---
title: "Units of measurement and payment, civil and sanitary"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:units-civil-sanitary-works"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/units-civil-sanitary-works
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Units of measurement and payment, civil and sanitary

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2071 Chaitra, 5 marks
- Video: [Units measurement of different items of work part 02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpRl285NawE) — Civil Technology
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/units-civil-sanitary-works
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-1

## Question

List the most common units of measurement and payment for civil works and sanitary works (at least five from each).

## Short answer

For civil works, common units are m³ for earthwork and concrete, m² for plastering and flooring, kg for reinforcement, m for skirting, and m² for doors and windows. Sanitary works use nos. for fixtures like W.C. and basin, nos. for cisterns and taps, m for pipes, nos. for manholes and septic tanks, and m³ for sewer excavation.

## Answer

#### Civil works
| Item | Unit of measurement and payment |
|---|---|
| Earthwork excavation, filling | m³ |
| Plain and reinforced cement concrete | m³ |
| Brick / stone masonry | m³ |
| Plastering, painting, flooring, formwork, damp-proof course | m² |
| Reinforcement steel | kg (or tonne) |
| Doors and windows (frames in m³ or m; shutters in m²) | m², m³ |
| Skirting, cornice, coping, drain | m (running metre) |

#### Sanitary works
| Item | Unit of measurement and payment |
|---|---|
| Water closet (W.C.) pan, wash basin, urinal, sink | nos. / set |
| Cistern, taps, valves, shower | nos. |
| GI / PVC / HDPE pipes laying | m |
| Manhole, inspection chamber, septic tank | nos. (or m³ for the structure) |
| Soil / waste / vent pipes | m |
| Sewer excavation and backfilling | m³ |
| Concrete bedding and surround | m³ |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Concrete and masonry are measured in
   A. m²
   B. m³
   C. m
   D. kg
   Answer: B. Volume items. (Key point: Concrete unit)

2. Plastering, painting and formwork are measured in
   A. m³
   B. m
   C. m²
   D. nos.
   Answer: C. Area items. (Key point: Finishing unit)

3. W.C. pan, wash basin and urinal are counted in
   A. m
   B. m³
   C. kg
   D. nos. or set
   Answer: D. Fixtures are countable. (Key point: Sanitary fixtures)

4. Pipe laying is measured in
   A. m
   B. m²
   C. m³
   D. nos.
   Answer: A. Pipe is measured by length. (Key point: Pipes)

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