In civil construction works, methods and units of measurements are categorized based on the nature, shape, and size of the work, as well as for making payments to the contractor. The principle of units of measurements typically includes the following:
a) Single units work, such as doors, windows, trusses, etc., are expressed in numbers.
b) Works involving linear measurements, such as cornice, fencing, handrail, bands of specified width, etc., are expressed in running meters (RM).
c) Works involving areal surface measurements, such as plastering, whitewashing, partitions of specified thickness, etc., are expressed in square meters (m2).
d) Works involving cubical contents, such as earthwork, cement concrete, masonry, etc., are expressed in cubic meters.
The table below shows the units of measurement for various items of civil engineering works based on IS 1200.
| Sl. No. | Particulars of item | Units of measurement | Units of payment |
| 1 | Earthwork | ||
| 1. Earthwork in excavation | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2. Earthwork in filling in foundation trenches | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 3. Earth work in filling in plinth | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2 | Concrete | ||
| 1. Lime concrete in foundation | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2. Cement concrete in lintels | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 3. RCC in slab | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 4. Cement concrete or RCC in chujja, sunshade | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 5. Lean concrete in roof terracing (thickness specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 6. Cement concrete bed | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 7. Reinforced concrete sunshade (specified width and height) | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 3 | Damp proof course (DPC) – thickness mentioned | SQM | Per SQM |
| 4 | Brick work | ||
| 1. Brickwork in foundation | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2. Brickwork in plinth | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 3. Brickwork in super structure | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 4. Thin partition walls | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 5. Brickwork in arches | CUM | Per SQM | |
| 6. Reinforced brickwork | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 5 | Stone work | ||
| 1. Stone masonry | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 6 | Wood work | ||
| 1. Doors and windows frames or chaukhats, rafters, beams | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2. Shutters of doors and windows (thickness specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 3. Doors and windows fittings (like hinges, tower bolts, sliding bolts, handles) | Each | Per Each | |
| 7 | Steel work | ||
| 1. Steel reinforcement bars etc. in RCC and reinforced brick work | Quintal | Per Quintal | |
| 2. Bending, binding of steel reinforcement | Quintal | Per quintal | |
| 3. Rivets, bolts and nuts, anchor bolts, lewis bolts, holding down bolts | Quintal | Per quintal | |
| 4. Iron hold fasts | – | – | |
| 5. Iron railing (height and types specified) | – | – | |
| 6. Iron grills | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 8 | Roofing | ||
| 1. RCC and RB slab roof (excluding steel) | CUM | Per CUM | |
| 2. Lean concrete roof over and inclusive of tiles or brick or stone slab etc. (thickness specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 3. Centering and shuttering formwork | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 4. AC sheet roofing | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 9 | Plastering, points and finishing | ||
| 1. Plastering – cement or lime mortar (thickness and proportion specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 2. Pointing | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 3. White washing, color washing, cement washing, (number of coats specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 4. Distempering (number of coats specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 5. Painting, varnishing (number of coats specified) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 10 | Flooring | ||
| 1. 25mm cement concrete over 75mm lime concrete floor (including lean concrete) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 2. 25mm or 40mm cement concrete floor | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 3. Doors and window sills (CC or cement mortar plain) | SQM | Per SQM | |
| 11 | Rain water pipe / plain pipe | RM | Per RM |
| 12 | Steel wooden truss | Each | Per each |
| 13 | Glass panels (supply) | SQM | Per SQM |
| 14 | Fixing of glass panels or cleaning | Each | Per Each |
Note:
In the field of measurements, SQM represents square meter, which is a unit used to quantify area. It is commonly used to measure the size of surfaces, such as the area of a room or the floor space of a building.
On the other hand, CUM stands for cubic meter, which is a unit of measurement used to quantify volume. It is often used to measure the capacity or volume of containers, such as tanks or shipping containers, as well as to quantify the amount of material, such as sand, gravel, or concrete.
Lastly, RM stands for running meter, which is a unit used to measure length. It is typically used to quantify the length of linear objects, such as pipes, cables, or fabrics. The term “running meter” is often used in the context of continuous or linear items where the measurement is taken along the length of the object, rather than the area or volume it occupies.
Methods for Measurement of civil engineering works:
The measurement rules for various construction items are described in IS-1200. To measure a finished item of work accurately, the description of each item should include the cost of materials, transportation, labor, fabrication tools and plant, as well as all types of overheads required to complete the work in the desired shape, size, and specification.
The order of measurement should be in sequence of length, breadth, and height or thickness. All works must be measured within certain tolerances, with linear measurements being measured to the nearest 0.01m, areas to the nearest 0.01 SQM, and cubic contents to the nearest 0.01 cum.
In cases where the same type of work needs to be executed under different conditions and nature, it should be measured separately under separate items. Moreover, the bill of quantities must fully describe the materials, proportions, workmanship, and accurately represent the work to be executed.
For masonry (stone or brick) or structural concrete, the categories must be measured separately. The heights should be described from the foundation to the plinth level, from the plinth to the first floor level, from the first floor to the second floor level, and so on. Following these guidelines will ensure accurate measurement and estimation of construction works.