A bill of quantities program is a vital tool in construction projects. It helps to minimize risk, streamlines project operations and facilitates the calculation of payment applications.
A BoQ is normally prepared by a cost consultant or quantity surveyor and provided to tenderers so that they can price for carrying out the work. Increasingly, contractors are using estimating software to prepare their BoQs.
Budgeting
A bill of quantities, commonly known as a BoQ, is an extensive summation of the materials needed to carry out construction work. It is usually prepared by a cost consultant or QS and issued to tendering contractors for pricing purposes. It can also be used for post-tender work such as material scheduling, construction planning and cost analysis.
Manual estimating can be a time consuming and expensive process, but using a BoQ software program can streamline the entire estimation process. It can also be updated throughout the design phase to reflect new measurements and other variations. The software can also help with budgeting, which is an essential part of the construction project management process.
Our software allows users to import existing BoQ data or add items manually. Its intuitive graphical user interface makes it easy to work on screen, and items are automatically grouped into different sections for effective costing and scheduling. The software can also be used to prepare detailed reports including Gantt charts, costs, schedules, quantities and profit analysis.
The software has a vast library of intelligent practical BIM products with manufacturer product information and can be easily customised for individual projects. It is a complete construction software solution that helps you win profitable jobs by showing you the impact of your design and specification decisions on cost and energy performance. It gives you 3D photo-realistic rendering, regularly updated estimating rates and automatic production of working drawings, Gantt charts, costs, schedules, prices, quantities, profit analysis and an Elemental BoQ or Work section BoQ.
Scheduling
A bill of quantities is a detailed list of the precise construction work needed for a project. It is used during the tendering process to enable contractors to prepare their prices for the work. The bill of quantities is generally based on a standard work breakdown structure such as CSI MasterFormat and is compiled by quantity surveyors. It also includes a detailed schedule of rates and an estimated contract sum. It is widely used for material scheduling, construction planning and cost analysis.
Both a Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and a Schedule of Works (SoW) can be effective tools for managing construction projects, but it is important to understand their distinct features before choosing which one is best for your project. Choosing the right document will have a significant impact on the client’s understanding and experience of the project. It will also influence the amount of variation control that is possible, and the level of price certainty.
A BoQ is more effective on complex projects, where the design is fully detailed and there is a good understanding of the required activities. However, it is often less appropriate for smaller schemes and for clients who may struggle with a detailed BoQ. In these situations, an approximate or notional BoQ could be used, but this will result in a larger number of variations during construction and less price certainty at the investment decision stage.
Invoicing
A Bill of Quantities is a standard document used to define the quality and quantity of work required by contractors on construction projects. The document is used for material scheduling, construction planning and cost analysis. It is also used to prepare tenders and assess pricing against competing contractor offers. It is generally prepared by a quantity surveyor and issued as part of the tendering process. The document identifies the measured quantities of works as identified on project drawings and specifications.
The Bill of Quantities can be broken down into different categories to improve the efficiency of estimating and bidding. This helps to reduce errors, which may occur due to misinterpretation and arithmetic mistakes. It can also help to avoid duplication of work, and make it easier for contractors to submit accurate bids. A bill of quantities is a useful tool for project owners, as it gives them an overview of the scope of work on the project and allows them to predict future cash flow requirements.
Streamline your design and estimating processes by using the new buildingWorks cloud-based BIM software. Its intuitive interface enables users to import BOQ data quickly and easily, or create a detailed one within the software itself. The program also enables items to be intuitively grouped by sections and sub-sections for easy costing and scheduling. It can also be used to track purchase information, allowing users to monitor and control project costs at all times.
Accounting
Using software to prepare a bill of quantities (BoQ) makes it easier and faster for cost consultants and QS to estimate, present and analyze costs. It also reduces errors caused by manually measuring items of work. A software program can be based on a WYSIWYG interface, allowing users to input data directly from plans and drawings. It can also be divided into different levels of sub-grouping, enabling users to create a document focusing on specific areas of a project. It can also support the calculation and agreement of variations during construction.
Typically, on large projects the cost consultant or QS prepares a detailed, estimated bill of quantities that is then used to tender to contractors. This bill of quantities includes measured quantities for all items of work identified on the tender documents, such as drawings and specifications. The tenderers then quote prices against this document, ensuring that they are bidding on the same scope of works and materials.
The prepared BoQ can be easily analyzed and compared to other bids by the project owner. This helps to ensure that all bids are on the same level of labor and materials, which makes it easier for them to select a contractor. It can also help the project owner anticipate cash flow needs for the duration of the contract.