A bill of quantities is a cost estimate of the work required to complete a construction project. It includes itemised labour, parts and materials.
It helps to improve the efficiency of the construction process by reducing misinterpretation and ambiguity through omissions. It also facilitates tendering and procurement and serves as a basis for valuation of variation.
Costs
During the preparation of a construction project, one of the most common questions asked is “How much will it cost?” The answer can be found in a document known as a Bill of Quantities (BoQ), which lists the total materials required to complete the architect’s design. It is typically prepared by a quantity surveyor or civil engineer who has expertise in estimating the amount of material required for a project.
A BoQ spreadsheet is used to calculate the total costs of a construction project. This includes both fixed and variable costs. To make a BoQ, begin by creating two tables and assigning unit prices to each item. Then, multiply the quantities of each item by the unit price to calculate the total cost. Finally, add 15% to the total to allow for wastages and other expenses.
Another way to calculate the cost of production is by using the cost per unit sheet. This is a simple Excel template that includes a table for listing the fixed costs, a table for listing the variable costs, and a table where you can input the number of units produced. The formula in cell K5 multiplies the total cost by the number of units to get the cost per unit.
While Excel can be used to prepare a bill of quantities, it is not the best option for large projects or projects with multiple stages and subcontractors. A specialised construction estimating software is often preferred for large-scale projects, as it provides more automation and features.
Item Numbers
A bill of quantities is a complete list of the materials and components needed to create a product. It includes part numbers, descriptions, and quantities for each item. It is also accompanied by an estimated cost and supplier information. This data is used to prepare a quote for the project. It is often prepared by a quantity surveyor or civil engineer who has experience with estimating construction materials. It is usually created in conjunction with the architect’s design.
The process of preparing a bill of quantities can be complicated and time-consuming. It requires careful attention to detail and double-checking to ensure that no mistakes are made. This helps to avoid disputes or delays. It also helps to prevent overruns and underruns by providing contractors with accurate estimates.
The most common way to make a BoQ is using Excel spreadsheets. The software provides accessibility, flexibility, and calculating abilities for managing inventories, costs, and production planning. However, it may have limitations for large-scale operations with complex procedures, and the manual data input can lead to errors. To avoid these issues, it is important to analyze the unique demands of your business and take specialized software into consideration. This will help to streamline your administration and eliminate omissions and discrepancies. It will also make it easier for you to update and disseminate changes to the entire document.
Quantity Required
A bill of quantities (BoQ) is a detailed list of materials and labour required for a construction project. It serves as the basis for estimating, procurement, and tendering. It also provides a foundation for valuing variations or changes to the project scope.
You can make a BoQ by reviewing the drawings and specifications to determine the number of items needed for the project. Then, add a description of each item, a unit of measurement and the quantity. You can also assign a cost to each item based on prices from suppliers or past projects. Finally, sum the costs of all items to get a total cost estimate for the entire project.
To prepare a bill of quantities, it is important to organize it into work sections that reflect the different areas of a project. For example, a concrete slab might be included in one work section, while drywall might be another. It’s also important to consider any potential waste that may occur during the construction process.
A good way to organize a BoQ is by creating a table of contents that links to the corresponding tabs. This will help contractors navigate the document easily. It will also reduce the likelihood of error and miscommunication. Additionally, it will allow you to use a spreadsheet that can calculate the price of each item automatically.
Total Cost
A bill of quantities, also known as a BOQ, is documentation established to define the quality and quantity of works required to deliver a construction project. It is usually prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant and used in the cost planning process. It is also useful in facilitating tendering and procurement, and for valuing variations to the scope of work.
When preparing a BOM, you can use a number of tools to get the most accurate result possible. One of the most common tools is a spreadsheet program such as Excel. This type of tool is easy to use and offers a variety of features that make it ideal for inventory management, cost estimation, and production planning. Excel also provides flexible frameworks for arranging data and formatting it. In addition, it can help you streamline calculations and analysis by allowing you to add columns, apply formulae, and highlight important information using conditional formatting.
However, it is important to evaluate the unique demands of a specific project before choosing a BOM software solution. For example, a BOM that contains complex procedures might be better served by more specialized software than a spreadsheet. Jones Melling can advise on the most suitable solution for your requirements.