Bills Of Quantities For Highway Works

The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) is used to specify works of road construction and maintenance in the UK. It consists of Volumes 0-6 and is used by both the Highways Agency for Trunk Roads and by the majority of local and county authorities and highway design consultants for the design and maintenance of non-Trunk Roads.

Volume 4 is entitled Bills of Quantities for Highway Works and dictates how Bills of Quantities are to be prepared for such works. In addition, it details how the individual items which form the works are to be measured and paid. Knowledge of its provisions is essential for all those involved in designing, specifying and constructing highway schemes.

This one day course gives delegates the opportunity to understand how Volume 4 operates in order to ensure:

• That bills of quantities are prepared properly
• The guidance notes are utilised in preparation of the Bills of Quantities and in subsequent measurement of the works
• That contractors/subcontractors make due allowance for included elements of work when tendering
• Awareness is raised of items to which the contractor is contractually entitled in payment statements Practical exercises are included to ensure that delegates are fully familiar with the system and will include preparation of a sample Bill of Quantities.

The relationship between the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and the MCHW is outlined at the outset. Volume 4 of the MCHW is the key component of this course and is explored in detail. Practical advice is given on its use and application including reference to the Guidance Notes and Library of Standard Item Descriptions.

Practical exercises are included to ensure that delegates are fully familiar with the system and will include preparation of a sample Bill of Quantities.

Additional Information

Delegates should bring the following:

• A copy of Volume 4 Bills of Quantities for Highway Works
• A calculator

This training course starts at 09:00 and finishes at 17:00 with refreshment breaks mid-morning and afternoon, plus lunch. All timings, except the start time, are approximate and may be adjusted to suit natural breaks in the lesson.

• Session 1 - Introduction
• Session 2 - Outline of the Component Sections of Volume 4
• Session 3 - Volume 4 Section 1 - Method of Measurement for Highway Works
• Session 4 - Exercise 1 - Use of Volume 4 Section 1
• Session 5 - Volume 4 Section 2 - Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Highway Works
• Session 6 - The Library of Standard Item Descriptions for Highway Works
• Session 7 - Exercise 2 - Preparing a Bill of Quantities
• Session 8 - Exercises 3 to 6 - Various Aspects of Using Volume 4
• Session 9 - Review and Discussion

Dr Robert N Hunter
BSc MSc PhD CEng FICE MIHT MIAT MCIArb

Previously a General Manager with a Local Authority Consortium responsible for the management and maintenance of some 500 carriageway kilometres of major trunk roads including motorways. Best selling book author, editor of numerous papers, an ICE listed adjudicator and conciliator, he is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities in highways and transportation.

At the conclusion of this course the delegates should:

• Understand the role of and how to use each of the three Sections of Volume 4 Bills of Quantities for Highway Works
• Be able to compile bills of quantities such that they accord with the requirements of Volume 4
• Be able to compile/check Contractor's/Subcontractor's statements prepared using Volume 4

• Civil, highway, pavement and transportation engineers using the MCHW for the preparation of tenders for highway construction and maintenance
• Contractors/Subcontractors pricing such works
• Personnel responsible for dealing with MCHW issues on the Employer's, Engineer's, Project Manager's, Contractor's and Subcontractor's staff