01 · Area
Plot area is not construction area.
A first-pass estimate needs the proposed built-up area of every floor and any basement, stilt, terrace room, service area or covered external element treated as chargeable. The contract must define its measurement method.
- Floor-by-floor built-up area
- Basement, stilt and parking structures
- Balconies, shafts and service floors
- Covered external and utility structures
- Renovation, demolition and retained work
02 · Scope
Ask what the rate leaves outside.
Foundation conditions, retaining work, access, height, structure, finishes, electrical and plumbing systems, lift, solar, external works, fixed interiors, approvals, professional services, taxes and temporary living costs can materially change the project provision.
- Site investigation and enabling works
- Structure and envelope specification
- Building services and equipment
- Finishes, joinery and sanitary fittings
- External works and utility connections
- Design, consultants and authority charges
- Contingency, escalation and finance
03 · Estimate maturity
Move from allowance to measured estimate.
An area-rate estimate helps test an early brief. A developed cost plan uses drawings and system assumptions. A tender compares priced documents. A final account records measured work, approved changes and contractual adjustments. Do not present one stage as another.
- Feasibility allowance
- Elemental cost plan
- Drawing and specification estimate
- BOQ or priced schedule
- Tender comparison
- Final account
04 · Official references
Use public rates for the job they were made for.
Karnataka PWD publishes public-works schedules and current issue rates. They may help a qualified estimator cross-check developed quantities, but they are not a retail turnkey-house tariff. Greater Bengaluru's building-permission portal has its own fee calculator; authority charges should be checked there rather than guessed.
GST, building-worker cess and pure-labour classifications are fact-specific. Show them as applicability checks, not automatic percentages copied from another project.
Source record
Official sources reviewed
Links are provided for verification. Requirements and portals can change after the review date.