BIS 2003
B U R E A U O F I N D I A N S T A N D A R D S
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
(Reaffirmed 1997)
Edition 4.1
(1989-12)
Price Group 3
Indian Standard
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF
BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS
PART XI PAVING, FLOOR FINISHES, DADO AND SKIRTING
( Third Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)
UDC 69.003.12:693.7+69.025.3
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
 BIS 2003
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This  publication  is  protected  under  the  Indian  Copyright  Act  (XIV  of  1957)  and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
Indian Standard
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF
BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS
PART XI PAVING, FLOOR FINISHES, DADO AND SKIRTING
( Third Revision )
Civil Works Measurements Sectional Committee, BDC 44
Chairman Representing
SHRI S. R. NAIR Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Army Headquarters
Members
SHRI N. P. ACHARYYA The Commissioner for the Port of Calcutta, Calcutta
SHRI K. D. ARCOT Engineers India Limited, New Delhi
SHRI T. V. SITARAM ( Alternate )
CHIEF ENGINEER (R & B) Public  Works  Department,  Government  of  Andhra
Pradesh, Hyderabad
SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER
(P & D) ( Alternate )
SHRI V. B. DESAI Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Bombay
DIRECTOR, IRI Irrigation  Department,  Government  of  Uttar
Pradesh, Roorkee
DIRECTOR (RATES & COSTS) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (RATES & 
COSTS) ( Alternate )
SHRI P. N. GADI Institution of Surveyors, New Delhi
SHRI P. L. BHASIN ( Alternate )
SHRI G. V. HINGORANI Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI G. K. C. IYENGAR Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd, Ranchi
SHRI M. L. JAIN The  National  Industrial  Development  Corporation
Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI H. K. KHOSLA Irrigation  Department,  Government  of  Haryana,
Chandigarh
SHRI S. K. KOGEKAR National Buildings Organisation, New Delhi
SHRI G. S. LIKHARI ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. LAHA Institution of Engineers (India), Calcutta
SHRI V. D. LONDHE Concrete Association of India, Bombay
SHRI N. C. DUGGAL ( Alternate )
SHRI K. K. MADHOK Builders Association of India, Bombay
SHRI DATTA S. MALIK Indian Institute of Architects, Bombay
PROF M. K. GODBOLE ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2 )
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
2
( Continued from page 1 )
Members Representing
SHRI B. S. MATHUR Ministry of Shipping & Transport (Roads Wing)
SHRI A. D. NARAIN ( Alternate )
SHRI R. S. MURTHY Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Ministry of Defence
SHRI V. G. PATWARDHAN ( Alternate )
SHRI C. B. PATEL M. N. Dastur & Co Private Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI B. C. PATEL ( Alternate )
SHRI RADHEY SHIAM Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI K. G. SALVI Hindustan Housing Factory Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI G. B. SINGH ( Alternate )
SHRI P. V. SATHE Public Works & Housing Department, Government of
Maharashtra, Bombay
SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER (PLG & 
DESIGNS), NORTHERN RAILWAY
Ministry of Railways
SHRI B. K. SHAH Bombay Port Trust, Bombay
DR R. B. SINGH Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
SHRI S. SRINIVASAN Hindustan Steel Ltd, Ranchi
SUPERINTENDING SURVEYOR OF 
WORKS (AVI)
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SURVEYOR OF WORKS (I) ( Alternate )
SUPERINTENDING SURVEYOR OF 
WORKS (NDZ)
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SURVEYOR OF WORKS (I)
ATTACHED TO SSW (I) ( Alternate )
SHRI J. C. VERMA Bhakra Management Board, Nangal Township
SHRI I. P. PURI ( Alternate )
SHRI D. AJITHA SIMHA,
Director (Civ Engg)
Director General, ISI ( Ex-officio Member )
Secretary
SHRI K. M. MATHUR
Deputy Director (Civ Engg), ISI
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
3
Indian Standard
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF
BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS
PART XI PAVING, FLOOR FINISHES, DADO AND SKIRTING
( Third Revision )
0. F O R E W O R D
0.1 This  Indian  Standard  (Part  XI)  (Third  Revision)  was  adopted  by
the Indian Standards Institution on 30 September 1977, after the draft
finalized  by  the  Civil  Works  Measurement  Sectional  Committee  had
been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
0.2 Measurement  occupies  a  very  important  place  in  planning  and
execution of any civil engineering work from the time of first estimates
to  final  completion  and  settlement  of  payments  of  the  project.  The
methods  followed  for  measurement  are  not  uniform  and  considerable
differences  exist  between  various  Central  and  State  Government
departments. While it is recognized that each system of measurement
has  to  be  specifically  related  to  the  administrative  and  financial
organizations  within  the  department  responsible  for  work,  a
unification of the various systems at technical level has been accepted
as very desirable, specially as it permits a wider circle of operation for
civil  engineering  contractors  and  eliminates  ambiguities  and
misunderstandings  arising  out  of  the  inadequate  understanding  of
various systems followed.
0.3 Among  the  various  civil  engineering  items,  measurement  of
building  had  been  first  to  be  taken  up  for  standardization  and  this
standard,  having  provision  relating  to  all  building  works,  was  first
published in 1958 and then revised in 1964.
0.4 In the course of usage of this standard (IS : 1200-1964*) by various
construction  agencies  in  the  country,  several  clarifications  and
suggestions  for  modifications  were  received  and,  as  a  result  of  study,
the  Sectional  Committee  decided  that  its  scope,  besides  being
applicable to buildings, should be expanded so as to cover also method
of  measurement  applicable  to  civil  engineering  works  like  industrial
works.
*Method of measurement of building works ( revised ).
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
4
0.5 Since various trades are not related to one another, the Committee
decided  that  each  type  of  trade  as  given  in  IS : 1200-1964*  be  issued
separately as a different part, which will be helpful to specific users in
various  trades.  This  part  covering  method  of  measurement  of  paving
and  floor  finishes  applicable  to  building  as  well  as  civil  engineering
works was, therefore, issued as a second revision in 1971.
0.6 In the course of use of this standard in the past 6 years, a number
of  suggestions  were  received  and  accordingly  certain  amendments
were issued to this standard. This third revision incorporates all such
amendments besides making other provision up-to-date.
0.7 This  edition  4.1  incorporates  Amendment  No.  1  (December  1989).
Side  bar  indicates  modification  of  the  text  as  the  result  of
incorporation of the amendment.
0.8 For  the  purpose  of  deciding  whether  a  particular  requirement  of
this standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing  the  result  of  a  measurement,  shall  be  rounded  off  in
accordance  with  IS : 2-1960.  The  number  of  significant  places
retained  in  the  rounded  off  value  should  be  the  same  as  that  of  the
specified value in this standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This  standard  (Part  XI)  covers  the  method  of  measurement  of
pavings,  floor  finishes,  dado  and  skirting  in  buildings  and  civil
engineering works.
NOTE    The  method  of  measurement  of  airfield  pavements  is  covered  in  IS:  1200
(Part XVII)-1969.
2. GENERAL
2.1 Clubbing  of  Items    Items  may  be  clubbed  together  provided
that the  break-up of  the clubbed items  is  agreed to  be  on  the basis of
the detailed description of the items.
2.2 Booking  of  Dimensions    In  booking  dimensions,  the  order
shall be consistent and generally in the sequence of length, breadth or
width and height or depth or thickness.
2.3 Description  of  Items    The  description  of  each  item  shall,
unless  otherwise  stated,  be  held  to  include  wherever  necessary
conveyance  and  delivery,  handling,  unloading,  storing,  fabrication,
hoisting,  all  labour  for  finishing  to  required  shape  and  size,  setting,
fitting  and  fixing  in  position,  straight  cutting  and  waste,  return  of
packings, and other incidental operations.
*Method of measurement of building works ( revised ).
Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).
Method  of  measurement  of  building  and  civil  engineering  works:  Part  XVII  Road
work including airfield pavement ( revised ).
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
5
2.4 Dimension    All  work  shall  be  measured  as  laid  in  the  decimal
system  as  under  unless  otherwise  stated  hereinafter.  The  length  and
breadth shall be measured before laying skirting, dado or wall plaster:
a) Dimensions shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 m, and
b) Areas shall be worked out to nearest 0.01 m
2
.
2.5 Bills  of  Quantities    Items  of  work  shall  fully  describe  the
materials  and  workmanship  and  accurately  represent  the  work  to  be
executed.
2.6 Cuttings    All  cuttings  shall  unless  otherwise  stated  be  held  to
include the consequent waste.
2.7 Mode of Measurement  All work shall be measured in square
metres  unless  otherwise  stated.  Deductions  for  ends  of  dissimilar
materials  or  other  articles  embedded  shall  not  be  made  for  areas  not
exceeding 0.1 m
2
.
2.7.1 Work in isolated width not matching with the general finish shall
be measured as below:
a) Width  30 cm  and  below  in  running  metres  (the  description  to
include for cutting to edges if any), and
b) Width above 30 cm in square metres.
2.8 Expansion  and  dummy  joints  shall  be  described  and  measured
separately  in  running  metres  stating  depth  and  width  of  joints.  The
filler shall be described and included in the description of item.
2.9 Work  in  repairs  shall  be  so  described  and  preparation  of  old
surfaces to receive such work shall be included in the description.
2.10 Work  in  isolated  areas  not  exceeding  1 m
2
  each  shall  be  so
described stating the nature thereof.
2.11 Work to a pattern or in more than one colour shall be so described
stating the nature thereof.
2.12 Curved work, conical work and spherical work shall be described
separately stating the radius.
2.12.1 Labour  in  such  works  shall  be  so  described  and  measured
separately.
3. I N SI TU FINISHES
3.1 In situ finishes shall be classified according to the kind of material
(for  example,  granolithic,  terrazzo,  mosaic,  etc)  and  measured
separately.  The  following  particulars  shall  be  given  for  each
classification:
a) Composition and mix;
b) Thickness, which shall be exclusive of keys, grooves and open joints;
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
6
c) Number of coats;
d) Nature  of  surface  treatment  (for  example,  steel  trowelled,  wood
floated, polished, sprinkled with carborundum powder, etc);
e) Nature of base and any special treatment to the same; and
f) Situations, for example, whether in flooring or in dado/skirting.
3.2 Work  executed  to  imitate  stone  slab,  or  stone  blocks  shall  be  so
described  stating  the  average  size  of  the  slabs  or  blocks,  the  surface
finish (for example, plain, rough, etc).
3.3 Work  to  floors  laid  in  bays  and  work  to  floors  laid  in  panels
between dividing strips shall be so described stating the size of bay or
area  of panel or bay. The  dividing  strip shall be  measured separately
( see 3.13 ).
3.4 Work in floors laid in one operation with the base concrete shall be
so described.
3.5 No deduction shall be made for voids not exceeding 0.2 m
2
.
3.6 Work in treads, risers and edges of landings shall be measured in
square metres. Work in landings shall be included in the main item.
3.7 Work to wall strings and open strings shall be measured in square
metres.  Ends,  angles,  ramps  and  wreathed  corners  shall  be  included
with the item.
3.8 Moulded  nosings  shall  be  measured  in  running  metres;  returned
moulded  ends  and  angles  to  mouldings  shall  be  included  in  the
description.
3.9 Dados  (including  raking  dados)  shall  be  measured  in  square
metres.  Skirting  (including  raking  skirting)  shall  be  measured  in
running  metres  stating  the  height.  Mitres,  stops,  returned  ends  and
the like shall be included with the item.
3.10 Work  to  kerbs  shall  be  measured  in  running  metres  stating  the
girth  on  face.  Raking  kerbs  and  vertical  kerbs  shall  each  be  so
described.  Arrises,  rounded  edges  and  coves  shall  be  included  in  the
description. Angles and intersections shall be enumerated separately.
3.11 Forming channels shall be measured in running metres as extra
over  the  finishings  in  which  they  occur  stating  the  girth  on  face.
Arrises shall be included in the description. Ends, angles, intersections
and outlets shall each be enumerated separately.
3.12 Lining  to  channels  shall  be  measured  in  running  metres  stating
the  girth  on  face.  Arrises  and  coves  shall  be  included  in  the
description.  Ends,  angles,  intersections  and  outlets  shall  each  be
enumerated separately.
3.13 Dividing strips shall be described stating size and thickness and
measured  separately  in running  metres.  Description  shall  include  for
ends, angles and intersections and method of fixing, embedding, etc.
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
7
4. TILE, SLAB OR BLOCK FINISHES
4.1 Particulars of the following shall be given:
a) Kind  of  tile,  slab  or  block  units  (for  example,  precast  concrete,
precast  terrazzo,  brick,  natural  stone,  cast  stone,  slate,  marble,
woodblocks, cork, rubber, etc);
NOTE  In case of precast concrete work, the mix to be stated.
b) Thickness and size of tile, slab or block units;
c) Shape of units where other than rectangular;
d) Nature  of  surface  finish  (for  example,  glazed,  rubbed,  polished,
type of dressing in case of stone, etc);
e) Bedding or other method of fixing units;
f) Grouting, pointing or other finish to joints;
g) Nature  of  base  (for  example,  wood,  screeded  bed,  concrete,
brickwork, etc);
h) Situations,  for  example,  whether  in  flooring  or  in  dado/skirting;
and
j) Layout of joints.
4.2 Temporary  moulds  for  precast  tile,  slab  or  block  units  shall  be
deemed to be included with the item.
4.3 No deduction shall be made for voids not exceeding 0.2 m
2
.
4.4 Square  cutting  at  joint  and  at  boundaries  shall  be  deemed  to  be
included with the items except as provided in 4.5. Raking, cutting and
curved  cutting  shall  each  be  measured  separately  in  running  metres
except  where  occurring  within  a  pattern.  In  case  of  work  laid  to
diagonal patterns, straight cutting at boundary (measured around the
perimetre of each area) shall be measured in running metres.
4.5 Fair  edges,  rebated  edges,  rounded  edges,  chamfered  edges,
splayed  edges,  bevelled  edges  and  the  like  shall  be  measured
separately  in  running  metres  including  ends,  angles,  mitres,
intersections, etc.
4.6 Moulded edges, grooves, flutes and the like shall each be measured
separately  in  running  metres.  Ends,  angles  and  intersections  shall
each be enumerated separately.
4.7 Cutting  and  fitting  around  steel  stanchions  and  the  like  (grouped
together) shall be described and enumerated.
4.8 Cutting and fitting around pipes, tubes, bars, cables, conduits and
the like shall be described and enumerated.
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
8
4.9 Cutting and fitting around profile of steps shall be enumerated.
4.10 Cutting  and  fitting  around  ducting  brackets,  newels,  WC
pedestals,  vents,  soot-doors  and  the  like  (grouped  together)  shall  be
enumerated stating the size in stages of 25 cm girth.
4.11 Dividing strips shall be described stating size and thickness and
measured  separately  in running  metres.  Description  shall  include  for
ends, angles and intersections and method of fixing, embedding, etc.
4.12 Dados  (including  raking  dados)  shall  be  measured  in  square
metres.  Skirting  (including  raking  skirting)  shall  be  measured  in
running  metres  stating  the  height.  Mitres,  stops,  returned  ends  and
the like shall be included with the item.
4.13 Channels,  and  lining  to  channels  shall  each  be  measured
separately  in  running  metres  describing  the  section  and  average
depth. Channels to falls shall be so described. Rounded edges shall be
included  in  the  description.  Ends,  angles,  intersections  and  outlets
shall each be enumerated separately.
4.14 Kerbs shall be measured in running metres describing the section
and shall include rounded edges coves, etc.
4.15 Special tiles and special slabs to form coved internal angles of any
radius,  rounded  external  angles,  architraves,  mouldings,  ceiling  ribs,
cornices  and  the  like  shall  each  be  measured  in  running  metres
separately according to size and shape.
4.16 Work  to  treads,  risers  and  edges  of  landings  shall  be  measured
separately in square metres. Work in landings shall be included in the
main item.
5. SHEET FINISHES
5.1 Particulars of the following shall be given: 
a) Kind of sheeting (linoleum, cork, rubber, etc);
b) Thickness and quality of sheeting;
c) Method of fixing and joining; and
d) Nature of base.
5.2 Laps and seams shall be included in the description stating the lap
and type of seam and shall not be measured separately.
5.3 Sheet finishes to vertical inclined and horizontal surfaces shall be
measured separately.
5.4 No deduction shall be made for voids not exceeding 0.2 m
2
.
IS : 1200 (Part XI) - 1977
9
5.5 Raking  cutting  and  curved  cutting  shall  each  be  measured
separately in running metres except where occurring within a pattern
( see  2.11 ).  Forming  rounded  external  angles  and  coved  internal
angles  shall  each  be  measured  separately  in  running  metres  stating
the girth.
5.6 Cover  strips  over  joints  of  finishes  shall  be  described  stating  the
size  and  measured  in  running  metres.  Description  shall  include  for
ends, angles and intersections.
5.7 Cutting  and  fitting  around  steel  stanchions  and  the  like  (grouped
together) shall be described and enumerated.
5.8 Cutting and fitting around pipes, tubes, bars, cables, conduits and
the like shall be described and enumerated.
5.9 Cutting and fitting around profile of steps shall be enumerated.
5.10 Cutting  and  fitting  around  ducting  brackets,  newels,  WC
pedestals,  vents,  soot-doors  and  the  like  (grouped  together)  shall  be
enumerated stating the size in stages of 25 cm girth.
6. BEDDING AND BACKINGS
6.1 Particulars of the following shall be given:
a) Composition and mix;
b) Thickness  which  shall  be  exclusive  of  keys,  grooves,  open  joints;
and
c) Nature of base and any treatment of the same.
6.2 Screeded  beds  for  all  floor  finishes  shall  be  described  and
measured.
6.3 No deduction shall be made for voids not exceeding 0.2 m
2
.
6.4 Bedding  and  backing  laid  in  bays  or  laid  in  panels  between
dividing  strips  shall  be  so  described  stating  the  size  of  bay  or  area  of
panel or bay.
6.5 Bedding  and  backing in treads,  risers  and  edges  of  landings shall
each be measured separately in square metres. Work in landings shall
be included in the main item.
6.6 Bedding  and  backing  in  skirtings  and  dados  shall  be  measured
separately.
6.7 Forming channels in beds shall be measured in running metres as
extra  over  the  beds  in  which  they  occur  stating  the  girth  on  face.
Arrises, rounded edges, coves, ends, angles, intersections, outlets and
the like shall be included with the items.
Bureau of Indian Standards
BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious  development  of  the  activities  of  standardization,  marking  and  quality  certification  of
goods and attending to connected matters in the country.
Copyright
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form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course
of  implementing  the  standard,  of  necessary  details,  such  as  symbols  and  sizes,  type  or  grade
designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also
reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates
that  no  changes  are  needed;  if  the  review  indicates  that  changes  are  needed,  it  is  taken  up  for
revision.  Users  of  Indian  Standards  should  ascertain  that  they  are  in  possession  of  the  latest
amendments  or  edition  by  referring  to  the  latest  issue  of  BIS  Catalogue  and  Standards : Monthly
Additions.
This Indian Standard has been developed by Technical Committee : BDC 44 and amended by EDC 44
Amendments Issued Since Publication
Amend No. Date of Issue
Amd. No. 1 December 1989
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