Researchers have explored the integration of BIM and Semantic Web to solve the problem of interoperability, and key to the Semantic Web is an ontology of a domain. To address interoperability challenges associated to cost estimating previous studies are yet to consider ontologies based on detailed measurement standards for building works. This study develops ontology for detailed measurement of building construction works. A design science research approach was employed for the study, appropriate tools and BIM software systems were identified and based on that, a methontology was used to develop the ontology based on the Building and Engineering Standard Method of Measurement 4 (BESMM4). BESMM4 is the Nigerian Standard Method of Measurement that provides fundamental guidance on the detailed measurement and description of building works. To make sure the ontology is fit for purpose, a descriptive logic-based reasoner was used to syntactically check the ontology while a 4D BIM modelling software (Navisworks) was used on a case study building to verify the proposed ontology.