The bay method of estimating
The bay method of estimating, is an approach used to estimate, costs, materials amounts, quanitities or volumes where a certain elements are repetitive. The term bay usually refers to a compartment or section of a building that repeats, as such it is often used for buildings that have multiple and similar visible compartments such as factory units, warehouses, garages or transport interchanges.
The quantities of materials and/or labour, and thus costs of a single compartment is calculated by estimating in detail through measurements off drawings or 3D models (in the case of BIM, often using material take-off). Then the single unit value is multiplied by the number of compartments or units to be constructed. The individual compartments, units, rooms, elements or bays of the building should be identical or at least very similar for the estimating method to be accurate.
There are many different types of estimating with the bay method of estimating being just one approach. It is worth noting that, in general traditional approaches to the estimating of building quantities have changed with the introduction of CAD, to 3D CAD and modelling, and through to the employment of Building Information Modelling or BIM.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Analogous estimating.
- Approximate bill of quantities.
- Approximate quantities cost plan.
- Bill of quantities.
- Common mistakes in bill of quantities.
- Comparison of SMM7 with NRM2.
- Cost estimating.
- Cost plan.
- Cost.
- Elemental cost plan.
- Elemental estimating.
- Estimate.
- Extra over (EO).
- How to take off construction works.
- Measured quantity.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Operational rate estimating.
- Parametric estimating.
- Payment.
- Price.
- Procurement.
- Spot items.
- Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).
- Taking off construction works.
- Top down and bottom up estimating.
- Unit rate estimating.
- Working up construction works.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.