KJC326

Chapter One
INTRODUCTION

1.1

INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL ENGINEERING QUANTITIES

In the 17th century, architects were responsible for the design and supervise the erection
of buildings while the craftsmen did the measuring and estimating. Each craftsman will
employ his own method of measurement.

These practises were found to be very

unsatisfactory due to the difficulty in reconciling the actual materials used and the
measured works carried out.

In later years, it was thought a uniform systematic of

measurement and presentation is necessary. It is therefore the origin of the various

professional known as the Standard Methods of Measurement (SMM).
Civil Engineering Work is measured in accordance with the Civil Engineering Standard
Method of Measurement (CESMM) and Standard Method of Measurement of Building
Works (for use in Malaysia) (SMMM) is intended for building works. The objective of both
Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) is to set forth the procedure according to
which the BQ shall be prepared and priced and the quantities of work expressed and
measured, to ensure greater uniformity in the format and content of BQ.

1.2

DEFINITION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING QUANTITIES

Listed below are outlines of certain conventions and define of terms, which apply to bill
preparation and measurement processes generally.
Quantities - It is the estimated amount of labour and the materials required to carry
out the project under the various items of works.
Bill of Quantities - The Bill of Quantities is a list of items giving the quantities and
brief descriptions of work to be carries out with its respective quantities and unit cost
crate) for carrying out each trade.
In conjunction with the other Contract Documents, it forms the basis on which tenders
are obtained. When priced it affords a means of comparing tenders. When the Contract
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has been entered into, the rates in the prices Bill of Quantities are applied to assess the
value of the actual quantities of work carried out.

The Bill of Quantities should be

prepared and measurements made in according with the procedure set out in the Civil
Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM), unless other methods of
measurement are preferred by the Promoter (Employer/Purchaser).
Standard Method of Measurement - SMM is a document stipulating guidelines on
the method of measurement of any particular trade. These guidelines give the different
components of an item to be measured (taking-off) and describe in a manner which is
easily understood so that all tenderers can price them on the same basis.
Trade - It is the works or practice of certain craft for example bricklayer, plumber etc.
Civil Engineering Works are classified under different trades and this will help the civil
engineer in pricing the different categories of works.
Taking Off - It is the process of measuring from drawings and recording all dimensions
in recognised form on a special ruled paper called Dimension Paper.
Squaring Dimensions - It is the process of multiplication and/or addition/subtraction
of recorded dimension for the purpose of obtaining the linear, square or cubic
measurements.
Abstracting or Working-up - It is process of collecting of measurements of identical
character and description, under different tracks and reducing them to units as required
by CESMM.
Billing - Writing the draft bill for the Abstract.
CESMM - The rules and provisions of the Civil Engineering Standard Method of
Measurement. (CESMM), are applicable to the preparation of Bill of Quantities for and
the measurement of civil engineering works such as earthworks, roads, bridges,
structures, culverts, sewage, etc and quantities are usually prepared by the civil
engineers.
They are not intended to apply to the preparation of bills of quantities for or the
measurement of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or building work. The
CESMM is intended for use in conjunction with the I.C.E. Conditions of Contract.
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The CESMM document contains eight numbered Sections. The first seven sections are
each divided into Paragraph. Section 8, is divided into eighteen(18) main classifications.
Conditions of Contract - It defines the terms under which the work is to be carried
out, the relationship between the Promoter and the Contractor, the powers of the
Engineer and the terms of payment.
Specification - It describes in detail the work to be executed, the character and quality
of the materials and workmanship, any special responsibilities of the Contractor that are
not covered by the Conditions of Contract. It may also lay down the order in which
various portions of the work are to be executed, the methods to be adopted and
particular of any facilities to be afforded to other contractors.
Care should be exercised when drafting the specification to avoid conflict with any of the
provisions of the conditions of contracts.
Estimating - It is the process of costing the project of each item or trade after the
quantities has been measured and summing up the items to arrive at a total estimated
cost for the whole project.
Measurement - (1) Taking off
(2) The actual measurement of the work executed on the site.
Prime Cost Sum @ P.C.Sum - A sum provided for work or services to be executed by
nominated sub-contractor, for materials or goods to be obtained from a nominated
supplier. Such sum shall be deemed to be exclusive of any profit required by the general
contractor and provision shall be made for the addition thereof.
Provisional Sum - A sum provided for works or for the cost, which cannot be entirely
foreseen, defined or detailed at the time tendering documents, is issued.

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1.3

COMPARISON BETWEEN CESMM AND SMMM

Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM) is used in conjunction

with civil engineering works and the quantities are prepared by the civil engineers.
Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (SMMM) is used in conjunction with
building works and the quantities are prepared by the Quantity Surveyors.
1.3.1

Comparison Of Method Of Measurements Of CESMM And SMMM

TABLE 1.3.1 : COMPARISON OFMETHOD OF MEASUREMENT USED BY CESMM

AND SMMM

1.0

DESCRIPTION
No of items

Covers

CESMM
large variety

SMMM
of Covers more trade or work

different jobs.

section.

- less number of items because

most of the item are included

- more number of items to be

measured separately.

in the main job.

E.g.

2.0

BQ

backfilling

trenches,

E.g.

backfilling

trenches,

levelling, compacting trench

levelling,

compacting

bottoms, planking included in

trench bottoms, planking

excavation rate.

are measured separately.

B.Q and specification form part BQ will constitute a contract

of contract Contractions must document.
always refer to specification for BQ shall fully describe the
further clarification.

material, workmanship and

accurately represent work to
be done.

3.0

Temporary
(Diversion)
works

Not mentioned in the BQ. When

tendering

contractors

Mentioned in separate items.

must Temporary

diversion

always make provision for any

works

temporary or diversion works

separate addition items of

etc.

works.

which

are

normally

are

and

classified

as

mentioned in the B.Q.

4.0

Concrete work

Use m3 as unit of measurement

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Measurement of concrete in

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for concrete slab to allow for

m2 with thickness of slab

flexibility in case alteration is

specified.

required in the structural design,

etc.
5.0

Coding
numbering
items

and There is a coding system.

of E.g. H 1 3 6
Class H precast-concrete
1st division 1 Beam
2nd division 3 Length 7-10 m
3rd division 6 Mass 5-10 t

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No coding is required.

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1.3.2

Comparison Of Units Of Measurements Used By CESMM And SMMM.

TABLE 1.3.2 : COMPARISON OF UNITS OF MEASUREMENT USED BY CESMM AND

SMMM
DESCRIPTION

CESMM

SMMM

Lump Sum

Not covered

Number

Not covered

L.S/hectare/acre

m2

Number
(diameter specified)

Number
(diameter specified)

1.0

Site Investigations

(a)

Bringing plant to site

(b)

Moving plant

2.0

Site Clearance

(a)

Removal of bushes and trees

(b)

Big trees

3.0

Excavation

(a)

General excavation

m3

m3

(b)

i)

m3

m3

ii) Trimmings, levelling and

ramming bottom of excavation

included in
excavated rate

m2

iii) Planking

included in
excavated rate

m2

iv) Working space

included in
excavated rate

add 0.6mm from

face of any work
requiring formwork
over 1m deep.

Excavation trench for pipes &

drains

4.0

Mass Concrete

m3

m3

5.0

Concrete Floor Slab

m3

m2
(with thickness of slab
specified)

6.0

Steel Reinforcement

Kg

Kg

7.0

Circular Concrete Pile

m3

m (with diameter
specified)

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1.3.3

THE SECTION OF THE CESMM

a) General Items

- CESMM Class: A

b) Soil Investigation Works

- CESMM Class: B

c) Slope Stabilisation and Ground Treatment

- CESMM Class: C

d) Demolition and site clearance

- CESMM Class: D

e) Earthworks

- CESMM Class: E

f)

- CESMM Class: F

Concrete work

g) Roadworks

- CESMM Class: G

h) Drainage Works

- CESMM Class: H

i)

Pipeworks

- CESMM Class: I

j)

Piling Works

- CESMM Class: J

k) Brickwork, Blockwork and Masonry

- CESMM Class: K

l)

- CESMM Class: L

Timberworks

m) Metalworks

- CESMM Class: M

n) Painting Works

- CESMM Class: N

o) Rail Tracks

- CESMM Class: O

p) Environmental Protection and Enhancement

- CESMM Class: P

q) Traffic Management and Control

- CESMM Class: Q

r) Miscellaneous Works

- CESMM Class: R

1.4

TYPE OF TENDER

Basically, there is three type of tender, namely:

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1.4.1

(i)

Open Tender

(ii)

Close Tender / Selected Tender

(iii)

Negotiated Tender

Open Tender

This type of tender is open to all qualified contractors registered under same class. The
invitation to tender is usually advertised through newspaper, journal, and etc.
Merit:
(i)

Lesser possibility of contractors ganging up to quote higher price for the

project.

(ii)

It is possible to achieve lowest tender sum as it ensures maximum

competition.

(iii)

It offers chances to new and inexperience contractors to bid for the tender.

Demerit:
(i)

Tenders may be received from firms who neither have the necessary
financial resource nor technical knowledge and experience of the class of
work involved.

(ii)

There is a risk that the contract may be awarded to an unscrupulous

contractor.

(iii)

A lot of wastage as unknown copies of tender documents has to be

prepared.

(iv)

Increase time and financial expenses, as a lot of tender needs to be

evaluated.

1.4.2

Close Tender / Selected Tender

This type of tender is only offer to contractors who are short-listed according to particular
criteria.
Merit:
(i)

The exact number of tendered is known, hence reduce wastage and

expenses as for extra tender documents and tender evaluation.

(ii)

The contractor record of previous performance provides a great

magnitude of reliability in term of financial, technical and experience
aspects.

(iii)

Normally the quality of work from the contractor is satisfactory.

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(iv)

It is suitable for project require certain level of efficiency, skill and

experience from the contractor.

Demerit:
(i)

Officers involve in the tendering process may be biased to a particular

contractor.

(ii)

Tender sum may be not the lowest, as not all qualified tenderers are
invited.

(iii)

There are possibility of contractors ganging up or existence of cost

syndicate to quote at higher tender sum.

(iv)

Normally new and inexperience contractors are not invited.

Three type of close tender is:

1.4.2.1Close Tender Offer Only To Bumiputra
This type of tender is offer only to bumiputra, who fulfil the conditions such as
classification of contractor, paid up capital, and expertise.
1.4.2.2 Close Tender Offer Through Selection
This type of tender is usually offer to contractor who is reliable of accomplishing the job
satisfactory. Tender offered normally involves specialist field such as piling work.
1.4.2.3 Close Tender Offer Through Pre-Qualification
Normally this type of tender is applied in huge and complex project, which require
contractor specialisation in their field. An invitation to tender is offer to selected list of
contractors, who has reliable reputation in his class of work, or who has previously
carried out their job satisfactory, particularly to the owner.

1.4.3

Negotiated Tender

Negotiated tender is an alternative to open tender and close tender. The tender is
directly offered to contractor short-listed. It is usually proceeds and follows by discussion,
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and negotiation for ultimate contract sum, form of contract to be used, construction
programme and method of carrying out the work. It is usually advisable in special
circumstances, such as:
(i)

Project to be carried out urgently, where construction drawings and list of

materials are still in the process.

(ii)

Projects for armed forces, where the work site is of restricted area.

(iii)

Projects where preferred contractor has performed successfully for the

employer previously.

(iv)

Projects where contractor already engaged on the same site

(v)

Projects where space is very restricted, and contractor is executing

another contract there.

(vi)

Projects where contractor has special knowledge and experience about

the particular site, type of work, or/and type of contract.

Merit:
(i)

Since only one contractor is invited, negotiation can be easily dealt with;
and it saves a lot of time and money compares with other type of tenders.

(ii)

The contractor record of previous performance provides a great

magnitude of reliability in term of financial, technical and experience
aspects.

(iii)

Normally the quality of work from the contractor is satisfactory.

(iv)

It is suitable for project require certain level of efficiency, skill and

experience from the contractor.

Demerit:
(i)

Officers involve in the tendering process may be biased to a particular

contractor.

(ii)

Tender sum may be not the lowest, as all qualified tenderisers may not be
invited.

(iii)

1.5

Normally new and inexperience contractors are not invited.

TENDER DOCUMENTS

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Tender document for civil engineering projects normally comprises of form of contract,
general conditions of contract, specification, BQ, contract drawings, and form of tender.
Tender documents may consist of:
(i)

Form Of Contract / Form Of Agreement

-

it is a formal agreement between owner and the contractor for the

execution of the contract. Form of Agreement is normally
incorporated in the Condition of Contract.

(ii)

General Condition Of Contract

-

it defines generally the terms under which the work is to be

undertaken; the relationship between the owner, the engineer /
superintending officer (SO) and the contractor; the power of S.O.;
the duties of contractor and term of payment.

(iii)

Specification
-

specification amplifies the information given in contract drawings

and BQ. It describes in detail the work to be executed under the
contract, the nature and quality of material to be used, standard of
workmanship. It may specify the order in which the various
sections of work to be carried out, the methods to be adopted, and
any special responsibilities to be borne by the contractor. However,
generally it is described to allow for the contractor to decide on the
methods.

(iv)

Bill Of Quantities
-

BQ consists of a schedule with brief descriptions of work to be carried

out under contract document, with quantities entered against each
item. It offers a means of comparing various tenders received. After
the contract has been signed, the quantities and rates can be used to
assess the value of work executed.

(v)

Contract Drawings
-

ideal contract drawings should detail the entire contract work, which is
not practical in practice. However, they should be prepared sufficiently
detail to enable the tenderers satisfactorily understand what is the
project require.

(vi)

Form Of Tender
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the form of tender is the tenderers written offer to construct, complete

and maintain the work in accordance with other details in contract
document. It usually incorporates the contract period, tender sum,
provision

for

performance

bond,

insurance,

Liquidated

and

Ascertained Damages (L.A.D.), period of maintenance @ Defect

Liability Period (D.L.P.), value/percentage of work to be executed or
materials and goods to be delivered before Interim Certificate
issuance, and period for honouring payment certificate.

1.6

PREPARATION OF BILL OF QUANTITIES

The traditional method of preparation of a BQ can conveniently be broken down into two
main processes:
(i)

Taking off

(ii)

Abstracting / Working up

This traditional method was very lengthy and tedious. As such, The Direct Billing
System was developed. It is to bill direct, by transferring the items direct from the
dimensions paper to the BQ, thus eliminating the need for an abstract. The quantity takeoff is set down in the standard form of BQ, that by adding together the prices listed will
give the contract price or tender sum.
The functions of BQ are:
(i)

It prompts the client and design team to finalise most project particulars
before the bill is prepared, and ideally based on full production drawing
and project specification.

(ii)

It enables all contractors tendering for a contract to price on exactly the

same information.

(iii)

It set down the various items of work in logical sequence and recognised
manner, easily priced by the contractor.

(iv)

It limits the risk element borne by the contractor to the rates he enters in
the bill and thereby results in more realistic and competitive tenders.

(v)

It also provides a good basis for the valuation of variation in any

changes of design, size and quality as the work proceeds.

(vi)

It provides a good basis for the preparation of cost analyses for cost
planning usage.
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A bill of quantities (BQ) is a document which lists all the items necessary for the
complete construction of works. Each item includes a description and a quantity.
1.6.1

Taking Off Sheet / Dimension Sheet

A bill of quantities cannot be prepared directly from the drawings but must be built up in
three stages.
a)

First stage - Taking off

Taking off is to calculate the quantity in each item of work. The taking off sheet, which is
sometimes called a dimension sheet, is ruled in the following way (See Appendix A1)
Table 1.6.1 : Taking Off Sheet / Dimension Sheet

* Columns A, B, C and D appear twice on each sheet.

Column A

called timesing column and is used if the quantity is to be

multiplied for example if we were taking off the quantities
for column bases and there were four bases, then 4/would
appear in column A.

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Column B

called dimension column and the dimensions of the item

are entered one below the other in this column.
Dimensions should always be entered in the following
order, length, breadth, depth and thickness.

Column C

the squaring or cubing column, and it is where the final

quantity is entered.

Column D

is used for description of the item and for any additional

calculations.

b)

Second stage - Abstracting

It consists of transferring the description and quantity the description and quantity from
the taking-off sheet to the abstract sheet (as shown in Appendix A2) and collecting
together items, which can be, billed under one item. If the quantity has to be converted
from one unit to another unit this is done on the abstract sheet.
c)

Third stage - Writing a bill of quantities

There are certain principles, which should always be followed when writing a bill of
quantities. It should be concise, accurate and well written (as shown in Appendix A3).
i)

Descriptions

Each item should be described in enough detail to enable anyone reading the bill
of quantities to be able to locate the item in the works.
ii)

Order

Items should be entered in a logical order. It is suggested that the following order
be used.

Excavation - cubic, linear then square meter

Mass concrete and reinforced concrete - cubic, then square meters.

Reinforcement - largest diameter first

Brickwork - cubic then square items

Steelwork - nearest item first.

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iii)

Accuracy

It is usually necessary to re-measure civil engineering works when they are

completed to determine the exact value of the work, and therefore it is not
necessary to calculate the quantities too accurately when preparing the bill.
iv)

Numbering

All items should be measured consecutively page by page.

v)

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are often used on the dimension sheets:

Bwrk

brickwork

C.I.

cast iron

Ddt

deduct

D.P.C

damp proof course

Ex.

excavation

M.S

mild steel

n.e.

not exceeding

P.C.

prime cost

R.C.

reinforced concrete

S.G.S.W.

salt glazed stone ware

W.I.

wrought iron

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