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CLAUDE-ADAPTED SECTION BREAKDOWN

UNIT I: QUANTITY ESTIMATION

Section 1.1: The Big Picture - Why We Even Bother with Estimates

  • Philosophy & types of estimates (preliminary, detailed, revised)
  • When to use which type (exam favorite)
  • Units of measurement basics

Section 1.2: The Three Tricks for Calculating Quantities

  • Long wall-short wall method
  • Centre line method
  • Partly centre line method
  • When to use which (very popular in exams)

Section 1.3: Building Components - Earthwork to Foundation

  • Earthwork excavation calculations
  • PCC/Concrete in foundation
  • Brick/Stone masonry in footings and plinth
  • DPC (Damp Proof Course)

Section 1.4: Superstructure & Above

  • Brickwork in superstructure (with openings deductions)
  • RCC work (beams, slabs, columns)
  • Plastering (interior/exterior)
  • Flooring types

Section 1.5: Special Structures with Solved Examples

  • Box culverts
  • Septic tanks and soak pits (exam favorite)
  • RCC retaining walls
  • Steps and staircases

UNIT II: RATE ANALYSIS & COSTING

Section 2.1: The Rate Analysis Game - What It Really Is

  • Purpose and procedure
  • Labour types and wages
  • Material costs and lead statement
  • What "analysis of rates" actually means

Section 2.2: Building Works Rate Analysis

  • Concrete works (PCC, RCC with steel)
  • Brickwork (foundation, plinth, superstructure)
  • Plastering and pointing
  • Flooring (cement concrete, mosaic/terrazzo)
  • Painting and whitewashing
  • DPC calculations

Section 2.3: Roads & Canals Rate Analysis

  • Bituminous work (surface dressing)
  • Earth work for roads
  • Canal work estimation
  • Lead and lift concepts

Section 2.4: Abstract of Cost & Cash Flow

  • Preparing abstract estimates
  • Cash flow concepts
  • Break-even analysis
  • Cost control basics

UNIT III: SPECIFICATIONS, REPORTS & TENDERS

Section 3.1: Specifications - The Recipe Book * General vs Detailed specifications * Detailed specs for common items (exam loves these): - Excavation and filling - Anti-termite treatment - Hard core/soling - RCC work - Formwork - Brickwork - Plastering and DPC

Section 3.2: Schedule of Rates & How to Use Them

  • What schedule of rates means
  • Standard data books
  • Lead statements in practice

Section 3.3: Reports - Telling the Story

  • Report structure and content
  • Examples: Residential building, culvert, roads
  • What examiners look for

Section 3.4: Tenders - The Auction System

  • Types of tenders (open, limited, negotiated)
  • Tender procedures (start to award)
  • E-tendering basics
  • Digital signatures
  • Tamil Nadu Transparency Rules (popular topic)
  • Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)
  • Security Deposit

UNIT IV: CONTRACTS

Section 4.1: Contract Basics - The Deal

  • What a contract actually is
  • Types of contracts (lump sum, item rate, labour, etc.)
  • When to use which type (exam favorite)

Section 4.2: Special Contract Types

  • BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer)
  • BOOT contracts
  • Turnkey contracts
  • Package and negotiated contracts
  • Joint venture

Section 4.3: Contract Formation & Documents

  • Essential elements (offer, acceptance, consideration)
  • Contract documents checklist
  • Notice Inviting Tender (NIT)
  • Tender opening procedures

Section 4.4: IBRD/MORTH Standards

  • What these standards mean
  • Key differences from regular contracts
  • Bidding document structure

Section 4.5: Arbitration & Legal Stuff

  • What arbitration is
  • Types of arbitration
  • Qualities of good arbitrator
  • QDR (Quick Dispute Resolution)
  • Indian Contract Law basics

UNIT V: VALUATION

Section 5.1: Valuation Fundamentals - Finding Property Worth

  • What valuation means
  • Why we need it (tax, sale, mortgage, etc.)
  • Basic definitions (gross income, net income, outgoings, scrap value, salvage value, market value, book value)

Section 5.2: The Magic Numbers

  • Capitalized value (very popular in exams)
  • Year's Purchase (YP)
  • Sinking Fund (with problems)
  • Rate able value

Section 5.3: Depreciation - Things Getting Old

  • What depreciation and obsolescence mean
  • Methods of calculating depreciation:
  • Straight line method
  • Constant percentage method
  • Sinking fund method
  • Quantity survey method
  • Solved problems (exam favorite)

Section 5.4: Valuation Methods - Six Ways to Price

  • Rental method (most common)
  • Direct comparison
  • Profit-based valuation
  • Cost-based valuation
  • Development method
  • Depreciation method
  • When to use which

Section 5.5: Special Topics

  • Mortgage (freehold vs leasehold)
  • Easements (rights over property)
  • Rent fixation (three methods)
  • Problems on building valuation (exam loves these)

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