Measuring doors and windows for RA bills

Unit of measurement

Doors, windows and ventilators is measured in sqm. Doors and windows are measured by the area of the shutter or frame as the BOQ item states, or by number where the item is priced per unit.

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

• Width and height of each shutter or unit, as the BOQ item defines it (shutter size, frame size or opening size).
• Number of identical units of each type, by schedule mark.
• Frames separately in rmt or cum where the BOQ prices them apart from shutters.
• Fittings and hardware under their own items where listed.

Standard deductions

• Nothing is deducted from the shutter area for glazing or louvres unless the item says so.
• Units not fixed, or fixed but not glazed where glazing is in the rate, are billed at a part rate if the contract allows.
• Sizes follow the drawing schedule, as per the contract's mode of measurement and the relevant part of IS 1200.

Worked example

Ward office building, doors and aluminium windows at floors one to three. B is the height of the unit.

Row by row: D1 flush door shutters, 12 x 1 x 2.1 = 25.20; W1 aluminium windows, 18 x 1.5 x 1.2 = 32.40; V1 ventilators, 10 x 0.6 x 0.45 = 2.70.

Total: 25.20 plus 32.40 plus 2.70 = 60.30 sqm. Deductions are entered with negative nos, so they reduce the total in the same column.

Common disputes

• Units are measured to the opening size when the item pays the shutter size.
• Units delivered but not fixed are billed at the full rate.
• Hardware included in the rate is billed again.

Recording it in Tatha Vastu

Units are entered by schedule mark and floor, so a unit can be billed at a part rate when fixed and at the full rate once complete, with the balance tracked to the next 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.