THE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS

Contents
1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Main body ......................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Importance of the standard method of measurement for building works in the preparation of the bill of quantities ............................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Consequences on the quantity surveying profession of not having standard method of measurements for building works. ..................................................................................................... 3 3.0 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 4 4.0 References ........................................................................................................................................ 5

SAMPA CHISUMBE (09231395)

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THE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS

1.0 Introduction Measurement of building works is a fundamental requirement for the evaluation of the cost of proposed works and the calculation of the final accounts for work executed. For this reason, formal agreement to standardise the method of preparing such measurement within the building (construction) industry were formulated. In 1909 the quantity surveying association published methods of measurement for trades after recognising that greater accuracy of work and uniformity of method were necessary. In 1912 a joint committee was set up to draw up a comprehensive set of standard rules of measurement of building works which led to the publication in 1922 (willis .J, Newman .D, 1988). Since 1922 the standard method of measurement has evolved to meet the changing needs of the building industry, with the revision of several editions such as 1927, 1935, 1948, 1963, 1978 and the latest 1988 edition. Standard method of measurement provides quantity surveyors with rules of measurement for building works to assist when preparing the bill of quantities for building projects. This presentation is discussing why the standard method of measurement for building works is essential for the preparation of bills of quantities, elaborating on what the consequences would be on the profession of quantity surveying of not having such a system in place. 2.0 Main body 2.1 Importance of the standard method of measurement for building works in the preparation of the bill of quantities The standard method of measurement for building works is essential for the preparation of the bill of quantities because it allows for consistency and avoids variations in measurement of building works. It has brought about greater standardisation in the format in which the bill of quantities is prepared, both in the component items and in the way they are described. More so, it is the standard method of measurement which has led to a massive reduction of the previous variety that frequently arose from house styles and often led to unnecessary confusion to quantity surveyors and tendering contractors. In addition, bills of quantities prepared under standard method of measurement are more consistent with a consistent level of the level of detail. It permits estimations, valuation, purchasing and cost control to use the same numerical references thereby simplifying computerised data processing (Kenneth, 1997). This is important because if numerical references lacked uniformity, the system could be too tedious and lengthy as some contractors could be quoting in different units from others. Furthermore, the standard method of measurement for building works provides knowledge on the measurement of building works in different parts of the world, not that there is much
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THE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS

difference but because of the few revisions made to suite different environments. It makes it possible to apply quantity surveying profession in any region of the world basing on the same principles of measurement and bill preparation (et al, Wahid, 2006). To add on, the standard method of measurement for building works helps in itemisation of works in the bill of quantities with sufficient detail to distinguish between different classes of work, and between work of the same nature in different locations or any other circumstance which may affect cost. For example when mentioning the substructure, it will include all components parts which makes up a substructure and this helps in preventing anomalies and differences in bill interpretation. 2.2 Consequences on the quantity surveying profession of not having standard method of measurements for building works. Before the standard method of measurement for building works was introduced there was no uniformity of practice in the measurement of quantities (NZS, 1995). The order and nature of the billed items, the units of measurement and even the method of tabulating the information in specific columns for the bill of quantities varied considerably. Therefore, the consequences of not having the standard method of measurement (SMM) could include; First and foremost, lack of uniformity. The lack of uniformity in the preparation of the bill of quantities can make the task of quantity surveyors and contractors in pricing them far more difficult than it is today, now that a more uniform method of measurement has been generally adopted. Contractors could be formulating their own systems of measurement as thought fit. Secondly, the preparation of the bill of quantities could be more complicated and agonising; making it more difficult for the contractors and quantity surveyors to reflect the costs involved especially when it comes to programming, cost control and management of building works. The absence of the standard method for building works could lead to greater variability in bill preparation, increased risk in estimating and consequently more disputes. More so, the absence of the standard method of measurement for building could make it extremely difficult or almost impossible for professional quantity surveyors from one region of the world to function in another part of the world. This is simply because rules of measurement and description of building works could vary. Variations of approach in dealing with the pricing of building works could be resulting in considerable differences in measured rates and general items (Wainwright and Whitrod, 1980). Therefore, anomalies and differences in interpretations could become the order of the day.

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THE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS

3.0 Conclusion Building contracts may involve very large works both in scale and cost and it follows that the method of measurement should reflect this in its ethos and approach. Therefore, the quantity surveyor is expected to use discretion and adopt appropriate methods, provided the principles of measurement specified in the standard method of measurement are observed and the information necessary for pricing made clear. All in all, the standard method of measurement for building works is a very essential guide in bill preparation more especially in the modern world when the construction industry has become more complicated and competitive.

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THE STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS

4.0 References

1. Kenneth .H, PhD. (1997) Applied cost Engineering -3rd Edition, Marcel Dekker publishers. 2. Mustapa .M and Wahid .S (2006) international conference on construction industry, Padang, Indonesia. http//www.icci.org/publish viewed 25/06/11 3. New Zealand standard method of measurement for building works (1995), NZS 4202Scope only. http//www.standards.nz viewed 20/06/11 4. Wainwright W.H and Whitrod, R.J (1980) measurement of Building Works. Hutchinson & Co. 5. Willis .J and Newman .D (1988) Elements of Quantity surveying-8th edition, BSP Professional Books publishers.

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