The Basics of

Measurement
Fara Diva Mustapa
Assoc. Prof Dr. Rosli Abd. Rashid
Department of Quantity Surveying
Faculty of Built Environment
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The Fundamental of
Measurement
Before proceedings to the next level of
taking- of work, one should know what are
the tools or the instruments needed to
carry out such process. Hence, this
lecture is an introduction to the dimension
papers, calculators, scale rules and colour
pencils before further explaining the
dimensions papers.

The instruments and

stationary used in a process
of measurement

A) Dimension papers

It is a sheet of paper that consists of few

column that represent the item/element that
has been measured. Each column has its own
functions and share almost equal importance to a
quantity surveyor. It is a standard format used
worldwide.
The next slide will show you a sample of
dimension paper.

The taking-off sheet

Bill No.

Project:

Dewan-Dwgs/12

Element/Trade.

WBLFF

Page No.

Heading

Unit

Description

Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as described in

column stump

m3
Quantity

0.14
Taker-off

FDM
2

0.80
0.43
0.20
----------

Squaring

0.14
----------

B) Ink Pen
The most basic tools of all which requires a good
attention.
One should use only black or blue ink to write
down all the elements in the dimension paper.
Whilst the red ink is used only to
SUBSTACTS/DEDUCTIONS of any items in the
dimension papers.
One should never writes in pencil as it can be
easily erased which further bring difficulty in
tracing down the measurement in future.
If one makes a mistakes during the taking-off
process, simply crossed/slash the mistakes and
DO NOT USE LIQUID PAPER.

C) Scale Rules
A scale rules is used to measure the
drawings if there is no dimension
stated in the drawings. It comes in
different scales such as 1:100, 1:1,
1:200, 1:20, 1:50, 1:5, 1:1250 and so
on.
One should use the appropriate scale
as mentioned in the drawings.

D) Calculator
Calculator is used to either adding,
omitting, squaring, dividing and other
calculation needs
A small size of calculator with a basic
function is very useful to carry around.
P/S: A quantity surveyor is very synonym
with calculator that one shouldnt be
regard as a one if he or she does not carry
one around.

E) Colour pencils
Colour pencils are very useful to
differentiate different items or
elements in a drawings.
As there is so many items to be
measured, by coloring and
highlighting, it shall ease the takingoff process

Introduction to
Dimension Paper
As mentioned earlier, each column in the
dimension paper represents certain
information with regards to the item
measured and even the drawings.
Please pay good attention as the next few
slides will explains each column which
incorporates the dimension paper

1
2

Project/drawings no.

1
Dewan-Dwgs/12

Project:

Sequence of elements

Heading

Elements measured

Sequence of taking-off

Description of item

2
WBLFF

Bill No.

Unit

Description

m3

Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as

described in column stump

Unit measured as per SMM 2

The total no. of item measured

F1
The name of persons responsible
2 0.80 for taking-off
The name of persons

Slip No.

14

Element/Trade.

11

0.14

Taker-off

0.43
0.20 for0.14
responsible
squaring
---------- ----------

12

Quantity

10

13

FDM

Squaring

10 The total of calculations

Bill No.

Project:

11

12

13
14

The process of
calculation the
dimension attained
from the drawings
The total no. of
same item/element
appeared in the
drawings

Dewan-Dwgs/12
Heading

Slip No.

14
Unit

Description

m3

Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 25 as

described in column stump

Quantity

0.14

Side
cast/annotations
Explanation on
the item/elements
measured. Not
necessarily filled.
Should refer to
SMM2 for
further
explanations

WBLFF

Element/Trade.

Taker-off

F1
2

12

0.80
0.43
0.14
0.20
---------- ----------

11

10

13

FDM
Squaring

Sequence of
measurement
Usually a project consists of a few different
buildings with different designs and even finishes.
Hence, the measurement should be differentiated
in order to ease measurement.
For a buildings work, the measurement can be
divided into elements, item or trade.
However, measurements according to trade has
not been practiced as it was according to SMM1
which is very known for its complicatedness of
measuring process

An example of measurement according to

elements/work, the samples of distributions
are as follows:

Piling works
Work below low floor
finish
Structure
Upper floor
Roof
Staircase
External wall
External doors and
windows

Internal wall and

partitions
Internal doors and
windows
Internal wall finishes
Internal floor finishes
Internal ceiling
finishes
External finishes
Ect.

Taking-off Lists
Previously, it has been mentioned
that there are several items need to
be measured. Hence, it should be
noted at the beginning of taking-off
process. Sample of taking of lists
are as next slides.

Bill No.

Project:

Element/Trade.

Page No.

Heading

Piling
Description

Pre-Cast Concrete Piles

Taking-off list

1. Bringing in & removing plant Item

Unit

Quantity

2. Maintaining plant on site Item

3. Initial piles No.

Taker-off

4. Driven depth m.
5. Pile extension No.
6. Extension piles n.e. 3.00 long m

7. Extention piles exceedg. 3.00 ling m

8. Cut-off pile heads No.
9. Preliminary load tests Item
10.Subsequent load test Item

Squaring

Principals of taking-off

How to measure
A normal practice of taking-off are
as follows:
- horizontal dimension as length
- vertical dimension as width, height,
or depth

How to write dimensions

in the taking-off paper..
All dimension in the drawings should
be transferred in the t/off paper
and should follow the following order;
Length , width, height/depth

3D drawings of a ground
beam
430
200

800

How to transfer dimension into t/off

paper

430

800
Ground beam depth: 200

Project:

Bill No.

Element/Trade.

Slip No.

Heading

Unit

Description

No. of
repetition
of same
item
appeared
in
drawings

m3
Quantity

length
2

0.80
0.43
0.14
0.20
--------------------

width

Height/depth

Taker-off

Squaring

And later after compilation

of all taking-off, a sample
of Bills of Quantities should
look like the following slide

No.

Description

Unit

Qty

Rates

Amount

The quantity of each

work item
(Obtained from the
Taking-off sheet)

BILL NO. 1 SMALL BENCH

a.

b.

Excavating trench for foundation

Starting from ground level, maximum
depth not exceeding 0.25m

m3

0.14

10.00

1.40

Formwork to edge of concrete not

Exceeding 250mm high

22.00

110.00

c.

Foundation in concrete Grade 20

m3

0.14

170.00

23.80

d.

Walll, 225mm thick in common bricks

in English bond in cement and sand
(1:6) mortar

m2

48.00

48.00

Plate, 75mm x 50mm in wrot pressure

treated group B timber

16.00

16.00

Bench top, 225mm x 25mm in wrot

pressure treated Group B timber

m2

24.00

24.00

e.

f.

g.

Apply two coats of timber tone and one

coat of varnish

TO COLLECTION

m2

6.50

6.50

229.70

The rate
(Obtained from
supplier or
schedule of rates)

Cost of each work item

(By multiplying the
quantity and the rate)

Total cost of the bench

(By adding the cost of
all the items in the list)

The End
Thank You