A bill of quantities (BOM) is a key document used to scope work for tendering contractors. When all tendering contractors are using the same BOM structure, it makes comparing quotes very simple.
Construction projects require a lot of labor and materials to execute. Our free template helps construction project managers and contractors know what to order and present their costs.
Product Description
A bill of quantities template is a document used to estimate the materials, parts, and labour needed for a construction project. It also includes descriptions and unit prices for each item. It is prepared based on the work scope, specifications, and drawings. It should include all the components that make up a finished product and be organized in logical groups. This is called a hierarchical structure and helps make the final product easier to understand.
Usually, the bill of quantities is prepared by the client’s quantity surveyor or cost consultant. The document contains the procedures for taking off, identifies elements of construction works, and then provides estimates for each item. It also has a schedule of rates which facilitates the valuation of variations.
When the contractor tenders, their pricing for each item is compared against the prescribed items to ensure that they are offering fair value. This prevents disputes between contractors and avoids cost overruns.
By using this template, contractors can obtain quotes more accurately. They can then choose the best supplier for the job without relying on guesswork and assumptions. It will save time, money and hassle for everyone involved in the project. Moreover, it will allow contractors to compare ’apples to apples’ so that they can easily determine which one offers better value for their money.
Product Variations
Identify all the materials, parts, equipment, and labour required for your project. Obtain prices for these items from suppliers and include them in the BoQ. Using the unit prices and quantities, estimate the total project cost. This is used to facilitate tendering, procurement, and payment for the project.
To make the BoQ more accurate, organize the items into logical groups or works packages. This will help contractors to price the work accurately. For example, concrete-related items can be grouped together into a single package. Then, the contractor can easily calculate their price for the whole package without needing to check other individual item groups.
The bill of quantities template is then sent to each of your tendering contractors so they can price the scope of the work. This makes it easy to compare ‘apples with apples’ and quickly find the best supplier for your project.
It also helps you to avoid disputes over pricing. This is because it ensures all contractors are on the same page about what is included and excluded from the scope of the project. It will also be easier to monitor progress and ensure the project is staying within budget. This is especially important when your construction project requires a lot of manual labor and/or heavy equipment.
Equipment and Tool List
If your project requires the construction of a physical product, you will need to create a list of all of the components required for production. This type of template is different from the others, as it focuses on the engineering needs of each component and their relationship to one another rather than their physical form. Creating this template involves listing each part number, description, quantity, units, and unit price in a simple spreadsheet. This will help you track your inventory, keep records of suppliers and stores, and manage the procurement process for a successful production cycle.
Construction projects are complicated, and estimating the materials needed for each stage can be challenging. Excel can be used to build accurate top-level estimates, but it is not designed to handle the large volumes of data or complexity involved in a larger project. Using Excel for this purpose also increases the chances of error, as it is difficult to cross-reference information and it does not highlight data input mistakes.
A better option is to use specialized software that is designed for construction estimating, such as Procore’s ConQuest. This easy-to-use software solves many of the problems faced by estimating teams that use Excel, and it allows you to work in a collaborative environment and choose from a library of 10 million items. It can even extract measurements for you, so you don’t have to spend time typing them in manually.
Bill of Materials
Just like a cook starts with a recipe and list of ingredients, manufacturers need a clear set of instructions and a document of the raw materials needed to produce their products. A well-designed bill of materials template makes it easy to document component details, estimate costs, plan production, and ensure inventory control.
A free BOM template is available in a number of file formats such as Excel, Word, and PDF. It can benefit teams involved in engineering, design, product management, operational planning, and manufacturing. This includes engineers and designers, procurement personnel, material planners, manufacturing resource planning (MRP) specialists, and those responsible for invoicing.
Another common use of a BOM is to help construction contractors bid for projects. Contractors need a clear understanding of the project requirements in order to submit competitive quotes and win jobs.
A BOM should include a detailed description of each material, component, and part along with their unit costs. It should also specify the metric or unit of measure used to identify each item. This helps to create consistency and avoid situations where different groups use varying measurement units. The spreadsheet should also provide a way to track revisions, which can be helpful for maintaining accurate documentation.