Building · measured in cum
Measuring brickwork for RA bills
Brickwork is measured as the net volume of walls, length times thickness times height, with openings and embedded concrete members deducted.
Unit of measurement
Brickwork in superstructure is measured in cum. Brickwork is measured as the net volume of walls, length times thickness times height, with openings and embedded concrete members deducted.
The BOQ item description decides the unit and what the rate includes. Where the BOQ and this guide differ, the BOQ and the contract's mode of measurement win.
What is measured
- Length of each wall along its centre line, or face to face between columns.
- Thickness as shown on the drawing (for example one brick or 230 mm), not the actual thickness built.
- Height from the top of the floor or plinth to the underside of the beam or slab above.
- Floor level and mortar mix, where the BOQ prices them separately.
Standard deductions
- Door, window and ventilator openings are deducted where they exceed the size set by the contract's mode of measurement and the relevant part of IS 1200.
- Lintels, sills, bands and columns built into the wall are deducted, since they are billed under their own items.
- Small holes for pipes and the ends of joists are commonly not deducted.
Worked example
Ward office building, brickwork 1:6 in superstructure, 230 mm walls at ground floor, BOQ item 5.4.
| Location | Nos | L | B | D | Qty (cum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall on grid A | 1 | 18.50 | 0.23 | 3.000 | 12.765 |
| Wall on grid C | 1 | 12.40 | 0.23 | 3.000 | 8.556 |
| Less doors D1 | -2 | 1.00 | 0.23 | 2.100 | -0.966 |
| Less windows W1 | -3 | 1.50 | 0.23 | 1.200 | -1.242 |
| Total | 19.113 |
Row by row: Wall on grid A, 1 x 18.5 x 0.23 x 3 = 12.765; Wall on grid C, 1 x 12.4 x 0.23 x 3 = 8.556; Less doors D1, 2 x 1 x 0.23 x 2.1 = 0.966; Less windows W1, 3 x 1.5 x 0.23 x 1.2 = 1.242.
Total: 12.765 plus 8.556 minus 0.966 minus 1.242 = 19.113 cum. Deductions are entered with negative nos, so they reduce the total in the same column.
Common disputes
- Openings are not deducted, or are deducted at the frame size instead of the opening size.
- Lintels and bands are left inside the brickwork volume and billed again under RCC.
- Wall height is taken to the top of the slab, so the slab edge is counted as brickwork.
Recording it in Tatha Vastu
Walls and their openings are rows of one entry, so the deductions stay with the wall they belong to. The deduction rule for openings is configured per work order from the contract.
Approved entries are locked, and a correction becomes a new version with its reason. See the measurement book, or use the measurement sheet template if you still keep the register in Excel.
Is the drawing thickness or the built thickness used?
The drawing thickness. A wall built thicker is not paid extra unless the change was ordered.
Are lintels deducted from brickwork?
Yes, when they are billed under an RCC item. Otherwise the same volume is paid twice.
Is half-brick work a separate item?
Often, yes. Half-brick walls are commonly measured in sqm under their own BOQ item. Follow your BOQ.