Why this course?

Description

Singapore Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (SS 29)

The Singapore Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works, commonly known as SS 29, is the backbone of fair, clear, and consistent measurement practice in Singapore’s construction industry. This course is designed to give civil engineers, quantity surveyors, estimators, interior estimators, project engineers, and construction professionals a complete and practical understanding of SS 29, exactly as it is applied on real projects in Singapore.

In day-to-day practice, many disputes, delays, and cost overruns do not arise because of poor construction, but because of unclear measurement rules, inconsistent quantities, or misunderstanding of what is included or excluded in an item. SS 29 exists to remove this confusion. It provides a common language for everyone involved in a project: consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and clients. This course explains that language in a simple, logical, and practical way.

The training is structured module by module, following the same logical flow as SS 29 itself. Each module builds your understanding step by step, starting from the background and intent of the standard, moving through units of measurement, trade-by-trade rules, and finally into bill preparation, checking, and quality control.

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What This Course Covers

This course begins with a clear explanation of why SS 29 was introduced in Singapore and how it fits into the local construction ecosystem. You will understand the purpose of the standard, what types of building works it applies to, and how it links with drawings, specifications, and contract documents commonly used in Singapore projects.

You will then move into the foundation topics such as definitions, abbreviations, symbols, and general rules of measurement. These may sound basic, but they are where many junior and even experienced professionals make mistakes. A strong grip on these rules ensures that your quantities are consistent, defensible, and easy for others to understand.

From there, the course goes trade by trade. Site preparation, earthworks, concrete, reinforcement, formwork, masonry, steelwork, roofing, finishes, flooring, joinery, external works, and landscaping are all covered in detail. For each trade, the focus is not just on “how to measure” but also on understanding what is deemed included, what is measured separately, and where allowances are expected.

Special attention is given to provisional sums and prime cost sums, as these are areas that often lead to misunderstandings during tendering and final accounts. You will learn how to describe them correctly, where to place them in the bill, and how they are adjusted later without creating disputes.

The final part of the course focuses on bill preparation, checking, and quality control. This is where theory meets professional responsibility. You will learn how to assemble preliminaries, structure the bill logically, cross-check quantities, and audit measurement records so that your BOQ stands up to scrutiny from contractors, auditors, and clients.

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Why SS 29 Is Important for Civil Engineers

For civil engineers, SS 29 is not just a document used by quantity surveyors. It directly affects how designs are interpreted, priced, and constructed.

When a civil engineer prepares drawings and details, those drawings are eventually translated into quantities. If the engineer understands SS 29, they can anticipate how elements will be measured and priced. This leads to better design decisions, fewer ambiguities, and smoother coordination with the commercial team.

Civil engineers involved in site execution also benefit greatly. When variations arise, engineers who understand SS 29 can quickly assess whether a change is genuinely extra, how it should be measured, and how it should be valued. This reduces friction between site teams and commercial teams and helps maintain project momentum.

In Singapore, where projects are tightly regulated and timelines are strict, civil engineers who understand measurement rules are better equipped to manage change, control costs, and support fair valuation.

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Why SS 29 Is Essential for Quantity Surveyors and Estimators

For quantity surveyors and estimators, SS 29 is a core professional skill. It is the standard against which your work is judged.

A BOQ prepared without proper adherence to SS 29 may look fine on the surface, but it can create serious problems during tendering and construction. Contractors may price items differently, comparisons become difficult, and disputes become more likely.

This course helps quantity surveyors develop confidence in their measurement decisions. You will learn not just what the rules say, but why they exist and how they are applied in real Singapore projects such as residential developments, commercial buildings, mixed-use towers, and interior fit-outs.

Experienced quantity surveyors will find value in refining their approach, standardising their practice, and mentoring junior staff more effectively. Junior quantity surveyors will gain a structured framework that helps them avoid common mistakes and build a strong professional foundation.

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Importance for Interior Designers and Interior Estimators

Interior works are often where measurement confusion is highest. Items such as finishes, joinery, ceilings, partitions, and decorative features involve many interfaces and assumptions.

This course clarifies how SS 29 treats interior-related works. You will understand how finishes are measured, how allowances for openings and features are handled, and how built-in joinery and fittings should be described and quantified.

Interior estimators working in Singapore will benefit from learning how to align their quantities with the same standard used for main building works. This improves coordination with main contractors and consultants and reduces rework during tender clarification stages.

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Practical Benefits of This Course

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Read and interpret SS 29 confidently without relying on guesswork

• Measure building works consistently and logically

• Prepare BOQs that are clear, structured, and defensible

• Reduce disputes by using correct descriptions and measurement rules

• Communicate more effectively with contractors, consultants, and clients

• Support tender evaluation, variation assessment, and final accounts with confidence

In Singapore’s competitive construction market, professionals who understand SS 29 stand out. They are trusted to handle complex projects, manage costs responsibly, and protect their organisations from avoidable disputes.

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• Module 1: Introduction and Scope of SS 29
  1.1 Background and purpose of SS 29
  1.2 Scope of application (types of building works covered)
  1.3 Relationship to other Singapore standards and contract documents
  1.4 Structure and organization of the standard

• Module 2: Definitions, Abbreviations and Symbols
  2.1 Key definitions (e.g. measurement unit, provisional sum)
  2.2 Standard abbreviations used in bills of quantities
  2.3 Graphical symbols and shorthand conventions
  2.4 Cross-referencing within SS 29 clauses

• Module 3: Units of Measurement and General Rules
  3.1 Base units (length, area, volume, mass)
  3.2 Decimal places and rounding conventions
  3.3 Handling composite items and unit rates
  3.4 Treatment of wastage, shrinkage and laps

• Module 4: Site Preparation and Earthworks
  4.1 Measurement of site clearance and demolition
  4.2 Excavation: classification and measurement rules
  4.3 Backfilling, compaction and disposal of surplus material
  4.4 Rock excavation, dewatering and support works

• Module 5: Concrete Works
  5.1 Classification of concrete grades and mixes
  5.2 Measurement of cast-in-place concrete elements
  5.3 Precast concrete units: measurement and tolerances
  5.4 Additives, admixtures and special concrete treatments

• Module 6: Reinforcement and Formwork
  6.1 Measurement of steel reinforcement (cut-and-bend rules)
  6.2 Fabricated reinforcement cages and mesh
  6.3 Formwork: types, areas and support systems
  6.4 Striking, removal and re-use allowances

• Module 7: Masonry and Blockwork
  7.1 Brickwork and blockwork measurement by area or volume
  7.2 Jointing, pointing and finishes
  7.3 Reinforced masonry and cavity walls
  7.4 Allowances for openings, returns and copings

• Module 8: Structural Steel and Metalwork
  8.1 Measurement of structural steel sections
  8.2 Metal decking, purlins and secondary framing
  8.3 Surface treatment and coatings
  8.4 Fixings, bolts and welding allowances

• Module 9: Roofing and Waterproofing
  9.1 Roof coverings (tiles, metal sheets, membranes)
  9.2 Underlay, insulation and vapour barriers
  9.3 Flashings, gutters and rainwater goods
  9.4 Tanking, balconies and flat-roof waterproofing

• Module 10: Wall and Ceiling Finishes
  10.1 Plastering and rendering (internal vs external)
  10.2 Tiling, mosaics and feature panels
  10.3 Paints, wall coverings and decorative finishes
  10.4 Suspended ceilings and bulkheads

• Module 11: Floor Finishes
  11.1 Screeds, toppings and underlayments
  11.2 Ceramic and natural stone tiles
  11.3 Timber flooring, vinyl and carpeting
  11.4 Skirtings, thresholds and movement joints

• Module 12: Doors, Windows and Joinery
  12.1 Measurement of door leaves, frames and hardware
  12.2 Window units, louvres and glass partitions
  12.3 Built-in joinery: wardrobes, cupboards and shelving
  12.4 Ironmongery, accessories and installation allowances

• Module 13: External Works and Landscaping
  13.1 Paving, kerbs and ramps
  13.2 Drainage channels, manholes and gullies
  13.3 Fencing, gates and guardrails
  13.4 Soft landscaping (topsoil, planting, turfing)

• Module 14: Provisional Sums, Prime Cost Sums and Provisos
  14.1 Definition and use of provisional sums
  14.2 Prime cost sums for specialist items
  14.3 Measurement and valuation of omissions and variations
  14.4 Adjustment of provisional items on final account

• Module 15: Bill Preparation, Checking and Quality Control
  15.1 Assembly of the preliminaries and main quantities
  15.2 Cross-checking rules and consistency checks
  15.3 Presentation of bill of quantities (grouping and numbering)
  15.4 Auditing measurement records and updating revisions

 

Who Should Take This Course

This course is ideal for:

• Quantity surveyors at all levels

• Civil engineers involved in design, site execution, or commercial coordination

• Construction estimators and billing engineers

• Interior designers and interior estimators

• Project managers who want stronger control over quantities and costs

Whether you are new to Singapore projects or already working in the local industry, this course helps align your skills with Singapore’s standard measurement practice.