In the UK, Rules of Measurement says:
1. Any item with a girth less than 300mm should be measured in Lm.
2. Any item with a girth greater than 300mm, should be measured in m2.
Sounds simple and it is, except where door frames are involved.
The main problem is that Quantity Surveyors always tend to assume that the girth of a door frame (measured architrave to architrave), is less than 300mm. However, on many occasions, I have been on sites doing re-measures and checked the girth, to find that the actual girth exceeds 300mm, so should be measured in m2.
The problem is further compounded by the fact that many surveyors completely ignore the New Rules of Measurement and either:
1. Measure the architraves and lining/stop separately as n.e.300mm girths (Lm). OR
2. Measure each side of a door frame separately as a n.e.300mm girth.
Nothing wrong with any of the above methods as long as the painter knows how the door frame has been measured so that he can apply the correct painting rate to cost.
Problem: Quantity Surveyors never tell the painter the basis on which they have measured painting to door frames. Of course, the problem doesn’t occur where there painter has done the measures themselves.
Note: Quick Paint Rate painting rates calculator software, gives you all the rates you need to price door frames no matter which method of measuring has been used.
As a guide for Quick Paint Rate users, if you are measuring projects yourself, it really doesn’t matter which method you use. However, if you are re-measuring a project, you need to follow the UK Rules of Measurment as described at the top of this guidance email.
For further guidance, please read below: This will help you to select the correct rate for painting to door frames when using Quick Paint Rate:
1. If you have measured a door frame, each side separately as a n.e.300mm girth. So, a standard single door frame will give a measure of 10Lm, please use the (Lm) woodwork rate that reads as (painted one side) in Quick Paint rate rate displays, when pricing.
2. If you have measured the same door frame, once, all round as a n.e.300mm girth (giving you a measure of 5Lm for the same door frame, please use the (Lm) woodwork rate that has (painted both sides), in Quick Paint rate rate displays, when pricing.
3. If you have a bill of quantities where the door frame has been measured in m2 (This would be done if the overall girth exceeds 300mm), please use the door frame (m2) rate NOT general surfaces (m2 rate. If you use the general surfaces (m2) rate, you will seriously under price painting to door frames.
4. If you have been given a bill of quantities, where the QS has measure the door frame lining/stop and architraves separately in (Lm), please use the lining/stop and architraves (Lm) rates as shown in Quick Paint Rate.
Happy Estimating
Mark
Painting Estimator-panddonline