INTRODUCTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING QUANTITIES

WEEK 1
LEARNING OUTCOMES (CO1-PO1)

Understand the definition of civil engineering quantities

Understand the construction stages and where is bill of quantity being produced

Understand the purpose of bill of quantities

Scope of civil engineering works
 Civil engineering is a professional engineering
discipline that deals with the construction and design of
public and private sector works such as bridges, roads,
dams and buildings.

 General civil engineers work closely with surveyors and

specialized civil engineers to fit and serve fixed projects
within their given site, community and terrain by
designing grading, drainage, pavement, water supply,
sewer service, electric and communications supply and
land (real property) divisions.
 Scope of civil engineering works
(continued)
 Construction engineers engage in the design of
structures temporary, cost estimating, planning and
scheduling, materials procurement, selection of
equipment, and cost control.
 QS Services
In general;
QS offers its clients (developer/owner, consultant, contractor or sub
contractor) a wide range of professional services in the areas of project/
construction management, quantity surveying, cost/ contract /claim/
planning solutions according to their requirements in a most cost effective
and efficient manner.

QS  is managed by a group of highly qualified and experienced

professionals providing Project management, Construction Cost
Consultancy, Estimation,  Quantity Take-off, Construction Cost Databases,
Specification and Construction Material  Databases etc.
 The Measurement Process /
Quantity Take-off
 The main purpose measurement process is to
produce quantity for the measured works to
prepare for Bills of Quantities.
 A Bill of Quantities is prepared for tendering
purposes.
 Using BQ, contractor is able to price the work
with a minimum effort.
 The quantification of the work is done either
by the main contractor, subcontractor, or
package contractor.
Attributes of a Quantity Surveyor
Ability to describe clearly, fully and precisely the
requirements of the designers and arrange the
Bills of Quantities.

??????

The contractor’s estimator can

quickly, easily and accurately arrive
at the estimated cost of the work.
Attributes of a Quantity Surveyor
How to achieve this ?
Ability to describe clearly, fully and precisely the
requirements of the designers and arrange the Bills of
Quantities.

The surveyor must be:

• careful and accurate in making calculations
•having systematic and orderly mind
•be able to visualize the drawings and details
 Divisions of bill preparation
 Traditionally, the preparation of BQ divides into 2 distinct stages:

1. The measurement of the dimensions and the compilation of the

descriptions from the drawings and specification. This process
commonly known as taking-off .

2. The preparation of the bill.

o This involves the calculation of volumes, areas, etc (squaring
the dimensions).
o Then followed by entering the descriptions and the squared
dimensions on the an abstract sheet (abstracting) to collect
similar items together and present them in recognized bill order.
o From this abstract, the draft bill was written (billing).
HOW TO CALCULATE THE QUANTITIES?

m3 ?

kg ?

@nurkamaliahmustaffa2013
HOW TO CALCULATE THE QUANTITIES?

m3 ?

@nurkamaliahmustaffa2013
Who responsible for civil engineering quantities?

Quantity Surveyor
– the application of expert knowledge in measure the
quantity and estimation of the cost and prices of labour,
materials and plant required.

Why?

achieve project’s objective within the scope of

quality, time and cost.

If the job done by quantity surveyor , why civil engineer needs

to study the civil engineering quantities?
Let’s discuss….. @nurkamaliahmustaffa2013
 Leave blank

From the above sketch, calculate :

Excavation in cubic meter
Concrete volume in cubic meter
Reinforcement in Kg.
Formwork
Insert all the above answer in “bill of quantities”
Notes: R10 – 0.616 kg/m
Y10 – 0.616 kg/m
Y12 – 0.888 kg/m
Assuming : cover = 25 mm for column
= 50 mm for footing
How quantities can be carried out?

TAKING OFF
•It is the process of measuring from drawings and
recording all dimensions in recognized form on
a special ruled paper called “Dimension Paper”

BILL OF QUANTITIES
•A list of items giving the quantities and brief description of
work to be carried out with is respective quantity and unit
cost for carrying out each work.
What is taking off sheet?

A process of measuring from drawings, recording all dimensions in recognized form called taking
of sheet or “dimension paper”

No Dimen Final Quantity Description of item Unit

sion

Taking off sheet

@nurkamaliahmustaffa2013
 Leave blank

What is “bill of quantities” ?

A list of items giving the quantities and brief description of work to be carried out with its
respective quantity and unit cost for carrying out each work.

Item Description Quantity Unit Rate Amount (RM)

Bill of Quantities
The purpose of Bill of Quantities (BQ):

1. To set down the various items of works in a logical sequence so that it readily
priced by contractor.
2. Enables all the contractors to tender on the same information.
3. Provide a convenient basis for valuation of stage payments during the
contract, before the accurate remeasurement figure are available.
4. Provide an approximate checklist for the contractor to order materials and
plan for other resources.
5. Provide data for cost analyses for use in cost planning of future projects.
6. Contractors are saved the costly exercise of each having to take off
quantities for themselves.
 The Bills of Quantities
 The Bills of quantity prepared by Quantity Surveyor based on
measurement from the construction drawings / building plans
and specification prepared by the designers/ engineers.

 This document were itemized all the quantities for each

categories of works applied in constructing the buildings. E.g.
building works, mechanical, electrical works, civil, structural
works, infrastructure works, etc.

 The contractor will priced /estimate all the works associated

in completing the buildings during pre-construction stage.
 The Bills of Quantities

 BQ is part of legal tender / contract document which will be used to

bind the agreement between the client and the contractor in terms of:

 Detailed of construction works to be done on-site – building

works, infrastructure works, building services works, water &
sewerage systems, etc.

 The materials used – standard / quality

 The standard workmanship /construction methods,

 The needs / requirements of the builders on-site in

implementing the jobs on–site – e.g. temporary offices, storage,
shelter / hostel for workers
 Advantages of using BQ
According to Seeley (1997),

 Avoids the need of for all of the tendering contractors to measure

the quantities of work themselves before preparing an estimate. (if
yes, wasteful duplication of efforts and an increase in Contractor’s
overhead).
 BQ prepared in accordance to SMM ensure that an adequate
description of work in a recognized format is given to all tendering
Contractors and all tender on the same basis.
 The detailed breakdown of the contract sum (in BQ format) permits
proper financial management of the contract.
 The Measurement Process /
Quantity Take-off
 The main purpose measurement process is to
produce quantity for the measured works to
prepare for Bills of Quantities.
 A Bill of Quantities is prepared for tendering
purposes (selection process to contract an eligible
contractor for the project).
 Using BQ, contractor is able to price the work
with a minimum effort.
 The quantification of the work / measurement
/ taking-off is done either by the QS
consultant (Client), QS of main contractor or
subcontractor or Estimator.
 The Measurement of Quantities for
Building Works
 Main objective:
 To produce the document for the list of quantities (bills of

quantity). The quantities meaning the estimated amount of

building works / trade works for specific building elements.

 The quantities needed to ensure the exact amount of trade

works in completing the building / project.

 The measurement is based on the principles and rules of

measurement set up in manual of STANDARD METHODS OF
MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS.
 Standard Methods of Measurement (SMM)

Function:
To standardize the method of preparing the measurement for building
works and civil engineering works. Contains of rules and principles
of measurement.
 Malaysian Standard Methods of Measurement for Building
works. (SMM2) – Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM)
(adapted from SMM by RICS(UK)
 Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement for civil
engineering works (CESMM) – CIDB (adapted from CESMM
by ICE / FCEC(UK)
Standard Methods of Measurement for Building
Works (SMM)
 Set out rules for the measurement and
description of building works.
 SMM2 is a document that provides not
only a uniform basis for measuring
building work but also embodies the
essentials of good practice.
 Without using it, a set of rules the quality
of BQ can vary widely.
Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement for
Civil Engineering Works (CESMM)
 To be used in conjunction with the Conditions Of
Contract for Civil Engineering Works.

 Does not deal with the preparation of BQ for

mechanical & electrical engineering work,
building work or work which is seldom
encountered in civil engineering contracts.

 If any such work to be included in the contract,

such work shall be measured in accordance with
their respective SMM and shall be stated in the
Preambles to the BQ.
 Measurement for Civil Engineering
Works
 The civil works measurement referred to a document called 'Civil
Engineering Standard Method of Measurement '(CESMM).

 Before this document is produced, the party who responsible for the
working measurement refers to the method adopted in the United
Kingdom named ‘CESMM 2nd Edition or 3rd Edition’.

 There are a large part of the measurement refer to methods used in

building works or more unfortunate, they use their own
measurement system. This led to inconsistencies in measurement
procedures. As a result, contractors have difficulty to appreciate
the tender.

 The actual measurement work must take into account the level of
complexity of work undertaken. Work measurement for any one
item of work is also closely related to the methodology and
construction activities
Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement
for Civil Engineering Works
 MALAYSIAN STANDARD METHODS OF
MEASUREMENT FOR CIVIL
ENGINEERING WORKS is to be used in
conjunction with the Conditions Of
Contract for Civil Engineering Works.

 Does not deal with the preparation of BQ

for mechanical & electrical engineering
work, building work or work which is seldom
encountered in civil engineering contracts.

 If any such work to be included in the

contract, such work shall be measured in
accordance with their respective SMM and
shall be stated in the Preambles to the
BQ.
 Reasons for Bills of Quantities
 All tendering contractors base their prices on the same
information & therefore tenders are strictly comparable
(even if an error exists in the Bill)
 Contractors are saved the costly exercise of each having to
take off quantities for themselves.
 Bills provide a fair basis for valuing variations and
adjustments for the final account.
 Bills may provide a convenient basis for valuation of
certificated stage payments during the contract, before the
accurate re-measurement figures are available.
 Bills provide an approximate checklist for the contractor to
order materials and other resources.
 Bills can provide data for cost analysis for use in cost
planning of future projects.
 Scope of measurement based on
CESMM
 Various civil engineering works including
roads, railway, bridges, artificial channels,
canals and drainage, shipyard, ports, bases,
embankments, structure-breaking waves and
drainage work.
 Apart from that it also includes projects such
as structural engineering among others, metal
work, reinforced concrete work, stone work,
wood work and brick work
 Procedures and Practices of
CESMM
 Include the scope of most project management such as:

 selection types of contracts,

 documentation,
 preparation of drawings,
 specifications,
 project information,
 contract terms and list of quantities,
 preparation of list of material requirements / quantities,
 Method statement - detailed list of detailed construction
work with short explanation with quantity measured by
CESMM
 Explanation on the scope of work that will be implemented
by the contractor and then be the basis for pricing the
tender.
 Purpose of CESMM
 Themain purpose of the measurement
based on CESMM is for coordinating and
planning of the quantity list, to list the
details of work to ensure consistency
and systematic and to state the new
techniques of construction clearly.
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 1
Definitions
 A number of definitions are contained.
 Referring to words / expression that will be
defined in the CESMM and preparation of bill of
Quantities.
 Words and expression defined in the CESMM
shall have the same meaning when defining the
words / expression in the Conditions of Contract
and the Specifications
 Please refer to CESMM-Section 1: definitions.
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 2
General Principles
 In this section , it clarify the following:
 The application and extent of CESMM

 Objective of CESMM

 Objectives of the Bill of Quantities

 Malaysian Standard Method of

Measurement for Civil Engineering Works
(CESMM) to be used in conjunction with the
conditions of contract for Civil Engineering
works.
 Refer to CESMM-SECTION 2
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 3
Application of the Work Classification
 Work classification divides work into 18 main
classes; Class A- Class R
 Each class comprises up to 3 division which classify
work at successive level of detail.
 First division
 Second division
 Third division
 Each division comprises a list of up to 8 descriptive
features of work.
 Each item description shall identify the component
of work covered with respect to one feature from
each division of the relevant class.
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 4
Coding & Numbering of Items
 Each item in the work classification has been placed with
the code and numbering system that alphabetically and not
more than three digits.
 The letter corresponds to the class in the work
classification in which the items occurs and the digits give
the position of the item in the first, second and third
divisions of the class.
 E.g. Code F.3.1.0 identifies an item as
Class F concrete works
1st Division 3 precast concrete
2nd Division 1 beams
3rd Divison 0
 Description: F.3.1.0 - Precast concrete, in beams
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 4
Coding & Numbering of Items
 Reasons:
 It gives an advantage to the tendered contractors due

to bills that have code.

 Quantity surveyor feels that they are assisted by the

code and numbering system and can be used as a brief

reference to the file system and data costs.

 Each class work contains a set of measurements,

definitions, coverage, additional rules of measurement that
expands and clarify all information and evidence.

 Every classification of work explains every units for each

item of work, within the total allocation and numbering
system for each item, the items in units of meters long, in
units of square meters of area (hectares for cleaning site),
unit volume and weight and metric units.
 CESMM; SECTION 4
(Code & Numbering of Items)
Applications for Bridge Work
 CESMM; SECTION 4
(Code & Numbering of Items)
Applications for Road works
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 5
Preparations of the Bill of Quantities
 The preparation of BQ shall be started prior
to the completion of measurement works.
 Section of the bill of Quantities:
 Preamble

 Work items – division of the BQ into parts.

 Day work schedule

 Grand summary / tender summary

Form & Setting of BQ
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 6
Completion, Pricing and Use of the BQ
 Rates and prices shall be inserted in the
rate column in Ringgit Malaysia with Sen
inserted as decimal fractions of one
Ringgit.
 Each part of the BQ shall be totaled
and the total carried to the Grand
Summary
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CESMM
CESMM; Section 7
Method-Related Charges
 Meaning: the sum for an item inserted in the BQ by a tenderer.
 Two types:
 Time-related charges – a method-related charge for work,

the cost of which is to be considered as proportional to the

length of time taken to execute the work
 Fixed charge- a method-related charge which is not a time

related charge.
 A tenderer may insert in the BQ the method related charges
as he may decide to cover items of works relating to his
intended method of executing the works, the cost of which are
not to be considered as proportional to the quantities of the
other items and for which he has not allowed in the rates and
prices for the other items.
 Basic contents of typical contract
documents
 Conditions of contract
 Contract drawings
 Specification
 Preambles
 Bills of quantities
 Schedule of rates
 Contract Documentation for Civil
Engineering
1. Conditions of contract –a written agreement intended to
be enforceable by law to bind the appointed contractor with
the employer based on an agreed conditions.
2. Contract Drawings – technical / detailed construction
drawings for measurement / costing by QS / engineers –
prepared by architect / engineers.
3. Specification / Preambles - A concise description of
materials and workmanship, standard or quality of
workmanship. It must convey the architect and engineer’s
requirements.
4. Bill of Quantities – prepared by Quantity Surveyor based
on measurement from the construction drawings / building
plans This document were itemized all the quantities for each
categories of works applied in constructing the buildings. E.g.
building works, mechanical, electrical works, civil, structural
works, infrastructure works, etc. The contractor will
priced /estimate all the works associated in completing the
buildings during pre-construction stage.
 Purpose / Objectives / Roles
Project stages Explanation
PRE- Tendering stage To enable the contractor to tender to a project & price the
CONTRACT described works.
(before official
contract signed To control in ordering materials and assessing the labour
between client requirement for the contract.
– contractor)

POST- Construction Provides basis for valuation of variation work and

CONTRACT stage adjustments for the final account.
(contract
signed and the Provides basis for valuation of monthly progress payment
selected referring to the working progress on site.
contractor
started their
works till After being priced, it provides a good basis for cost analysis
completion Project which subsequently will be used in future contract especially
stage) completed for cost planning works. (cost data)
 Types of Bill of Quantity
TYPES OF SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES
BILL
Fixed Both the quantities and unit rates form
price/ lump part of the contract
 A detail breakdown of all the quantities is
sum shown in the BQ
The empty bill is supplied to the contractors
The architects and engineers to tender / price the described works/ project.
prepare detail construction
Approximate drawings. The QS prepares BQ but subjected to later
QS measures the quantities adjustment.
in detail based on the Only unit rates form part of the contract.
construction drawing The signing of the contract and beginning of
The QS prepare BQ based the project may proceed before the whole
on the measurement. design is complete.
Virtual completion of the The empty bill is supplied to the contractors
design proceeds the signing to tender / price the described works/ project.
Drawings of the contract. The contractors are supplied with drawings
and with full specifications.
specification No empty bill is supplied to the contractors.
The contractors prepare their own BQ.
Suitable for small project (less than
RM500,000)
Basic contents of Bills of Quantities

 Preliminaries
 Specifications of materials and workmanship
 Preambles (only in Bill of Approx Qtty)
 Measured works bill
 Schedules of rates (only in Bill of Approx Qtty)
 Preliminaries

It must:
 Contain a definition of the scope of works and details of the
proposed form of contract / project.
 Contain a detailed description of the administrative
mechanism / temporary facilities to implement the contract /
project.
 Contain list of drawings and any special instructions to the
contractor – highlighting the method of pricing and
presenting tenders and other site information.
 Specification

A concise description of materials and

workmanship, standard or quality of
workmanship.
 It must convey the architect and
engineer’s requirements.
 Measured works
 Includes detailed descriptions of building, mechanical and electrical
works presented in accordance with SMM.
 This enables the contractors’ estimator / QS to price individual item
of work.
 This section also includes Prime cost sum (P.C) and Provisional
sum (Prov. sum)

P.C. sum – used for works to be carried out by nominated

sub-contractors, statutory authorities or for
goods to be supplied by nominated suppliers.

Prov. Sum - used for works which cannot be fully detailed or

for costs which are unknown at the time bills are
prepared.
 Preambles

 Define the rules governing the method of measurement of the

works and contain instruction as to what is to be included
within unit rates and/or lump sum prices.

 The preambles do not define the scope of works.

 Schedule of Rates

 Consists of unit of works that are grouped according to

trade and work content and are presented in tubular form.

 Each table is referred as ‘schedule’.

 The schedule of rates comprises a number of schedules

that when combined, cover all items of work likely to be
encountered in the contract.
 Divisions of bill preparation
 Traditionally, the preparation of BQ divides into 2 distinct stages:

1. The measurement of the dimensions and the compilation of the

descriptions from the drawings and specification. This process
commonly known as taking-off .

2. The preparation of the bill.

o This involves the calculation of volumes, areas, etc (squaring
the dimensions).
o Then followed by entering the descriptions and the squared
dimensions on the an abstract sheet (abstracting) to collect
similar items together and present them in recognized bill order.
o From this abstract, the draft bill was written (billing).
 Traditional Techniques of BQ preparation

Process Description of works

Measuring / taking-off QS will analyze the drawings / plan received from engineers’ /
architect.
Prepare query list (if necessary)
Measuring from drawings and entering the dimensions on to specially
ruled dimension paper

Working up / squaring Calculating and totaling the area, length, volume, numbers, item of
the dimensions to obtain the exact quantities for each measured item in
the dimension sheet.

Transfer to abstract Collecting the totals form dimension paper on to an abstract to produce
sheet a final total for each individual description.

Billing Reproducing the items from the abstract on to bill paper in draft form
ready for typing.
 Preparation of billing
item description Qty unit rate amount

1.0 Supply to site 125mm x 125mm 320 NR RM100.00 RM32,000.00

pressure treated timber piles of 6m
lengths with provisions of
galvanized mild steel anti split rail
at both ends.

2.0 Drive 125mm x 125mm timber 1,920 M RM12.00 RM23,040.00

piles to required depth

3.0 100mm thick Grade 15 lean 115 M2 RM18.00 RM2,070.00

concrete.
4.0 Grade 35 concrete at brick 8 M3 RM180.00 RM1,440.00
retaining wall
5.0 Bringing to and removing from site ITEM RM1,800.00 RM180.00
all plant required for this section of
the work
SETTING DOWN
DIMENSION
 Dimension Paper
 Dimension are taken / measure from the
drawings by the taker-off.
 Column 1 = timesing / dotting on
column (where multiplication and
addition of the dimensions can be
recorded)
 Column 2 = dimension column (in
which the measurements are set down as
taken from drawings and normally
expressed in two decimal point.
 Column 3 = squaring column (in which
are set out the calculated volumes, areas,
etc)
1 2 3 4 5
 Column 4 = description column (in
which is written the description of the
work to which the dimensions apply.
 Column 5 = Waste (in which
preliminary calculations / sketches are
made/ shown)
 Units of Measurement

 Cubic measurement = m3
 Square or superficial measurement = m2
 Linear measurement = m
 Enumerated items – Nr/ Nos.
 Items
 Expressions of Measurement /
Rules in setting down the
dimension

 The dimension are normally expressed to two decimal points.

 It is important that the insertion of the horizontal lines which determines
whether the dimension is intended as linear, superficial, or cubic measurement.
Rules in setting down the dimension:
Timesing
Rules in setting down the dimension:
Dotting-on
Rules in setting down the dimension:
Alterations in dimensions
Reminder:

•Deletions with
correcting fluid are
not encourage.

•It is best to nil

entirely and write out
again the dimensions.
Rules in setting down the dimension:
Anding-on

Note:
Anding-on , deductions
shall be in similar form of
dimension.
 Rules in setting down the dimension:
Deductions
 Where a deduction is to be made, the
description is preceded by Deduct which
is often abbreviated to Ddt.
 An example as follows: