CONSTRUCTION

ESTIMATING
MODULE 3

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MEASURING THE QUANTITIES

Contents:
• How to use elements in
measuring quantities
• Estimating errors you should
avoid

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Elements & measuring quantities

• Understand the function of measurement groups /

dimension groups.
• Link elements / components to measurement
groups.
• Link BoQ items to elements / components.
• Measure the maximum items / elements with as
little measurement groups as possible.
• The more detailed the information the more
measurement groups you may have to use.
• Area, length, number.
• Apply the 80% / 20% principle.
• Do everything only once – Think ahead
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Example 1

• Site area
• Site clearance
• Roadworks
• Site services
• Construction area ( ground floor)
• Surfacebed with layers excavations etc.
• Upper floors
• Roof (area x factor)
• Ceiling (area x factors)
• Floor finishes (area x factors)

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Example 2 – Construction area (CA)

Measurement Group Element Bill of Quantities

Construction Area Surfacebed (SB) SB layers
1st floor slab SB concrete
Roof SB rebar
Ceiling
Floor finishes
Electrical Installation
Air conditioning
Fire protection

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Example 2 continue
Surface bed 125mm thick reinforced with mesh reinforcing, 150mm thick stone
layer, 150mm thick sand layer, waterproofing agent, power float finish, etc
▪Reduce levels to final levels under floors
▪Carting away surplus materials
▪150mm Thick imported sand filling under floors
▪150mm Thick stone drainage layer under floors
▪Compaction of ground surfaces
▪Bidem over stone layer
▪DPM under surface beds
▪Type 245 fabric reinforcement
▪Formwork to edges of surface bed
▪30MPa surface bed
▪Power float
▪Saw cut joints
▪Sealants in saw cut joints
▪Construction / movement joints
▪Floor finish
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Example 3 – Perimeter of CA
Measurement Group Element Bill of Quantities
Perimeter of Construction Area Foundations Excavations
Walls Concrete
Shopfronts Reinforcement
Gutters Foundation walls
Facias
Cornice

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Example 3 – Continue
Strip foundations 600 x 400mm thick 80kg/m³ reinforcement
including excavations 1 000mm deep, backfilling, etc
▪Excavation in trenches n/e 2m deep
▪Carting away surplus material
▪Soft rock excavations (say 10%)
▪Hard rock excavations (say 5 %)
▪Risk of collapse not exceeding 1,5m deep
▪15MPa blinding
▪Reinforcement (100kg/m³ of concrete)
▪Working space exceeding 500mm n/e 1 500mm deep
▪Formwork to sides of foundations
▪30MPa Reinforced concrete cast against excavated surfaces
▪Imported filling for backfilling in trenches

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Example 4 – Count Sanitary Fittings

Measurement Group Element / Bill of Quantities

Component
Basin (Type 01) Basin Mixer / Taps
Waste unit
Waste pipes supply
Bends etc
Sealant
Builders work

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Avoid these estimating errors (1)

• Not allowing for land cost correctly

• Not establishing main criteria with viabilities
o Type of return required
o First year rental, rental escalation
o Operational cost and operational cost escalation
o Cost of lost opportunity associated with project
o Developer fees
o Letting agent or selling agent fees
• Failing to list exclusions and assumptions
• Excel links from other files
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 Avoid these estimating errors (2)
• Misunderstanding of the required outcome
• Missing the deadline
• Not taking into account all the information issued
• Misunderstanding of specifications
• Exclusions not covered anywhere and not qualified
• Not making use of specialist consultants budgets
• Neglecting to add contingency to the estimate
• Not checking the final product for errors
• Not stating the information your estimate is based on
• Not allowing for pre contract- and contract escalation
• Not taking the programme into account (preliminaries)
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Measure the Quantities

• Total volume of concrete for the first floor slab

• Total area of new walls on the ground floor only

• Total area of openings in the external walls

• Total length of new 110mm sewer pipe required

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THANK YOU
©2017 Copyright Alusani Skills & Training Network®. All Rights Reserved.

Len Holder
Tel: 011 447 7470
Web: www.alusani.co.za

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