IS 1200 : Complete Guide of measurement of building and civil Engineering works by civilshape

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The IS 1200 standard plays a crucial role in ensuring uniformity, accuracy, and transparency in the measurement of building and civil engineering works across India. By clearly defining how each item of work must be measured from excavation to painting.

It provides a systematic approach for : Quantity Estimation Bill Preparation Cost Control and Budgeting Tendering and Contract Management For civil engineers, quantity surveyors, planners, and contractors.

IS 1200 ensures: Consistent unit measurements Clear scope definitions Transparent deductions/additions Fair valuation of work By understanding and applying all 27 parts of IS 1200, professionals can achieve better planning, cost efficiency, and contract compliance, ultimately leading to smoother project execution and minimal disputes.

IS 1200 -Complete Guide to All 27 Parts (with Explanation) 

Part 1- Earthwork 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m²) 

Includes: Excavation (in soil, rock), backfilling, embankment, trenching, and disposal. 

Classified by: Type of material - ordinary soil, hard soil, soft rock, hard rock. 

Measured as: Length x Breadth x Depth. Deductions: Manholes, foundations excluded; vegetation usually ignored unless instructed. 

Part 2-Concrete Work 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m) 

Covers: Plain (PCC) and Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC). 

Excludes: Formwork and steel reinforcement (measured separately). Classified by: Mix ratio (e.g., 1:2:4), usage (footing, column, beam). 

No deduction for: Reinforcement, chamfers, small openings. 

Part 3- Brickwork 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m) 

Includes: Brick/block masonry in cement mortar. 

Separate measurement: For half-brick and thicker walls. 

Deductions: Openings > 0.1 m²; smaller ignored. 

Additions: Chases, arches, projections, reinforcement. 

Part 4-Stone Masonry 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m²) 

Types: Random rubble, coursed rubble, ashlar masonry. 

Includes: Mortar, bonding stones. Deductions: Same rules as brickwork. 

Part 5 -Formwork 

Unit: Square Meter (m) 

Includes: Shuttering/centering for concrete. Measured as: Area in contact with concrete (not all sides). 

Classified by: Shape - plain, curved, vertical, sloped.

Part 6-Reinforcement Steel 

Unit: Kilogram (kg) or Metric Tonne (MT) Covers: Cutting, bending, fixing of rebars. Measured from: Bar Bending Schedule (BBS). 

Includes: Laps, hooks, cranks, bends. 

Part 7- Roofing 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: GI sheets, AC sheets, metal/tile roofs. 

Measured as: Plan area. 

Deductions: Openings > 0.4 m². 

Part 8-Steel and Iron Work 

Unit: Kilogram (kg) or MT 

Includes: Fabricated steel -trusses, gates, grills. 

Measurement: By weight, including welding, bolting.

Part 9-Sanitary Installations 

Unit: Number (Nos.) 

Includes: Wash basins, urinals, closets, flush tanks, etc. 

Measured: Individually, including fixing and connections. 

Part 10 – Timber Work 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m) or Square Meter (m²) Covers: Doors, windows, frames, shutters. Shutters: Measured in area; 

Frames: Measured in volume. 

Part 11- Flooring and Skirting 

Unit: Square Meter (m) 

Includes: Stone/marble/ceramic tile flooring and skirting. 

Measurement: Plan area (excluding thickness). 

Deductions: Openings > 0.1 m². 5

Part 12 - Plastering and Pointing 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: Internal and external plaster, pointing finishes. 

Measured: Surface area (Length x Height). Deductions: Openings > 0.5 m². 

Part 13 – Whitewashing and Painting 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: Whitewashing, oil/emulsion painting, distemper. 

Each coat: Measured separately. 

Measured by: Area of surface (wall, ceiling, steel, wood). 

Part 14– Glazing 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: Glass in doors, windows, partitions. 

Measurement: Net glazed area. 

Part 15 - Polishing and Varnishing 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Covers: Polishing/varnishing of wood and steel. 

Each coat: Measured separately. 

Part 16 - Road Work 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) or Cubic Meter (m) Includes: Earthwork, sub-base, bituminous layers. 

Measured: Layer-wise as per thickness and type. 

Part 17 - Sanitary Accessories 

Unit: Number (Nos.) 

Includes: Soap holders, mirrors, towel rails, paper holders. 

Part 18– Water Supply (External) 

Unit: Running Meter (Rm)/ Number Includes: Pipes, valves, water meters, chambers. Measurement: Pipe length + number of fittings separately. 

Part 19– Drainage 

Unit: Running Meter (Rm) Includes: Drains, channels, manholes, chambers, covers. Depth-wise 

classification: Manholes based on depth. 

Part 20– Piling 

Unit: Running Meter (Rm) or Number 

Types: Bored, driven, cast-in-situ piles. Includes: Shoe, cap, reinforcement, concrete. 

Part 21- Woodwork and Joinery 

Unit: Square Meter/ Meter/ Cubic Meter Includes: Mouldings, trims, battens, joinery. Measured: By profile, length, or area. 

Part 22 - Materials Testing and Sampling Unit: Number or Lot 

Covers: Sampling methods for lab testing (soil, concrete, steel). 

Includes: Sampling frequency, method, record keeping.

Part 23 Dismantling and Demolition 

Unit: Cubic Meter (m²) /Number (Nos.) Includes: Removal of structures, disposal, salvageable items. 

Measured: As volume or by item (e.g., door removal). 

Part 24 - Waterproofing 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: Membranes, bituminous treatments, coatings. 

Surfaces: Roofs, basements, tanks. Measured by: Treated surface area. 

Part 25 - Electrification (Internal Wiring) Unit: Point/ Meter / Number 

Includes: Wiring, switchboards, conduits, DBs. 

Points: Fan, light, socket, etc. 

Cables: Measured in meters.

Part 26 - Structurał Welding 

Unit: Meter / Number 

Includes: Fillet and butt welds in structural steel. 

Measurement: Length of weld or per joint. 

Part 27- Acoustic and Insulation Work 

Unit: Square Meter (m²) 

Includes: Acoustic panels, insulation boards, soundproof membranes. 

Used in: Theaters, studios, HVAC ducts.