Civil Engineering Project Management (4th Edition)

Measurement and bills of quantities 179
task of pricing the works actually constructed. What is to be built will depend
on the drawings, specifications and instructions issued by the engineer which
the contractor is bound to follow. What is to be measured as a basis of payment
is fixed by the method of measurement set out in the contract.
15.2 Methods of measurement for bills of quantities
The items in a bill of quantities can either list the work to be done in great
detail, or can use fewer items, many of which are ‘inclusive’. A common
example of an inclusive item used on pipelaying contracts is – ‘Manholes Type
A complete’ – measured by number of, which means as Type A shown on the
contract drawings including concrete walls and roof, step irons and iron access
cover etc. all as specified. But for other types of work detailed listing of items
might be required to allow for possible variations and adjustments to the work
shown on the drawings. On a large project, a considerable amount of detail is
inevitable, not only because many different types of work will be involved, but
also different circumstances or locations for similar types of work will apply.
When items are inclusive a tenderer has to ensure he has allowed for all
such subsidiary matters in his price. He takes a bigger risk with his price for
inclusive items than if the various details were separately itemized because, if
by error he omits to allow for some work included, his resulting underprice is
multiplied if more of that item is ordered. Hence his rates may be high for an
‘inclusive’ item and this affects the employer also, since increased quantities
of that item may result in a disproportionately increased payment by the
employer.
The choice of method of measurement for civil engineering work in the UK
lies between using the civil engineering standard method of measurement
(CESMM) as described in the next section; or using some different method; or
using the CESMM for some types of work and a different method for the rest
of the work. Where the standard method is used it must be followed, and any
departures from it must be clearly stated in the preamble to the bill or in item
descriptions. If the standard method is not used at all, Clause 57 of the ICE
Conditions must be amended and the method adopted must be clearly defined.
The standard method itemizes work in considerable detail and therefore
reduces the risks to both parties when admeasurement of the work takes
place. There are also computer programs devised to assist billing and pricing
by the standard method and this may be of use to tenderers’ estimators who
are familiar with the method. But the CESMM is complex, producing much
detailed itemization of the works. Hence it is common to adopt the standard
method for some work, and a different method for other work to reduce the
number of items required. This different method usually comprises items of
an inclusive nature.
For overseas contracts CESMM is seldom followed. Instead methods may
conform as much as possible with the local practice used by the local state or
public authorities.