MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

PAPER PRESENTATION

ON

MATERIAL SCHEDULE- A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE

MANGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECT

BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL IWUAGWU

AT THE OCCASION OF THE

NIQS WORKSHOP ON IMPORTANCE OF RESOURCE SCHEDULE FOR

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ON 29TH -30TH OF MARCH, 2021

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU

 MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO MATERIAL SCHEDULE

1.1. BACKGROUND

Material schedule is often produced after the project design and details have been defined, and

provides the overview of the general materials requirement of a construction project, identifying

the various materials specifications and quantities necessary to achieve the project objective.

Various studies indicated that materials and other subcomponents in building projects account

for over 70% of the total cost of building projects, and effectively managing the cost of materials

in building construction leads to greater cost and time savings; making material scheduling an

effective management tool in building production process.

Direct Work- Labour 23% 23%

Direct Work- Plant 5% 5%

Direct Work- Materials 28%

72%
Domestic Subcontracts 44%

A typical material schedule developed from the project drawings and specification presents the

individual makeup substance of the project- like the material type, quantity, sizes, specification/

quality and prices which summarizes the project scope in form of standard market units. Material

schedule is clearly distinct from priced bill of quantities which shows description of the work

items, their specification and prices, expressed in units and forms which are not easily obtainable

in the construction market. Material schedule assists to show the various types and extent of

construction resources needed in performance of the project, offering a useful way to narrow

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down from the composite attributes that makes the project into basic components of resources

needed to achieve the product- similar to what is witnessed in other manufacturing processes.

1.2. BENEFITS OF MATERIAL SCHEDULE IN BUILDING PROJECTS

Some of the benefits of using Material Schedule in informal building construction process

includes client’s participation in procurement process, cost control, material management,

procurement planning, work planning and resource management.

1.2.1 CLIENT PARTICIPATION IN PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Material schedule enables the active participation of client in the procurement process of

materials and components. the material list provides the client a shopping list representing the

full project components, creating opportunity for the client to participate take critical decision in

issues like material quality, source, purchased price and other associated logistics.

1.2.2 COST AND QUALITY CONTROL

Material Schedule provide a flexible tool for both cost and quality control suitable in formal and

informal procurement settings. The material costs and quantities derivable from the primary

quantity of work items are adopted as basis of cost and quality control during project execution.

Initial projected specification and quantities of material are closely used as baseline for cost

projections, enabling the project stakeholders to budget and program cashflow and other

arrangements based on material schedule quantities.

1.2.3 MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

Material schedule provide a useful tool for implementing material management which helps to

ensure that the overall cost content or projection for materials are maintained or superseded.

Plans regarding material purchase, storage and utilization plan can be seamlessly executed based

on information in the material schedule such that indirect cost of materials are adequately

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controlled. Some of the cost saving benefits accruable from this includes discounts on bulk

purchase or pre-ordering of materials, wastage control, materials storage conditions and

handling, equipment and labour planning can be adequately prepared for well ahead of time

before the work activities are due thereby leading to great time saving too.

1.2.4 CASHFLOW PLANNING AND BUDGETING

Typical material schedule serves as an instrument that enables easy cashflow and budgeting for

both the project promoter and the contractor. From the quantity of materials involved, the project

employer can determine the capital involved required at every particular stage of the work, and

as well, the contractor can also plan adequately for the best construction method suitable to

efficiently execute the works in time and cost. The material quantities, type, size and prices

therefore form the basis for budgeting the construction cost.

1.2.5 WORK PLANNING

Material schedule also enables the project team to develop outline of work goals and processes

geared towards realization of the project objective. Decisions to procure concrete rather

stockpiling cement, sand and aggregates can be concluded owing to instructive findings from the

material schedule. Even the plan to adopt a particular methodology can be deducted from

decisions arising from the material schedule.

1.2.6 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Material schedule also provides a useful tool in resource management in construction works. The

material resource projection of material schedule enables the project stakeholders to adequately

project and utilized non-material resources required on the project. Things like equipment sizing

and capacity can be related to the volume of materials required to be worked upon, and more

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economic decisions can be taken on such matter, and likewise Labour plan and projections can

be based on the quantity of materials required to be worked upon.

1.3. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN PREPARING MATERIAL SCHEDULE

Some of the factors to consider in preparing a functional material schedule program includes

undertaking the following processes:

1.3.1 IDENTIFY AND ESTABLISH THE WORK QUANTITY

A major step towards preparing functional material schedule is the determination and calculation

of the project works quantities. This information can easily be gotten from the project drawings

showing the descriptions and dimensions of the building elements and components, calculated

net with no allowance for shrinkage, bulkage, wastages or laps. Work quantities are expressed in

standard units of meters (m), square meter (m2 of m 2), cubic meter (m3 or m3), kilogram (kg),

tonne (ton) or even number (nr). Materials like concrete (m 3), blockworks (m2) reinforcement

(ton or kg) etc. are expressed in their corresponding standard unity.

1.3.2 UNDERSTAND THE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

Knowledge of building construction process assists in identifying the individual material

makeups of composite materials, including their proportioning sequence and forms. Knowledge

of composite materials like concrete, formwork, mortar, or even simple materials are useful in

calculating material quantities from work/element quantities. Such understanding empowers the

Quantity Surveyor to identify the various materials required in the construction process, and to

accurately abstract them out from the proposed building designs and drawings.

1.3.3 IDENTIFY WORK MATERIAL PROPORTION AND COMPONENTS

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Understanding of material proportioning is relevant to the preparation of material schedule.

Composite materials like concrete are designed by proportioning of the various material

components, representing a part of cement, sand and coarse aggregates. Mortar for laying blocks/

brick and plaster for rendering are other examples of materials requiring proportioning. And the

knowledge of the various standard mixes and proportion would great enhance the functionality

and accuracy of the material schedule.

1.3.4 UNDERSTAND MATERIAL CONVERSION FACTORS AND CONSTANTS

The process of converting work quantities to corresponding material and quantities requires the

application of accurate conversion factors/ constants on the work quantities in order to transform

them into standard material units obtainable in the market. From a mere cubic meter of concrete,

the corresponding proportion of material makeups are related to usage conversion factors in

order to convert the works quantities to standard materials obtainable in the market.

1.3.5 ADJUSTMENTS TO COVER FOR WASTAGES

Before preparing a functional material schedule, there is need to account for wastages, bulkage

or shrinkage which are most likely to occur in the process of utilizing construction materials.

And depending on the material, factors like application waste, storage waste, transit waste,

bulkage, shrinkage, lapping etc. should be adequately provided for when preparing the material

schedule. Varying degree of these factors should be accommodated depending on the nature and

type of material. Materials over or under size to the standard market size would attract more

wastage than the one matching with standard market sizes.

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2.0 MATERIAL SCHEDULE USING THE SMRS-1

The Standard Method of Resources Schedule (SMRS-1) as produced by the Nigerian Institute of

Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), supports uniformity in the preparation of construction resources

offers a brilliant way to present material schedule for building works. The SMRS-1 document

established a set of standards principles which covers the contract scope and accommodates

direct participation of the project client in the procurement process, thus enabling the preparation

and scheduling of all resources- materials, labour, equipment, capital etc. needed to complete a

building project. through its laid-out guidelines and principles, giving rise to preparation of

Construction Resources and Economy Schedule (CORES) which is the alternative to Bill of

Quantities applicable for informal procurement methods.

2.1. THE RULES AND GUIDELINES

The SMRS-1 as a standard document provides the general guideline and supplementary rules

defining the works in order to achieve uniformity and consistency using this document. The rules

are grouped under16 headings, subheadings, and careful study of these headings and the

subheadings therein would ensure uniformity in the preparation of the Construction and

Economy Schedule (CORES).

2.2. WORK QUANTITIES

The Work/Element quantities shall be measured as gross or net depending on their placement on

the table. Net quantitates (nm, nm2, nm3, nkg,nt, nnr) of the works/cement shall be recorded for

each described work as fixed in place, and shall be the actual quantity of works/ material

required to achieve the work without any allowance for wastage, laps, shrinkage or bulkage.

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Gross quantities (gm, gm2, gm3, gkg, gt, gnr) of the work shall be recorded for each material

issue required to achieve the full extent of the works described in the description column, with

adequate allowance made for wastage, shrinkage, bulkage, laps and other factors affecting the

material application method and process.

All dimensions used in working up for quantities shall be entered to the nearest 10mm, and

material quantities shall be rounded to whole unit, with the exception of materials expressed in

tonnage (ton), which shall be presented to the nearest two decimal places. Each work quantity

shall be measured according the relevant application rule, and the quantities so presented shall be

deemed sufficient to achieve the final work quantity and quality.

2.3. DESCRIPTIONS

Work descriptions shall be provided in the general form similar to the BESMM4 in the sequence

of length (L), width (W), or depth/ height (H). reference to drawings shall be stated to

sufficiently amplify the works description. The heading to schedules of resources shall be read as

part of the descriptions of the items to which the heading applies. Hyphens between two

dimensions in the schedule of resources shall indicate the range of dimension, from the lower

bracket to the higher bracket. Works sections in the schedule of resources shall begin stating the

nature and location of the works, unless evident from the drawn or other information required to

be provided by these rules. The Method Related statement shall describe and state the

contractor’s proposed methodology to executing the work, and the cost involved therein shall be

considered under the Method Related charge which is deemed to include:

a. Labour and incidental cost to it

b. Plant and all incidental cost to it

c. The cost of assembling, fitting and fixing of materials and goods in positions

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d. Contractor’s establishment charges, overhead and profit

e. Consumable stores including jointing of materials not scheduled as material issue

under the employer’s responsibility.

Materials issued by the employer shall be defined to include the point of issue and method of

delivery to the contractor, and the method related charge shall include the cost for taking delivery

of the materials from the employer.

2.4. DRAWN INFORMATION

The project drawings shall sufficiently provide information to identify and define the expected

works from the building plans with relations to existing infrastructures, access road, and the

general layout of the site. The sections, the elevations, the outlines and the site plans of the

project shall provide sufficient information to enable accurate and reasonable assumptions

needed to draw-up quantities of the works.

The component drawings shall show the information necessary for manufacture and assembly of

the components

2.5. CATALOGUES OR STANDARD COMPONENTS

Reference to identified aspects of the works can be made through a catalogue which shall

establish the full extent of the works, and such shall suffice in place of normal item description

of the works as required in Rule 2.

2.6. WORK OF SPECIAL TYPES

Works of the following special types shall be so separately identified:

1 Works on existing building (under rule 13)

2 Works to be carried out and subsequently removed (other than temporary works)

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3 Works outside the cartilage of the site

4 Works carried out in or under water shall be so described stating whether canal, river,

or seas water, and where applicable the main seasonal levels of high and low water

5 Works carried out in compressed air shall be so described stating the pressure and

method of entry and exit.

2.7. PROCEDURE WHERE THE DRAWN INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATION

REQUIRED BY THESE RULES IS NOT AVAILABLE

Where works can be described and given in items in accordance with these rules, but the

quantities of works required cannot be accurately determined, as estimate of the quantity shall be

given and identified as an approximate quantity.

And where the works cannot be described and given in items in accordance with these rules, it

shall be given as Provisional Sum and identified as either defined or undefined works

appropriately. Defined provisional sum shall be given for works or items whose information

about the nature and construction of works is provided, location of the works in the finished

project is defined, information about quantities of the works scope and extent is available, and

the contractor is deemed to have made adequate provisions for it in the programme, planning,

and pricing of the preliminaries required to execute the works.

Undefined provisional sum shall be for works and items whose information required to

determine the full extents of the works is not available, and the contractors is deemed not to have

made any allowance for the provision of the item or works in the planning, programme or pricing

of the works in the preliminaries. Provided

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2.8. WORKS NOT COVERED

The rules of measurement adopted for works not covered by these rules shall be stated in the

schedule, and such rules shall as far as possible conform with those provided in the SMRS-1 for

similar works.

2.9. SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following tabulated units and their symbols are recognized in the SMRS-1 for resources

scheduling:

NET WORKS /ELEMENT QTY GROSS MATERIALS QTY

Symbol Meaning Symbol Meaning

Nm net meter gm gross meter

nm2 or nm2 net square meter gm2 or gm2 gross square meter

nm3 or nm3 net cubic meter gm3 or gm3 gross cubic meter

Nr net number gr gross number

Nkg net kilogramme gkg gross kilogramme

Net net tonne get gross tonne

2.10. WORKS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS

General classifications for works to Existing Building shall be described as so, and such works

shall be defined as follows:

1. Works on or in or immediately under works existing before the current project

2. Additional information to be read in conjunction with the preceding rules in the

appropriate work sections

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3. Full descriptions of the additional preliminaries / general conditions which are pertinent

to the works shall be given, drawing attention to any specific requirements due to the

nature of the works

2.11. GENERAL DEFINITIONS

Radius or curvature of a described work/ element of work shall be stated, and the so radius or

radii so provided shall be that measured to the centerline of the material or member.

2.12. MATERIALS ISSUE PROCEDURE

Materials under the issue of the Client’s responsibility shall be so stated, and the point of

delivery/ collection of the materials, including the delivery dated stated.

The Materials certification and identification shall also be provided, and the method of

protection, storage or any associated works required to keep the material in useable state

provided.

2.13. METHOD STATEMENT AND CHARGE

Method statements are details of the contractors work plan and methodology for accomplishing

the given work scope, but the contractor is not limited to following it during construction method

statement helps the contractor to adequately prepare and state the workplan: propose non-

material resource and processes required in executing the project, arrange logistics encountered

therein the workplan, as well as assign his profits and overhead. These financial costs included

here make up the method charges of the work for the contractor. And the contractor is not

expected to show details of this charges.

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3.0 BUILDING WORKS CLASSIFICATION AND KEY ACTIVITIES

Building works are classified into several works’ categories involving the use of several natural

and composite materials in varying quantities and proportions to accomplish the works/elements

in building construction. The NIQS Standard method of Resources Schedule 1 (SMRS-1)

identified a group of 19 work classification encountered in building projects.

3.1. WORK CLASSIFICATIONFOR BUILDING WORKS

Some of the works classification encountered in typical building construction are listed herein,

and includes the following aspects: Preliminaries and General Items, Maintenance Works;

Demolitions and Alterations; Earthworks; Insitu and Precast Concrete; Formworks;

Reinforcement; Masonry Block Walling; Structural/ Carcassing Timber, Roof and Similar

Claddings; Waterproofing; Components; Fittings and Fixtures; Metal and Minor Steelworks;

Finishes; Glazing; Painting; Electrical Installation; Mechanical Installation; and External Works

Car Parking, Drives Pavement/ Planting.

3.2. KEY ACTIVITIES OF BUILDING WORKS FOR MATERIAL SCHEDULE

Some of the key activities encountered in building construction includes the followings:

3.2.1 EARTHWORKS

Earthwork activities in building works involves the removal of existing earth formation to make

way for introduction of new permanent structures as well as the replacement of removed earth

formation with materials obtained outside the environment. Excavations involved in earthworks

is a works related items, but the replacement or removed earth either to makeup level or to

replace unsuitable formation requires additional materials which would be considered during

preparation of the material schedule expressed in the material supply units- say “truck” or “trip”.

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For the benefit of preparing the material schedule, the materials required in earthwork to makeup

level or replace unsuitable materials.

Material Schedule Quantity (MSQ)= Work Quantity (m3) / Capacity per Truck load (m3)

Example: for a work quantity of 108m3, using a 20ton truck (20ton / material weight- for sand

between 1.4ton/m3 ro 1.6ton/m3).

108 m 3
That is MSQ=
¿¿

Note also that this expression does not include bulkage or swell experienced with materials of

this nature.

3.2.2 CONCRETE WORKS

Concrete is an important composite material in building works. It requires the mixture of cement,

aggregates and water in a proportion mix to produce it. A concrete proportion of 1:2:4 signifies a

proportion of 1 part of cement : 2 part of sand (measured in the equivalent of cement) : 4 part of

coarse aggregate (measured in the equivalent of cement) and Concrete is used for different

purposes according to the desired strength and characteristics as plain concrete, mass concrete

and reinforced concrete. Plain concretes (typical mix ratio of 1:6:10 or above) are used in

blinding, mass concrete (typical mix ratio of 1:3:6 or above) in floors and non-load bearing

structures while reinforced concrete (typical mix ratio of 1:2:4 or above) are used load bearing

structure.

For a building slab having a work quantity of 125m 3, the quantity of the various material of

cement, sand and granite would be as calculated using know standard conversion factors derived

from the concrete mix ratios determined as follows:

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For mix ratio of 1 cement : 2 sand : 4 granite = 7parts. Voids and Shrinkage in concrete account

for about 45% of the material volume, and water for mixing can be taken at between 0.3-0.5% of

cement content in mix.

1
For cement = ∗( voids+shrinkage )=0.143∗1.45=0.214 m 3
7

Being that cement is obtained in bags in the open market, and one bag of cement contains about

0.035m3 of material, therefore 0.214m3/0.035m3 = 6.11 bags/ m3

2
For sand = ∗( voids+shrinkage )=0.286∗1.45=0.415 m3
7

Being that sand is supplied using truck capable of hauling 20ton of material per trip, that is

20ton/1.6ton/m3 (weight of sand) = 12.5m3; 0.415m3/12.5m3 (per truck) = 0.0332 truck/ m3

4
For granite = ∗( voids+ shrinkage )=0.571∗1.45=0.828 m 3
7

Being that granite is supplied using truck capable of hauling 30ton of material per trip, that is

30ton/1.7ton/m3 (weight of granite) = 17.64m3; 0.828m3/17.64m3 (per truck) = 0.0469 truck/

m3

Cement = 125m3 x conversion factor for cement (say 6.11 bags)

Sand = 125m3 x conversion factor for sand (say 0.0332 truck using a truck capacity of 20ton).

Granite = 125m3 x conversion factor for granite (say 0.05 truck using a truck capacity of 30ton).

3.2.3 BLOCK/MASONRY WORK

Block and masonry works are important parts of a building structure. They are used to form

walls and demarcation in building. Blockworks are made of blocks obtained from the mixture of

cement and aggregates with little water. The most common type of blocks used around here is

sandcrete blocks- made from mixture of cement and sand, mixed with water and vibrated in steel

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molds to form the block. Masonry blockworks are laid and jointed with cement-sand mortar to

achieve strong bonding among the walls forming wall.

In order to prepare the material schedule for materials involved in a block wall construction, the

masonry structure is broken into component main component parts- Block and Mortar.

Block- blockworks come in standard sizes (LxWxH) depending on what is obtainable in the

environment. A typical block size available in our environment would include: 450 x225x225,

popularly refered to as 9 inches block, 450x150x225- also called 6 inches block. The area of 1

1 m2
block is the equivalent of 0.10125m2, meaning that 1 m2 = =9.87∨10 blocks
0.10125 m2

Mortar- sand used for joining block can be made from the mixture of binder and aggregate

proportion in ratio that achieve the best bond between the blocks. A typical mixture for mortar

would be in the proportion of 1:6 representing 1 part of cement and 6 part of sand, or 1 part of

lime and 6 part of sand, or a combination of both given as 1:1:6 representing 1 part of cement, 1

part of lime and 6 part of sand.

For a mortar mix of 1:6 = 7m3,

1
For cement = ∗( voids+shrinkage )=0.143∗1.35=0.193 m3
7

Being that cement is obtained in bags in the open market, and one bag of cement contains about

0.035m3 of material, therefore 0.193m3/0.035m3 = 5.51 bags/ m3

6
For sand = ∗( voids+shrinkage )=0.857∗1.35=1.157 m3
7

Being that sand is supplied using truck capable of hauling 20ton of material per trip, that is

20ton/1.6ton/m3 (weight of sand) = 12.5m3; 1.157m3/12.5m3 (per truck) = 0.093 truck/ m3

To prepare materials scheduled to cover 100m2 of 225mm sandcrete blockwork would be as

follows:

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Mortar: assume a mortar volume of 4 cubic meter obtained from calculating the volume of

mortar used in jointing.

Block= 100m2 x 10 blocks/m2 = 1000 blocks

Cement = 4m3 x 5.51 bags = 22.04 bags

Sand = 4m3 x 0.093 truck = 0.372 trips of 20ton truck.

3.2.4 FORMWORK

Formwork are temporary or permanent molds used to support fresh concrete or similar materials

to achieve desired shape, form and strength to carry itself. Material for making formworks

include steel, timber and plastic. Formworks are measured according to the exposed surface in

contact with the permanent works.

Woods/ timber materials for formworks are available in standard sizes (LxWxTH):

Marine Board - 2400 x 1200 x 25 (mm) Timber–3000-5400 x 75-100 x 75-100(mm)

Plank – 3600 x 250-300 x 25 (mm) Timber–3000-5400 x 75-50 x 75-50(mm)

Plywood – 2400 x 1200 x 6 (mm) Timber–3000-5400 x 250 x 75-50(mm)

To accurately estimate the materials in formwork first determine the area of material in contact

with the finished works, the calculate the quantity of materials used to achieve supports and hold

the formworks in place. For slab formwork of say 700m2, the materials in formworks would be

as follows:

700
1. Marine Board (2400x1200) = =244 nrs of boards∨0.348 baords per m 2
(2.4∗1.2)

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700
2. Horizontal support (using 75x75 timber) @ 600mm center to center = =1167m ,
0.6

1167
amounting to =325 lengths∨0.464 length per m2
3.6

3. Prop supports (using 100x100 timber) @ 600mm center to center

700
=1945 nrs of timber∨2.78 nrs per m2
(0.6∗0.6)

4. Nails/bolts & nuts in wooden formwork is estimated at an average ratio of 0.1kg/m2;

or 700*0.1kg=70kg.

Thus this constant can be used on other slab formworks quantities 150m2.

Marine board: 150m2 x 0.348 board/m2 = 53 boards; horizontal supports: 150m2 x 0.464

length/m2 = 70 lengths; prop supports: 150m2 x 2.78 nrs = 417 nrs.

The same approach can be taken to calculate materials in steel formworks, but care must be

taken to remember that steel formworks have higher re-usable value than wooden formworks.

While as steel formworks can be reused upto 10 times (with adequate caretaking), wooden

formworks have a limited of upto 6 reusable times (given good caretaking).

3.2.5 REINFORCEMENT WORKS

Reinforcement are integral part of concretes in building works. The design for strength in

reinforced concrete follows a given ratio of concrete to steel for the sectional area of concrete.

Steel reinforcement bars are obtained in the market in standard sizes of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20,

25, 32 (mm) diameter and standard length of 12m.

To convert steel work/element quantity, first the bars are converted to weight per length (m)

using defined conversion factors as shown below:

32mm diameter bars= 6.318 kg/m 14mm diameter bars= 1.209 kg/m

25mm diameter bars= 3.856 kg/m 12mm diameter bars= 0.889 kg/m

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20mm diameter bars= 2.468 kg/m 8mm diameter bars= 0.395 kg/m

16mm diameter bars= 1.578 kg/m 6mm diameter bars= 0.222 kg/m

To calculate material quantity in 256kg of 16mm reinforced concrete structure, divide the work

quantity (kg or ton) by weight of each length as shown below:

256 kg 256 kg
Qty (16 mm)= = =14 lengths
12∗1.58 kg/m 18.96 kg/nr

3.2.6 PLASTERING/ RENDERING WORKS

Plasters and rendering are wall finishes made from cement, sand and water mortar mixed in the

ratio of 1:3 to 1:6 depending on the purpose. Plasters are external wall finishes often having

thickness not less than 15mm with mortar mix not less than 1:4, while rendering are internal wall

finishes having thickness not less than 12mm thick.

To calculate the materials required to plaster a wall of 245m2 at ratio 1:4, first calculate the

volume of plaster mortar on the wall, then multiply by the conversion factor to derive the number

of cement and sand involved.

Therefore, mortar = 245m2 of wall * 25mm thickness = 6.125m3 of mortar.

For a mortar mix of 1:4 = 5m3,

For cement = 1/5* (voids+shrink)= 0.2*1.35=0.27m3, therefore 0.27m3/0.035m3 = 7.71bags/

m3

For sand = 4/5* (voids+shrink)= 0.80*1.35=1.08m3; using 20ton/1.6ton/m3 (weight of sand) =

12.5m3; 1.08m3/12.5m3 (per truck) = 0.0864 truck/ m3

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU

 MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

The materials for plaster mortar of 6.125m3 would be as follows:

Cement = 6.125m3 x 7.71bags = 47.22 bags

Sand = 6.125m3 x 0.0864 truck = 0.529 trips of 20ton truck.

3.2.7 TILING WORKS

Tiling works are fashionable floor and wall finishes in building construction, requiring the fixing

of tiles (porcelain, vitrified, glazed etc.) with cement grout and adhesive. Materials involved in

tiling works include- tiles (often obtained in cartons or square meter), cement grout/ mortar for

backing or bedding, adhesive gum, waterproofing additive and tiles corner tape and strips.

To prepare material schedule for work quantity of 20m2 of floor finishing using 450x450x8mm

thick tiles laid on 40mm bed:

1 m2
Tiles = 1 carton = =4.94=5 pcs /carton, so for 20m2, 20 carton of tiles
( 0.45∗0.45 ) m2/tile

would be required.

For bedding, the mortar needed for 20m2 area = 20m2 x 0.04m = 0.8m3

Using ratio of 1:4 = 5m3,

For cement = 1/5* (voids+shrink)= 0.2*1.35=0.27m3, therefore 0.27m3/0.035m3 = 7.71bags/

m3

For sand = 4/5* (voids+shrink)= 0.80*1.35=1.08m3; using 20ton/1.6ton/m3 (weight of sand) =

12.5m3; 1.08m3/12.5m3 (per truck) = 0.0864 truck/ m3

The materials for mortar bed of 0.80m3 would be as follows:

Cement = 0.8m3 x 7.71bags = 6.16 bags

Sand = 0.8m3 x 0.0864 truck = 0.069 trips of 20ton truck.

20 kg
Tile gum = 20kg per bag for 8m2 coverage; =2.5 kg /m2∨0.125 bag /m 2
8 m2

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU

 MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

Gum for 20m2 = 20m2 x 0.125 bag = 2.5 or 3 bag.

3.2.8 PAINTING

Painting is the application of paint, pigment, colour or other medium to final surfaces of building

material or component like blockworks, ceiling, concrete or metal works. Painting activity in

building works some preparatory steps required to prepare the surface to receive the final paint

coating. To prepare a simple material schedule for paint work on wall or metal surface of 200m2,

consider the following:

Surface Preparation:

Surface preparation varies depending on the type of surface been prepared and the material used.

Some surface preparatory materials and process are putty, floating/screeding etc. involving the

use of filler materials to fill cracks and unevenness on the surface to be painted.

Determine the coverage of POP screeding paint used- say 40m2/ drum (20 litres)

Screed material required = 20L / 40m2 = 0.5L/m2; for 200m2 = 200m2 x 0.5L/m2 = 100L

Qty required of 20L = 100L / 20L = 5 Drums or 0.025drum per m2

Application of Paint is calculated in number of coats- first, second, third etc.

Using a paint material that has a coverage capacity of 8m 2/L, and assuming 75% efficiency on

the coverage of the first coat, 85% efficiency on the coverage of the second coat and 100%

efficiency on the coverage of the third coat as calculated in the table below:

First coat @ 75% 6m2/L

Second coat @ 85% 6.8m2/L

Third coat @ 100% 8m2/L

Average coverage 6.93m2/L

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU

 MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

Therefore, 200m2 / 6.93m2 = 28.86 L / 20L per drum = 1.44 drums or 0.0072 drum per m2

Other materials involved in painting can be calculated like this, using their coverage capacity and

unit content as available in the market. Some of the standard unit content of paint materials are:

Drum = equivalent of 20 liters

Gallon= equivalent of 5 liters

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU

 MATERIAL SCHEDULE-A USEFUL TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING PROJECTS

4.0 CONCLUSION

As a wise man once said, counting the cost is an important aspect of building decision, and

material schedule assists the construction promoters to count the material costs which never the

less represents about 70% of the building cost. Understanding the project composition therefore

is an asset to the project stakeholders, and material schedule offers a useful insight in presenting

the material composition of the project which are used for critical project decisions like material

purchases, cashflow planning and projection, quality control, work plan etc.

A functional material schedule helps in effective management of the building process, affording

the construction promoter chance to participate directly in the final decisions in procurement

process of materials, cost, quality and time from the beginning to the end of the project.

As professional quantity surveyors, it is our responsibility to ensure that the cost upon which a

Wiseman’s decision to build is founded upon is both accurate and as well as practicable in order

to protect the success of the project.

References
Brook Martin Estimating and Tendering for Construction Works [Book]. - [s.l.] : Butterworth-Heinemann,
2008. - 3rd Edition. - 978-0-7506-5864-5.

Frank R. Walker Compny Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book [Book]. - [s.l.] : Frank R. Walker
Company, 1996. - 23rd Edition. - 0-911592-23-7.

Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Standard Method of Resources Scheduling 1 [Book]. -
Abuja : Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), 2006. - 1st Edition. - 978-36754-8-6.

Peurifoy Robert L and Oberlender Garold D Esimating Construction Costs [Book]. - [s.l.] : MCGraw-Hill,
2005. - 5th Edition. - 978-0-07-243580-1.

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS (NIQS). PRESENTED BY QS CHIJIOKE MICHAEL, IWUAGWU