SITE PREPARATION
The first building operation is normally the excavation of the topsoil for preservation over the
whole area of the building and this usually forms the first excavation item in the Excavating and
Earthwork Work Section of the bill of quantities. The area is measured to the outer extremities of
the foundations in m2 and the average depth, often 150 mm, is included in the description.
EXCAVATION TO REDUCE LEVELS
Where the site is sloping or the ground levels are generally higher than is required then further
excavation is required to reduce the level of the ground to the specified formation level. This
excavation is measured in m3, as excavation to reduce levels, giving the appropriate maximum
depth range.
EXCAVATION OF FOUNDATION TRENCHES
Foundation trench excavation is measured in m3, stating the commencing level.
Excavating below groundwater level is given in m3 as extra over any types of excavating.
Excavating around existing services is measured in m as extra on items for excavating,
stating the type of service, such as gas or water mains, electricity or ESB cables or
sewers.
While excavating around existing services crossing excavation is an enumerated extra
over item.
Breaking out rock; concrete; reinforced concrete; brickwork, blockwork or stonework
shall each be described and measured separately in m3 as extra on items of excavating.
While breaking out existing hard pavings is measured in m2, stating the thickness, as
extra on excavating.
DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL
The subsequent disposal of excavated material forms a separate billed item in m3, either of soil
to be stored on-site, used as filling to make up levels, filling to excavations, or to be removed off
the site.
BASEMENT EXCAVATION
Basement excavation is measured to the outside of foundations in m3 stating the maximum depth
range.
CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Concrete particulars are to include the kind and quality of materials, mix details, tests of
materials and finished work, methods of compaction and curing and other requirements.
Concrete foundations include attached column bases and attached pile caps, while isolated
foundations include isolated column bases and pile caps. Beds and slabs include attached beams
and beam casings.
In-situ concrete is measured in m3. On a sloping site the concrete foundations will probably be
stepped and it will be necessary to measure the additional concrete at the step and a linear item of
formwork to the face of the step.
If the concrete foundations are reinforced with fabric reinforcement, the reinforcement is
measured net in m2 stating the mesh reference, weight per m2 and minimum laps.
Bar reinforcement is billed in tonnes, keeping each diameter (nominal size) separate, although it
will be entered by length on the dimensions sheet, distinguishing between straight, bent and
curved bars. Hooks and tying wire, and spacers and chairs which are at the discretion of the
contractor are deemed to be included.
CONCRETE BEDS
In-situ concrete beds are measured in m3, stating the appropriate thickness and including in the
description where poured on or against earth or unblinded hardcore. Treating the surface of insitu concrete is classified and given in m2. Common surface treatments include power floating,
trowelling, hacking, grinding, sand blasting, bush hammering and brushed. A tamped finish is
deemed to be included.
Hardcore and similar beds are measured in m3, classified as to whether the average thickness is
≤ or > 250 mm, the nature of the filling material and its source and/or treatment.
PRECAST CONCRETE FLOORS
Such work is measured in m2, the concrete, reinforcement and formwork to be included in
composite construction shall be described. Another alternative to reinforced in-situ concrete slabs
on upper floors is to use precast concrete hollow core slabs grouted after laying. These are
measured in the same way as the precast concrete beam and block floor. This type of floor has
the advantage of faster erection times and the virtual elimination of shuttering and pouring of
concrete.
OTHER SUBSTRUCTURE WORK
Brick and Block Walling
Block and brick walling is measured in m2 and described as wall in trenches, stating the nominal
thickness, such as 100 mm, and whether there is facework (fair finish) on one or both sides.
Facework
Brick facework is included in the measurement of the brickwork on which it occurs, with a
description of the kind, quality and size of bricks, type of bond, composition and mix of mortar
and type of pointing.
Damp-proof Courses
Damp-proof courses are measured in m where it is ≤ 225 mm wide and in m2 where > 225 mm
wide. Vertical, raking, horizontal and stepped work, are so described. The description of the
damp-proof course contains particulars of the materials used, including the kind and quality of
the materials. No allowance is made for laps, Deemed to be Included.
Damp-proof Membranes
This work is normally measured as one continuous sheet in m2 stating that it is horizontal and >
300 mm in width.
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