The Architectural Association of Kenya’s (AAK) Quantity Surveyors Chapter has reviewed standards and developed a uniform document for industry professionals.

The document, the second edition of the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM), will be launched today (Wednesday) at a city hotel.

The Bills of Quantities, which is a by-product of the Standard Method of Measurement, is widely used in the industry.

Adopting technology

“Actually, no developer can do without it,” says AAK’s Maisiba Kirioba, the convener of the launch committee.

He adds that there is need for further review of the standard method of measurements in tandem with technology.

Bills of Quantities is the most useful and important contract document used in determining the right price, the right cost of construction in procurement and management of construction projects.

Experts have said that a good prepared Bill of Quantities can actually be the best document to fight corruption in the construction industry.

The review of building standards comes on the backdrop of increased incidences of collapsing structures – largely attributed to poor supervision and negligence.

The Bills of Quantities is made up from taking off quantities from the architectural and engineering drawings and compiling them into a booklet.

Contractors use this bill of quantities to price the cost of the development.

“If the method used in getting the quantities from the drawings is wrong, then the Bills of Quantities going out for pricing is wrong. This makes the pricing wrong, and by implication the construction cost will also be wrong,” said Kirioba.

“I appeal to stakeholdersto engage qualified quantity surveyors in their development, procurement, project management, mortgage financing or audit departments to adhere to quality standards,” said Kirioba.

By Jackson Okoth, The Standard

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