CHAPTER ONE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The construction industry in Nigeria is an upcoming industry, the sector is regarded as a catalyst

for growth while it's performance servers as an indicator of the nation's economy (Akanni, ones

Akpomieme 2014). It is supported by the association of construction player's, which

encompasses developer's, contractors, building materials and equipment suppliers,

manufacturers, financiers, regulators, and others in the value chain.

Building materials have been playing an important role in the construction industry. They are

those materials put together in erecting or constructing structures, no field of engineering is

conceivable without their use (Aisanni, 2006, Udosen and Akanni, 2010). Building materials

contribute Immensery to the quality and cost of housing, from what is used in the foundation to

the materials for or private infrastructure or site from panning, Architectural work, the quantity

surveying, land scarping the actual mixing of concrete and cement to the finishes.

1.2 AIM

The aims of this project are to prepare a bill of quantity for a two bedroom bungalow using

traditional method of billing.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

i. To design a working drawing for the proposed building

ii. To take off quantities from the drawing

iii. To build up unit rates for some major items of work

iv. To prepared a PRICED bill of quantities

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1.4 METHODOLOGY

The methodology involved in carrying out the project includes: consultation of various

literatures, journals, textbook, past project and BESMM 4 including market survey to ascertain

current rate of some building materials.

1.5 SCOPE

The scope of this project is simply to prepared a complete priced of bill of quantities for a

proposed two bedroom bungalow using Kaduna as the case study.

1.6 LIMITATION

The information used in this project is limited to the prices of materials and labour as and

obtainable within Kaduna metropolis.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 CURRENT UPDATES ON QUANTITY SURVEYING PRACTICE

According to the (fourth edition published 2018 by Routledge) the Royal institution of chartered

surveyors think tank; Questioning the future of the profession, heard evidence that many within

the construction industry thought chartered Quantity Surveyors were arrogant, friendless and un

co operative in addition they were perceived to add nothing to the construction process, failed to

offer services which clients expected as standard and too few had the courage to challenge

thinking.

Ironically Quantity Surveyors are facing a very different challenge to the area that were predicted

in the late 1990s. From being faced with extinction, the problem now is shortage of Qunatity

Surveyors that has reached is point, particularly in major cities life London. The mother of all

recessions between 1990 and 1995 referred to in chapter 1 had the effect of driving many

professionals including Quantity Surveyors out of the industry of embarking on surveyors degree

courses, out of the industry of embarking on surveyors, degree courses (duncancarlidge) (which

is the third edition published by Routledge 2011).

Now the Quantity Surveyors grow while according to (Balagon 2017) the Quantity Surveyors are

not just required to advice the client but they are cost manger of a construction of project and

also in 2015 (NIQS) define the Quantity Surveyors as the practice of the art of engineering

science to determine and ascertain the cost of construction of any public or private development.

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2.1.1 STANDARD METHOD OF MEASUREMENT (SMM)

The Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) is published by the royal institution of chartered

surveyors (RICS). It was first published in 1992, superseding a scotlish standard method of

measurement which was publish in 1915. It is now in its seventh edition (SMM 7) which was

published in 1988 and revised in 1998. SMM 7 provides detailed information, classification

tables and rules for measuring building works. It is important that there is a uniform basis by

measuring building works in order to facilitate industry while consistency and benchmarking to

encourage the adoption of best practice and to help avoid disputes.

SMM 7 is typically used in the preparation of bills of quantities, documents that provide

measured quantities of the items of works identified by the drawings and specification in tender

documentations, Bill of quantities are used to tenders for them to prepare a price for carrying out

works.

SMM 7 is accompanied by the code of procedure for the measurement of building works (the

SMM 7 measurement code). Whilst SMM 7 can have a constructed status on a project (for

example in the ICT Standard form of building contract). The measurement code is non-

mandatory; work sections within SMM 7 are classified according to the common arrangement of

work sections (CAWS), CAWS creates a consistent arrangement of work sections for

specifications and bills of quantities. It was first published in 1987 and was updated by the

construction project information committee (CPIC) in 1998 to align it with the unified

classification for the construction industry (Uniclass).

SMM 7 has been replaced by the new rules of measurement volume 2 (NRM) which was

published in April 2012 by the RICS Quantity Surveying and construction professional group

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and became operative on 1st January 2013, SMM 7 should not be adopted on projects after July,

2013.

2.1.2 BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most powerful innovationas in the

Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry. It is a promising tool to develop

into the vehicle of interoperability, integration and collaboration and its primary adnatge is an

intelligent 3D, Virtual Building Model that contains all aspects of building information such as

3D geometres, Costs, Maintenance, Materials, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing

Systems (Woo et al, 2010)

According to the US National BIM standard (NBINS 2010). Bim is a digital representation of

physical and functional characteristics of a facility and a shared knowledge resource for

information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as

existing from earliuest conception to demolition. The result of BIM activity is a “Building

Information Model”, which is a data-rich, object oriented, intelligent and parametric digital

representation of the facility, that allows to extract and analyse views and data appropriate to

making and improving the process of facility delivering (Azhar et al 2012).

BIM tools support parametric modeling and allow new levels of Visualization and Simulation of

the buildings behavior. The buildings behavior. It enhances more efficient project management

and construction industry performance (Miettinen and Paavola 2014). BIM is characterized as an

absolute tool of collaboration that minimizes design mistake while increasing the productivity of

the construction industry; it can be seen as an evaluation of CAD System which provides more

“Intelligence” and interoperability of information (Miettinen and Paavola 2014).

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2.1.3 THE ORIGIN OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM)

The concept of Bim has existed since 1970s. The term building information modeling first

appeared in a 1992 paper by (G.A Van Nederveen and F.P Tolman). However the terms building

information model and building information modeling (include the acronyms) had not been

popularly used until Autodesk released the white paper entitled “Building Information

Modeling” Jerry Laiserin popularize and standardize building process as then offered under

“differing terminology by Graph iSOFT as “Vertical Building” Bentley Systems “and by

Autodesk or Vector works as “Building Information Modeling” to facilitate exchange and

interoperability of information in digital format.

According to (Laiserin and other). The first implementation of BIM was under the Virtual,

Building Concept by Graphisoft ArchiCAD in its debit in 1987, (Nederveen & Tolman 1992).

2.1.4 BIM IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

The participant in the building process are constant challenged to deliver successful projects

despite light budgets, limited man power, accelerated schedules and limited or architectural,

structural and map designs should be well co-ordinated as two things can’t take place at the same

place and time (Lilias 2010) Building Information Modeling aids in Collision detection at the

initial stage identifying the exact location of discrepancies.

2.1.5 BIM IN QUANTITY SURVEYING PRACTICE

Quantity Surveyor import the model integrated it with the initial take-off model into the software

to automatically generate the quantities for the required elements and for procurement, project

budgeting etc.

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The Bim provided Quantity Surveyor valuable and confident information when reporting to the

agent for cost analysis, progress claims, such contractor’s progress, payments and final settled

and during the construction phase.

Quantity Surveying has the following benefit using Bim Building Information Modeling:

i. Provide fast, effective and efficient quantity take-off

ii. Auto computation of calculation reduces human errors

iii. Improves visualization of items, elements of measurement and minimize emissions

iv. Improves data management cost which reduces loss of information

v. Simulate and Visualize

2.1.6 BIM INSTITUTE

The Bim institute is a national non-profit organization whose objective is to improve the

construction quantity and productivity of the built environment though leadership of information

and education. It is impartial and remains software agnestic while supporting and helping

deliver.

2.2 BILL OF QUANTITIES

2.2.1 DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF BILL OF QUANTITIES

The bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as ‘BOQ’) is a document prepared by the cost

constant often a Quantity Surveyor that provides project specific measured quantities of the

items of work obtained in the drawing and specification. The quantities may be measured in

number, length, area, volume, weight or time preparing a bill of quantities requires that the

design is complete and a specification prepared (A.O, I Kupolati 2013).

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The bill of quantities is issued to tenders for them to prepare a price for carrying out the works.

The bill of quantities assist tenders in the calculation of construction cost for their tender and as

it means all tendering constructors rom the drawings and specification themselves. It also

provides a fair and accurate basis for tendering (A.O. Ikupolati 2013).

The contractors tenders against the bill of quantity stating the price for each item. This priced bill

of quantities constitutes the tenders offer. As the offer is buildup of prescribed items, it is

ppossible to compare both the overall price and individual items directly with other tender’s

offers, allowing a detailed assessment of which aspects of a tender may offer good or poor value.

The priced bill of quantities will also:

i. Assist with agreement of the contract sum with the successful tendered

ii. Provide a schedule of rates assisting in valuation of variation

iii. Provide a basis for interim valuation for payments to the contractor

iv. Provide a basis for the preparation of the final account

2.2.2 PROCESS OF PREPARING BILL OF QUANTITY USING TRADITIONAL

METHOD

The traditional method of preparing a bill of quantities is accomplished through three steps they

are:

i. Taking off

ii. Abstracting and Squaring

iii. Preparation of bill

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 Taking off: the item “Taking off” refers to the process of identifying elements of

construction works that can be measured and priced. This is necessary to produced bill of

quantities and requires that the design is complete and a specification has been prepared,

 Abstracting and Squaring: This is the process of collecting the similar items together

with the quantities in order as they will appear in gthe bill of quantities while Squaring is

the process of arriving at the actual quantity of each item measured in the taking sheet.

 Preparation of Bill of Quantities: For every new product there is the first step and the

cost step for establishing the desirable result each and every step between must be

accomplished by organization and co-operation.

 Billing: This section will describe the second section of the bill of quantities which is the

preparation of the bill. This is also sometimes as “Working Up” This is split into three

sections.

- Calculation of volumes, areas etc. (Squaring and Dimensions) Squaring the

dimensions and entering the resulting lengths, areas, and volumes in the third (or

Squaring) column of the dimension paper

- Entering the descriptions and squared dimensions on an abstract (Abstracting)

Transferring the squared dimensions to the abstract, where they are written in

recognized order, ready for billing under the correct work headings.

- Calculating items together and presenting in a recognize bill order (Billing) the items

of work which make up the total building are listed in the appropriate work section

leading which gives the description of the item and the recognized units of

measurement, as put the layout in RICS new rules of measurement. The bill also

contains an empty rate any price column. The client gives the bill of quantities to the

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 contractor and the contractor that can add his rate and price when tendering for the

project.

- The most recognized purpose of the bill is that it can be sent to contractors who may

want to tender for the construction constraint and enable them to base their price on

the same information. Taking off is very important because it provides an accurate

measurement of the constitution work needed to be carried out.

2.2.3 PREPARING BILL OF QUANTITIES

Bills of quantities can be prepared elementally or in works packages, by a process of “Taking-

off” which involves identifying elements of constitution works that can be measured and priced.

See taking off for more information.

Bill of quantities is most useful to the contractor when they are prepared in work sections that

reflect likely sub-contract packages. This makes it easier for the contractor to obtain prices from

sub-contractors and is more likely to result in an accurate and competitive price.

The bill of quantities should identify the different kinds of work required but should not specify

them as this can lead to confusion between the bill of quantities and information in the

specification itself.

Disputes can occur where is discrepancy between the bill of quantities and the rest of the tender

documents (for example where an item is included in the drawings and specification but not in

the bill of quantities) or where there has been an arithmetical error.

Generally, the priced bill of quantities will take precedent and the client will be responsible for

their own errors or omissions which may be classified as relevant events (or compensation

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events) giving rise to claims for an extension of time and loss and expense. However, if an

ambiguity or error is noticed by the contractor during the tender process, it is best practice for

them to tell the client, even if there may be some commercial advantage to them not doing so.

Increasingly, software package are available to assist in the preparation of bill ofnquantities and

building information modeling systems can be used to produce bill of qauantities from

information already contained within the model.

Bills of quantities are normally only prepared on longer projects on smaller product or for

allocation work. The contractor can be expected tp measure their own quantities from drawings

and schedules of work. Schedules of work are without quantities instructional lists that offer the

contractor the identify significant work and materials that will be needed to complete the works

and to calculate the quantities that will be required.

2.2.4 METHOD OF PREPARING BILL OF QUANTITIES

The bill of quantities (BOQ) is a form of tender document which sets out the quantities and

descriptions of the items of labour material, and plant required to erect and complete a building

or other works in a systematic manner.

- TRADITIONAL ABSTRACT AND BILLING

This is the main method of producing bills of quantities and for this type of billing the

work is taking off then squared and checked. The taking off is then

transferred/written onto abstract sheets/dimension paper than checked again.

- CUT AND SHUFFLE

The Cut and Shuffle method is semi-mechanical metho of producing bills of

quantities that help to save time with abstracting and billing. For this method, the

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 paper work is taken off using cut and shuffled into the correct order (trade or element)

which can then be used to collate a draft bill that can be checked again until the final

is produced.

- DIRECT BILLING

This method of bill production is directly from the take-off without the need to

abstract and bill or cut and shuffle. The work is taken off as usual then squared and

checked on the taking off sheets. The draft bill is then written directly frpom the

reduced dimension sheets.

2.2.5 FORMAT OF PREPARING BILL OF QUANTITIES

The most common format for BOQ is a n Elemental Bill. Elements of works are arranged into

sequence that is clear and easy to understand and price for a fixed price contract (Lump Sum).

The BOQ can be extracted out quickly with measurement and descriptions already grouped in

the elemental format (Ikupolati A.O. 2013).

The elemental method of estimating is a more detailed method of calculating the cost of a

construction project. The estimate is easily understood by the client or any party involved in the

design construction because it shows separate element of the building that have to be priced.

(Ikupolati A.O. 2013).

The elemental cost plan will be “Measured” based on the actual quantities of work and materials

that will be required to construct the project. (Ikupolati A.O. 2013).

The elemental cost plan should be prepared in a spread sheet format that is easy to integrate and

import into costing software and should adopt a standard approach such as that defined by the

new rules of measurement (NRM) (Ikupolati A.O. 2013).

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The elemental cost plan will be monitored by the cost consultant, the client’s finance officer and

is calculated by adding item such as:

i. Inflation

ii. Professional fees

iii. VAT

iv. Client Contingency

v. Statutory Fees

2.2.6 DEGREE OF ACCURACY

The accuracy considered in preparing an estimate is based on the unit of payment and the rate of

the item. The higher the rates the greater should be the accuracy with which the quantities are

computed. The dimensions need to be absolutely correct of the rates are high and payments are

per unit.

Nonetheless, taking dimensions to nearest 1 to 0,5cm may be permitted for practical reasons.

However, extreme accuracy is not needed if rates are low and paid % to % unit.

Reduction or subtraction of a few centimeter to length or height of a wall where mansory is paid

per cubic meter would not make great difference. In contrary, the width and thickness of the wall

must be measured with graet accuracy. This is because half centimeter or quarter centimeter

would affect the result significantly.

2.3 COST ESTIMATE

2.3.1 A cost estimate is the approximate of the cost of program project of operation. The cost

estimate is the product of the cost of operation. The cost estimate has a single total value and

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may have identifiable component values, a problem with a cost over can be avoided with a

credible, reliable and accurate cost estimate. A cost estimator is the professional who prepares

cost estimates. There are different types of cost estimators whose title may be preceded by a

modified, such as building estimator or electrical estimator or chief estimator, other professionals

such as Quantity Surveyor and cost engineers may also prepare cost estimates or contribute to

cost estimates. In the US, according to the bureau of Labour Statistics there were 185,400 cost

estimators in 2010, there are around 25,000 professional Quantity Surveyor working in the UK.

2.3.2 TYPES OF ESTIMATE

Approximate Estimate

a) The approximate estimate is done in order to find out an approximate cost in very short

time before stating the project, the estimation is made before selecting the final

specification and design of the projects.

b) The method is also known as preliminary of rough estimate

c) Purpose of approximate estimate

d) To evaluate the cost of a product in short time

e) To evaluate the difference between several options

Detailed Estimate

a) A detailed estimate of the cost of a project is prepared by determining the quantities and

cost of everything that a contractor is required and do for the satisfactory completion of

the work

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Quantity Surveyor

a) This is a complete estimate or list of quantities for all items of work required to complete

the concerned project. The quantity of cash individual item of work is worked out from

the respective dimensions on the drawing of the structure.

2.3.3 METHOD OF APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE

Approximate estimate is to find out an approximate cost in a short period of time and this

enables the authority concerned to consider the financial aspects of the scheme. The primary

function of approximate or preliminary estimate is to prduce a forcast of the probable cost of a

future project before the building will be designed in detailed and contract particulars prepared.

The method of Approximate Estimating Methods

i. Unit method

ii. Cubic method

iii. Superficial method

iv. Approximate quantities method

UNIT METHOD

This is the method that produces total price for the product and is based on cost per unit or

person to be accommodated. This technique is between the cost of the construction and the

number of functional unit it accommodate.

Advantage of Unit Method

i. It is simple and quick to use

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 ii. No take-off or measurements needed

iii. The estimate can be done even if there are no drawings of specification

Disadvantage of Unit Method

i. It’s not a reliable method

ii. Large deviation from the accurate value

iii. It is not based on drawings or specifications

CUBIC METHOD

This is the method of estimating height based on the cubic content of a building cost per meter.

Method is specific for building products and aims to overcome the current criticism of floor area

method that does not take account possible variation of the storey height.

Advantage of Cubic Method

i. It is easy to understand

ii. Simple mathematical process

iii. It is useful inn estimating the cost of heating and air conditioning

Disadvantage of Cubic Method

i. it doesn’t provide any indication about amount of usable space

ii. it does not express the actual cost of different part of building

iii. it is difficult to adjust unit cost due to large number of variables

iv. It takes no account of number of storeys or plan shapes.

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SUPERFICIAL METHOD

This is probably the most popular method of cost production during the early stage of a project

once the general outline drawings are been prepared. The method relates a unit cost to floor area

and is more readily appreciated. The area of each of the floor is measured and then multiplied by

cost\m2 by convention. The superficial area is measured between the aside faces of the external

walls and no deductions are made for populations, stairs, and lifts etc.

Advantages of Superficial Method

i. Ease of calculation

ii. Costs of expressed in way which is readily understood by the average building client

owner

iii. Majority of items in the building have cost related more to floor area than to the volume

Disadvantages of Superficial Method

i. It does not directly take account of changes in plain shapes or total heights of the building

which also has a cost impact

ii. Adjusting from the variables mentioned in not very easy

2.3.4 INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR ESTIMATING

To provide effective and accurate cost estimates when using ESTMEP, the following points be

considered. This information is provided as a general guideline.

Certain areas of the database should be configured with the appropriate localized information in

order to produce accurate dates against items. Typically, before you begin estimating, the

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following areas should be prepared and validated that they are ready for configuration of the

database: -

- Price per (Lb)/(kg) of Material: Price of material is a costing method used by the

software.it is based on five area calculations. This is the most common method of

calculating material costs for fabricated ductwork. This price (Lb)/(kg) is entered

against each other of the gauges. (in the product, go to \Database – materials). The

addition of wastage percentages in the database make up the Net value of material (in

the product, go to data base – costing – wastage)

- List of Ancillaries: The makeup of a material value rate is based not only by the

material used for the “Carcass” of the dust, but also from the buildup of ancillaries for

joining techniques and supporting the ductwork. The assignment of an item level

specification automatically selects the required connectors, seams, supports, and

stiffeners etc. that are used. The must be applied to the specification and verified that

they are linked to the correct supplied prices from a price list.

- Fabrication times for each of the manufactured items: Manufactured items

required shop floor Labour, in addition to the time that is required to perform the

various stages of fabricating, these are applied to the fabrication tables associated to

the items.

- Installation times and Labour rates: Have installation ties are labour rates ready for

entry into the database when you begin using ESTMEP. Installation norms can be

adjusted or factored based on requirements.

- Bought out price lists for discounting against: local suppliers can also be entered into

the data base. Information on size, price (per length (m/ft) or per quantity is required

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 standard content “Out of the box” can be discounted to produce estimated costs. (in

the product go to Database – casting – price lists)/ use of discount codes can factor

the costs of match that of the requirement.

- Overheads: Overheads are applied to all areas that covered the rate of the item. For

example, the following must all be known getting into the database:

i. Material

ii. Suppliers

iii. Fabrication

iv. Installation

v. Insulation

vi. Profit margins

These areas all need validation and be ready for entry into the database. The percentages are

calculated against Net values to produce the final gross rates of items.

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