B S Patil is a contracts and arbitration consultant based at Pune. He has had a distinguished academic and professional career. He has gained wide experience in the planning and supervision of construction projects and in the preparation of legal documents related to engineering projects. He was a member of the Board of Studies in Civil Engineering, Marathwada University, Aurangabad. He is the author of two other books and several articles in engineering journals.

Foreword 
Preface to the Fifth Edition 
Section I: Preface to the First Edition 
Section II: Preface to the First Edition 

SECTION I Civil Engineering Contracts
1. Introduction 
2. The Law of Contract 
3. The Tender 
4. Contract Documents 
5. Contract for Engineering and Architectural Services
6. Contract between Owner and Contractor 
7. Conditions of Contract 
8. Specifications 
9. Contract Organisation and Management 
10. The PWD Procedure of Executing a Project 
Appendices 
References 

SECTION II Civil Engineering Estimates
Introduction 
1. Approximate Estimates 
2. Valuation 
3. General Principles of Taking out Quantities 
4. Methods of Taking out Quantities 
5. Excavation and Foundation 
6. Concrete 
7. Stone Masonry and Brickwork 
8. Doors and Windows 
9. Roofs
10. Floors and Pavings
11. Plastering and Pointing
12. Stairs
13. Plumbing, Drains and Sanitary Fittings
14. Electrical Work
15. Structural Steelwork
16. Measurement of Earthwork
17. Squaring the Dimensions
18. Abstracting and Bill of Quantities
19. Factors Affecting Cost of any Work
20. Analysis of Rates
Estimates I: A Two-Storeyed Residential Building
Estimates II: A Two Span Arch Bridge
Estimates III: Earthwork and Roads
Estimates IV: A Canal
Estimates V: A Railway Track
Estimates VI: A Tunnel