Deemed included

The SMM directs that certain activities on which a contractor incurs money shall not be measured. The
contractor has to allow costs for carrying out these activities in the rates of the measured items.

The costs the contractor incurs on those activities not measured as per SMM are assumed to or “deemed”
as it were allowed for in the rates quoted. Claims for extra in regard to these items can’t succeed.

Examples;

a) Levelling and normal compacting of bottoms of excavations to receive concrete……is not a

measured item. The contractor will incur costs on the activity. The costs should be allowed for in
other measured items such as excavations.
b) Planking and strutting in pipe trench excavation.
c) Remove surplus material and filling under pipe trench excavation.

Extra over

For speed or convenience of measurement, SMM directs that overall dimensions or quantity be given with
the general description. Within this general item there could be extra cost component not specifically
mentioned. SMM directs that such cost component be given as extra over.

Examples;

a) Excavation which includes excavation for rock.

Total volume will be measured including any rock. Then extra cost over and above the normal
excavation in normal soil given as extra over item.
b) Carpentry structural members are measured overall including spaces occupied by scarfed joints
with double member at the joint. The scarfed joint is measured as extra over. For material the
estimator should price single member in building up rate for the extra over item.

Need for SMM as guide to measurement

 Facilitates usage of tender/contractual documents

 Takes into account how costs are incurred
 Reduces likelihood of mistakes
 Reference in case of disputes

Day works

This a method of payment by the reimbursement to the contractor of the prime cost of all materials,
labour and plant used in carrying out work, with a percentage addition to the total cost of each of these
groups for overheads and profit.

Day works is a reliable formula in case of unsatisfactory data is available for carrying out measurement
e.g. pot holes or a repairing a structural crack.

Post contract, the consultant may instruct in writing that any additional or substituted work to be
executed on a day work basis. Therefore pre contract it is necessary to include a day work section for
materials, labour and plant in the bills of quantities.
A prime cost sum is allowed for materials, labour and plant and an allowance for profits and over heads
is made on each of these as below.

DAYWORK SECTION

General

Works shall be paid on Daywork basis only if Consultant's

written permission has been obtained. The total value
for Daywork should be carried to Main summary to be
part of Bid sum.

Labour

A Allow Prime Cost sum of Uganda shillings two million

only to be expended in Labour Daywork.
Sum 2 000 000
B Allow Percentage for overheads and profit.
%
Material costs

C Allow Prime cost sum of Uganda shillings two million

only for materials to be used in Daywork.
Sum 2 000 000
D Allow Percentage for overheads and profit.
%
Plant Costs

E Allow Prime Cost sum of Uganda shillings two million

only for plant to be used in Daywork.
Sum 2 000 000
F Allow Percentage for overheads and profit.
%

TOTAL CARRIED TO MAIN SUMMARY

SHS.
Advantages of this method of day works

 A percentage of over heads and profit can be obtained from tenderers which renders the
tendering process competitive. It forms part of the tender sum.

Why allow for a percentage of overheads and profit

 In order to avoid negotiations with the contractor at a later date post contract.

Proprietary systems

For example a ceiling system or fire alarm system. An item may not be fully detailed but reference made
to the manufacturer’s catalogue in the BQs. Specify brand or equal and approved.

A system developed by the manufacturer and incudes patent rights. A manufacturer has patent rights
over the system.

Contingency sum

Sum allowed in the bills of quantities to meet costs of undefined work which cannot be foreseen pre
contract and which may not arise at all.

Serves to reduce the total cost of any extra or more expensive work than originally envisaged.

Why allow for a contingency sum?

 To cater for any errors in terms of quantities

 To cater for additional client’s requirements not exactly unforeseen

Note: - provisional sum is foreseen but no details while consistency is unforeseen.