How many types of Estimate Bill are there?
There are five types of estimate Bill:
1- Preliminary estimate
A Preliminary estimate is generally called a rough estimate, given how much the total project will cost. It is done in the initial phases of the project when there is little information available. Primarily it is based on information available from past projects.
For example, suppose you hired a contractor to build a swimming pool in your house's backyard. He had built a similar swimming pool a few months ago in one of your neighboring houses. He can show the cost incurred as an estimate for the new project.
2- Detailed estimate
As the project's scope is better known, a detailed estimate is taken out. Usually, a preliminary estimate is converted to an exact estimate when the information is available.
This estimate includes the cost, quantity and rate of all the goods required. It is used as a budget estimate to help the person understand if they need additional financing.
The detailed estimate carries the following information:
- Layout plans.
- Project specifications.
- Drawing for all the areas included in the project.
- Complete information about the rates used to calculate the cost.
3- Quantity estimate
It is an estimate which includes complete quantitative details of the material required for the project. It gives quantitative details of all goods required along with their cost. It is one of the most critical estimating methods used in construction.
In general, a cost estimate is calculated by multiplying the project's dimension by the per-unit cost.
A painter will charge you Rs.6 per square foot to paint a wall in your home. They will calculate the total cost by multiplying the total square feet area by the per square foot cost.
Total cost= 6,000 square feet
Multiplied by 6 per square feet= Rs.36,000.
4- Bid estimate
It is calculated with the expectation of winning a project and shared with the potential client. A contractor here tries to bid the best price to win the contract. Such an estimate is calculated based on standard industry costs or past projects.
5- Cost estimate
There are three different cost estimates based on the information used to make an estimate.
- Historical estimate- it is taken from past similar projects. This tool is used for residential projects and is less accurate than other tools. It is only used at the beginning of a project when there is less information available.
- Bottom-up estimate- in this estimate, a contractor estimates the essential work and then progressively costs the more complex work. Here, every type of work is estimated separately. Thus, one can get a very accurate cost estimate. Cost estimation takes a lot of time and is only used when information is available.
A parametric estimate is calculated by multiplying the standard per unit rate by the dimensions of the project. It is more accurate than historical estimates.