Building · measured in cum
Measuring demolition for RA bills
Demolition is measured as the volume of the structure demolished, taken before demolition, with serviceable material stacked and recorded for credit.
Unit of measurement
Demolition and dismantling is measured in cum. Demolition is measured as the volume of the structure demolished, taken before demolition, with serviceable material stacked and recorded for credit.
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
- Dimensions of each wall, slab or member to be demolished, measured jointly before work starts.
- Material type (brick masonry, PCC, RCC), each a separate item where the BOQ separates them.
- Serviceable material recovered, stacked and counted, where the contract credits it to the client.
- Disposal lead, where the BOQ pays for carting beyond a set distance.
Standard deductions
- Openings in demolished walls are deducted, as per the contract's mode of measurement and the relevant part of IS 1200.
- The volume of debris is not measured; the structure is measured in place.
- Value of serviceable material is credited to the client where the contract says so.
Worked example
Ward office site, demolishing the old brick compound wall and piers, 230 mm wall, 1.80 m high.
| Location | Nos | L | B | D | Qty (cum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compound wall | 1 | 42.00 | 0.23 | 1.800 | 17.388 |
| Piers P1 to P8 | 8 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 1.800 | 1.764 |
| Less gate opening | -1 | 3.50 | 0.23 | 1.800 | -1.449 |
| Total | 17.703 |
Row by row: Compound wall, 1 x 42 x 0.23 x 1.8 = 17.388; Piers P1 to P8, 8 x 0.35 x 0.35 x 1.8 = 1.764; Less gate opening, 1 x 3.5 x 0.23 x 1.8 = 1.449.
Total: 17.388 plus 1.764 minus 1.449 = 17.703 cum. Deductions are entered with negative nos, so they reduce the total in the same column.
Common disputes
- The structure was not measured before demolition, so only the debris remains as evidence.
- Debris volume, which is larger, is billed in place of the in-place volume.
- Serviceable bricks or steel are not credited to the client.
Recording it in Tatha Vastu
Measure and photograph the structure before demolition starts and lock the entry. Recovered material is recorded as a credit line in the recovery schedule of the same bill.
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.
When should demolition be measured?
Before it starts, jointly, with photos. After demolition only debris is left.
Is debris volume paid?
No. The structure is measured in place. Debris volume is larger and is not the measure.
What happens to recovered material?
It is stacked and credited to the client if the contract says so.