​MODE OF MEASUREMENT & UNITS

Units means scale of measurement in the form of running, square, cubic mertre & number. All
these dimensions should be measured to the nearest decimal as shown below.
1. Linear measurement to the nearest of 0.01m.
2. Area to the nearest of 0.01sq.m.
3. Cubic content to the nearest of 0.01cu.m.
Mode of measurement means the way of taking out measurement in which the work is included of the
said item. Architect must apply the mode of measurement for each item finished, as per I.S.
instructions (Code No. 1200)
1. Mode of measurement for Site clearance: It consists of removal of shrubs, cutting down of trees,
removal of old foundation or demolition of the whole structure & carting away the debris. This item is
quoted in lumpsum. It is determined by observation, by the Architect and the contractor.
Unit of measurement ​: Lumpsum & jobwise.

2. Mode of measurement for Excavation:​ It depends on –

a) Type of soil.
b) Depth of foundation.
c) Underground waterproblem.
d) Lift and lead of excavated material upto 15m.
The type of soil includes sand, gravel, clay, mud, black cotton soil, soft & hard murum, except rock.
The item of rock cutting is classified again into sections namely rock cutting by chiselling and blasting.
No extra payment is paid to the contractor for bailing out for water or removal of trenches by labour,
shoring & bracing of sides of trenches, removal of excavated material from the trenches & refilling the
material in trenches after the foundation is laid including watering and ramming, spreading the surplus
excavated material in the compound / area within the lead of 15m.
Excavation needed for the purpose of laying water pipes, drain pipes, cables, inspection
chambers and gully traps etc are measured seperately.
Unit of measurement: - Excavation for foundation – cu.m.
- Exacavation for pipes & cables – r.m.
- Excavation for I.C. & gully traps etc. – unit / number.

3. Mode of measurement for Brickwork: Item of brickwork shall include supplying of brick on site,
laying in specified form-sand, cementfor mortar, raking out of joints for plastering or pointing,
preparing top of the existing wall for extension, for cutting wastage, splays & rounding, necessary
curing.
Unit of measurement:
- Brick wall of 230mm thk, 150mm thk. & wall of brick on edge – sq.m.

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- Brick wall above 230mm thk. are measured in cu.m.
- Brickwork for arches except 10cm thk. is measured in cu.m.
- Brick cornice, architraves & bands are measured in R.m. with their sectional
dimensions.
- Brick coping, brick jali, Brickwork around steel joist, junction & girder – sq.m.
Deductions for brickwork :
a) No deduction for any disimilar material upto 0.5 sq.m.
b) No deduction for such opening upto 0.10 sq.m & nothing extra to be paid for making
the opening.
c) Post, columns & wall plates, which do not occupy the entire thickness of the wall.
d) Full deductiona for Doors & Windows.
Additions for brickwork:
a) Brickwork curved in plan with radius not exceeding 6M shall be measured seperately &
shall include all cutting & wastage.
b) Brickwork curved in plan with radius exceeding 6M shall be measured as net &
included with general brickwork.
c) Honey-comb brickwork – sq.m (stating thickness of wall) without deducting the
openings.
d) Brickwork in cavity-wall – sq.m (width of the wall shall not be measured)
e) Reinforcement of brickwork shall be measured seperately.
f) Tiled brickwork shall be measured seperately & rules for measuring ordinary brickwork
shall be followed.

4. Mode of measurement for Stone Masonry : The rate to include – stone dressed or otherwise to
be supplied on site, material for mortar i.e. cement, sand, mud or lime mortar, specifying coarse or
uncoarse masonry, raking out the joints for plastering, pointing, preparing the top of the existing wall
for extension, cutting wages, splays and rounding. Deductions clause shall be as per brickwork
measurement. Measurement for stone masonry shall be taken from unfifnshed to unfinished levels.
Unit of measurement:​ Cu.m.

5.​ ​Mode of measurement for Steel and Iron-work: ​Structural steel is mainly divided into two parts -
Rolled sections & steel reinforcement.
a) Rolled sections require connection paltes, bolts, rivets or welding. The item shall include all
the main structural members like stanchions, beams, channels, etc. including cleat, bracket,
packing piece, gusset plate, nuts, washers, etc.
Unit of measurement:​ Quintals.
b) Steel reinforcement includes cutting, bending, hooked ends, binding wires, erecting in
position.

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 Unit of measurement:​ Kg or Metric tonne.
c) Fabric steel​ – grills, gate, railing etc.
Unit of measurement:​ Sq.m.

6. ​Mode of measurement for Plain or corrugated sheets: ​This item should specify the material i.e.
G.I. or Asbestos cement, sheet type i.e. corrugated or plain, guage i.e. thickness & also specify the
size of the sheet with allowable overlap with the method of fixing. The item is measured per sq.m of
actual room area covered including bolts, hooks, washers, screws, lapping with no extra charge for
roof ridge & no deductions for valley openings upto & less than 0.20 sq.m.
Unit of measurement:​ Sq.m.

7. ​Mode of measurement for Steel Windows: ​This item is measured in square metres taking into
consideration the external measurement of the frame & includes necessary holdfasts, plugs, all
fixtures, fastenings, glazing & also includes one coat of red oxide primer.
Unit of measurement:​ Sq.m.

8. ​Mode of measurement for Gutter: ​This item is measured in running metres & should specify the
guage, section, method of fixing with no extra cost for outlet pieces (clamps for supporting)
Unit of measurement:​ Running metre.

9. ​Mode of measurement for Spiral staircase: ​Measured as per unit of steps which include central
shaft, landing, baluster & other fittings but, doesnot include any foundation for the central shaft.
Landing is counted as one step. The item should specify diameter of staircase, height above ground
level, height of riser & necessary details.
Unit of measurement:​ No.of steps.

10. ​Mode of measurement for Woodwork: ​The measurements shall be taken till the nearest of 1cm.
In case of works of irregular figures, rectangular measurements are taken into consideration. The item
includes cutting, framing, erecting & fixing in position with all the necessary champhers, rounded
edges, nosings, with one coat of wood primer, nails, screws, etc.
a) Posts, beams, joists, members of roof trusses - cu.m.
b) Frames of doors & windows with jambs - cu.m.
c) Doors & windows with shutters - sq.m.
d) Boarding in roof / ceiling or floors, partition, panelling of dado, - sq.m.
facing of beams. (measurement of actual covered area, with no
allowance for joints.
e) Handrail, skirting, architrave, cornice - r.m.
f) Staircase including all timber work such as tread, riser, - No of steps.

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 bracket, etc.
Essential for Door & Window items: It is essential to specify the details of following items :
a) Type of shutters i.e. panelled, glazed or otherwise, thickness, size of the panel & stile.
b) Panels & stiles, decorative fixtures required on panels like moulding etc.
c) Quality fo hinges – brass or iron or chromium plated etc.
d) Quality & number of fixtures and fastenings.
e) Painted or polished.

11. ​Mode of measurement for Plaster: ​Item of plastering must mention the proportion of material &
describe in detail number of coats & thickness of each coat. Roof, ceiling & walls shall be measured
seperately. Plastering band 30 cm or less shall be measured seperately in R.m. Plastering on old
walls shall be measured seperately. All plastering shall be measured in sq.m. unless otherwise
described. Each deduction & addition shall be made in the following manner-
a) No deduction shall be made for opening not exceeding 0.5sq.m. and no addition shall be
made for jambs, soffits & cills.
b) Deductions for opening exceeding 0.5 sq.m. but not exceeding 3.0 sq.m. shall be made as
50%.
Ceiling at height greater than 5.0M shall be measured seperately stating the height.
Unit of measurement:​ Sq.m.

12. ​Mode of measurement for Pointing: ​Pointing is measured in Sq.m. for the wall surface covered
by pointing. Deduction for this is same as that of plastering. It is essential to specify the type of
pointing i.e. flushed, sunk, raised or any.
Unit of measurement:​ Sq.m.

13. ​Mode of measurement for Pavement, Wall Tiling: ​Pavement is calculated in sq.m. The item
should specify the quality & thickness of tiles, detail of bedding i.e. is it fixed in lime or cement mortar,
jointing & surface finish. Basic rate of this item is essential for future dispute. Skirting, moulding are
measured in Running metres. It is essential to mention the height of skirting & finishing on the top of it,
whether flushed or champhered.
Unit of measurement for pavment:​ Sq.m.
Unit of measurement for skirting:​ R.m.

14. ​Mode of measurement for Oil painting: ​This item shall specify the make of paint, number of
coats, preparation of paints, nature of surface, preparing the base with no extra cost. The
measuremment of painting woodwork, iron work, plaster should be taken seperately per unit of sq.m.
There are varios coefficients for various surfaces for painting –
Item Coefficient

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a) Panelled doors with shutters
b) Flush door
c) Ledge, batten & braced shutter
d) Fully glazed
e) Partly panelled & partly glazed
f) Grill & railing
g) Corrugated sheets
h) A.C sheets
i) Rolling shutters
- 1 ½ times measurement of one side including T.W. frame.
- 1 time of side including T.W. frame.
- 1 ¼ times for each side.
- 1 ½ times for both sides.
- 1 time for each side.
- 1 time for two sides.
- 1.14 times of the flat measurement.
- 1.10 times of the flat measurement.
- 1 ¼ times of flat area for one side.

15. ​Mode of measurement for Glass: ​The glass to be used shall fully specify as to its design ,
quality, make, shape and also whether it will be counted as separate item. It is essential to mention
whether it is fixed by putty or teak wood beading. It is measured in sq.m.
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Q1. ​(May​.2008) State the Mode of Measurement for the following items of works confirming to
ISI-1200. (10 marks)
a) R.C.C.Slab.
b) R.C.C. Lintels.
c) 230mm thk. Brick Masonry.
d) Brickbat Waterproofing.
e) T.W. Frames.