TAKING-OFF
LECTURE NR. 2
C:Standard Method of
Measurement (SMM):
Definition:
A document which uniformly codifies
methods of measuring and describing
various work items of a building
project.
SMM Versions:
British SMM, EASMM.
D:General Rules (Section A):
D1: Taking off:
Is the process of determining,
calculating and recording dimensions
from drawings to the special ruled
paper (taking off sheet) with
description for each work item. This
process is based on the EASMM
Taking off is necessary to produce a
Bill of Quantities(BOQ)
Also it requires that the design is
complete and specification has been
prepared.
-In taking off we measure each
element of the building that comprises
the work.
Examples; substructure, frame, wall,
window etc.
Pre-requisite of taking off
Drawings
Architectural drawings
Structural drawings
Other drawings
List of items to be measured.
Unit of measurement
Specifications
D:General Rules (Section A) (cont’d):
D2: Taking off sheet/dimension paper:
Special ruled paper in which dimensions taken
straight from the drawings are recorded. It
conforms to BS 3327:1970 “specifications for
stationery for quantity surveying” (See a
typical taking of sheet provided)
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D3: Columns in dimension
paper/composite of taking off sheet.
Timesing Column (C1)
Multiplying figures are entered when more
than one of the particular item is being
measured.
Dimension Column (C2)
Actual dimensions as scaled or taken direct
from drawings are entered. Good practice
demands the sequence of length, width
and height.
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
Squaring Column (C3)
Length, area or volume obtained by
multiplying together the figures in
column 1&2 is recorded, ready for
transfer to the abstract or bill.
Description Column (C4)
Written description of each work item is
entered. It is also used for carrying out
preliminary or waste calculations.
D:General Rules (Section A) (cont’d):
D3: Entering dimensions:
Spacing of the booked items:
The booked items should be well spaced
apart to ensure clarity and possibility of
inserting any other item that might have
been overlooked. Neatness and good
handwriting is paramount!
Waste/preliminary calculations:
Should be clearly and neatly determined.
Items are written in three decimal places and
the results reduced to two decimal places
before booking into dimension column
D:General Rules (Section A) (cont’d):
D4: Order of dimensions (Section A2(a)):
Dimensions should be booked in the sequence
of length, width and height.
D5: Timesing:
During taking off, some set of dimensions or
figures occur several times and in order to
avoid re-writing of the items, those items may
be multiplied or timesed.
D6: Dotting on:
Used to add a forgotten item on the timesing
factor
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D7: Abbreviations:
Used to save space and time when writing
descriptions during taking off. They include
the following:
n.e. – not exceeding
a.b.d. – as before described
a.b. – as before
ddt – deduct
ditto – used for description of an item that
has just been referred above
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D8: Grouping of dimensions:
Bracketing “]”
Used whenever one or more than one
measurement relates to a description or
set of descriptions.
Ampersand “&”
Used to avoid repetition of the
dimensions when two or more
descriptions relate to one group of
dimensions
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D9: Deductions:
Ddt
Used to adjust the quantities for items
which were previously and purposely
over measured. Normal rules apply but
the description is preceded by the
abbreviation “ddt”
Ddt ditto
Used only when a deduction done is just
below the item to be deducted.
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D9: Deductions (cont’d):
Ddt a.b./ddt a.b.d
Used only when deductions are after
the description of another item
Ddt ditto
Used only when a deduction done is
just below the item to be deducted.
D:General Rules (Section A) (cont’d):
D10: Alterations in booked dimensions:
Nilling
Any incorrect booked dimensions should
never be erased or altered. Such dimensions
are cancelled by writing “NIL” in the squaring
column along side the incorrect figures and
the extent of the cancellation indicated by
brackets or arrowheads.
The correct dimensions may then be written
clearly in the dimension column.
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D11: Types of item measurements:
Cubic items
Items measured in Cubic meters (m3)
obtained by multiplying LxWxH/D
Superficial items
Items measured in square meters (m2)
obtained by multiplying LxW or LxH
Linear items
Items measured in linear meter (m)
obtained by considering L or W or H
D:General Rules (Section A)
(cont’d):
D11: Types of item measurements:
Numbered items
Items measured in number (nr/n/no)
obtained by counting items
E:General Considerations Before
Taking off:
E1: Careful study of the drawings:
– to have an overall picture
– To get familiar with the main details
– To discover the missing drawings or details
for taking off and prepare a “query sheet”
E2: Site visit:
– to note details and measurements of site
works such as breaking up pavings, taking
down boundary walls/fence, cutting down
hedges etc.
E:General Considerations Before
Taking off (cont’d):
E2: Site visit (cont’d):
– to note demolitions and alterations of/to
existing structures (SMM Section C)
– to note any extra ordinary items (such
as trial pits for soil investigation, rocks
need breaking, levels for normal level of
subsoil water table, soil type etc) which
will affect the cost and which should
accordingly be included in BoQ.
F:Order of Taking off:
F1: By order of construction
(element):
– Substructure/foundation
– Frames (columns, beams, suspended
floors)
– Staircase
– Walling (external and internal;
brickwork or blockwork)
– Roof (structure and covering)
– Doors
– Windows
F:Order of Taking off (cont’d):
F1: By order of construction
(element) (cont’d):
– Finishes
– Fittings and Fixtures
– Paintings and decorations
– Services Installations (electrical,
plumbing, mechanical etc)
– External works (drainage, roads,
pavings, landscaping etc)
F:Order of Taking off (cont’d):
F2: By order adopted in SMM
(trade):
– Excavation and earthwork
– Concrete work
– Walling (external and internal; brickwork
or blockwork)
– Roofing (structure and covering)
– Carpentry
– Joinery
– Structural steelwork
– Metal work
F:Order of Taking off (cont’d):
F2: By order adopted in SMM
(trade) (cont’d):
– Plumbing and engineering installations
– Electrical installations
– Floor, wall and ceiling finishes
– Glazing
– Glazing
– Painting and decoration
– Drainage
– Fencing
G:Order of Taking off
Substructure:
– Site preparations (site clearance, cutting
down trees, cutting down hedges,
excavations to remove vegetable
soil/top soil to be preserved)
– Excavations to reduce levels
– Excavations of foundation trench
– Planking and strutting
– Keeping free all excavations from natural
water
– Concrete foundation footing (formwork,
reinforcements and concrete itself)
G:Order of Taking off
Substructure (cont’d):
– Walling
– Backfilling excavated materials
around foundations
– Soil sterilization to backfilling along
the external side of foundation wall
– Earth filling to make up levels
– Hardcore bed (hardcore itself,
blinding)
– Soil sterilization of hardcore bed
– Damp proof membrane (dpm)
G:Order of Taking off
Substructure (cont’d):
– Concrete bed (formwork,
reinforcements and concrete bed
itself)
– Damp proof course (dpc)
