3 CHAPTER 3- QUANTITY SURVEYING

3.1 Introduction
In a civil engineering activity, the owner promises to pay the contractor an amount for the work
that he does; this would then require that the actual works done be somehow estimated or
measured for payment purposes. Once a construction project is completed or depending on the
form of contract upon completion of certain parts of the work, the contractor must be paid for
appropriately completed works.

To estimate how much a civil engineering project may cost, the actual quantities of materials,
labor & equipment etc. that is needed for the construction work must be calculated at the
beginning of the work. Such work of calculating the amount of materials and other incidentals
necessary for the realization of the work is called quantity surveying.

Quantity surveying is a term or processes used in the construction industry to take measurements
of civil works, prepare specifications, and estimate the cost of works either for each trade of
work or for the whole project.

The term “surveying” means to inspect, study, review, investigate, asses, and hence “to measure”
therefore the term “quantity surveying” means “quantity measuring” as applied to civil
engineering projects.

Quantity surveying is the application of standard methods of measurement to quantify the

amount of various items in a construction project, for the undertaking of valuation, and certifying
payments.

The following tasks are covered in quantity surveying:

• preparation of Specification
• Taking measurements of civil works (Taking off quantities and preparing BOQ)
• Preparation of approximate (preliminary) cost estimate at the very early stage of the
project

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 • Preparation of detail cost estimate at different stages (taking as built measurements and
preparing payment certificates or approval of payment certificates prepared by taking
measurements)
• Valuation of property

3.2 The purpose of quantity surveying

The purpose of quantity surveying or the preparation of Bill of quantities is:
• To assist the client to have an accurate estimate of the volume of work as well as the
required budget.
• To assist in the accurate preparation of tenders, by providing uniform measurement of
quantities.
• To give an accurate checklist of work accomplished
• To assist in the certification of payments
• To give insight into the required variation work amounts.

3.3 Measurement of civil works

Measurement of civil works includes the billing of each trade of work either from drawings or
the building itself for defining the extent of works under each trade. In order to avoid ambiguity
in measuring quantities, there is now a recommended principle of measurement in construction
activities. Many professional organizations publish recommendations on units of measurement,
degree of accuracy etc. this assists in setting a common parameter so that dispute is avoided.

The standard book, which is used in Ethiopia, is standard technical specification & method of
measurement for construction of buildings by BaTCoDA, March 1991. Ethiopian Road
Authority Standard Specification, 2002 is used for Road Construction.

3.3.1 Principles of Measurement

The following are list of the basic principles of quantity surveying, applicable to all items of
work.

• Each work section of a bill shall contain a brief description of the nature and location
of work.
• Work shall be measured net as fixed in position.

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 • Measure the full work area and adjust deductions later.
• Items which are to be measured by area shall state the thickness or such other
information as may be appropriate.
• Items which are to be measured by length or depth shall state the cross-sectional size
and shape, girth or ranges of girths or such other information as may be appropriate.
• Items which are to be measured by weight shall state the material thickness and unit
weight if appropriate (Ex. Duct work)
• Piece of work shall be taken in numbers.
• For items of pipe work it shall be stated whether the diameter is internal or external.
• Mass voluminous and thick works shall be measured in volume (cubic meter)
• Thin, shallow and surface work shall be measured in area (meter square) specifying
the thickness.
• Long and thin work shall be measured in length (linear measure, running meter)
• Bills are deemed to include labor, materials, goods and plant and all associated costs
for fixing, assembling, etc.

3.3.2 Units of Measurement

Depending on the prevailing system of measurement in any locality, quantities may be measured
in the FPS system or the metric system. Here in Ethiopia, the most common unit of measurement
is the International System of Units, or the metric system of units in which the various items are
measured as follows:
• For the measurement of length Meter (m)
• For the measurement of mass Kilogram (Kg)
• For the measurement of time Second (s)
• For the measurement of current Ampere (A)
• For the measurement of temperature Degree Kelvin (K)
• For the measurement of luminous intensity Candles (Cd)

3.3.3 Degrees of accuracy in Measurement

• All dimensions’ measure to the nearest 0.01m
• Thickness of slab measure to the nearest 0.005m
• Wood work measure to the nearest 0.002m

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 • Steel work measure to the nearest 0.001m
• Reinforcement measure to the nearest 0.005m
• Road work measure to the nearest 0.005m
• Areas measure to the nearest 0.01 meter square
• Steel work areas measure to the nearest 0.001 meter square
• Volume measure to the nearest 0.01 meter cube
• Wood work volume measure to the nearest 0.001 meter cubes
• Weights measure to the nearest 1 kg

3.4 The Process of Quantity Surveying

There are four clearly defined steps in preparation of Bill of Quantities:

I. Taking off
II. Squaring
III. Abstracting
IV. Writing the final Bill of Quantity

3.4.1 Taking Off

This is a process of measuring or scaling dimensions from drawings and recording all
dimensions in an easily understood format. This is coupled with the descriptions in the drawings
and specification.

In this task the quantity surveyor “take off” the quantities from the drawings and determines the
volume of work to be done for the various components. These quantities are calculated in a
specially prepared format, as to aid accurate preparation and enable checking/rechecking or
adjusting of amounts and correcting errors if any. These special formats are called “Take off
sheets” or “Dimension Paper”. The dimension paper used for taking off is usually double-ruled
as shown (A4 size).

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Sample Take off Sheets

• Column 1: Timesing column

• Column 2: Dimension column

• Column 3: Squaring column

• Column 4: Description column

Column 1: is used for stating the number of times an item occurs and is called the timising
column.

Column 2: is called dimension column as it is used to enter the dimensions of the items of works.
The dimensions are entered in the order indicated below: Length, Width, Height or thickness.

Column 3: is called squaring column. The stated dimensions in column 2 are multiplied to
determine the quantity of the work either in m, m2, m3 or in Pcs. or No.

Column 4: is called description column and description of the work item is briefly stated.

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A separate sheet (Bar Schedule) is used to prepare reinforcement quantities.

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3.4.2 Squaring:

This is the process of multiplying, adding, subtracting or dividing the recorded dimensions for
the purpose of obtaining linear measures, areas, volumes etc

The dimensions entered in Column 2 are squared or cubed as the case may be, multiplied by the
timising factor, and the result entered in Column 3. All squared dimensions should be carefully
checked by another person before abstracting. Use two decimal places.

3.4.3 Abstracting:

The squared dimensions are transferred to abstract sheets and all similar dimensions are collected
in the same category to obtain the total quantity of each item.

3.4.4 Writing the Final Bill of Quantities

After the abstract sheets have been completed and checked, the final bill of quantity is written.
The dimensions are copied from the abstracts, and as each item is transferred it should be ticked
by a vertical line from the abstract sheets. The description of each item in the final BoQ should
be short, precise and descriptive as per the specification.

Billing is the process of collecting and entering to an accepted format all the measured quantities,
by trade and work type, and filling in the total amount by multiplying with the unit rates.

3.5 Specification Worksheet (BOQ form)

It is the format which is used in a bill of quantity to list (include) a short description of the
specification along with its measuring unit, quantity and unit prices to determine the total cost for
each trade of item.

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Basic principles of taking Off

• The following tasks are part of the Taking Off:

• Describing the item,
• Bracketing (relating the description to the quantity),
• Timising,
• Dotting on (adding to the timising factor),
• The Ampersand (ditto),

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 • Waste calculations,
• Deduction of items,
• Correction of dimensions (nullifying).

• Drawings shall be fully understood and clearly detailed.

• Works, which cannot be measured accurately, shall be expressed as provisional quantity

(PQ) and will result in provisional sum (PS) and lump sum (LS)

• There shall be the understanding that measurements are taken to the nearest cm.

• Built items shall generally include all possible entrants like labor, materials (including
storing, loading, unloading and handling), fixing, use of plant and equipment, wastage of
materials, equipment; which will result in a better process for establishing prices and
profit.

• Prior knowledge of the regulations is necessary (For E.g. roofing is measured in

horizontal projection).

• Measurements of civil works shall be carried out in such a way that it can be easily
checked and audited.

3.6 Types of taking Off

Mensuration – the calculation of geometric quantities such as length, area, and volume, from
dimensions and angles that are already known.

Girth (perimeter) computation –linear measurement. There are various methods of taking off
quantities for computation of girth.

In- to- in and out- to-out method –some wall lengths are taken out to out and others in to in
(offsets are added to out to out lengths) and same are deducted from in -to-in lengths; used for
any type of measurement irrespective of condition of symmetry.

Centre line method –suitable only when the cross sections of all walls are symmetrical. In this
method Centre line length is found and same is used for taking off quantities (therefore only
width and depth vary).

Crossing method –lengths and breadths of walls as shown in plan are taken for working out
various items and this method is useful only if the offsets of footings are symmetrical.

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 A. Out – to - Out and In – to – In Method
▪ Long Wall (Out – to - Out ) = Inner Length + 2 Times Thickness of the Wall
▪ Short Wall (In – to – In ) = Inner Length - 2 Times Thickness of the Wall

B. Center Line Method

▪ All dimensions are taken center to center

C. Crossing Method
▪ Long Wall (Out – to - Out ) = Inner Length + 2 Times Thickness of the Wall
▪ Short Wall (In – to – In ) = Inner Length

3.7 Technical Specification and Method of Measurements for Building Project

The following specifications and methods of measurement are provided to guide the quantity
surveyor in the preparation of quantities for a building project.

A typical building project will have the following work items.

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3.7.1 Substructure

Any structure below the ground floor slab level including the basement, retaining walls, ground
slab, grade beam, and foundation is called a substructure. In most of the cases, substructure work
can be categorized as follows:

1. Excavation and earthworks (mandatory)

2. Concrete works (can be neglected sometimes)

3. Masonry works (mandatory)

3.7.1.1 Excavation and earth work

3.7.1.1.1 Site clearance

Carbonatious elements are not good in concrete, steel and timber works. In soils under
structures even 5% of these elements will damage the structure. Therefore, these materials
(including trees, bushes and the top 20 to 30 cm soil), termite hills, any other obstruction, have
to be cleared. A working space of 1m is required on each side. It is sometimes necessary to
prepare separate specification for obstructions (demolition works) because reusable items like
doors and windows are there.

• To remove the top 20-30cm soil

• A working space of 1m is required on each side

• Measured in m2

3.7.1.1.2 Bulk excavation

Excavation to get reduced levels of every structural element below the ground level is called
bulk excavation. They are subdivided as follows depending on the subsurface condition.

➢ Ordinary soil - with boulders and without boulders and can easily be removed by shovel.
➢ Weathered rock - it can be divided easily without blasting
➢ Rock- bedded rocks that cannot be dug without blasting (requires using explosives)

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Note: - Working space for bulk excavation is 25 cm (not used for shallow masonry). Depth of
excavation less than 30 cm – measured per m 2, depth > 30 cm per m 3

• For building underground structures

• Working space of 25cm is required on each side
• Measured in m3 if depth of excavation is more than 30cm.

3.7.1.1.3 Pit excavation

• For isolated footing

• Expressed in m3

• Working space of 25cm is required on each side

3.7.1.1.4 Trench excavation

• For foundation wall

• Expressed in m3

• working space of 25cm is required on each side

3.7.1.1.5 Fill/embankment

Shall be measured in m3 of net volume to be filled. Fill is required because the reduced level of
every structural element above the structure has to be covered. Excavation and embankment
should not be added at a time in computing their volume, because their costs are different.

The major consideration under embankment is compaction. Compaction is done usually at 20 cm

lift thickness. The subdivisions under fill are:

• Back fill: - filling by using the excavated soil but by removing coarse particles.
• Borrow fill: - filling by using fill material from another place when there is shortage
of fill or when better quality material is required.

Total excavated= site clearance+ pit excavation+ bulk excavation+ trench excavation

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 3.7.1.1.6 Cart away

• = total excavated – back fill

• It is expressed in m3

3.7.1.1.7 Disposal
• Covers cleaning the building area including cart away
3.7.1.1.8 Sundry Items
• Application of termite proof solution, providing hard coring, dust blinding,
expansion joints, etc are itemized as sundry items; measured in m2.

3.7.1.2 Concrete for structures

3.7.1.2.1 Concrete for substructure

Cast in situ concrete – formed on site and requires formwork and reinforcement. Cast in situ
concrete shall be measured by volume except in ribbed slabs and grouting.

Prefabricated concrete –fabricated (manufactured) in a factory and brought to the site and joined
to make a building. It does not require formwork but needs a special care when connecting the
different elements.

Pre-tensioned (Post tensioned) Concrete –involves in bending up the concrete itself to make it
ready for the downward bending due to load

Concrete ancillaries - include windowsills, lintels, expansion joints, and permanent and
temporary embedded materials. It is measured in ml or enumerated.

Grades of Concrete

• C5 - lean concrete, to protect the structural concrete from damage.

• C15 - for totally supported structural elements

• C20 - used for slabs; mix proportion is 1:2:4

• C25 - Commonly used grade of structural Concrete; mix proportion is 1:2:3

• C30 –Used for chemical stores and nuclear plants

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3.7.2 Formwork

A temporary structural element, which supports slabs, beams in casting concrete. It shall be
designed and erected to safely support, vertical and lateral loads that might be applied until such
load can be supported by the concrete structure.

Period of removal (minimum):

• Vertical formwork to columns, walls and beams: 16 hrs
• Soffits formwork to slab: 21 days
• props to cantilever slabs: 14 days
• Soffits formwork to beams: 21 days
• Props to cantilever beams: 14 days

 Measured in m2

3.7.3 Reinforcement

The type and diameter should be clearly stated and shall be measured in Kg.

• Length of the bar is taken from the drawing and multiplied by weight per unit length to
get the weight of the bar.

e.g. weight per length for Ф6= 0.222kg/m

3.7.4 Masonry work/Stone work

Masonry works are works that are executed by laying building material units of specified
dimension through a binding material such as mortar. Stone obtained from quarries shall be hard
and sound, free from vents, cracks, fishers, discoloration or other defects that will adversely
affect strength or appearance.

Stone chips to be produced shall not be less than 450 mm average and 380 mm in individual
length. Stone for various masonry works shall be selected and shaped as follows:
• Stone for facing works shall generally be selected for consistency in grain, color and
texture, throughout the work
• Stone for below ground work shall be chiseled from natural stone

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Stone wall is measured by volume, whereas stone pavement is measured by area, specifying
thickness.

• For foundation wall (measured in m3)

• hard core (measured in m2)

3.7.5 Superstructure
3.7.5.1 Concrete
• For slabs, beams, columns, staircase
• Measured in m3
3.7.5.2 Formwork
• Measured in m2
3.7.5.3 Reinforcement
• Expressed in kg.
3.7.5.4 Masonry works
• Measured in m3
• Commonly used for walls of buildings.
3.7.5.5 Roofing
• Roof cover is measured by area(m2)
• Items like downpipes are measured by length(m)
3.7.5.6 Carpentry and joinery work
• work on timber intended for structural purposes eg columns, beams, truss etc
• work on timber intended for finishing purposes eg floor finishes, doors and windows,
ceilings, Cupboard etc
3.7.5.7 Steel structural work
• for beam, column, slab, truss, connections etc
• Usually measured in weight (kg)
3.7.5.8 Metal works
• Includes aluminum and iron works
• For door and window frames
• Measured in area

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3.7.5.9 Finishing work
• Plastering
o Measured by area (m2)
• Floor and wall finish
o Measured by area (m2)
• Painting
o Shall be measured in area (m2)
o Special application to the edges should be measured in length.
3.7.5.10 Glazing
• Glazing shall be measured in area(m2)

REFERENCE

1. Civil Engineering, Estimating and Costing (Including Quantity Surveying Valuation and
Contracting), V.N. Vazirani & S.P. Chandola, 4th Edition, Khana Publisher.

2. Technical specification and method of measurement, BaTCoDA, March 1991

3. Contract, Specification and Quantity Survey, Lecture notes by Nasir Bedewi, Department of
Civil Engineering, FOT, AAU.

4. Contract, Specification and Quantity Survey, Lecture notes by Abraham Assafa, Department of
Civil Engineering, FOT, AAU

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