Managing the measurement process

Managing documentation

Even a medium-sized project will generate a large amount of drawn documentation that is passed to the quantity surveyor for measurement; this can be in the form of:

• architect's drawings;
• door/window, fittings and finishing schedules, etc.;
• engineer's drawings details structural elements;
• specifications of materials and workmanship; and
• specialists drawings relating to piling, mechanical installations, drainage, etc.

During the measurement period it can be expected that the information on drawings and schedules will be revised and updated many times, it is therefore important that the quantity surveyor always uses the most up-to-date information when preparing the bill of quantities. Almost every day during 'the taking' the post will bring an updated set of information. It is of course impossible to keep on including revisions in bills of quantities indefinitely, or otherwise the bills would never be produced, therefore the quantity surveyor has, at some point, to draw a line in the sand and base the measurement on what information is then available. As information arrives at the quantity surveyor's office it should be logged in the 'drawing register' as follows:

Sample architect's drawing register

The significance of recording the drawings is that it is possible to identify what drawn information was used to prepare the bills of quantities. In addition a list of the drawings together with the revision that is used is included in the bill of quantities under the heading:

List of drawings from which these bills of quantities have been prepared

The drawings included in this list will be available for inspection by the contractor at the architect's office. Applications to inspect the drawings shall be made to ABC Architects:

• Architectural drawings
  • 0094/B 
  • 0095 

In this way there can be no doubt as to what information was used. Any subsequent revisions to drawings, schedules, etc. have to be dealt with at the post contract stage with the issue of an architect's instruction.

Building information modelling (BIM)

BIM is the process of bringing together and sharing information in a digital format among all those involved in a construction project, including architects, engineers, surveyors and builders. By and making information far more accessible and available to the client and end-user to support through-life asset management. BIM is claimed to be a path to greater productivity, risk management, improved margins and sustainability. BIM envisages virtual construction of a facility prior to its actual physical construction, in order to reduce uncertainty, improve safety, work out problems, and simulate and analyse potential impacts. Sub-contractors from every trade can input critical information into the model before beginning construction, with opportunities to pre-fabricate or pre-assemble some systems off- site. Waste can be minimizsed on- site and components delivered on an as-and-when basis rather than stockpiled on site.

BIM can also be used to generate quantities of labour and material much more quickly that traditionally has been the case, although currently the quantities tend to be more generic than the itemised format of say, a bill of quantities or work package.

It is thought that the role of the quantity surveyor will adapt within the BIM environment. The largest difference will be the volume of detailed measurement by hand that is no longer required and will be replaced by automatic quantity take off.

BIM is now making an impact in the construction sector and from 2016 it will be a mandatory requirement of UK government that level 2 BIM will be required on all public sector contracts.