---
title: "Short note: Measurement book and muster roll"
subject: "Construction Management"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_8/construction_management:measurement-book-muster-roll-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/measurement-book-muster-roll-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Measurement book and muster roll

Construction Management · Chapter 8: Site Management

- Asked in: 2073 Magh, 5 marks
- Video: [Accounts in PWD || Measurement Book(MB) and Nominal Muster roll (N.M.R) ||  Contracts and Accounts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGBlgClr7t4) — Mukesh Kumar
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/measurement-book-muster-roll-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-8

## Question

Write a short note on measurement book and muster roll.

## Short answer

The measurement book records dimensions and quantities of work done, with numbered pages and ink entries, and forms the basis for contractor bills. The muster roll records daily-wage workers' attendance, wages, deductions and signatures, proving labour payment and preventing fraud.

## Answer

#### Measurement book (MB)
A **measurement book** is a serially numbered, bound book in which the engineer records the dimensions and quantities of work done at site (length, breadth, height, number and total quantity) item by item, with date, location and reference to the contract item.

- Pages are numbered; no page is removed, entries are in ink, corrections are crossed out and initialled.
- Measurements are taken jointly with the contractor and signed.
- Calculations are checked by a senior; abstracts are made for the bill.
- Uses: basis for running and final bills; record of hidden work; evidence in disputes and audit; check of variations.

#### Muster roll
A **muster roll** is a register of daily-wage workers showing name, category, daily attendance, rate of wage, wages earned, deductions, net payment and the signature or thumb impression of the worker.

- Prepared weekly or fortnightly, signed by the preparing engineer and approved by the authority.
- Uses: proof of payment to labour; attendance control; labour cost and productivity records; prevention of ghost workers; legal and audit evidence.

#### Difference in use
| MB | Muster roll |
|---|---|
| Records quantity of work done | Records attendance and wages of labour |
| Basis for contractor's bill | Basis for labour payment |
| Signed by engineer and contractor | Signed by workers and engineer |

## Check yourself

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

1. What is recorded in a measurement book?
   A. Daily wages of labour
   B. Dimensions and quantities of work done, item by item
   C. Instructions given to the contractor
   D. Material purchase prices
   Answer: B. The MB records length, breadth, height, number and total quantity of work done with date, location and contract item. (Key point: Purpose of MB)

2. What is the correct way to correct an entry in a measurement book?
   A. Erase it and rewrite
   B. Tear out the page
   C. Cross it out and initial it
   D. Use correction fluid
   Answer: C. Entries are in ink and no page is removed; corrections are crossed out and initialled. (Key point: MB rules)

3. Which of these is a use of the muster roll?
   A. Prevents ghost workers and proves payment to labour
   B. Records quantity of hidden work
   C. Gives orders to the contractor
   D. Is the basis of the contractor's bill
   Answer: A. The muster roll controls attendance and proves payment, which prevents ghost workers. (Key point: Muster roll purpose)

4. Which pairing is correct?
   A. MB records attendance; muster roll records quantity
   B. MB records quantity of work; muster roll records attendance and wages
   C. Both record only wages
   D. MB is signed by workers; muster roll by contractor
   Answer: B. MB gives quantity of work for the contractor's bill; the muster roll gives attendance and wages for labour payment. (Key point: MB vs muster roll)

## Related in Construction Management

- [Muster roll and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amuster-roll-importance) — Construction Management, chapter 8, asked 3×
- [Muster roll for user's committee project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amuster-roll-user-committee) — Construction Management, chapter 8
- [Measurement book](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Ameasurement-book) — Construction Management, chapter 8, asked 3×
- [Differentiate site order book and measurement book](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Asob-vs-measurement-book) — Construction Management, chapter 8