When the measurement of construction is not done correctly, what happens is rework, contractual conflict, and payment released without the delivery being completed. And who pays this bill? You, who cannot guarantee if the physical progress of the construction matches what is coming out of the cash register.

Without visual control, without standards, and with measurements scattered in different spreadsheets, the risk of errors increases along with the final cost of the work.

In this content, we show you how to make this process more reliable, standardized, and efficient. You will understand how to ensure a real technical follow-up of the physical-financial progress of the work. 

Additionally, discover how Advysor, our 100% independent construction monitoring service, can help you with this.

What is construction measurement?

Construction measurement ensures that payments accompany the real progress of the site, validating quality, quantities, and physical-financial progress.

It goes beyond recording what has been done. It is a technical analysis that compares what was delivered with what was foreseen in the contract and in the schedule. 

It involves validating the quality of services, the materials used, the quantities, and the amounts corresponding to the physical-financial progress of the work.

Conducted continuously, it generates formal documents, such as reports and measurement bulletins, which serve as a basis for payments, accountability, and re-planning decisions.

• Read more: Physical-financial schedule of works: what it is and how to do it

Why is construction measurement essential for controlling contracts and services?

Because it helps keep finances up to date, avoids rework, deviations, reinforces contractual security, ensures compliance, and provides real data to plan more accurately. 

Additionally, it ensures that quality standards are being met at each stage of the work.

🔹 Financial management under control

Construction measurement ensures that payments are made according to the physical progress of the work. 

This avoids advances without technical backing and also reduces the risk of delays in transfers, protecting cash flow and maintaining a more balanced relationship with suppliers.

🔹 Prevention of deviations and rework

With periodic construction measurement, it is possible to identify failures, delays, or services performed out of standard in time for corrections. This reduces the chance of rework, avoids waste, and directly contributes to the efficiency of the construction.

🔹 Contractual security and compliance

In public and private contracts, rigorous and documented measurement reinforces the transparency of the process, helps prevent fraud, combats the risk of overpricing, and ensures that all parties involved are legally protected.

🔹 Planning based on real data

With the measurement data in hand, the manager can adjust the schedule, redistribute resources, and make decisions more confidently, reacting quickly to unforeseen events and keeping the work under control.

🔹 Quality assurance and standardization

Construction measurement assesses how much and how the work was done. It allows verifying if services and materials follow the technical standards and specifications provided, facilitating inspections and guaranteeing compliance with what is being delivered.

How should a construction measurement spreadsheet be made?

The construction measurement spreadsheets are usually made in Excel and used to control everything that is being done on site. It is a tool to compare what has been built with what was agreed upon in the contract. 

This is not the most efficient method (ideally, software should be used to speed up this verification). Now, if you are going to use the spreadsheet, you need to have the following information:

• Identification of the work and the contract;

• Detailed description of the stages and planned services;

• Contracted quantities, performed in the period and accumulated;

• Corresponding unit and total values;

• Technical observations and photographic records, when applicable.

In practice, the person responsible for the measurement collects data directly on the site, enters the information into the spreadsheet, and generates technical reports.

These serve as a basis for both the financial side and for monitoring the performance of the work.

What are the necessary precautions in the spreadsheet?

For the measurement spreadsheet to actually work, it is necessary to follow technical criteria, keep the data updated, document everything clearly, and ensure alignment among those involved. 

See in detail:

• Define clear technical measurement criteria for each type of service: square meter, unit, or percentage of execution;

• Frequently update the data to ensure that the information reflects the reality of the work;

• Document all measurements with photos and reports that serve as proof;

• Share the data with other professionals involved in the work to ensure alignment between field, planning, and management.

Common errors in manual or non-standard measurements

Manual or non-standard measurements can generate inaccurate, outdated, and disorganized data, making it difficult to control the work. 

The lack of standardization and documentary evidence compromises transparency, delays decisions, and increases the risk of errors and contractual conflicts.

See in detail some of the most common mistakes: 

• Lack of standardization: generates inconsistent spreadsheets and complicates analysis and comparison between periods or contracts;

• Measurement inaccuracies: caused by technical errors, inadequate equipment, or lack of criteria;

• Irregular updates: compromise the reliability of the data and delay decision-making;

• Poorly clear or disorganized information: complicating the effective use of measurements for control and planning;

• Absence of documentary evidence, such as photos and technical reports: reduces transparency and hinders audits or contractual disputes.

FAQ: People also ask

What is a payment by construction measurement contract?

It is a type of contract where payment matches the actual volume of services executed, nothing of fixed value or upfront payment. This modality brings more flexibility and security, especially in more complex works, where the scope may change over time.

How does the measurement process work?

Everything starts with a well-defined plan. The team establishes what will be measured, how often, and how. Then, the data is collected directly on site, technically validated, and compared with what was planned. 

This comparison becomes a report or measurement bulletin, which serves as a basis for payment and possible schedule adjustments. When done well, this routine keeps the physical-financial control of the work up to date and avoids surprises in the budget.

How does payment by construction measurement work?

In practice, payment occurs according to the real progress of the work. That is, the contractor only receives for what has actually been executed and technically proven. 

How does our Advysor service improve construction measurement?

The Advysor is our physical-financial management service for investment funds. We operate in a 100% independent manner from the contractor for you, ensuring that what has been paid is actually being delivered. 

And all of this is done based on real data and 360° images and with the experience of our specialized engineers.

What we deliver:

• Direct integration with the ERP and schedule via API (without manipulated spreadsheets);
  
  

• Continuous visual monitoring: with onsite or remote visits;
  
  

• Monthly physical-financial reports: with images, measurements, and technical analysis;
  
  

• Comparisons between planning and execution to release resources safely.
  
  

Come talk to our specialists right now and hire this solution.