KEYWORD DEFINITION
EXAMPLE DISADVANTAGES
Taking off Process of measuring from
sheet drawings, recording all
dimension in recognized from
called taking off sheet or
dimension paper
Civil Design grading, drainage,
Engineering pavement, water supply, sewer
Work service, dams, electric and
communication supply
Construction The winning contractor will
construct the project as per
contract
Architect and consultant
engineer will monitor progress
of work
IMPORTANCE / FUNCTION / PURPOSE / ADVANTAGES / IMPLICATION
1)Enables all the contractors to tender Advantages: The table of 4 column:
the same information 1)The item will be A:Timesing
2)To set down the various items of works organized so nothing is B:Dimension
3)Provide an approximate checklist for forgotten. C:Final Quantity
the contractor to order material and plan 2)The task will be put in D:Description of item
for other resources. order
3)Easy to review
4)Accurate value
Disadvantages:
1)Time consuming
2)Not the final cost
1)Test the building materials, such as
concrete, asphalt, or steel for use in
particular project
2)Manage the repair, maintenance, and
replacement of public and private
infrastructure
1)To ensure the project will finished Advantage:
based on the contract To oversee the the
2)Monitoring the worker to accomplish planning, design, and
the project within cost construction of a project
3)Prioritize the quality and the safety of from its beginning to its
people around the construction site end. The purpose is to
control a projects time,
cost and quality.
Disadvantage:
Delay in occupancy while
land acquisition, design

Bidding Owner determines that a
project is feasible and that
construction financing is
available, the owner will solicit
bids from general contractors
Taking off Process of measuring from
drawing and recording all
dimension in recognize form on a
special ruled paper called
Dimension paper.
Conceptual A theoretical structure of
study assumptions, principles and rules
work, and building are
going on, and the cost of
overruns and mistakes
caused by forecasting
errors and planning
oversights.
Promotion of project to contractors,. The Advantages:
bidding process can differ, depending on 1)Many option to choose
the rules set by clients. In most cases the the contractor based on
bidder with the lowest bid wins. the background,
experience, quality and
cost of the project.
2)In case of open
tendering, it gives all
suppliers the opportunity
to win the business that is
advertised
Disadvantages:
1)The cost-plus
phenomena
2)Leading suppliers may
not tender
3)Use of cheaper, poor
quality materials and/or
labor
This is necessary to produce bills of
quantities and requires that the design is
complete and a specification has been
prepared.
Purpose
 hold together ideas comprising a 1. To clarify concept and purpose
broad concept. relationship among the concepts
in a study (feasibility study).
2. To provide context for
interpreting the study findings.
Importance
It determines and defines the focus and
goal of research problem.

Measured A standard unit used to express Measurement is the transformation of

quantity the size, amount, or degree of drawn data into description and quantity
something. information.

It is a tool to enable other functions. It is

done to value, cost, and price
construction work, as well as enabling
effective management.

Eg. Length is a physical quantity. The

Cost analysis The comparison of costs for the
purpose of disclosing and
reporting on conditions subject to must start with an understanding of why
improvement.
metre is a unit of length that represents a
definite predetermined length. When we
say 10 metres (or 10 m), we actually
mean 10 times the definite
predetermined length called "metre".
Measurement is a process of determining
how large or small a physical quantity is
as compared to a basic reference
quantity.
Example Advantages
Any study to reduce manufacturing cost Cost may be reduced after
identify the overall cost in
and where costs are incurred. any level of construction.

Building Work Construction, erection, assembly
or placement of a building.
Estimating Approximate judgement or
calculation, as of the value,
amount, time, size, or weight of
something.
Manufacturing costs are normally as Such as cost of materials or
described to materials, labour and labours.
overheads. Before starting to consider
how these costs may be reduced it is
necessary to know at what stage of the
manufacturing process they are incurred.
It is also important to ensure that costs
associated with delays and work-in-
progress are included. The analysis
usually breaks the manufacturing process
into elements which are often related to
process activities such as material
preparation, welding and finishing.
once this information has been gathered
it is usual to focus initial efforts on those
activities which are incurring the greatest
cost.
When improvements are introduced, cost
analysis is also the means by which these
are measured.
1)To prepare the suitable work for the Advantages A building of the project
construction of a building. 1)Give specializes in the will have a complete
2)Example: Plumbing work, drainage project for building accommodation after
work and maintenance. development. finished or done.
1)Estimate the cost/amount needed of Advantages 1)Give the preliminaries
the project including: bidding process, 1)Preventing from wastage amount of the project
tender process and others 2)Accurate the cost that will be construct.
2)Give an imagine about the cost project projection, securing
. finance. 2)Easier to find a client
Disadvantages with the suitable

Engineering The process of devising a system,
and Design component, or process to meet
desired needs.
Triple Combination of the three most
Constraint significant restriction on any
project: scope, schedule and cost.
Level of A process to complete the project
construction including the conceptual stage,
planning stage, design stage, and
construction stage.
Tender Tender is the process whereby
the government and financial
institutions invite bids for large
projects that must be submitted
within a deadline.
1)Estimator fees and amount that have been
charges & Awareness estimated.
issues (lack of experiences
QS).
1)For the aesthetical of the building that Advantages 1)Providing the desired
will be construct. 1)Giving the value of needed of the building
2)Ensure the project in economical, aesthetic for the building. construction
friendly and appeals to user. 2)Ensure the safety in the 2)Example: aesthetic,
building after construction. safety and others
1)Manage the construction of the project Advantages The scope concerns
to be done. Helps in interpret the data what has to be delivered
2)Example: scope of work, schedule to be given for the construction. by the project, time is
done and amount needed about the when the project should
project. deliver by, and cost is
concerned with how
much can be spent.
-It helps to monitoring the total work to Advantage:
be carried out on project is divided into It is improves the cost
smaller work. control and quality of the
work.
- It is make easier to the contractor and
consultant to complete the work. Disadvantage:
Owner is risk to get the
unanticipated cost increase
if he is less control the
project.
To select the contractor to execute a
project.
Feasibility A desk study or preliminaries
study undertaken in the early stage of a
project.
Bill Of A list of items giving the
Quantities quantities and brief description of
work to be carries out with its
respective quantities and unit
cost rate for carrying out each
works.
Quantities The amount of labour, equipment
and materials to carry out the
project under various item of
works.
An analysis of a proposed project to
determine it is technically feasible within
the estimated cost and will be profitable.
-To provide a list items with identifying
description and quantities, that comprise
the works to enable contractor to
prepare tenders efficiently and
accurately.
-To provide a basis for the valuation of
work executed for the purpose of making
interim payments to the contractor and
provide a basis for the valuation of varied
work.
To carry out taking off and bill of
quantities.
Advantage:
It saves considerable time
and cost of several
contractors measuring the
same design in order to
calculate their bids for the
competition.
It provides an extensive
and clear statement of the
work to be executed.
Disadvantage:
Bill of quantities do not
establish a firm cost for the
work and there also less
price certainty when the
contractor is appointed.
This is because the actual
cost of the works is
calculated only when the
design is available and
detailed re-measurements
has been made.
Procurement The act of obtaining equipment,
material or supplies.
Operate and Upon the completion of the
maintain project, the contractor will
handing over the project to the
client. Then client will continue to
operate and maintain the
building
Stakeholder A person, group or organization
that is interested in an
organization.
A procurement process ensures that the
company's purchasing is competitive,
fair, and provides the best possible prices
available in the market.
Procurement is concerned with acquiring
all of the goods, services, and work that is
important to an organization.
Operations and maintenance typically
include day-to-day activities necessary
for the building and its systems and
equipment to perform their intended
function.
For example, directors, employees,
owners and suppliers
It helps to decide what to
buy, when and from what
sources.
It is an opportunity for all
stakeholders involved in
the processes to meet in
order to discuss particular
procurement
requirements. These
stakeholders could be the
requesting entity, end
users, procurement
department, technical
experts, and even vendors
to give relevant inputs on
specific requirements.

KEYWORD DEFINITION IMPORTANCE / FUNCTION / PURPOSE / ADVANTAGES / IMPLICATION

EXAMPLE DISADVANTAGES
Miscoullaneus - Short term of work that need to
work be done.
Exp:
Painting
Excavation
Maintenance
Ditto -A reapeted item that been supply
without the concious of the
contractor itself.
Exp: The supplier has renew the
contract by its own without
acknowledge the contractor and
had make a ditto orders.
Tedious Task -A boring, long, to much work and
can cause weariness or boredom
without any improvement
Dispute -A disagreement or argument
about an opinion.
Exp: There is some dispute
between the contractor in the
construction management
between the client and the
management contractor.
Site The process of collecting
Investigation information, assessment of the
-Allow the Project manager to do small work Ad-Reduced completion
in faster time. Calling others contractor to time
finish the small work in time.
Dis-to much contractor
to manage
-Contractor should be aware of any contract Ad-Have many material -Over supply material will
regarding the project. for construction be held at the
construction site
Dis-Over material
-Will take more space at
the site
-Completing a work with consistency Ad- More work to do
completion
Dis- long term of work
and boring
-To improve a work in a construction site Ad- new idea develop -Improve the work at
between worker. So there will be new ideas construction
development in the argument. Dis- Argument between
workers. -Cause argument
between workers if both
of them got different
opinion
Increase productivity Will affect the
by identifying soil proposed
 data and reporting potential
hazard beneath a site which
are unknown.
Condition of Term and condition at set the
Contract right and responsible on
contracting parties when a
contract is made.
Ground - Improve the characteristic of
Treatment soil which was not stable in its
natural state.
- Stabilise poor soil
Squaring The process of multiplication,
Dimension addition and subtraction of
recorded dimension
Enables better understanding of the site nutrients or soil development, affect on
and immediate surroundings,-enables chemical factors, safety and will cost
safe and economic developments. identifies polluted to wastage on the
know the strength of designing
the soil.
Act as an legally binding contract Prevent abusing for There will be dishonest
between two parties to protect both parties due to the in the project and
importance and profit for both parties. terms and condition. cause losses to
another party and
cause
misunderstanding to
both parties.
To improves and increase the load The strength of the Dangerous and risk of
bearing capacity on the soil. soil is increase and liquefaction in the
help in lowering the event of earthquake
cost construction in and major vibration.
order to strengthen
the soil and save time
of construction.
- To obtaining the linear square and cubic
measurement
 - Measurement relate to door and drainage
pipe
Trade Work of certain craft - Help civil engineer in pricing the different
categories of work as civil engineering work
are classified under different trade
- Eg : Bricklayer and plumbers

KEYWORD DEFINITION IMPORTANCE / FUNCTION / PURPOSE / ADVANTAGES / IMPLICATION

Measurement A contract when the design or
Contract type of works can be described in
reasonable detail but not the
amount.
EXAMPLE DISADVANTAGES
Useful when detailed drawings and - Can allow an early
estimation are prepared for reminder of the start on site, before
project work. design is complete, and
they can allow changes
to be made to the
works relatively easily.
- Risk for the client
because total cost of
work is unknown.
- In effect, the client is
taking the risk for any
unknowns, and whilst
this can result in
competitive prices from
contractors, the level
of uncertainty for
the client means
that measurement
contracts are rare other
than on civil
engineering projects.
Contract Legal binding agreement Written document that outline the full -reduced the risk for the - can cause argument
Document between parties ( specified sum understanding of the business relationship contractor to be sued between both parties if
of money ) and scope of work so that no one can claim one party performing
any misunderstanding later down the road their duty while the
other party doesnt.
Lump sum A contractor which owner agrees To reduce the cost of the design and Advantage - contractor has more
contract to pay a contractor a specified contract administration associated with the - This agreement will incentive to minimize his
amount for completing the work quantity calculation,verification and reduce the owner risk cost in order to increase
which not covered in contract measurement - Fixed construction cost the profit
document - The contractor will
-It would be useful when the project is not maximize their
too large production and
-i.e,bridge painting performance
- The contractor will try
to complete the proect
faster
- The price to be paid is
fixed

Disadvantage
- The owner might
reject the changre order
request
- The project needs to
be designed completely
before the activities
start
- This contuction will
take longer than the
contracting alternative
- No addition variation
Cost Contractor reimbursed the
reimbursemen actual cost of the project they
t contract incur in carrying out the work
plus with additional fee plus
profit is allowed
Example Situation: i)The contractor will save
The client need to choose the contract to be the time on their project
used due to landslide occur because of the because the contractor
heavy rain .In a short time ,the road need to will started the construct
repair to be used again before the design finish
completely.
ii) The provision allow
bringing in the
contractor earlier to
design the phase to work
with the designer
helping design and
discuss the common
issue.
iii)The protection slope
will increase
iv)increase the stability
of slope and and
decrease the possible
error that may be occur
especially in slope
problem.
Target Plus The contractor get the actual cost
Cost Contract of the work plus an agreed
percentage to cover overhead
profit
There will be actual cost and target cost Advantages : Contractor must have
which are agreed by both parties - Useful when high quality
emergency work management to sustain
because insufficient business relationship
time to prepare detail
document before work
start

Disadvantages :
- No incentive for
contractor if done early
- Actual cost lower than
estimate cost, the
balance will be share by
both.

Cost Plus The sum paid to contractor will - useful in emergency work because Advantages : Minimum Useful in emergency
Percentage be actual cost incurred in the insufficient time to prepare a detailed efficiency leads to work
Fee execution of work plus fixed lump document tender or drawing before work is maximum profit
sum which has been agreed commenced.
Disadvantages : Gives
contractor no financial
incentive to control his
cost
Cost Plus Fee Advantages :
Contract - Encourage contractor
to execute work as
cheaply as possible
- The target estimate
may be adjusted for
variation in quantity,
design, fluctuation, in
 cost of labour and
materials.
Disadvantages :
- Scope of work can be
altered can lead to
difficult negotiations
between contractor and
client

Schedule of Used when the nature of work Advantages :

rates required is known but it cannot - Variations are easier to
be quantified. estimate and normally
cheaper than on fixed
price traditional
contracts.
- The client can stop and
start work at a pace that
might be determined by
cash flow .

Disadvantages :
- Additional resources
are required to measure
work and certify
payments.
- The client does not
have a final price when
committing to starting
work.
- There is no real
incentive for
contractors to treat
such work with any
 sense of urgency and its
best staff will be placed
on the projects where
the contractor is
carrying more risk.

All In Contract Contract when client offer to Advantages :

main contractor to carry the - Useful for a limited
project period project request
by client through
engineer.
- Client submit full
details of project design
construction and cost
including maintenance
of works

Disadvantages

- Liable for both design

and project
- Quality of work may
be low
- Deal with client by
their own
Management A management contract is a -it would be useful for big project which Advantages -the construction may
contract written agreement between the have a lot works - Construction can managed accordingly
-predetermining fees and expenses to : commerce before from the start till the
owner of a business and a third
party management company.
Contract where client appoints a
management contractor to lead
and appoint other contractors
and design team to complete
construction.
Participate in the project from the outset. design is complete as end in both
Contribute construction expertise to design. work let in package. management and
Manage the construction. - Useful where complex construction.
contract require many
design groups and
contractor management
of the whole process is
controlled by the
management
contractor/consultant
- Owner will have less
responsibility on the
project.
- Management contract
give the owner on
assurance of the
continuity of the
business. The contract
management company
my experience
employee turnover. But
it will not affect the
owner due to that
contract that specifies
how the business is to
be managed.
- Time target more
easily met as later
packages of the work
can be adjusted
 Disadvantages
- Final cost of project
not known at outset as
design overlaps with
construction.
- If management
contractor does not
have the required
expertise it may not
able to contribute to
the design
- If the management
contractor do not
required expertise, they
may not contribute
design

All in contract An owner choose to ask the

contractor to take all the risk
both in term of actual project
cost and time.
- The owner and contractor agree
to a project cost guarantee by the
contractor as maximum cost.
- Design and build contracts is the
possibility of reduced
construction time.
- If the contractor is entirely
responsible for design a great
deal of time can potentially be
saved as the design and building
elements will run concurrently.
 - If the agreed on design remain
unchanged throughout the
project, the developer can be
reasonably sure that the overall
cost of construction will remain
unchanged.
KEYWORD DEFINITION
Form of It is a formal agreement between
contract owner & contractor for the
execution of the contract.
Form of tender Is a form required to filled up by
the contractor and signed and
must be witnessed by the third
party.
Specification The information that is given in
contract drawing & bill of
quantities
Performance -contract bond is a safety bond
bond issued by an insurance company /
bank to guarantee satisfactory
completion of a project.
IMPORTANCE / FUNCTION / PURPOSE / ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
EXAMPLE
Written document that outline the full -reduced the risk for the - can cause argument
understanding of the business relationship contractor to be sued between both parties if
and scope of work so that no one can claim - as a clear one party performing
any misunderstanding later down the road understanding of the their duty while the
right and obligations of other party doesnt.
both parties.
Mainly to specify the chief variables -project objective and Take time to select best
concerning the construction processes and definition may be tender.
activities. managed.
-specify the order In which the various -can help the contractor -they may be too
section of work to be carried out to order the various elaborate for simple or
-the method to be adopted item easily minor project.
-any special responsibilities to be done by -as a references if there -more difficult to
the contractor. is any misunderstanding enforce than other
method of specifying
-to ensure that the contractor will finish the -smooth the transition -owner may have losses
job in accordance to the term of contract. from construction to & no security towards
-determine contract price. permanent financing by the materials, plant &
eliminate lies.

Bill of List of item giving the quantities
quantities and brief description of work to
be carried out.
Contract Detail the entire contract work
drawing which is not practical in practise.
Insurance Contractor has to furnish the
guarantee client insurance guarantee for
workman compensation & social
security registration.
machinery that being
delivered to the site
-no guarantee that the
project will be complete
on time.
-the contractor will left
the work in complete
because there is no
punishment to them.
-to save time, save cost for themselves. -can be used as a cost -the rate of item in
-to order material analysis tender is not standardize
-to be used in construction - it can indicate the
-as a guidance while constructing location, scope & assign
complexity of the work.
-show graphically the
full content of what is
required to be
constructed.
-if contractor has construction insurance, -protect construction -in case of poor
they can get financial assistant from their companies from such construction, the buyer
insurance company. claim by giving financial of the constructed
assistant. property can sue the
construction company.
contractor also need to
pay for fixing /
remodelling the building.
 KEYWORD DEFINITION IMPORTANCE / FUNCTION / PURPOSE / ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
EXAMPLE
Preambles A summary of work requested. It is divided into sections that explain the It include important
project, materials needed, unit prices, information and avoid
provisional sums, method of measurement including or repeating
and potential errors. rights or obligation.
Grand The last part of bill of quantities Example: site clearance, drainage work and
Summary which the total cost will be sum etc.
up and classify with difference
table.
Abbreviation A shortened form of word or Example: AACU= air cooled condensing unit,
phrase. CONST= construction and CI= cast iron
Work item A record of work on a project It break into several part.
that must be fulfilled or Example: part 1= general
evaluated.
Timesing The column that are enter for Example: when taking off the quantities for
column multiplying figures, when there column bases and there were four bases, the
are more than one items being (4/) would appear in column A.
measured.
Dimension The dimensions of the item are Dimensions should always be entered in the
column entered one below the other in following order, length, breadth, depth and
this column. thickness.
Squaring It is where the final quantity is Example: area and volume
column entered.
Description It is use for description of the Example: calculation length of link and
column item and for any additional reinforcement for stump.
calculations.
Abstracting The process of transferring data Example: the table of abstract sheet will It will help the total
from the taking off sheet to the show 1)item no. 2)summary 3)quantity quantity needed and
abstract sheet and collecting easy the proses to
together items which can be writing bill of quantites.
billed under one item.
 CIVIL ENGINEERING
QUANTITIES &
ESTIMATION (ECM442)
Fakulti Kejuruteraan
Awam UiTM Shah Alam
Class: (EC2203C10)