INTRODUCTION

Chapter - 1

Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka

Lecturer
Kathmandu Engineering College,
Kalimati
Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 1
Outline:

1.1 General
1.2 Units of Measurement and payments for Various Items of Building
1.3 Works and Materials
1.4 Purpose of Estimating
1.5 Requirement of Estimating
1.6 Methods of Measurement of Building Work
1.7 Sub Head of Various Items of Building Work
1.8 Various Methods of Taking out Quantities
1.9 Abstracting Bill of Quantities

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Introduction: Estimate
• An estimate is a computation or calculation of the quantities required and expenditure likely to be incurred in
the construction of work.
• An estimate for any construction work may be defined as the process of calculating the quantities and the costs
of the various items required in connection with the work.
• The estimate is the probable cost of a proposed work and is determined theoretically by mathematical
calculations based on the plans and drawing and current rates.
• The primary objective of an estimate is to enable one to know beforehand (i.e. before the completion), the
probable cost of the work.

Estimated Cost and Actual Cost:

Estimated Cost - Estimated cost is the probable cost of the work and is usually prepared before the construction is
taken up.
Actual Cost – Actual cost is the cost of the work which is known only after the completion of the work. Account
of all expenditure is maintained day to day during the execution of work in the account section and at the end of
the completion of the work when the account is completed, the actual cost is known.
An estimate is never the actual cost of the work. But the actual cost should not differ much from the estimated
cost work out at the beginning. If the estimate is prepared carefully and correctly, there will not be much
difference between estimated cost and actual cost.
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• An estimate is never the actual cost of the work
An estimate is the probable cost of construction for a work. It is worked out from the dimensions on
the drawings and the standing rates at the time of preparation of the estimate. The accuracy of an
estimate depends on a careful study of the various dimensions on the drawings, method of estimating,
consideration of rates, probable expenses which may be required for various unforeseen works and
labourers and also quantity of tolerance for wastages. The accuracy of the estimate also depends on
the skill and experience of the estimator.
But the actual cost of construction can be known from the physical measurements of the dimensions
for various items of works at site and the actual rates of all such items of works during execution of
the work. All expenses for all probabilities can be known when the construction is completed. Day to
day expenditure is maintained by the account section during the execution of work and actual cost of
the work can be known after completion of the work as well as the account.
Thus, it can be justified that whatever method may be adopted, in general all estimates are
approximate in nature and are never the actual costs, and the difference between the estimated cost
and the actual cost must be minimum.
If the estimate is prepared carefully and correctly, there will not be much difference between
estimated cost and actual cost.

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Importance of Estimate:

The importance of estimate are as follows:

• It is necessary for fixing budget for the proposed project.
• It helps in calculating the required quantities of materials and labours for the
project.
• It is useful to check the work done by the contractors during and after the
execution.
• It helps in fixing the completion period of the proposed project.
• It is required for preparing tender for the project.
• An estimate is necessary for valuation of land and building.
• It is also required to control the expenditure during the execution of work.

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Purpose of Estimating:
Estimate for a work or project is necessary mainly for the following purposes:
• To ascertain the necessary amount of money required to complete the proposed work. (i.e. to
estimate the probable cost of the work)
• To find the various types and quantities of the materials required.
• To assess the requirements of tools, plants and equipment required to complete the work.
• To calculate the number of different categories of workers that are to be employed to complete
the work within the scheduled time of completion.
• To give an idea of time required for the completion of the work. (i.e. to fix up the completion
period)
• To draw up a construction/work schedule and program and also to arrange the funds required
according to the programming.
• To invite the tenders and quotations and to arrange contract.
• To help in fixation of standard rent and valuation of properties.
• To justify the investment from benefit cost ratio.
• To control the expenditure during the execution of work.

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Requirement of Estimating/Data Required for Estimating:

In order to prepare an estimate for a work, following data are necessary:

1. Drawings
Actual construction is visualized by estimator through drawing. The drawing is the basis from
which quantities of various items for a work are calculated.
Therefore complete and fully dimensioned drawings, showing plans, sections, elevations and other
details, are required.
2. Specifications
General specifications give general idea about the nature, quality and class of work and materials to
be used in the various parts of the work. This forms a general idea for the work or project.
Detailed specifications describe every item of work. These specify the qualities, quantities and
proportions of materials, workmanship, method of preparation and execution for different items of
work.
Thus specifications are required for preparing a good estimate.

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3. Rates
Quantities of different items of works are estimated from the drawing and these are multiplied by the
rates. So, rates for different items of works are vital factors to determine the estimated cost.
For preparing the estimate, rates per unit of various items of work, rates of various materials to be
used, wages of different categories of labour, cost of transport, charge of tools and equipment etc. are
required.
4. Methods of Measurement/Updated Modes of Measurement
Updated modes of measurement for standard deductions or additions are also necessary to determine
the correct quantities of work.
5. Standing Circulars
Standing circulars for taxes and insurance etc. are required to fix up rates of those items which are
not in the schedule of rates.

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System of Units/Units of Measurement/Principle of Units and Measurement/Principle of Units for
Various Items of Works:
The units of different works depend on their nature, size and shape. In general, the units of different items of
work are based on the following principle:
i. Mass, voluminous and thick works shall be taken in cubic unit or volume (𝑚3 ). The measurements
of length, breadth and height/depth shall be taken to compute the volume or cubic contents.
Earthwork, brickwork, cement concrete etc. shall be expressed/taken in 𝑚3 (cubic meter).
ii. Shallow, thin and surface works shall be taken in square unit or in area (𝑚2 ). The measurement of
length and breadth/height shall be taken to compute the area.
Plastering, white washing, partitions of specified thickness etc. shall be expressed/taken in
𝑚2 (square meter).
iii. Long and thin work shall be taken in linear or running unit (rm), and linear measurement shall be
taken.
Cornice, fencing, skirting, hand rail, bands of specified width etc. shall be expressed/taken
in rm (running meter).
iv. Piece work, job work etc. shall be taken in number.
Wash basins, doors, windows etc. shall be expressed/taken in number.

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 Units of Measurement and Payment:
Item No Description of Work Units of Units of
Measurement Payment
1 Earthwork
1.1 Earthwork in excavation 𝑚3 Per 100 𝑚3
1.2 Earthwork in filling 𝑚3 Per 100 𝑚3
1.3 Surface dressing and levelling, cleaning etc. 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
1.4 Earthwork in cutting in road work and irrigation work 𝑚3 Per 100 𝑚3
1.5 Earthwork in banking in road work and irrigation work 𝑚3 Per 100 𝑚3
1.6 Cutting of trees (girth specified) No. Per No.
1.7 Excavation in hard rock 𝑚3 Per 100 𝑚3
1.8 Quarrying of stone or boulder 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
2 Brickwork
2.1 Brickwork on flat soling 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
2.2 Brickwork on foundation 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
2.3 Brickwork in superstructure 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
2.4 Brickwork inPrepared
archesBy: Er Santosh Khadka 𝑚3 Per 𝑚103
2.5 Brickwork in well steining 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
2.6 Brickwork in cornice rm Per rm
2.7 Half brick thick wall 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
2.8 Honeycomb brick wall (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
2.9 Brick edging (by roadside) rm Per rm
3 Concrete work
3.1 Lime concrete foundation 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
3.2 PCC in foundation 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
3.3 75 mm thick PCC 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
3.4 50 mm thick PCC 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
3.4 Lime concrete PCC 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
3.5 PCC for RCC works 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
3.6 DPC (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
4 Wood work
4.1 Wood work for doors and windows frame 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
4.2 Doors and windows shutters 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
4.3 Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka
Wood work for rafter, joist, post, purlin etc. 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3 11
4.4 Wood work for trusses 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
4.5 Wooden partitions 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
4.6 Wooden false ceilings 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
4.7 Wooden form work 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
4.8 Timbering, boarding (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
5 Stone work
5.1 Stone masonry in walls 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
5.2 Stone masonry in arches 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
5.3 Cut stone work in lintel, beam etc. 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
5.4 Stone slab in roof (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
5.5 Stone work in wall facing or lining (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
6 Plastering and Pointing
6.1 Plastering – Cement mortar, lime mortar (thickness, proportion specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
6.2 Pointing works 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
6.3 Skirting works (thickness and height specified) m Per m
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7 Metal works/Steel works
7.1 Rolled steel joist, channels, angles etc. Quintal Per quintal
7.2 Steel reinforcement bars in RCC Quintal Per quintal
7.3 Steel work in trusses Quintal Per quintal
7.4 Barbed wire fencing rm Per rm
7.5 Iron gate 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
7.6 Iron railing (height and type specified) rm Per rm
7.7 Rolling shutter 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
7.8 Steel doors and windows (type and fixing specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
7.9 Collapsible gate 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
8 Painting and Polishing
8.1 Painting works, varnishing (no. of coat specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
8.2 White washing, cement washing, color washing (no. of coat specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
8.3 Distempering (no. of coat specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
8.4 Polishing of wood work (no. of coat specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
8.5 Painting letters and figures (height specified) No. Per No.
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 9 Paving, Flooring
9.1 Brick flat flooring 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
9.2 Lime or cement concrete floors or pavings 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
9.3 Terrazzo or Mosaic flooring 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
9.4 Stone slab flooring 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
10 Roofing
10.1 Tiled roof 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
10.2 Corrugated iron roof 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
10.3 Asbestos cement (A.C.) sheet roof 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
10.4 Slate roofing, timber roofing 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
10.5 Water proofing on roof 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
11 Miscellaneous
11.1 All pipe lines – water pipe, rainwater pipe, sanitary pipe etc. (Dia. Specified) rm Per rm
11.2 Sewer lines rm Per rm
11.3 Door handles No. Per No.
11.4 Glass panes 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
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11.5 Sanitary fittings No. Per No.
11.6 Surface drains (small) rm Per rm
11.7 Fixing doors and windows No. Per No.
11.8 Threading in iron cm Per cm
11.9 Demolition and dismantling (different work shall be classified) 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
11.10 Electric wiring, fan, light and plug Point Per Point
11.11 Bituminous road surfacing 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
11.12 Painting furnitures No. Per No.
11.13 Lining of irrigation channel, tunnel (thickness specified) 𝑚2 Per 𝑚2
12 Materials
12.1 Bricks, brick tiles No. Per No. (or Per 100 No.)
12.2 cement Bag (50 kg) Per bag
12.3 Sand, surkhi, cinder 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
12.4 Lime Kg or Quintal Per Kg or Quintal
12.5 Aggregate 𝑚3 Per 𝑚3
12.6 Varnish, oil, paints etc. Litre Per litre
12.7 Timber Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka
𝑚3 Per 𝑚3 15
Method of Measurements of Building and Civil Engineering Works:
Measurement of works occupies a very important place in the planning and execution of any work or project,
from the time of the first estimate are made until the completion and settlement of payments. The methods
followed for the measurement should be uniform throughout the country.
The uniform methods of measurement to be followed which is applicable to the preparation of estimates and
bill of quantities and to the site measurement of completed works have been described below:
General Rules:
1. Measurement shall be item wise for the finished item of work and the description of each item shall be
held to include materials, transport, labour, fabrication, hoisting, tools and plants, overheads and other
incidental charges for finishing the work to the required shape, size, design and specifications. The
nomenclature of each item shall be fully described so that the work involved in item is self-explanatory.
2. In booking dimensions, the order shall be in the sequence of length, breadth and height or depth or
thickness.
3. All works shall be measured net subject to following tolerances unless otherwise stated –
a) Dimensions shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 meter.
b) Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 square meter.
c) Cubic contents shall be worked up to the nearest 0.01 cubic meter.
4. Same type of work under different conditions and nature shall be measured separately under separate
items.
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5. The bill of quantities shall fully describe the materials, proportions and workmanships, and
accurately represent the work to be executed. Work which, by its nature, can not be accurately
taken off or which requires site measurements shall be described as Provisional.
6. Incase of structural concrete, brickwork or stone masonry, the work under the following
categories shall be measured separately and the heights shall be described –
a) From foundation to plinth level; (b) From plinth level to first floor level; (c) From first
floor level to second floor level and so on.

Principle of Units:
• Mass, voluminous and thick works shall be taken in cubic unit or volume (𝑚3 ). The measurements
of length, breadth and height/depth shall be taken to compute the volume or cubic contents.
• Shallow, thin and surface works shall be taken in square unit or in area (𝑚2 ). The measurement of
length and breadth/height shall be taken to compute the area.
• Long and thin work shall be taken in linear or running unit (rm), and linear measurement shall be
taken.
• Piece work, job work etc. shall be taken in number.

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1. Earthwork:
Earthwork shall be taken in cu.m. ( cu.ft.) and the length, breadth and height or depth shall be
measured to get cubic content.
Earthwork of different nature as in excavation in foundation, in trenches etc. and in filling in
plinth, in banking etc. shall be measured under separate items.
Earthwork in different kinds of soil as ordinary soil, hard soil, ordinary rock, hard rock etc.
shall be classified separately and measured under separate item.
Excavation shall include throwing of the excavated earth at least one meter clear of the edge of
the excavation.
Dressing or trimming and levelling or grading, ramming and consolidation thickness of each
layer etc. shall be described and included in the item of earthwork.
Measurement of excavation of trenches or borrow pits shall be taken for average dimensions.
Whenever it is not possible or convenient to make measurements from cutting, the filling or
banking shall be measured and deduction for shrinkage or voids shall be made from actual
measured cubic contents depending on the nature of soil and methods of consolidation.
Generally, 10% deduction shall be made in case of ordinary consolidated fills.

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For road earthwork in banking, the profile or fill measurement may be taken and usual settlement or
shrinkage allowance shall be given. The volume or quantity shall be obtained by multiplying
sectional area by the length.
No separate measurement shall be taken for setting out works, profiles, site clearance, removal of
slips and or falls etc. These are included in the rate.
Lead and Lift – The measurement shall be taken separately for every 30 m lead/distance and every
1.5 m lift/height/depth. The lead shall be measured from centre of the area of excavation to the centre
of the area of spoil heap. Similarly, lift shall be measured from the centre of excavation to the centre
of spoil heap.
Foundation Trench – Unless otherwise specified the foundation trench shall be measured in cu.m. for
rectangular section, bottom width being width of concrete and the depth shall be measured as vertical
depth even though the contractor might have excavated with sloping sides for convenience.
Surface Excavation – Excavation exceeding 1.5 m in width as well as 10 sq.m. in plan but not
exceeding 30 cm in depth shall be described as surface excavation and measured in sq.m.
Surface Dressing – Trimming and dressing of natural ground to remove vegetation and small
irregularities not exceeding 15 cm deep shall be taken in sq.m. under a separate item ‘Surface
Dressing’.

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2. Concrete Work:
Different kinds of concrete work as lime concrete, cement concrete, reinforced cement concrete etc. of different
proportions, different materials shall be taken under separate items. Concrete foundation, roof, wall, mass
concrete etc. shall be classified and measured under separate items.
Concrete shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) and measurements of length, breadth and height or thickness shall be
taken to the nearest 1 cm. No deduction shall be made for openings upto 0.1 sq.m. (1 sq.ft.)
Formwork, centering and shuttering shall be taken under separate item in sq.m. (sq.ft.) unless otherwise herein
provided.
RCC Work – Reinforced cement concrete shall be kept separate from unreinforced concrete.
RCC work shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) excluding steel and the steel reinforcement shall be measured under
separate item in quintal (kg).
Normally, centering and shuttering (formwork) shall not be measured separately but included in the rate of RCC
work.
Binding wire is not measured separately.
The volume occupied by reinforcement shall not be deducted from the measured concrete volume.
The item of RCC work shall include RCC slabs, beams, lintels, columns, staircases, foundation etc. and each of
them shall be classified under a separate item.

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Precast Cement Concrete – Precast cement concrete reinforced or plain shall be taken separately in cu.m. (cu.ft.)
and shall be described as including all moulds, finished faces hoisting and setting in position.
Damp Proof Course (DPC) - DPC is provided at the plinth level to full width of plinth wall and the quantities
are computed in sq.m. by multiplying length and breadth, stating thickness. DPC is provided to prevent the rise
of water by capillary action from the ground.
The horizontal and vertical DPC shall be measured separately.
3. Brickwork:
The description of the bricks and the materials of mortar with proportion shall be stated. Different kinds and
classes of brickwork shall be taken under separate items. The brickwork of foundation and plinth, of first floor,
of second floor etc. shall be measured under separate items.
Scaffolding works are not measured separately but included in the item of brickwork.
Brickwork shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) and measurements of length, breadth or thickness and height shall be
taken to compute the quantity.
No deduction or addition shall be made for the following –
• Opening upto 0.1 sq.m. (1 sq.ft.) in section.
• Ends of joists, beams, lintels, posts, rafters, purlins, steps etc.
• Wall plates and bed plates, bearing of slabs, chajjas and the like where the thickness does not exceed 10
cm and the bearing does not extend over the full width (thickness) of wall.
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Brickwork in arches shall be measured in cu.m. (cu.ft.) separately.
Well Steining – Brickwork in well steining shall be measured in cu.m. (cu.ft.) separately stating the mean radius and
total depth of steining.
Honeycomb Brickwork – Honeycomb brickwork shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the thickness of wall and the
pattern of honeycombing. Honeycomb holes or openings shall not be deducted.
Partition Wall – Half brick wall shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the thickness and shall be fully described
including mortar and its proportion.
Reinforced Brickwork – Reinforced brickwork shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) under separate item. The steel
reinforcement shall be measured separately in quintal (kg).
4. Stone Masonry:
The description of stone, materials or mortar and their proportion and the nature and type of walling shall be stated.
Different kind of stone masonry as random or uncoursed rubble walling, coursed rubble walling, ashlar walling etc.
shall be taken under separate items.
Stone masonry work shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.).
Rules for deduction, measurement of an arch work and other items of stone masonry shall be same as for the
similar items of brickwork.
Stone face work or wall lining shall be described and taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the thickness. Dressed stone
work in sills, steps, columns etc. shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) and the type of dressing shall be described fully.
Boulder work shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.) stating the size of boulders. Different kind and nature of boulder work
shall be taken under separate item.
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5. Woodwork:
Woodwork shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.). Different kind of wood and different nature of woodwork shall be taken
under separate items and shall be fully described stating wood and the work.
Boarding – Roof boarding, ceiling, floor shelves, partitions etc. shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the finished
thickness and shall be fully described.
Centering and Shuttering – Normally centering and shuttering (formwork) shall not be measured separately but
included in the corresponding concrete work. If specified that the formwork shall be paid separately, the formwork
shall be measured and the actual surface in contact with the concrete shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) shall include
plankings, props, wedges, nails etc. formwork of different kind of works as beams, lintels, floors, roads, walls,
columns, staircase etc. shall be measured under separate items and fully described.
Door and window shutter shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the thickness and the kind of wood and both faces
shall be described. Measurement shall be taken from inside after closing the shutters excluding chaukhat.
Different types of shutters shall be taken separately and each type fully described.
Door and window chaukhat shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.). The total length of the chaukhat is found first and this
is multiplied by the two sides of its cross-section. If there is horn projections, these projections also should be
added to the length. Type of wood shall be stated and chaukhat of different kind of wood shall be kept separately.
Fittings may be taken under separate item in sq. m basis of shutters or a lump sum provision may be made.
Holdfasts are taken separately under a separate item by weight or by number.
Woodwork like wooden beams, posts, wooden roof trusses etc. are computed in cubic meter. The dimensions of
finished work shall be taken.

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6. Steel and Iron work:
Steel and iron work is measured in weight in kg or quintal.
Various items shall be measured under separate items. Bending shall not be measured separately, this shall
be included in the item of correspondence.
Structural steel works – Structural steel works as girders, compound girders, plate and lattice girders, steel
stanchions, trusses, framed steel work etc. shall be taken under separate item and measured in quintal (kg).
No deduction shall be made for rivet and bolt holes.
Bolts – Bolts, holding down bolts, anchor bolts etc. shall be measured in quintal (kg) separately including
nuts and head and washers shall be grouped according to the diameter.
Cast iron spiral staircase shall be enumerated (i.e. counted as one for the complete work), stating the
overall diameter, total number of treads and total height above ground level.
Steel reinforcement – Steel reinforcement shall be measured by weight in quintal (kg) stating the diameter
and shall include cutting to length, hooked ends cranking or bending etc. Different diameter bars shall be
kept separate.
Wire fencing – Plain or barbed wire in fencing shall be measured in running meter (running ft.). Fencing
post shall be measured separately.
Lightning conductors – Conductors and band of tape shall be measured in running meter (running ft.) in
position after fixing stating width, gauge or thickness, metal etc. and shall be described, including the
method of fixing.

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7. Roof Covering:
Roof covering shall generally be taken in sq. m. (sq.ft.) and measurement of laid roof shall be taken without any
allowance for laps. Opening upto 0.4 sq. m (4 sq.ft.) shall not be considered. Supporting structure of roof shall be
taken under separate item.
Sloping roof –
Sheet roofing shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) of the laid work. The gauge of the metal and the method of fixing
including side and end laps shall be described.
Corrugated sheeting shall be measured flat not girthed. Asbestos cement sheeting shall be measured flat and not
girthed.
Roof tiling shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) of the laid work net stating the kind, pattern, quality, size and thickness
of tile, numbers of layers etc. and method of laying shall be described.
Flat terraced roof –
Flat terraced roof shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the thickness, size and quality of bricks, tiles or stone
slabs. The spacing, number of layers, type of joint, kind of mortar and its mix, pointing and the method of laying
shall be described. The finish on top and underside of roof shall be included with the roofing.
Different kind of terraced roof shall be taken as separate item.
Water proofing layer with tar or bitumen shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) sating the quality, type and quantities of
materials to be used per sq.m. (sq.ft.).
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8. Ceiling:
Ceiling shall be taken in sq.m and the materials, thickness and the method of fixing shall be described.
No deduction shall be made for opening upto 0.4 sq.m. (4 sq.ft.).
Different kind of ceiling shall be kept separate.
9. Flooring:
Flooring (floors) shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) Net area covered shall be measured stating the
thickness, kind of materials, size, type of mortar and its mix proportion. The method of bedding,
jointing and surface finishing shall be described.
Different kind of flooring as brick flat, brick-on-edge, stone, marble, cement concrete, mosaic etc.
shall be taken under separate item.
The surface finishing of cement concrete floor shall be measured in sq.m. separately unless otherwise
stated and fully described. The rubbing and polishing of mosaic, terrazzo, marble or stone floor are
usually included in the item. Pointing of brick floor shall be measured in sq.m. separately unless
otherwise stated.
Skirting - Skirting upto 30 cm in height shall be measured in running meter (r ft) and skirting
exceeding 30 cm shall be measured in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the type of finish.

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10. Plastering and Pointing:
Plastering shall be taken in sq.m (sq.ft.) stating thickness, mortar and its mix.
For walls, the measurements are taken for the whole face of the wall for both sides as solid, and
deductions for openings shall be made in the following manner:
 No deductions shall be made for ends of beams, posts, rafters etc.
 No deductions shall be made for small openings upto 0.5 sq.m. (5 sq.ft.) each and at the same
time no additions are made for jambs, soffits and sills of these openings.
 For openings exceeding 0.5 sq.m (5 sq.ft.) but not 3 sq.m (30 sq.ft.) each, deduction shall be
made for one face only and the other face is allowed for jambs, soffits and sills which shall not
be measured.
 For openings above 3 sq.m. (30 sq.ft.) each, deduction shall be made for both faces of the
openings and the jambs, soffits and sills shall be measured and added.
Plastering of ceiling is taken under separate head as this work is done with richer mortar.
Pointing – Pointing shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) and measured flat of the whole surface area stating
the type of pointing, mortar and its mix. Various types of pointing as struck, flush, keyed, truck etc.
shall be taken separately. Pointing of wall, floor, roof etc. shall be kept separate.

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11. White Washing, Colour Washing and Distempering:
All works falling under this shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.). Preparation of surface as cleaning, brooming, scraping
etc. shall be included in the item. Different types of works shall be measured separately and described. Deductions
shall be dealt in the same way as for plastering.
Finishing coat on corrugated surface shall be measured flat as fixed in sq.m. (sq.ft.) and not girthed and the
quantities so measured shall be increased by the following percentages and added with the measured area:
Corrugated iron sheets – 14%
Corrugated asbestos cement sheets – 20%
Semi-corrugated asbestos cement sheets – 10%
12. Painting:
Painting shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the number of coats and measurement shall be taken flat.
Preparatory work as cleaning, rubbing down, removing, burning off etc. shall be described. Different types of
surfaces such as steel, wood, concrete etc. shall be taken under separate items.
Corrugated surfaces shall be measured flat in sq.m. (sq.ft.) and percentage increase similar to white washing etc.
shall be added.
Painting of doors and windows shall be measured closed and flat not girthed in sq. m. (sq.ft.) and shall include
chaukhat edges, cleats etc. Areas of uneven surfaces shall be covered into equivalent plain area by multiplying the
flat measured area by a multiplying factor.
Varnishing of wood work shall be measured in the same way as for painting.
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The coefficients or multiplying factors for different surfaces to get equivalent plain area are as given
below:

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13. Sanitary and Water Supply Work:
All pipes and fittings should be classified according to their types, diameters, jointing and fixing. Pipes of
different types and different types of joints shall be taken separately.
Pipes shall be measured in running meter (r ft.) net as laid or fixed with overall fittings such as bends, junction
etc. which shall not be measured separately. The length shall be measured along the centre line of the pipes and
fittings. Methods of laying and jointing shall be fully described. Testing of pipe line shall be included in the
item.
Fitting and Appliances –
Gullies, syphons, intercepting traps etc. including concrete bedding and setting in position shall be enumerated,
stating the size.
Connection of fittings as elbows, bends, tees, connectors, unions, sockets etc. shall be enumerated.
Closet pans, urinals, flushing cisterns, lavatory basins, bath tubs, shower rose and other fittings shall be
enumerated, stating the size and fully described.
Sluice valves, stop cocks, hydrants, water meters etc. shall be described stating size and enumerated.
Manholes -
Manholes upto 6 m depth shall be enumerated, stating the size and depth and shall include cast iron cover with
frame (weight to be stated), foot iron, inverts, materials and mortar, formwork etc. all of which shall be fully
described.
Manholes exceeding 6 m in depth shall be measured in details under the various items of works as brick work,
concrete work, C.I. cover with frame etc.
Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 30
14. Electrical Work
Electrical wiring shall be taken in points as light point, fan point, plug point etc. and shall be enumerated under different
items and fully described.
Point wiring shall include all work necessary in complete wiring of a tumbler switch circuit and length from the tapping
point on the distribution circuit to the various points as ceiling rose, lamp holder, back plate, call bell etc. via the switch.
Lamps, lamp holders, sockets, outlets, fans, regulators, call bells, fuses, main switch boards etc. shall not be included in
the point wiring but shall be enumerated separately and fully described.
The length of wiring from the main switch board to sub main board shall be considered as circuit wiring and shall be
measured separately in running meter (r ft.) stating the type and size of wire.
15. Road Work:
Road metal, ballast, grit etc. shall be measured in cu.m. (cu.ft.) stating gauge, the type, quantity etc. and shall be
described. In boulder, deduct 10% for voids.
Soling - Soling coat shall be taken in sq. m. (sq.ft.) of the laid work stating the thickness of layer, number of layers,
quality of materials etc. The method of laying, filling of joints and rolling shall be fully described.
Preparation of sub-grade to proper camber shall be measured in sq.m. (sq.ft.) and described fully. Sub-bases or light
wearing surfaces shall be taken in sq.m. (sq.ft.) stating the minimum thickness and describing the method of
consolidation.
Tar and bitumen road – Tar and bitumen roads in general shall be taken in sq.m (sq.ft.) stating the quality and quantity of
binder, stone grit etc. The method of preparation of surface, mixing, laying, consolidation etc. shall be included and fully
described.
Cement concrete road – Cement concrete road shall be measured in cu.m. Formwork of pavement not exceeding 20 cm in
thickness shall be included in the concrete item and described including formwork. For those exceeding 20 cm in
thickness the formwork shall be measured separately. Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 31
16. Dismantling and Demolition:
The term dismantling implies carefully taking up or down and removing carefully without damage.
The term demolition implies taking up or down or breaking up without care.
The units and methods of measurement of dismantling and demolition shall be generally the same as
those employed for the construction of the respective item of work. Full description of work including
necessary precautions and protections required shall be stated.
Parts of work required to be dismantled and those required to be demolished shall be measured
separately.
Dismantling of walls shall be measured in cu.m. Dismantling of steel and iron work shall be measured in
kg. Dismantling of doors and windows shall be enumerated stating their size.
17. Materials:
Bricks and tiles shall be taken in numbers stating the size and quality under different classification.
Sand, surkhi, cinder, brick ballast, stone ballast, boulder etc. shall be taken in cu.m. (cu.ft.).
Cement shall be measured by weight in 50 kg bag.
White lime shall be measured by weight in kg.

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Subheads of Various Items of Work:

The term sub head is used to describe the sub-divisions into which the total cost of a work is divided
for financial control and statistical convenience.
The whole work is divided into different classes of items, and items of similar nature are grouped
under sub-heads of work are as follows:
i. Earthwork
ii. Concrete work
iii. Brickwork
iv. Stone work
v. Wood work
vi. Steel work
vii. Roofing
viii. Flooring
ix. Plastering and pointing
x. Painting and distempering
xi. White washing and colour washing
xii. Miscellaneous items
Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 33
Various Methods of Taking Out Quantities/Methods of Taking Out Estimates/Methods of Building Estimates:
The quantities of various items such as earthwork in excavation, foundation concrete, brickwork in foundation
and plinth, brickwork in superstructure etc. can be estimated by any of the following methods:
• Centre Line Method
• Long and Short Wall Method (or Out to Out and In to In Method)
• Crossing Method

1. Centre Line Method –

In this method, calculate the total center line length of walls in a building and multiply the same by the
breadth and depth of the respective item to get the total quantity at a time. For different sections of walls in a
building, the center line length for each type shall be worked out separately.
In case of partition walls joining the main walls, the center line length shall be reduced by half of the breadth
of main wall that joins with the partition wall at same level. Number of such joints are studied first to calculate
the centre line length.
By this method estimates may be prepared more quickly and this method is as accurate as the other methods.
Only in the case of an unsymmetrical wall which is generally rare, no advantage may be claimed by this
method over others as the centre line varies at every layer. But to estimate circular, hexagonal, octagonal etc.
shaped building this method is specially useful.

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Example:

4.0 m

1 1
• Length of long wall (centre to centre) = Inner length of room + (thickness of wall on one side) + (thickness of
2 2
wall on other side)
From above fig: C/C length of long wall = 4 + 0.15 + 0.15 = 4.3 m
1 1
• Length of short wall (centre to centre) = Inner breadth of room + (thickness of wall on one side) + (thickness
2 2
of wall on other side)
From above fig: C/C length of short wall = 2.5 + 0.15 + 0.15 = 2.8 m
Thus, Total centre line length of all wall = 2 × 4.3 + 2 × 2.8
= 14.2 m
Item No. Description of item No. Length(m) Breadth(m) Height(m) Quantity Explanatory note
1 Brickwork 1 Prepared By: Er Santosh
14.2 0.3Khadka 3 11.88 𝑚3 35
2. Long and Short Wall Method/Out to Out and In to In Method –
In this method, the longer walls in a building ( generally in one direction) are considered as long
walls and measured from out to out and the shorter or partition walls, in a perpendicular direction
of long walls are considered as short walls and are measured from in to in for a particular layer of
work. These lengths of long and short walls are multiplied separately by the breadth and height
of corresponding layer and added to get the quantity. (Such lengths of long and short walls vary
in every layer of footing.)
To calculate the lengths of long and short walls, determine first their center to center lengths
individually from the plan. Then the length of the long wall, out to out, may be calculated after
adding half breadth of wall at each end to its centre to centre length. Thus the length of the short
wall measured in to in may be found out after subtraction of half breadth at each end from its
centre to centre length.

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Example:

1 1
• Long wall length, out to out = C/C length + breadth + breadth = C/C length + One breadth
2 2
1 1
From above fig: C/C length of long wall = 5 + × 0.3 + × 0.3 = 5.3 m
2 2
1 1
Thus, length of long wall = 5.3 + × 0.3 + × 0.3 = 5.6 m
2 2
1 1
• Short wall length, in to in = C/C length - breadth - breadth = C/C length - One breadth
2 2
1 1
From above fig: C/C length of short wall = 3 + × 0.3 + × 0.3 = 3.3 m
2 2
1 1
Thus, length of long wall = 3.3 - × 0.3 - × 0.3 = 3 m
2 2

Item No. Description of item No. Length(m) Breadth(m) Height(m) Quantity Explanatory note
1 Brickwork
• Long wall 2 5.6 0.3 3 𝑚3
• Short wall 2 3Prepared By: Er Santosh
0.3Khadka 3 𝑚3 37
3. Crossing Method –
In this method, calculate the overall perimeter of the building and subtract from this, four times the thickness of
the wall to obtain the centre line length.
Internal walls are grouped separately to their sections and measured in between the internal faces of the main
wall at that level.
Principally, this method is the same as the centre line method but differs in the process of calculation to find the
centre line lengths.
Example:
• Total centre line length = Overall perimeter – 4 × thickness of wall
= (2 × 3.6 + 2 × 5.6) – 4 × 0.3
= 17.2 m

Item No. Description of item No. Length(m) Breadth(m) Height(m) Quantity Explanatory note
1 Brickwork 1 17.2 0.3 3 15.48 𝑚3
Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 38
Numericals:

Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 39

Abstracting Bill of Quantities/Bill of Quantities:

This is a complete list of all items of work involved in connection with the estimate for a project with
the description, quantity and unit rate against each item of work.
In other words, it is the statement of various items of work giving the description, quantities and unit
rate.
It is prepared/filled up in a tabular form similar to the “Abstract of Estimated Cost”, but the rate and
amount columns remain blank/left blank (unfilled).
When the rates and amounts are filled up and totaled, this gives the estimated cost of project.
Such a bill of quantities is provided in a tender form for item rate tenders. Contractors put up their
own competitive rates and calculate the totals to offer their estimated amount to complete the whole
work.
The bill of quantities is also required to calculate the quantities of different materials required for the
project.

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S.No. Description or Particulars Quantity Unit Rate Unit of Amount
(Rs.P) rate (Rs.P)
1. Earthwork in excavation 55 𝑚3
2. Earthwork in filling 22 𝑚3
3. Brickwork in superstructure 24 𝑚3

Or

Item No. Description or Particulars Quantity Unit Rate Amount

1. Earthwork in excavation 55 𝑚3
2. Earthwork in filling 22 𝑚3
3. Brickwork in superstructure 24 𝑚3

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Thank you

Prepared By: Er Santosh Khadka 42