Finishes · measured in sqm
Measuring plastering for RA bills
Plaster is measured as the area of surface plastered, length times height, face by face, with openings dealt with as the contract's mode of measurement says.
Unit of measurement
Cement plaster on walls is measured in sqm. Plaster is measured as the area of surface plastered, length times height, face by face, with openings dealt with as the contract's mode of measurement says.
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 face and height from floor to ceiling, or to the skirting top if skirting is billed separately.
- Each face separately: a wall plastered on both faces is measured twice.
- Thickness and mix (for example 12 mm 1:6), where the BOQ prices them separately.
- Jambs, soffits and sills of openings, where the contract pays them.
Standard deductions
- Openings are deducted, deducted on one face only, or not deducted, depending on their size, as per the contract's mode of measurement and the relevant part of IS 1200.
- Where openings are not deducted, their jambs and soffits are not measured either.
- Areas behind fixed furniture or cladding are not measured if they were not plastered.
Worked example
Ward office building, 12 mm cement plaster 1:6 on internal walls of room 3.01, BOQ item 6.1. B is the wall height.
| Location | Nos | L | B | D | Qty (sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room 3.01, long walls | 2 | 4.20 | 3.00 | 25.20 | |
| Room 3.01, short walls | 2 | 3.60 | 3.00 | 21.60 | |
| Less door D1 | -1 | 1.00 | 2.10 | -2.10 | |
| Less window W1 | -1 | 1.50 | 1.20 | -1.80 | |
| Total | 42.90 |
Row by row: Room 3.01, long walls, 2 x 4.2 x 3 = 25.20; Room 3.01, short walls, 2 x 3.6 x 3 = 21.60; Less door D1, 1 x 1 x 2.1 = 2.10; Less window W1, 1 x 1.5 x 1.2 = 1.80.
Total: 25.20 plus 21.60 minus 2.10 minus 1.80 = 42.90 sqm. Deductions are entered with negative nos, so they reduce the total in the same column.
Common disputes
- Openings are deducted on both faces when the contract rule deducts them on one, or not at all.
- Jambs and soffits are billed as well as an undeducted opening.
- Plaster thickness is claimed at 15 mm where the BOQ item is 12 mm.
Recording it in Tatha Vastu
The opening rule is set once per work order, and the app applies it to every plaster entry. Walls are measured room by room, so the client's engineer can check a room against the drawing in one view.
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.
Are openings deducted from plaster?
It depends on their size and on your contract. The relevant part of IS 1200 and most contracts treat small, medium and large openings differently. Set the rule from your contract once.
Is ceiling plaster the same item as wall plaster?
Usually not. Ceiling plaster is often a separate BOQ item with its own rate.
Is the area measured before or after plastering?
The area plastered, to the finished faces. Measure after plastering and before painting.