Using construction estimating software makes the process of creating a bill of quantities easier and faster. It also helps to ensure that the list items and measurement units are correct.
A bill of quantities is a document that provides a detailed breakdown of the materials, components and labor required for a construction project. This helps contractors and project owners prepare quotes for the work to be carried out.
Detailed Estimating
A bill of quantities (or BoQ) is a detailed list of materials, components, and labor that will be needed to build the final construction project. It helps contractors determine pricing for the work, making the bidding process fairer and more accurate. It also allows project owners to forecast work and costs more accurately, helping them with their cash flow needs and ensuring that the construction is done within budget.
Using civil estimating software to prepare and produce a bill of quantities can make this entire process much easier and quicker than manual methods. This saves the cost consultant or quantity surveyor time which they can use to prepare more accurate estimates and tenders for their clients. This eliminates human error, favouritism and delays in the estimating process which can be costly to projects.
Construction estimating software can be used to easily create detailed estimates that are ready for tendering and that will automatically update as design changes occur. It is also useful for preparing takeoffs that can be imported directly into the estimate. This makes the entire estimating process more efficient and allows for the preparation of higher quality estimates that can be used to win more projects.
There are many different types of construction estimating software available on the market, each with their own benefits and features. Some are more simple than others, while some have a wider range of functions and features. It is important to choose a software that meets your specific needs and that offers support and training to help you get the most out of it.
Time Savings
Using quantity surveying software can make it easier to prepare a Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for construction projects. It can also save time by streamlining workflows for cost estimating, takeoff, and project tracking. When selecting a Bill of Quantities software solution, businesses should consider their current workflows and users to identify potential inefficiencies. They should also determine the specific functionalities needed to streamline these workflows.
A BoQ is a document that lists the materials, labour, and equipment required for a construction project. It is prepared by a QS and provided to contractors for pricing, helping owners control costs. It also ensures that all tenderers are bidding on the same scope of work and can compare prices.
When evaluating a Bill of Quantities software solution, consider its integration and collaboration features. Many tools offer takeoff functionality that integrates with estimating and BIM software, making the process of preparing estimates and submitting quotes faster. Some of these products also feature a library of pre-built assemblies and items, simplifying the takeoff process. They also offer automation techniques, like auto-count and area measurement, to save time.
Additionally, many software solutions provide the option to export count data, dimensions, and summaries directly into estimating and BIM tools. This saves valuable time and eliminates errors in manual entry. They also allow for multiple users to access the same database and collaborate in real-time.
Accurate Pricing
Once the quantities are quantified, bidding contractors can price the work based on accurate figures. This allows for a fairer comparison between contractors. It also saves time in comparing bids, which would otherwise have to be manually calculated and analysed. It also helps ensure that the contractor is pricing the project correctly and will not run over budget.
Using a bill of quantities software can help with accuracy by making it easier to measure and record the required amounts of material. It can also reduce re-measuring costs by storing information in a database, which is then instantly updated when new measurements are entered. Some software offers a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) interface, meaning that you can see your data on screen as you are adding it, speeding up the process. It also provides item description libraries that can reduce re-measurement time by providing consistent, accurate rates and descriptions of items.
A bill of quantities is normally prepared by a quantity surveyor, who can be employed by the engineering firm responsible for the design or by a cost consultancy company. Quantity surveyors have the advantage of being neutral and impartial, so that when the project goes to tender they can assess the competing contractor’s quotations on a rate for rate basis. This helps ensure that the contract sum is awarded fairly to the most competitive contractor.
Tender Adjudication
As well as reducing favouritism, human error and speeding up the estimating process, a Bill of Quantities also acts as a framework around which contractors can offer their services at competitive prices. This ensures cost overruns can be contained and that each trade knows the parameters within which they can operate.
When tendering, a quantity surveyor can use a Bill of Quantities to compare the bids submitted by competing contractors. This makes it easier to assess whether or not the quantities and prices quoted are valid, allowing a contractor to make a decision that will be best for their project.
The graphical display of the information in a Bill of Quantities can also help a contractor understand the different components that make up a project and their respective costs. This can highlight where price peaks occur and help to identify where a contract could be more economical. It can also allow a contractor to quickly assess what items of work are essential and what are deemed non-essential, helping them to negotiate the most cost effective deal for their project.
A Bill of Quantities is a tender document used in the construction industry to estimate building and civil engineering works. It provides the scope of work required on a project and contains details of the proposed works measured from drawings in accordance with a specified measurement code. It may include alternative and contingent items as well.