Quantity Survey Methods in Buildings: by V.R.K.Murty

QUANTITY SURVEY
METHODS IN BUILDINGS
By
V.R.K.Murty
Quantity Survey Methods
Introduction
Formats for measurement
Systems of measurements
Order of taking Measurements
IS Codes
Standard methods of Measurement
Abstracting and billing
Conclusion
Methods of Measurement
Centre line method

In and out method
Important mensuration formulae and their application
Standard formats for recording measurements.
Formats for measurement
Horizontal formats
S.No. Description Nos L B D Quantity
1 Excavation 8 2.0 1.50 1.20 28.80m3

for Column
footing
Formats for measurement
Vertical format as followed by Institution of Surveyors
Timsing Dimensions Squaring Rough

/waste
2/4/ 2.00 Details of

1.50 dimensions,
1.20 28.80 m3 sketches
Systems of Measurement
Trade system - Measurements trade wise
Group system – Measurements for all trades
simultaneously
Order of taking measurements
Earth work
Foundations (Pile/ Well foundations)
Concrete works
Brick work
Stone masonry
Form work
Wood work and joinery
Steel work and iron work
Hard ware
Glazing
Paving, floor finishes, dado and skirting
Roof covering
Ceiling and lining
Plastering and pointing
White washing, colour washing, distempering and other
finishes
Painting, polishing, varnishing
Demolition and dismantling
Water supply, plumbing and drains
Water and sewage lines
Road work including airfield pavement
IS Codes
IS - 1200 Parts I – XXVIII Method of Measurement of
building and civil engineering works
SP - 27 Hand book of Method of Measurement of

building works
LIST OF BIS CODES IS 1200
Sl. No. Part No. Title
1. Part 1 Earth Work
2. Part 2 Concrete works
3. Part 3 Brick Work
4. Part 4 Stone masonry
5. Part 5 Form Work
6. Part 6 Refractory works
7. Part 7 Hard ware
8. Part8 Steel and iron works
9. Part 9 Roof covering
10. Part 10 Ceilings and Linings
11. Part 11 Paving, Floor finishes, dado, and skirting
12. Part 12 Plastering and pointing
13. Part 13 White washing, Colour washing, Distempering,
painting of building surfaces
14. Part 14 Glazing
15. Part 15 Painting, polishing, varnishing etc.
16. Part 16 Laying of water and sewer lines including
appurtenant items
17. Part 17 Road Work including Airfield Pavement
18. Part 18 Demolition and dismantling
19. Part 19 Water supply, plumbing and drains
20. Part 20 Laying of gas and oil pipe lines
21. Part 21 Wood work and joinery
22. Part 22 Materials
23. Part 23 Piling
24. Part 24 Well foundations
25. Part 25 Tunneling
26. Part 26 Acid resistant lining
27. Part 27 Earth Work by Mechanical Means
28. Part 28 Sound Insulation
Standard methods of measurement
Earth work: (IS 1200 Part 1)
 Length - Nearest 0.01m, nearest 0.1m for lengths >
25m
 Area – 0.01 Sqm
 Volume – 0.01 cum
 Classification: Soft/ loose soil, hard soil, SDR, HR,
other classifications to suit local conditions
Earth work:
Types of excavation:
- Surface dressing
- Rough excavation
- Surface excavation
- Excavation over areas (>1.5m in width & 10 sqm in plan)
- Excavation in trenches (< 1.5m in width & n.exe 10sqm)
- Post holes (0.5cum)
- Return fill and ram (RFR)
- Lead and lift
Classification:
1. Soft/loose soil – which yields to the ordinary
application of pick and shovel or to phawra or
ordinary digging implement; such as vegetable
or organic soil, turf, gravel, sand, silt, clay peat
etc.
2. Hard/dense soil – Which requires the close
application of picks, or jumpers or scarifiers to
loosen; such as stiff clay, gravel and cobble
stone
Classification:
3. Mud – A mixture of soil and water in fluid or
weak solid state
4. Soft /disintegrated rock (not requiring
blasting) – Rock or boulders which may be
quarried or split with crow bars: such as
laterite, hard conglomerate
Classification:
5. Hard rock (Requiring blasting) – Any rock or
boulder for the excavation of which requiring
blasting
6. Hard rock (Blasting prohibited) – Hard rock
requiring blasting, blasting prohibited for any
reason and excavation has to be carried out by
chiselling, wedging or any other agreed method
Following works shall not be measured
separately:
1. Setting out works, profiles
2. Site clearance
3. Unauthorized battering or benching of
excavation
4. Forming dead men in borrow pits and their
removal
5. Forming steps in the sides of deep excavation
Following works shall not be measured
separately:
6. Excavation for insertion of planking and
shuttering
7. Unless otherwise specified removal of slips or
falls in excavation
8. Bailing out or pumping of water in excavation
from rains
9. Bailng out or pumping of water in excavation
from subsoil water when measured separately
10. Slinging or supporting pipes
Earth work:
 Lead- 50,100,150,200,250,500,1000,1500m additional
500m up to 5 Km, there after 1 Km intervals
 Lift _ 1.5m intervals
 Embankments – 10% deduction for solid contents, 5%
in case machinery is used
 Rock stacks – 50% deduction
Earth work: Authorized width
 Authorized width: For pipes, pipe dia. without
socket plus 40 Cm, for depth >1m 10 Cm for every
1 m depth
 Excavation in trenches for foundations and for
pipes, cables etc. not exceeding 1.5m in width and
not exceeding 10 m² in plan measured in cum: For
depth exceeding 1 m, an allowance of 5 cm/m
depth for each side of trench shall be added to the
specified width
 Authorized working space unless specified
otherwise shall be 600mm:
• In work requiring formwork
• In work which will be covered externally with damp
proof course
• In work which will be covered externally with
protective masonry, stone, precast concrete
• Trenches which are to receive PT concrete ground
beams
 Authorized working space unless specified shall be
600mm:
• Special works like guniting
• In works which requires workmen to operate from
outside
 Excavation over areas: Excavation exceeding 1.5m
in width as well as 10m² in plan shall be described
as excavation over areas and measured in cum.
Planking and strutting: The planking and strutting
required to uphold the face of excavated earth shall
be measured in sqm. And in stages of 1.5m. It shall
be measured separately for the following:
a) Trenches
b) Areas
c) Shafts, cesspits, wells, manholes etc.
Removing trees and hedges: Clearing of shrubs,
brushwood, small trees not exceeding 30 cm in
girth shall be measured in sqm. And shall include
removal.
Cutting of trees of 30 cm girth and over up to 100
cm girth and exceeding 100 cm girth, shall be
measured as one item. The girth shall be measured
at one metre above ground level. Digging of roots
including stacking shall be measured separately.
Pile Foundations: (IS 1200 Part 23)
General: The description of each item shall unless
otherwise specified, be held to include conveyance,
delivery, handling, unloading, storing, fabrication,
hoisting all labour for finishing to proper shape, size,
setting, fitting and fixing in position, straight cutting
and waste, return of packages, bringing plant to site
erection and dismantling etc. Load tests to be specified.
Length- nearest 0.01m, area nearest 0.01 sqm. And
cubic content nearest 0.01 cum.
Pile Foundations:
Pre-cast RCC Piles; Described according to grade of
concrete, section and length, the extra strength of
head, necessary strapping, and lifting holes.
 The RCC piles shall be measured in cubic metres,
arrives at by multiplying cross sectional area with
length.
 No deduction for champers, tapered points, volume of
reinforcement, or holes for lifting piles. Form work,
links and sleeves shall be included in description.
Pile Foundations:
 Reinforcement shall be measured separately
 The shoes for each size shall be enumerated stating
approximate mass
 Driving piles shall be measured in running metres,
separate measurements made for piles of 5 m length
and less and subsequently for every metre. Driving of
piles shall be measured from tip of shoe to ground
level.
 Measurement of handling, transportation and pitching
shall be measured for each occasion
Pile Foundations:
 For stripping the heads of piles, the length to be
stripped shall be stated and measured in linear metre
(normally about 1 metre)
 Stripping of piles for bond length shall be enumerated
 When concrete piles are to be lengthened in position,
after they have been lowered, the cement concrete shall
be measured separately
Concrete: (IS 1200 Part 2)
Classification if in-situ concrete
 Foundations, footings, bases of columns
 Walls
 Slabs supported on walls, beams, columns
 Chajjas
 Lintels, Shelves, beams
 Stair cases
 Balusters, newels, railing
 Arches
 Domes, vaults
Concrete: Classification of in- situ concrete
 Foundations, footings, bases of columns
 Walls
 Slabs supported on walls, beams, columns
 Chajjas
 Lintels, Shelves, beams
 Stair cases
 Balusters, newels, railing
 Arches
 Domes, vaults
Concrete:
 Shell roof, arch, folded plates
 Chimney shafts
 Canal lining
 Blast walls, retaining/ return walls
 Concrete filling for pre-cast components
 Kerb, steps
 String/ lacing courses
 Cornices, moulds
 Louvers, fins, facias
Concrete: Measurements:
 Columns – Top of column base to underside of 1st
floor & from top of floor slab to underside of 2nd
floor slab
 Beams – Face to face of column (length)
Bottom of slab to bottom of beam
(depth)
Top of slab to top of beam (depth of
inverted beam)
 Chajjas – Inclusive of bearing (without lintel) Clear
with lintel/ beam
 Cavity walls – Plane along centre line of cavity
 Channel – Rm.
 Tensioning strands – Kg (between anchorages)
 Expansion joints – Rm.
 Water proofing – Kg.
 Guniting – Sqm.
 Grout holes – Rm. (grout pipes –kg)
 Water pressure test – Each hole
 Holding down bolts – Nos.
 Cutting in concrete – Rm. (grooves, chages)
Cm (holes/ mortices)
 Toothing/ bonding - Sqm.
No deduction for:
 Ends of dissimilar materials (joists)
 Openings – 0.1 sqm. each
 Moulding/ drips/ champers – Up to 10 cm deep
 Small voids – Up to 40 cm2 each
 Volume occupied by reinforcement
Form Work: (IS 1200 Part 5)
 All works shall be measured net as fixed in its place
 Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01m²
 The form work shall include, splayed edges, notches,
strutting, bolting, nailing, wedging, casing, striking and
removal. All supports, struts, braces, support to the form
work, bolts, wire ties, clamps to hold the sheathing
together, working scaffolds, ladders, gang ways, filleting
to form chamfers external angles, temporary openings to
pour concrete if required, inserting vibrators and
cleaning holes to remove rubbish, dressing with oil,
raking of circular cutting are included in form work
Form Work:
 Form work shall be measured in square metres as the
actual surface in contact with concrete or any other
material requiring form work.
 Where form work is required to be lined, with wall
board, had board, polyethylene sheet or to be coated
with mould liquid shall be measured separately
 No deduction for openings up to 0.4m². No deduction
shall be made for any opening/cutout when slip form
technique is used
Form Work:
 For work to secondary beams shall be measured up to
the sides of main beams, but no deduction shall be
made from the form work of the main beams where the
secondary beams intersects the main beam. Form work
to beam shall be measured up to sides of columns, but
no deduction shall be made from the form work to
stanchion or column casing at intersection of beam
 Sides of soffits of beams, beam haunchings,
cantilevers, girders, bressumers and lintels, beams and
girders 1 m deep and over shall be measured separately
Form Work:
 Edges of slabs and breaks in floors and walls shall be
measured in running metres where under 200mm
thickness
Brick work - Measurements: (IS 1200 Part 3)
 More than one brick thick – m3
 Less than one brick thick, honey comb work,
cavity walls, broken glass coping, DPC toothing
bonding – m2
 Brick edging, cills, cornices – Rm.
 Greater than three brick thick – actual
measurement to nearest cm
 Greater than ¼ brick as ½ brick
Brick work - Measurements:
No deductions for:
 Ends of dissimilar materials
 Openings up to 0.1 m2
 Bearings of slabs, chajjas where thickness
< 10cm & bearing does not extend to full thickness
 Concrete blocks, hold fasts, holding down bolts
 Chases < 50cm girth
 Volume occupied by box girders
 Honeycomb work measured solid
Stone work (IS 1200 Part 4)
Measurements:
 Battered, tapered and curved walls measured net in m 3
 Bond stones- Volume shall be deducted
 Dimensions to nearest 0.01m, 0.01m2,0.01 m3
 No deductions – same as for brick work
Acid Resistant Brick work(IS 1200 Part 6)
Measurements:
Measurement shall include:
a) Dressing of bricks/blocks including cutting, grinding,
chipping to achieve proper thickness and alignment
b) -do- for expansion joints, sliding/bonding joints to
ensure proper curves
c) Forming expansion joints
d) finishing, pointing, cleaning, cleaning masonry
joints, hollows, cavities, opening passages, ducts etc.
 The refractory and insulating bricks & blocks,
type of mortar and powders to be used shall be
fully described and measured in cum.
 Other auxiliary and filling materials such as paper
card board, asbestos materials, mineral wool, coke
pitch, special sands shall be described.
 Voids > 0.01 sqm. in area shall be deducted.
 Grout material work shall be measured in Cum.
Based on the theoretical quantity calculated.
 Filling expansion joints shall be measured in Rm.

 Where insulation plaster is applied over refractory
surface, the same shall be described and measured
separately
 The method of measurement in cum. shall also
apply for castable refractory work or refractory
concreting, rammed mass filling, the filling of loose
insulation materials such as mica crumbs, slag
wools, asbestos powder, fireclay mass and carbon
mass.
 Where brick block laying is separated from the
shell or wall surface by the use of asbestos, card
board etc., such insulating material shall be so
described and measured separately in sqm.
Woodwork and Joinery (IS 1200 Part 21)
Measurements:
 Battens < 5 cm², Scantlings – 5 - 20 cm²
 Length – Neatest 1 cm
 width and thickness – Nearest 2mm at least
cross section
 Varying cross section – Section at the
largest cross section
 Framed members – Length of member
including embedded length
in the joint
Materials: (IS 1200 Part 22)
Measurements:
Sl.No. Description Units
1. Brick/stone aggregate (40mm) M³
2. -do- <40mm size, cinder, sand, moorum, M³

flyash pozzolona, stone dust (7.5% deduction
from stack measurements)
3. Boards M²
4. Joint filler Kg
5. Bricks Nos
6. Cement Kg
7. Distemper Kg
8. Barbed wire Kg
Measurements:
9. Marble chips Quintal
10. Marble slabs M²
11. Metal beading Rm
12. Paint Kg
13. Pipes Rm
14. Pipe fittings Nos.
15. MS sheets MT
16. Expanded metal M²

Measurements:
17. Floor stone slabs M²
18. Soling stone, boulders, rubble (15% deduction) M³

Builders hard ware (IS 1200 Part 7)
Measurements:
 Tower bolt (barrel) – Length barrel
 Tower bolt (Semi barrel) – Length of bolt
 Locking bolt – Length of bolt
 Butt hinge – length of joint/ knuckle
 Parliament hinge – Width between flanges and
height of hinge
 Handle – grip length
 Piano hinges – Overall width of flaps when open
Steel/ aluminum, Iron work (Part 8)
Measurements:
 Weight of steel sections as per IS weights
 If weight not given @ 7850 kg/m3
 Weight of cleats, brackets, packing pieces, bolts, nuts,
washers, gussets- overall dimensions
 Rivets – Weight of rivet + head
 Welding metal weight not added
 Weight to nearest kg, length nearest 0.5cm
 Deduction – hole> 0.02m2 opening > 0.1m2
Steel/ aluminum, Iron work - Measurements:

 Authorized laps, cranks, chairs, spacers shall be measured extra
 Weight of tying wire, weight of welds not measured
 Expanded metal: Unit M2, authorized laps measured, openings >
0.2M2 shall be deducted
Steel/ aluminum, Iron work (IS 1200 Part 8)

Measurements:
 Steel rolling shutters: Height – Bottom of lintel to FFL/ cill,
Width- Inclusive of side guides
 Collapsible gates: Height – FFL to top of gate Width – out to
out in open position
 Steel doors/ windows/ ventilators: Height/ width – Out to out
of frame to nearest 0.5 cm
 Pressed steel frames: Rm, Filling of frame width concrete
measured separately
Roof covering Including Cladding): (IS 1200 Part 9)

 Measured net as fixed without any allowance for laps.
Openings up to 0.4 M2 not deducted. Portions of roof
covering overlapped by ridge or hip shall be included.
Circular openings shall be classified as holes
 GI/Aluminium/FRP sheets: 2 Corrugations for side lap
 AC sheets: ½ corrugation for side lap
 Accessories: Rm
Ceilings/ linings (IS 1200 Part 10)

Measurements:
 Measured net as flat in M2
 Circular surfaces measured separately
 Supporting members measured separately
 No deduction up to 0.4 M2
Paving, Floor finishes, dado and Skirting (IS 1200 Part 11)
Measurements:
 Measured net in M2 (Excluding expansion joints) and in M3 for
thickness above 25 cm
 No deduction for openings up to 0.2M2
 Ends of dissimilar materials up to 0.1M2
Plastering/Pointing (IS 1200 Part 12)

Measurements:
 Measured net in M2
 Thickness > 10mm done in separate layers and top coat is
called as floating/ setting coat
 Minimum thickness at any point on the surface
 Does not include dubbing out
 Wall plastering: Between walls/ partitions for length, Height
from top of floor/ skirting/ dado to the ceiling. Depth of
moulds, cornices shall be deducted. Sides of pilasters,
projections added to wall plaster.
Plastering/Pointing – Measurements:
 Deductions: No deduction for openings up to 0.5M2
 Openings > 0.5 M2 but < 3 M2 – When both faces are
plastered with same plaster deduction for one face only.
When both faces plastered with different types of plaster
deduction will be on the side of the frame on which width of
reveal is less. If both reveals are equal 50% on each side.
When width of frame equals to thickness of wall full
deduction on both sides. For openings > 3 M2 deduction for
the opening and plastering for jambs/ cills
Plastering/Pointing – Measurements:
 Ceilings – Measurement between walls, partitions (mouldings,
cornices deducted)
 Beams – Plastered sides of beams added to ceilings
 Stairs – Measured as ceiling plaster
 Pointing: Same as plastering
 V/U grooves measured in Rm
White washing , Colour washing, Distempering, Cement

based painting (IS 1200 Part 13)
Measurements:
 On walls, ceiling measured separately
 Measurements will be that of plastered surfaces
 Deductions: No deduction ends of joists < 0.5M 2. No deduction
for conduits, electrical wiring. Cornices and other wall features
shall be girthed and included in general area.
Colour washing, Distempering, Cement based painting –

Measurements:
Corrugated surfaces measured flat and increased as follows:
 Corrugated steel sheets - 14%
 Corrugated asbestos sheets – 20%
 Semi corrugated AC sheets – 10%
Glazing: (IS 1200 Part 14)

 Glass panes measured to nearest 0.5 cm
 Irregular shaped/ circular shall be measured as smallest
rectangle/ square from which the shape could be cut
 If ground glass ordered allowance in thickness for loss due
to grinding to be given
 Measurements for doors/ windows/ ventilators fixed glazing
measured up to 0. 5M2 and exceeding 0.5 M2
Painting , Polishing and varnishing (IS 1200 Part 15)

Measurements:
 Areas of uneven surfaces converted into equivalent areas
 Height shall be from the bottom of lowest rail to top most
rail
 Doors and windows of composite sections measured
separately with application of appropriate coefficient, centre
line of common rail being dividing line
 Where shutter is provided with clearance > 15cm such
opening will be deducted
Painting - Measurements:
Measurement coefficients for undulating surfaces:
 Corrugated asbestos sheets – 20%
 Semi corrugated asbestos sheets – 10%
 Corrugated steel sheets – 14%
Sl no Description Multiplying factor
1.Panelled/ledged joinery 1.3(Each side)
2.Flushed joinery 1.2(Each side)
3.Flush shutter 1.2(Each side)
4.Fully glazed/ gauzed 0.8(Each side)
5.Partly panelleed/glazed 1.0(Each side)
6.Fully venetianed/louvered 1.8(Each side)
7.Weather boarding 1.2(Each side)
8.Wood shingle roofing 1.10(Each side)
9.Boarding with cover fillets 1.05(Each side)
10.Tile & slate battening 0.80(All over)
11.Trellis 2.00(All over)
12.Guard bars/ grills/XPM 1.00(All over)
13.Gates/open palisades 1.00(All over)
14.carved or enriched work 2.00(Each side)
15.Steel rolling shutters 1.10(Each side)
16.Plain steel sheet doors 1.10(Each side)
17.Fully glazed steel door 0.50(Each side)
18.Partly glazed steel doors 0.80(Each side)
19.Partly panelled/ glazed 0.80(Each side)
20.Collapsible gate 1.50(All over)
Laying of Water & Sewer Lines Including

appurtenances (IS 1200 Parts 16&19)
Water supply Lines:
 Pipes shall be classified according to diameter, length of
each pipe, kind & quality of material, method of jointing in
RM along centre line of pipes and fittings
 All fittings or specials shall be enumerated separately as
extra over pipes. Cutting & jointing the pipes to such
specials shall be deemed to be included with the item of
fittings
 Alternatively, - do- as above and all fittings or specials shall
be fully described and enumerated separately
Laying of Water & Sewer Lines Including appurtenances

(IS 1200 Parts 16&19)
Water supply Lines:
 Measurement of testing of pipe line shall be in RM
 Supports like hangers, pillars, crossing of railway line and
culverts, reconditioning of pavements shall be measured
separately
Sewer Lines:
 Shall be classified according to the diameter, length of each
pipe, kind and quality material, method of fixing.
 Measurement shall be along centre line. All fittings and
specials shall be enumerated separately as extra over the
sewer
Laying of Water & Sewer lines including appurtenances

(IS 1200 Parts 16&19)
Water supply Lines:
 Alternatively, -do- all joints, fittings or specials shall be
fully described and enumerated.
 Manholes: The manholes and inspection chambers shall be
measured in detail/enumerated ,say, up to ½ m, ½-1m, 1-2m,
2-3m depth and so on.
Demolition and Dismantling: (IS 1200 Part 18)

1. Measurement of all works, except hidden works, shall be
taken before demolition or dismantling and no allowance for
increase in bulk shall be made.
2. Dimensions shall be measured to nearest 0.01m, area nearest
0.01 sqm., volume to nearest 0.01 cum.
3. Work to be measured separately:
a) Work under water, work in liquid mud, work in or
under foul conditions, work under tides, work in snow
b) Lead up to 100m and beyond 100m up to 1 km in units
of 100m and those exceeding 1 km in units of 500m
Demolition and Dismantling: (IS 1200 Part 18)

4. Walls & piers, columns, bases, ashlar stones, RCC,
honeycomb work measured in Cum., Steel in kg., roofs in
sqm., wood in cum., floors in cum., wood work under 40
sq.cm. and average 40 sq.cm and above measured separately
Well foundations: (IS 1200 Part 24)

1. Measured separately for: a) Work in dry soil b) Work in wet
soil (30 cm above sub soil water) c) Work in foul situation
d) Work interrupted by tides (Low and high tide shall be
stated)
2. Removal of obstructions measured separately
3. Provision of island, if required, measured separately
4. Sinking measured in Rm. Stating shape & size of well.
(Depth: Level at which cutting edge is pitched to the level
which it rests finally)
5. Steining measured in cum. (Form work included)
6. Bottom plug measured on the basis of cement bags
consumed
Well foundations: (IS 1200 Part 24)

7. Filling in well in cum
8. Steel measures separately in MT.
9. Steel cutting edge measured separately in MT.
10.Cutting off the extra height of steining measured in cum
11.Pneumatic sinking measured in Rm.
12.Following measured separately:
Bringing & removing plant, use of plant when fitted on
well, not fitted on well, fixing & removing adopter & air
lock, corbel slab, keeping the well under pressure during
plugging, guniting, repairing, inspection, testing but
excluding sinking
Tunneling (IS 1200 Part 25)

 Tunnel excavation may be classified as
a) In hard rock not requiring supports
b) In all classes of soil, soft & hard rock requiring
temporary/ permanent supports
 Excavation includes drilling, blasting, ventilation, lighting,
scaling, handling of excavated material, and depositing at
the area earmarked
 Excavation measured in cum. in solid contained within
hypothetical line (described as ‘B’ line or pay line) subject
to minimum excavation up to ‘A’ line (normally 0.1m)

 Cement consumed at the point of mixing for
guniting/shotcreting required for protection of weak rock
shall be measured separately
 Temporary supports shall include furnishing, installing,
maintenance and removing including other connected
material, labour and equipment. Measurement , peripheral
length x length of tunnel
 Permanent supports: Furnishing, installing supports with all
bolts, nuts, butt plates, feather plates, dowels, wedges, tie
rods, spikes, drift pins, temporary timber spreads and
concrete pedestals, logging, blocking & back packing with
excavated material. All structural steel including riveted &
welded nuts bolts in Kg.

 Grouting behind the supports & concrete lining shall be
measured separately in terms of weight of cement consumed
 Pre cast concrete blocks as lagging formed so as to form part
of concrete lining shall be measured separately
 Rock bolts shall be measured separately on weight basis
 Pipes provided for drainage shall be measured separately
 Concrete lining : Concrete placed between formwork or the
outside surface of the steel shell and concrete lining shall be
inclusive of formwork
 No deduction for volume of reinforcement, but volume of
permanent supports shall be deducted

 Pressure grouting:
Grout holes: Measured in RM. Grout holes drilled in steel
plate lining measured in numbers
Grout pipes and fittings: Measured in kg
Water pressure testing: Each hole
Grouting: Weight of cement in grouting measured. Stone
dust/other material measured separately
Acid resistant Lining (IS 1200 Part 26)

1. Measurement in sqm. No deduction for openings ,0.1 sqm.
2. Expansion and dummy joints shall be included in the
description of the item
3. Work in repairs shall be described and preparation of old
surfaces to receive such work shall be included in the
description
4. Work in isolated areas not > 1 sqm. Shall be specified as
such
5. Work in pattern or more than one colour shall be described
Acid resistant Lining (IS 1200 Part 26)

6. Curved work, conical or spherical work shall be described
separately. Labour in such works shall be described &
measured separately
Earth work done by mechanical means(IS 1200 Part

27):
1. Measurement by cum.
2. Rock: May be quarried and split by mechanical means.
Blasting may be resorted. Levels shall be taken (Correct
5mm). Rock excavated shall be stacked and reduced by 50%
to allow for voids.
3. Embankment: Measured in cum. Deposited in layers stating
the thickness of layer. Measurement for successive layers of
1.5m depth stating commencing level.
4. Leads: Shortest practicable route measured up to 500m, exc.
500m in units of 500m. Where lead exceeds 5 km. measured
in units of 1 km. (>500m taken as 1 km and< 500m ignored.)
Earth work done by mechanical means(IS 1200 Part

27):
5. Travelling distance from C.G of excavation to C.G of
dumping ground is considered.
6. Lifts: Lift shall not be measured separately.
7. Planking & strutting measured in sqm. Planking and
strutting left permanently measured separately.
8. Removing trees: Trees > 30 cm in girth measured at 1 m
above GL, removal & depositing with a lead of 50m
measured in numbers.
Sound Insulation (IS 1200 Part 28):

1. Each measurement shall be measured, net, in decimal
system, as fixed in place.
2. Dimensions to the nearest 0.01m in length, 0.01 sqm in area
3. Ceiling/false ceiling, flooring on walls, curved work on roof:
On the basis of finished work
General rules:
1. Description shall include rises & other roundings & shapes
2. Work in repairs shall be so described stating thickness of
dubbing, if any
3. Sound insulation work on ceilings, walls & floors shall be
measured separately
Sound Insulation (IS 1200 Part 28):

4. Work in isolated areas not exceeding 1m² each shall be so
described stating the nature there of
5. Curved work, conical work and spherical work shall be
described separately stating the radius
6. Openings up to 0.3 m² shall not be deducted
7. Sound insulation work at a height > 10m above GL/datum
shall be measured separately in stages of 5m height in case
there is no floor in between. If there is a floor at a height not
exc. 5m, then it shall be measured separately for each floor
Method of Measurement of Plinth Carpet and Rentable

Areas of Buildings: (IS 3861 2002)
3.2 The areas of each of the following categories shall be
measured separately and shall not be clubbed together:
a) Basement
b) Floor without cladding (Stilted floor)
c) Floors including top floor which may be partly covered
d) Mezzanine floor including additional floor for seating in
assembly building/theatre auditorium etc.
e) Garage
f) Accommodation for service shaft
g) Stair cover/mumty
h) Machine room
j) Porch
k) Tower, turrets, domes projecting above the terrace level
Plinth area shall be built up area measured at floor level and
shall include:
a) Areas of walls at the floor level excluding plinth offsets if
any. When the building consists of columns projecting
beyond cladding, the plinth area shall be taken up to the
external face of the cladding. (In the case of corrugated
sheet cladding, outer edge of corrugation shall be considered.
In case of common walls only half area shall be considered.
b) Shafts for sanitary water supply installations garbage chute
telecommunication, electrical, firefighting, Air conditioning
& lifts
c) Stair cases
d) In case of open verandah with parapets

i) 100% area for portion protected by the projection above
ii) 50% of area for portion of unprotected from above
e) 100% of area of balcony protected by projection above
and 50% area of unprotected balcony
f) In case of alcove made in case of cantilever slab beyond
external wall
i) 25% of area for the alcove of height up to 1m
ii) 50% of area for alcove of height > 1m and < 2m
iii) 100% area for the alcove of height > 2m
Following shall not be included in plinth area:

a) Area of loft
b) Area of architectural band cornice etc.
c) Area of vertical sun breakers or box louvers projecting out
and other architectural features like flower pot projections
etc.
d) Open platform
e) Terrace
f) Open stair/service stair case
g) Area of mumty, machine room towers turrets domes
projecting above terrace level
5. Measurement of carpet area:

From plinth area the area of the wall shall be deducted.
Thickness of wall shall be inclusive of finishes.
(Note: Various dimensions could be measure internally and
externally)
Following shall be included in wall area:
a) Door and other openings in the wall
b) Pillars intermediate pillars supports or any other obstructions
within the plinth area irrespective of their location
c) Pilasters along wall exceeding 300 cm² in area
d) Flues which are within the wall
e) Built up cup board almirah & shelf appearing within a height
of 2.2m from floor
f) Fire place projecting beyond the face of wall in living & bed
room
Measurement of carpet area:

Following are excluded from wall area:
a) Pilaster along wall not exceeding 300 cm²
b) Chula platform projecting beyond face of wall
Following are excluded from carpet area:
a) Verandah
b) Corridor and passage
c) Entrance hall and porch
d) Stair case and mumty
e) Bath room and lavatory
f) Shaft and machine room for lift
g) Kitchen and pantry
Measurement of carpet area:

h) store
k) AC duct and plant room
l) Shaft for sanitary water supply installation, garbage chute
electrical, firefighting ,AC, telecommunication & lifts
(In a hall or basement, areas of portion 1m beyond the last step
shall be part of stair case)
Note: The carpet areas of categories mentioned in 3.2 b) flooring
without cladding, e) garage, g) mumty, h) machine room, k) tower
turrets, domes projecting above terrace & m) shafts for sanitary,
water supply installation, garbage chute, firefighting, AC duct,
telecommunication & lifts are not required to be calculated
Measurement of rentable area:

For Residential buildings, carpet area as worked out above
shall be increased to include in the following:
a) The carpet area of kitchen pantry, store, lavatory and bath
room
b) 50% of carpet area of unglazed and 100% of glazed
verandah
c) 25% of stilt floor without cladding
The carpet area excludes:
a) Storage area on top of landings of stair case, under first
landing and waist slab on floor one
Measurement of rentable area, non residential buildings:

Rentable area shall be carpet area increased by carpet area
of canteen, store, kitchen, pantry attached with it. Excludes
carpet area of bath, lavatory. 25% of carpet area of
flooring without cladding shall be accounted.
Abstracting and billing:

 Measurement books
 Bill of quantities
 Running bills
 Checking bills
 Final bills
Conclusion: Measurements and billing is an important aspect of

any construction industry/ organization. There is a need to
standardize the procedures all over the country and all concerned
should be familiar with the standard methods of measurements.
With the participation of international firms it is all the more
necessary. When any variation in method of measurement from
that given in SMM is contemplated, the same must be brought
out in the BOQ or contract conditions.

Quantity Survey Methods in Buildings: by V.R.K.Murty

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Quantity Survey Methods in Buildings: by V.R.K.Murty

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QUANTITY SURVEY

Centre line method

S.No. Description Nos L B D Quantity

1 Excavation 8 2.0 1.50 1.20 28.80m3

Timsing Dimensions Squaring Rough

2/4/ 2.00 Details of

SP - 27 Hand book of Method of Measurement of

Acid Resistant Brick work(IS 1200 Part 6)

2. -do- <40mm size, cinder, sand, moorum, M³

10. Marble slabs M²

11. Metal beading Rm

14. Pipe fittings Nos.

16. Expanded metal M²

18. Soling stone, boulders, rubble (15% deduction) M³

Steel/ aluminum, Iron work - Measurements:

Steel/ aluminum, Iron work (IS 1200 Part 8)

Roof covering Including Cladding): (IS 1200 Part 9)

Ceilings/ linings (IS 1200 Part 10)

Plastering/Pointing (IS 1200 Part 12)

White washing , Colour washing, Distempering, Cement

Colour washing, Distempering, Cement based painting –

Glazing: (IS 1200 Part 14)

Painting , Polishing and varnishing (IS 1200 Part 15)

Laying of Water & Sewer Lines Including

Laying of Water & Sewer Lines Including appurtenances

Laying of Water & Sewer lines including appurtenances

Demolition and Dismantling: (IS 1200 Part 18)

Demolition and Dismantling: (IS 1200 Part 18)

Well foundations: (IS 1200 Part 24)

Well foundations: (IS 1200 Part 24)

Tunneling (IS 1200 Part 25)

Tunneling (IS 1200 Part 25)

Tunneling (IS 1200 Part 25)

Tunneling (IS 1200 Part 25)

Acid resistant Lining (IS 1200 Part 26)

Acid resistant Lining (IS 1200 Part 26)

Earth work done by mechanical means(IS 1200 Part

Earth work done by mechanical means(IS 1200 Part

Sound Insulation (IS 1200 Part 28):

Sound Insulation (IS 1200 Part 28):

Method of Measurement of Plinth Carpet and Rentable

d) In case of open verandah with parapets

Following shall not be included in plinth area:

5. Measurement of carpet area:

Measurement of carpet area:

Measurement of carpet area:

Measurement of rentable area:

Measurement of rentable area, non residential buildings:

Abstracting and billing:

Conclusion: Measurements and billing is an important aspect of

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