MAQS Building Estimator V01
Free online tool by MAQS Pro · www.maqspro.co.uk
Dimensioned schematic drawings, in metres, generated from the project inputs. Fit-to-page view; use dimensions rather than measuring the screen. Openings are shown on the plans and elevations. The 3D overview shows the building envelope.
Price only one measurement basis for paired quantities (for example mesh m² or kg, and Type 1 m² or m³) to avoid double charging. Enter your unit rates. Automatic quantities can be overridden; clear an override to restore the formula. Rates start at £0.00. CSV opens in Excel; print this tab to create a PDF bill.
| Item / calculation | Unit | Auto qty | Override qty | Rate £ | Amount £ |
|---|
Measurement basis
External length and width define the outside brick face. Wall build-up is brick + cavity + block. Height is from finished floor to eaves. Ridge runs along building length; left and right are the gable ends.
Foundation length defaults to the external building perimeter: 2 × (length + width). You can select the wall centreline basis or enter a manual foundation length. Foundation excavation, concrete, blinding, support and reinforcement use that selected length. Internal oversite area uses the clear inside dimensions. Trench depth is measured below the reduced formation level. Concrete foundation and blinding occupy the bottom of the trench. Substructure masonry extends from the foundation top to finished floor level.
Excavation disposal is the sum of topsoil stripping, reduced-level excavation and trenches, multiplied by the disposal factor. These are sequential depths, not overlapping excavations. Material retained on site can be allowed for by overriding disposal quantity.
Wall areas include triangular gables and deduct scheduled openings. Cavity insulation follows inner-leaf net area. Plaster includes inner wall faces and a horizontal ceiling; internal partitions are excluded. Site clearance dimensions default to the building length and width plus twice the clearance margin. Switch to manual site dimensions when needed. Downpipe lengths default to eaves height, with a manual option. Roof areas include eaves and gable overhangs. Rafter lengths exclude end cuts and connections; counts represent pairs at the entered spacing including both ends.
Mesh weight uses covered area × layers × kg/m² × lap factor. Foundation bar weight uses the selected foundation length (or entered bar length) × bar count × diameter² / 162. These are quantity allowances, not reinforcement designs. Formwork and trench support are separate selectable allowances and may not both be required.
Services, heating, obstructions, dewatering and preliminaries are editable item allowances. Landscaping uses a separately entered area. Waste is applied only where explicitly stated in the item formula. VAT is calculated after the net estimate.
Geometry validation checks opening bounds and overlaps, positive internal sizes and formation/foundation depths. This tool does not design structural members, timber connections, thermal performance or drainage falls. Sizes and specifications are user inputs.