole project or a part of
project depending on the model project.
In this method, an estimator prepares estimate of proposed project by comparing similar completed project. After
PROJECT COMPARISON ESTIMATE
preparing the comparison estimate, estimator makes adjustment for variation of proposed project with the
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completed project.
In this type of estimate, an estimator uses equations to prepare the estimate. This equation is the relationship
PARAMETRIC ESTIMATE between parameters and cost of a building project. This estimate is like unit based estimate but more complex
than unit based estimate. This type of estimate is done for getting concept of proposed project cost.
MASONRY WORKS
CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS OR CHB Stretcher hollow are most widely used among partition walls.
4 or 100 mm
5 or 125 mm
CHB SIZES
6 or 150 mm
8 or 200 mm
MODULAR DIMENSIONS
200mm x 400 mm (8 x 16)
Formula:
* in 1 sqm there are 12.5 pcs.
(Area net of CHB) x 13 = No. Of CHB required
* To allow wastage, use 13 pcs per sqm
Example Using class B mix
Area of wall 2.7 x 5.00 (excluding beam and column)
Area of window = 0.7 x 1.20 128pcs x 0.1124 = 14.39 ~ 15 bags of cement
Net Area = Area of Wall Area of Window
= 13.5 0.84 128pcs x 0.0091 = 1.16 m 3 of sand
= 12.66 sq.m
12.66 x 13 = 164.58 pcs
= 165 number of CHB
THICKNESS OF CHB CLASS A (1:2 MIX) CLASS B (1:3 MIX) ESTIMATED MATERIALS
# of CHB x 0.1505 # of CHB x 0.1124 Bags of cement
8 (200 mm)
# of CHB x 0.0031 # of CHB x 0.0091 m 3 of sand
# of CHB x 0.0982 # of CHB x 0.0734 Bags of cement
6 (150mm)
# of CHB x 0.0053 # of CHB x 0.0059 M 3 of sand
# of CHB x 0.0411 # of CHB x 0.0307 Bags of cement
4 (100mm)
# of CHB x 0.0022 # of CHB x 0.0025 M 3 of sand