This part of IS 1200 establishes the standard rules for measuring whitewashing, colour washing, distempering, and painting works for building surfaces. It dictates the units of measurement, deduction rules for openings, and crucial multiplying factors to convert complex, uneven surfaces (like paneled doors, grilles, and corrugated sheets) into equivalent flat areas for accurate quantity estimation.
Method of measurement of building and civil engineering works, Part 13: Whitewashing, colour washing, distempering and painting building surfaces
Quick Reference Values
length measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m
thickness measurement tolerance for boardsNearest 0.002 m (2 mm)
area measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m²
volume measurement toleranceNearest 0.01 m³
woodwork frames measurement unitCubic meters (m³)
door window shutters measurement unitSquare meters (m²)
mouldings and skirting measurement unitRunning meters (m)
Practical Notes
A common mistake is measuring door frames (chowkhats) in square meters or running meters; IS 1200 requires them to be measured in cubic meters (m³).
Shutters for doors and windows must be measured in square meters (m²) separately from their frames.
Hardware and fittings (like hinges, tower bolts, handles) are usually enumerated (measured in numbers) and billed separately unless the item description explicitly states they are included.
Unlike standard linear measurements taken to the nearest 10 mm (0.01 m), the thickness of timber boards and scantlings is measured to the nearest 2 mm.