A bill of quantities is a precise breakdown of the parts and labour needed to complete a construction project. It’s used by quantity surveyors and architects. It helps with cost estimating and project overruns. It also helps with budgetary control and material ordering.
A good bill of quantities is prepared to a standard methodology which is recognised by everyone involved in the construction process. This reduces ambiguities and misunderstandings.
Taking off
Taking off is the process of identifying and measuring elements of construction works that can be priced. It is normally carried out by quantity surveyors and produced using drawings and specifications provided by the design team. The result is a bill of quantities, which is usually used for tendering purposes. It is often presented in a spreadsheet format to maintain the right focus on each element of work. It also includes a list of items, which is a useful tool for contractors to use as they are building the project.
The resulting document is a comprehensive and detailed pricing schedule that is used to evaluate tenderers’ offers. It contains project connected calculated amounts for the resources, components and manual labour required for a project and is generally prepared by a cost consultant. It is typically a reflection of the work abstracted from the designs and is produced to a standard method of measurement, such as NRM2.
A well-prepared bill of quantities can help reduce unwanted rework, waste, and expenses for both the contractor and client. It can make the bidding process more efficient and accurate by providing thorough itemisation, reducing omissions, and eliminating discrepancies. It can also help with the cost control of the project by enabling the contractor to compare initial estimates with progress during construction and identify scope gaps.
Measurements
A bill of quantities (BoQ) is a document prepared by a quantity surveyor or cost consultant using the architect’s/designer’s drawings and documents as a base to measure, quantify and prepare pricing for construction works. It provides a full description of the work to be performed and includes specifications, dimensions, unit measurements, quantities, and prices. It is a very useful tool for estimating and tendering construction projects.
A BoQ is a comprehensive breakdown of all the materials required for a construction project. It is prepared from the point of view of a quantity surveyor and it contains all the relevant data including; measurements taken off drawings, description of the work, quantities, specification references and supplier contract details. It can also include a contingency sum.
During the process of preparing a BoQ, it is important to use standard methods and avoid errors. These may include inaccuracies in measurements, double counting items, incorrect assumptions, and ignoring changes in currency or units.
Generally, BoQs are used on large scale projects. However, they can be used on smaller projects as well. On small projects, a Schedule of Works is more commonly used. Schedules of Work are a series of instructions that give suppliers information about the significant works and materials needed to complete the project. However, they are not as detailed as a BoQ.
Work breakdown structure
A bill of quantities is a useful tool for construction projects to identify the amount of materials and labour required to complete a project. It also makes it easier to track progress. Using a bill of quantities will reduce the chance of disputes between contractors and clients, especially on larger projects where multiple subcontractors may be employed.
Bills of Quantities are usually prepared by a quantity surveyor or engineer from information supplied by the design team, including drawings and specifications. They can take different forms but most follow formal templates that are accepted within the industry. The most common bill of quantities structure is an elemental one where each item is classified as a single product or work. These are then grouped together to form work sections that reflect likely sub-contract packages for the supplier to quote against.
This format is a popular choice as it makes the document more accessible and less intimidating to the contractor. It also allows the contractor to quickly see if they can save money by altering the material specification or working method. The disadvantages of this format is that it can be time consuming and requires a lot of attention to detail. Excel spreadsheets do not highlight mistakes so it is important that all the measurements and descriptions are carefully reviewed before sending to the contractor to avoid any disputes.
Pricing
Using a bill of quantities template can help save time and money. It also makes it easier to track progress and make sure your project stays on schedule. Whether you’re working on a small renovation or a large construction project, this template can help you avoid costly mistakes and get the job done right.
The creation of a BoQ is usually undertaken in the pre-construction phase and involves a process known as ‘taking off’ which identifies elements of construction work that can be measured and priced. It is prepared in a standard format and follows a set of rules outlined by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. These rules can vary across national systems but most have a clear and common basis. It is also important that the listing of costs are presented in a way that is easily understood by suppliers, for example the listing should include/exclude items such as professional fees, insurance, planning costs, nation tax charges and contingencies.
A well-prepared BQ will eliminate ambiguity, omissions and disputes. It will also ensure that all tenders are pricing on the same basis. It is generally accepted that a priced BoQ takes precedence over the drawings and specification contract and that any changes made to the BoQ must be reflected in the supply price. This will prevent any misunderstandings in tender adjudication and lead to happier clients.