Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: All of these
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
A competitive and realistic construction estimate must capture the full cost of executing the work. That means direct costs (labour, materials, equipment), indirect costs (site overheads and head-office allocations), and a reasonable profit margin commensurate with risk and market conditions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Direct costs are traceable to specific activities; indirect costs support the project but are not tied to a single task. Profit compensates for capital at risk and business overheads not directly billable. A complete estimate combines all three to produce a tender or internal baseline.
Step-by-Step Solution:
List direct cost components: labour, materials, consumables, rented or owned equipment.Add indirects: site establishment, supervision, utilities, insurances, permits, mobilization/demobilization, and head-office support allocations.Apply contractor's profit as a percentage or lump sum aligned with risk, competition, and market.Hence the correct choice is “All of these”.
Verification / Alternative check:
Standard estimating checklists and bid formats (BOQ-based or work-package based) require separate lines for overheads and profit in addition to direct costs.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Any single component alone underprices the job; “Only direct costs” ignores overhead and profit, which is unrealistic and unsustainable.
Common Pitfalls:
Final Answer:
All of these
Discussion & Comments