Towards developing building services standard method of measurement in Malaysia

Abstract

Detail quantification and description of items of works based on standard method of measurement (SMM) are not adapted for building services precontract price forecasting by Quantity Surveyors (QS). However, with increasing value of building services in modern buildings, there is need for QS to manage its cost. The variables that prevent quantity surveyors from measuring building services in line with the provisions of an SMM were identified. It was also found that an SMM aligned with local information classification system is important to lay foundation for integration of SMM into model based automated quantity extraction and estimating. The method adopted for the study is literature review and synthesis as well as cross-country comparsion of existing SMMs. A conceptual framework was developed to guide industry stakeholders in developing building services standard method of measurement (BSSMM).