Before commencing the measuring I must again draw attention to the method of framing the estimate, which for economy I keep in the book. After the whole of the dimensions, etc., are booked, they must then be squared, and at the end abstracts made of those things which repeat themselves many times, such as wash, stop, and white ceilings, colour walls, painting, etc. The several items in these abstracts must be cast up and brought into yards super, etc, and then extended. The prices for those things which are not abstracted must then be brought forward, as will be shown further on. It is best first to book, then to square, and then to fix the prices, then to extend and cast up, finishing each part before the other is begun, the attention is then more closely concentrated on the work you are doing.

The system of completing the estimate in the book is more especially a builder's system; a surveyor mostly abstracts his work and brings it into a proper bill, even for decorations, repairs, etc., if he has to send it out of his office, this must of course be done.

It is wise, where there are many of these estimates to prepare, to have measuring books made to suit them, i. e. about 1 in. wider than the ordinary measuring books, which are ruled as under (the outside lines at both ends being the edges of the leaves): -

II

In each of the spaces between the vertical lines I have marked their use. The division for waste at the extreme right hand is to add up any collections of dimensions; the figures set down above, in that space represent three different lengths of the garden wall, added together, and the cast (40 ft.) is carried to the second division (for dimensions), and the height of wall (10 ft.) put under it, and as the two sides of the wall have to be lime-whited it is twiced in the first column marked "for timesing" twice is set down thus 2/, the slanting line being laid against the dimension it refers to as above; if there were two lengths each, 40 ft., done on both sides, this would be twice twice, another 2 and another line being added in the same manner as the last 2/ 2/40.0/10.0; if the second wall were done on one side only this would be add 1 to the twicing, making three times the dimensions. Thus, 1 is set down on the left hand of the 2, and a dot between the 1 and the 2, thus, 1.2/ 40.0/10.0

The book I recommend should be, as I said, about one inch wider, and the additional inch added to the right side of the waste column as you hold the book open, and converted into money columns as under. Have the book paged by the printer for reference, and to enable you to index it keep the two first leaves for an index, and page one side of a leaf only.

In this book, as in the other, the outer lines are the edges of the leaves. Where there are any collections of dimensions to be made, use the left hand of the left hand set of double lines as shown, and under the description. It is usual to abbreviate descriptions. I will show these abbreviations as I go on. It will be found a saving of time if the naught is left out where the dimension is of even feet, as given above, and only the dot after the feet put in, thus 40./10. At the bottom of each leaf draw a line at the right hand across the cash columns to put the cast under, and write the word continued thus - contd. - so long as the cast is carried forward, and carry it over as shown (in sketch of wide book just given) on the top of the next page. Fix the price to each item between the two sets of double lines, as the 2d. is put to the 2ce. lime-white.

Take up the specification and follow it line by line, measuring each item, and when measured and booked, put a pencil line vertically through it, and so that these vertical lines, when the page of the specification is completed, i. e. the items in it are all measured, form one continuous vertical line or chain of small ones through all the written or printed matter in the specification.

Enter first in your measuring book a heading written boldly, and clearly setting forth what the work is: Estimate for Sundry Works at No. -, Coborne Square, N.E., for Rev. M. B.

A. B., Architect. July 1890.