Building Quantities Explained

Kaomtuan Build.i.q and Surveying Series

Series Editor: Ivor H. Seeley
Emeritus Professor, Trent Polytechnic
Advanced Building Measurement, second edition Ivor H. Seeley
An Introduction to Building Services Christopher A Howard
Applied Valuation Diane Butler
Asset Valuation Michael Rayner
Building Economics, third edition Ivor H. Seeley
Building Maintenance, second edition Ivor H. Seeley
Building Quantities Explained, fourth edition Ivor H. Seeley
Building Surveys, Reports and Dilapidations Ivor H. Seeley
Building Technology, third edition Ivor H. Seeley
Civil Engineering Contract Administration and Control
Ivor H. Seeley
Civil Engineering Quantities, fourth edition Ivor H. Seeley
Civil Engineering Speciti.cation, second edition Ivor H. Seeley
Contract Planning and Contract Procedures B. Cooke
Contract Planning Oa.se Studies B. Cooke
Environmental Science in Building R. McMullan
Introduction to Valuation D. Richmond
Principles of Property Investment and Pricing W. D. Fraser
Quantity Surveying Practice Ivor H. Seeley
Structural Detailing P. Newton
Urban Land Economics and Public Policy, fourth edition
P. N. Balchin, J. L. Kieve and G. H. Bull
1980 JOT Sta.nda.rd Form of Building Contract, second edition
R. F. Fellows
Building Quantities
Explained

IVOB H. SEELEY
BSc(EstMan), MA, PhD, FRICS,
CEng, FICE, FCIOB, MIH
Chartered Quantity Surveyor
Emeritus Professor of Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham

Fourth Edition

M
MACMILLAN
EDUCATION
© Ivor H. Seeley 1965, 1969, 1979, 1988

All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission

of this publication maur be made without written permission.

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or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance
with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended),
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issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 33-4 Alfred Place,
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Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to

this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and
civil claims for damages.

First edition 1965

Reprinted 1966
SI edition 1969
Reprinted 1972 (with corrections), 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977 (twice)
Third edition 1979
Reprinted 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 1985, 1987
Fourth edition 1988

Published by
MACMILLAN EDUCATION LTD
Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2XS
and London
Companies and representatives
throughout the world

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Seeley, Ivor H. (Ivor Hugh), 1924-
Building quantities explained. 4th ed.
1. Great Britain. Buildings. Construction.
Bills of quantities
I. Title
692'.5

ISBN 978-0-333-48206-3 ISBN 978-1-349-19343-1 (eBook)

DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-19343-1
 This book is dedicated to those numerous graduates, diplomates
and students in quantity surveying ofTrentPolytechnic, with whom
I have had the privilege and pleasure to be associated.

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 Est modus in rebus
which can be translated as
'there is measure/method in all things'
(motto of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
 Contents

List of Figures xi
List of Examples xii
Preface xili
Acknowledgements XV

1 GENERAL mTB.ODUCTION' 1
Historical Background of Quantity Surveying- Pur-
poses of Bill of Quantities- Processes used in Quantity
Surveying Work-Standard Method of Measurement of
Building Works -Co-ordinated Project Informa-
tion- Other Functions of the Quantity Sur-
veyor- Modern Quantity Surveying Techniques:
Methods of Preparation of Bills of Quantities; Formats of
Bills of Quantities.

2 GENERAL PBIN'CIPLES OF TA'K'TNG OFF 14

General Rules: Basic Principles; Tabulated
Rules- Dimensions Paper- Entering Dimensions:
Spacing of Items; Waste; Order of Dimensions; Times-
ing; Abbreviations and Symbols; Grouping of Dimen-
sions; Deductions- Measurement of Irregular Fi-
gures- Alterations to Dimensions- Figured Dimen-
sions- Numbering and Titles of Dimension Sheets-
Order of Taking off- Adjustment of Openings and
Voids- Descriptions- Extra Over Items- Deemed to
be Included Items- Accuracy in Dimensions- Use of
Schedules- Query Sheets- Preambles- Prime Cost
Items- Provisional Sums -Work of Special Types-
Backgrounds- Composite Items- General Defini-
tions -Services and Facilities -Plant Items.

3 USE OF :MEN'SUllATION' IN' QUANTITIES 32

Introduction- Girth of Buildings: Rectangular Build-
ings; Buildings of Irregular Outline -Measurement of
Areas: Irregular Areas; Trapezoids; Segments; Bell-
mouths- Measurement of Earthwork: Sloping Site Ex-
cavation; Cuttings and Embankments- Measurement
of Pitched Roofs: Lengths of Rafters; Lengths of Hips
and Valleys; Roof Coverings.
viii Contents

4 JIEASUllEMEl\T'r OF EXCAVATION .ADD

FOUNDATIONS 45
Preliminary Investigations - General Items -Site
Preparation-Excavation to Reduce Levels-Ex-
cavation of Foundation Trenches- Disposal of Ex-
cavated Material- Surface Treatments- Basement
Excavation- Earthwork Support- Concrete Founda-
tions- Other Sub-Structure Work; Brick Walling; Face-
work; Damp-proof Courses- Worked Examples of
Measurement of Foundations to Small Building and
Basement.

5 MEABUllEIIIIEl\T'r OF BRICK .ADD BLOCK WAIJ,J'NG 66

Brick/Block Walling: Measurement Generally; External
Walls; Internal Walls; Chimney Breasts and
Stacks- Incidental Works: Damp-proof Courses;
Rough and Fair Cutting; Eaves Filling; Projections;
Deductions for String Courses and the like; Facework
Ornamental Bands; Facework Quoins- Worked
Examples of Measurement of Brickwork, Facework and
Blockwork and Curved Brick Screen Wall.

6 MEABUBEIIIIEl\T'r OF CHiliiNEY BREASTS .ADD

STACKS, FIBEPLACES, VENTS .ADD RUBBLE
W:AIJ.J'NG 82
Chimney Breasts and Stacks: Brickwork in Breasts
and Stacks; Flues- Fireplaces- Vents- Rubble Wall-
ing- Worked Examples of Chimney Breast, Stack and
Fireplace and Random Rubble Boundary Wall.

7 liiiEABUBEIIIIEl\T'r OF FLOORS 93
Sequence of measurement- Hollow Floors: Plates;
Floor Joists; Joist Strutting; Floor Boarding- Solid
Floors: Concrete Beds; Suspended Concrete Slabs; Floor
Finishings- Worked Examples of Measurement of
Hollow Ground Floor, Solid Ground Floor, Boarded
Upper Floor, Concrete Upper Floor and Stud Partition.

8 MEABUllE:MEl\T'r OF ROOFS 110

Introduction- Pitched Roofs: Roof Timbers; Coverings;
Eaves and Rainwater Goods- Flat Roof Coverings:
Asphalt; Built up Felt; Sheet Metal- Worked Examples
of Measurement of Pitched Roof, Adjustment of Roof-
work for Chimney Stack, Asphalt Flat Roof and Lead
Flat Roof.
 Contents ix

9 MEASUBl!:JIEliT Ol!' :or.rEBNAL l!'IlVISHmGS 134

Sequence of measurement- Ceiling Finishings- Wall
Finishings; Schedule of Internal Finishings; Skirtings
and Picture Rails -Floor Finishings -Painting and
Decorations- Worked Example of Measurement of In-
ternal Finishings.

10 MEASUBl!:JIEliT Ol!' WIBDOWS 146

Order of Measurement- Windows- Adjustment of
Window Openings- Window Schedules- Worked
Examples of Measurement of Wood Casement Window,
Bullseye Window and Metal Casement Windows in
Stone Surround.

11 JIEABUBEJIE:R'.r OF DOORS 164

Order of Measurement- Doors- Door Frames and
Lining Sets-Adjustment of Door Openings- Worked
Examples of Measurement of Internal Door and Ex-
ternal Door.

12 MEASUBEJIE:R'.r OF ST.AIB.CASES AND Fri•.tmGS 177

Timber Staircases- Fittings- Worked Example of
Measurement of Timber Staircase and Shelving to
Larder.

13 MEASUBEJIE:R'.r OF PLUMBING INSTAIJ.AnONS 184

Order of Measurement- Drawings of Plumbing Instal-
lations- Connection to Water Main- Pipework
Generally- Water storage Tanks or Cisterns-Holes
for Pipes- Sanitary Appliances- Builder's Work Con-
nected with Plumbing Installations- Worked
Example of Measurement of Plumbing Installation.

14 JIIIEABUB.EJIE:R'.r OF DB.AINAGE WORK 201

Order of Taking Off- Drains- Pipe Accessories-
Manholes-Associated Work- Worked Example of
Pipe Measurement of Drainage Work.

15 JIEASUllEJIEliT Ol!' EXTEBNAL WORKS 212

Roads, Drives and Paths- Grassed Areas- Trees,
Shrubs and Hedges- Fencing- Worked Example of
Measurement of External Works.
x Contents

16 BILL PBEP.AllATION' PROCESSES 223

Working up- Billing direct- Squaring Dimensions
-Abstracting: Transfer of Dimensions; Subdivisions of
Abstract; General Rules of Abstracting- Billing:
Ruling of Bill of Quantities; Referencing of Items; Ent-
ering Items in the Bill; Units of Measurement; General
Rules of Billing; Typical Examples of Abstract and Bill;
Preliminaries Bill; Bills of Reduction and Addenda Bills;
General Summary; Preambles; Daywork; Specialist
Bills - 'Cut and Shuffle'- Standard Descrip-
tions- Use of Computers: Computers and Information
Technology; Microcomputers and Bill Production;
Range of Microcomputer Programs - Other Bill For-
mats: Elemental Bills; Sectionalised Trade Bills; Opera-
tional Bills; Activity Bills; Annotated Bills- General
Conclusions.

Appendix I -Abbreviations 263

Appendix II- Mensuration Formulae 269
Appendix III- Metric Conversion Table 271
Appendix IV- Manhole Schedule 274
Bibliography 275
Index 277
 List of Figures

Dimensions paper 16
I Girth of rectangular building 32
II Adjustment for corners 33
III Building with set-back 34
IV Building with recess 35
v Irregular area 36
VI Trapezoid 36
VII Segmental arch 37
VIII Bellmouth 38
IX Sloping site excavation 39
X Cutting excavation 41
XI Lengths of rafters 43
XII Lengths of hips and valleys 44
XIII Intersection of internal and external walls 48
XIV Measurement of excavated soil disposal 48
XV Stepped foundation 50
XVI Footings 51
XVII Projections 68
XVIII Stair treads and risers 178
XIX Concrete protection to drain pipes 203
Billing paper 229
XX Cut and shuffle procedure 252
 List of Examples

Example Drawing
Chapter Description Nr Nr

4. Foundations to small building I 1

4. Basement II 2
5. Brickwork, facework and blockwork III 3
5. Curved brick screen wall IV 4
6. Chimney breast, stack and fireplace v 5
6. Random rubble boundary wall VI
7. Hollow ground floor VII 6
7. Solid ground floor VIII 6
7. Boarded upper floor IX 6
7. Concrete upper floor X 6
7. Stud partition XI 7
8. Pitched roof XII 8
8. Adjustment of roofwork for chimney stack XIII 8
8. Asphalt flat roof XIV 9
8. Lead flat roof XV 10
9. Internal finishings XVI 11
10. Wood casement window XVII 12
10. Bullseye window XVIII 13
10. Metal casement windows in stone
surround XIX 14
11. Internal door XX 15
11. External door XXI 16
12. Timber staircase and shelving to larder XXII 17
13. Plumbing installation XXIII 18
14. Drainage work XXIV 19
15. External works XXV 20
16. Abstracting XXVI
16. Billing XXVII
16. Reduction bill of quantities XXVIII
16. Typical cut and shuffle dimension
sheet XXIX

xii
Preface to the Fourth Edition

The primary aim of this book continues to be to meet the needs of

students studying the subject of building measurement in the
earlier years of degree courses in quantity surveying and building,
and those preparing for the first professional examinations of the
relevant professional bodies and the Business and Technician
Education Council. Although the needs of some of these students
differ, it is believed that they will all benefit from the fundamental
and yet practical approach that has been adopted.
This book covers the measurement of relatively simple building
work in accordance with the principles laid down in the Standard
Method of Measurement of Building Works: Seventh Edition
(SMM7) supported by the associated Code of Procedure. The book
contains a careful selection of worked examples of taking off,
accompanied by comprehensive explanatory notes, covering all the
basic work sections of the Standard Method. Its main aim is to
simply explain and illustrate the method of measuring building
work and to amplify and clarify the basic principles contained in the
Standard Method, for the benefit of quantity surveying and building
students. SMM7 contains a number of radical changes from
previous practice and the book endeavours to highlight the main
changes at appropriate points in the text and examples. Some
clauses of the Standard Method are difficult to interpret and where
more than one approach appears possible, the alternative
procedures are described and examined.
In re-writing the book a positive aim, apart from complying with
the prescribed requirements of SMM7 and thoroughly revising and
updating the contents throughout, has been to produce a high
standard of excellence in accuracy of dimensions, use of waste
calculations, adequacy of descriptions, sequence of items and quality
of presentation, which all aspiring students might seek to emulate.
Furthermore, every effort has been made to incorporate and explain
each step in the measurement process throughout the 25 worked
examples, and to extend the usefulness of the book.
The book begins with a general introduction which traces the
origins of the profession, the processes in use and an outline of the
more recent developments, including project co-ordination
documentation, followed by an examination of the general

Xlll
xiv Preface to the Fourth Edition

principles of taking off and the use of mensuration in building

measurement. The bulk of the book is concerned with the practical
application of the principles of the Standard Method together with
the recognised taking off techniques to a wide range of building
work. The final chapter examines and illustrates the various bill
preparation processes ranging from abstracting and billing,
including preambles and daywork, through to cut and shuffle,
standard descriptions, the use of computers and other bill formats.
Appendixes cover abbreviations, mensuration formulae, a metric
conversion table and a manhole schedule, and there is a useful
bibliography.
The unit symbol 'mm' has been omitted from all item descriptions,
as well as drawing dimensions, since it now appears superfluous
and its omission cannot give rise to confusion. However, they are
rather surprisingly included in the billed examples contained in the
SMM7 Code of Procedure for Measurement of Building Works.
The radical changes introduced by the Co-ordinating Committee
for Project Information are examined and their possible
implications and applications explored. It has to be emphasised that
in practice a variety of approaches may be used and the author has
attempted to adopt a standardised, logical approach following the
format used in SMM7.

Nottingham,
Spring 1988 IVOR H. SEELEY
 Acknowledgements

The author expresses his thanks to the Standing Joint Committee

for the Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works for kind
permission to quote from the Standard Method of Measurement of
Building Works: Seventh Edition (SMM7).
Christopher Willis FRICS FCIArb and Norman Wheatley FRICS,
Chairman and Honorary Secretary respectively of the Standing
Joint Committee, both gave friendly help and advice which was very
much appreciated.
Ronald Sears MCIOB whom I have relied upon for many years
past for his impressive artwork, once again prepared the
handwritten dimensions and accompanying explanatory notes of
outstanding quality on an extremely tight time schedule. His work
does so much to bring the book to life as well as adding immensely to
its value and quality.
Peter Murby and Malcolm Stewart of Macmillan Education Ltd
have taken a keen personal interest in the production of the book. I
am, as ever, greatly indebted to my wife for her continuing patience
and understanding throughout the arduous re-writing period.

XV