Stage 1 · Project
Begin with the drawing set.
Record whose design you are measuring. The calculator will stop before structural quantities if an acceptable structural drawing is unavailable.
How is your drawing measured?
You can switch later without losing or changing the real dimensions.
Metres
Feet
You can explore the form, but structural quantities and payment remain unavailable until you select a preliminary or approved structural drawing and provide its reference.
Site reality
Stage 2 · Site reality
What is the foundation meeting?
Use report values where available. Visual descriptions identify risk; they never create a safe bearing capacity.
Observed soil / ground
Unknown / not investigated
Firm natural ground
Red soil / lateritic soil
Black cotton / expansive clay
Loose or uncontrolled fill
Rock / very hard stratum
Coastal or loose sand
Waterlogged / marshy ground
Excavation access
Good machine access Limited machine access Manual access only Not confirmed
Flooding / storm water
Not confirmed No known flooding Seasonal ponding / runoff Known flooding risk
Groundwater
Unknown Not encountered Below founding level At / above founding level
Site pin or map link
Geotechnical information
I have a geotechnical / soil investigation report
Back Ground levels
Stage 3 · Ground levels
Capture the levels before digging.
A level survey controls depth, drainage, DPC, steps, and cut-and-fill. Four-corner values are a planning signal, not a substitute for a survey.
Relative corner levels (mm)
The calculator reports the level range but does not invent cut-and-fill volumes from four points. Use a topographical survey for a reliable earthworks model.
Back Foundation geometry
Stage 4 · Geometry
Enter dimensions from the drawings.
Use the measurement unit selected in Stage 1. Do not guess footing width, thickness, founding depth, or wall thickness.
Foundation length
Trench and footing
Pad bases
Connecting foundation walls, if detailed
Leave the length at zero when the drawing has no masonry foundation walls between pads. If it does, copy the connecting trench, footing and blinding dimensions from the structural detail.
Foundation wall
Concrete specification from the drawing
Footing concrete
Copy the specification. Do not select a stronger-looking mix as a substitute for the engineer’s design.
Blinding concrete
Site mix 1:3:6
Site mix 1:4:8
Use the mix stated in the structural notes or project specification.
Boundary: this page covers excavation, blinding, footings, foundation walls, backfill, disposal and DPC. Hardcore, anti-termite treatment, DPM/BRC and the ground slab belong in the Ground Slab calculation.
Back Reinforcement
Stage 5 · Reinforcement
Copy the bar schedule. Do not invent it.
Kenyan reinforcement is commonly supplied in 12 m stock lengths. Enter each footing or starter bar exactly as detailed on the structural drawing or bending schedule.
Drawing notation: “4Y12” means four 12 mm high-yield bars. “Y8-200” means 8 mm bars at 200 mm centres. The engineer decides where each diameter is used; this calculator only converts the specified bars into lengths, weights and stock pieces.
Element / mark Diameter Count Cut length (m ) Stock length (m )
+ Add drawing bar
Procurement allowance
Back Rates
Stage 6 · Local rates
Use prices from your supplier and site.
Enter prices from your local supplier, fundi, contractor, quarry or ready-mix company. The calculator does not assume that Nairobi prices apply to your site.
Use local rates only. Enter the actual unit price beside every applicable item. Do not include delivery inside a material rate unless the quotation includes it; record separate transport or mobilisation below.
Steel price per 12 m stock bar
Earth handling
Back Review