This book is the outcome of two decades of teaching this subject in a premier institution. It is expected to fulfill a need of the student/teacher community in the domain of undergraduate programme in civil engineering. It has been written to help the students in grasping the essentials of the subject and also the teachers in planning the delivery and evaluation of the course within a semester. In addition. attempt has been made in formulating the contents to satisfy the system of object oriented education (OBE). Table of contents (TOC) • Preparation and Presentation of Estimates • Principles and Practice of Quantity Estimating • Rate Analysis and Costing • Illustrative worked out examples • Contracts and Specifications • Approximate Estimates • Principles and Practice of Valuation • Standard Data • Tutorial problems About the Author Born in a village in Thanjavur district in Tamilnadu. Obtained B.E. (Civil) degree from College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai. Did post-graduate studies – M.Sc (Engg.) and M.B.A from nnamalai and Madras Universities respectively. Pursued research work in structural masonry and obtained doctoral degree from I.I.T., Madras.Worked in Tamilnadu PWD for about 15 years in a number of irrigation and building projects. Later, worked in I.I.T., Madras for about 25 years engaged in teaching, research and consultancy in the Department of Civil Engineering.