A bill of quantities (BOQ) is documentation that itemises everything that’s required to complete a construction project. It’s usually prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant.
It’s best to use a standard methodology, like the RICS NRM2 system, for preparing bills of quantities. That reduces the risk of errors and misunderstandings.
Cost
When it comes to preparing cost estimates, the Bill of Quantities is a crucial document. It combines calculated material quantities with specific unit rates, and it is used by contractors to prepare their bids. This document also helps contractors compare their proposals against each other. In addition, it helps them identify if any items have been missed or underestimated. Moreover, it is vital for the quality of a construction project.
A bill of quantities is prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant and contains an ordered structure of measurement data organised according to the various work sections necessary to complete a construction project as defined in its specifications. It also includes an itemised breakdown of the costs for materials and labour, and calculates the total amount needed to achieve the project scope as described in the design drawings and specifications.
This data is then used by contractors to submit their rate quotes for the project. This allows the owner to evaluate each contractor’s proposal and select one that meets their budgetary needs. The BOQ also makes it easy for the contractor to understand the project requirements, and the information in the BOQ can be easily incorporated into a schedule of works.
However, a BOQ should be prepared to a standard methodology that is recognized by everyone involved in the project. This reduces the risk of ambiguities, omissions, or misunderstandings, and ensures that competitive tenderers price on the same basis.
Materials
During the construction process, the bill of quantities is used to provide a consistent and understandable framework that allows all tenderers to price out the scope accurately. It also reduces waste in time, money and materials. It is a key document that links separate stages of the project – from design through to contractor selection, tendering and project completion.
A bill of quantities is created from a takeoff of the project drawings and designs to identify the work that needs to be constructed. Then a list of materials is created that includes the specifications, quantity and unit of measurement for each item of work required. This list is then used to create a top-level estimate. It is often used to prepare a schedule of values which can be referenced when the contract is in force.
The bill of quantities is then used as the basis for tendering and comparing quotes from contractors to select the best value. It is also used when estimating variations and providing a basis for valuations on interim payments or payment plans.
The best way to create a bill of quantities is with software designed specifically for construction estimating, such as ConQuest. This type of software enables teams to build accurate estimates quickly and collaboratively in a cloud environment. It also provides access to prices for over 10 million items and has a comprehensive library of specifications.
Labor
The bill of quantities itemizes the quantity and cost of labor required to carry out a construction project. It is generally prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant. It is useful in cost planning and tendering, and can help pass important construction projects. The document is also useful in tracking construction progress.
The earliest part of a bill of quantities is the product list, which includes the type and quantity of each product. It can include specifications, drawings, and other information about the materials needed for a particular work section. This can be a valuable resource for specialty contractors, as it gives them the information they need to bid on a job. The next step is to identify the unit of measurement. This is usually cubic meters, but may be in other units of measure. The items are then listed in a table. For example, all concrete-related items will be ordered together under the “Concrete” column. This helps the contractor compare pricing and makes it easier to see if the estimate is correct.
The cost of labor is calculated from the day rates of the workers and the number of days required to complete the work. A percentage mark-up is added for overheads and profit. There is a section in most bills of quantities where the contractor can set their own daily rates.
Subcontractor Packages
A bill of quantities is a comprehensive pricing document that lists the specific materials and labor required to complete construction projects. It is typically prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant, and it is an integral part of the tender process for large construction projects. In this post, we will walk you through how to prepare a bill of quantities, and also provide a free template that you can use for your next project.
In order to prepare a bill of quantities, a detailed quantity survey or materials takeoff has to be completed. This is often done by a professional Quantity Surveyor (QS) who may be employed by the client or by the specialist contractors. The takeoff data is then used to create a bill of quantities by putting items into work packages that are likely to be subcontracted out. This allows the QS to obtain more accurate prices from subcontractors by avoiding having to quote over and over for individual products or works.
Once the Bill of Quantities is finalized, it becomes the central point of reference for the request for bids that are issued by the owner to the construction contractors. This gives the contractor the confidence that they are bidding on all the labor and material requirements of the project, and that any variations in quotes will be able to be compared quickly and easily.