Bill of Quantities (BoQ) are an important document in the construction process. A well-drafted BOQ will identify all the necessary materials and labour costs for a project.
It’s generally prepared by quantity surveyors before tendering for a construction project. Our team of building quantity surveyors are familiar with all types of projects and can formulate an effective BOQ for you.
What is a Bill of Quantities?
Bills of Quantities (BoQs) are an essential part of any construction project. They support accurate cost estimation, bidding and pricing as well as fair and transparent procurement processes.
BoQs are prepared by quantity surveyors and building estimators using a process known as “taking off” measurements from a construction drawing or engineering drawings and then scaling them up to produce a document that can be used by contractors for pricing. They also include a breakdown of labour and plant requirements, an explanation of how the work is to be completed and other information.
Typically, they are organised by product/work (Work Sections). This is because different parts of a project require different contractors and sub-contractors to complete them. For example, concrete contractors assess concrete quantities, form workers estimate foundations and steelwork, electrical contractors calculate cabling requirements etc. It is often necessary to break down a project into these categories to ensure that a contractor can submit a competitive tender.
There are many types of BoQs including elemental, trade, activity, annotated and provisional. They are used in a variety of circumstances to reduce tender documentation periods, provide an estimate prior to selecting a contractor or to deal with variations to the work.
What is the purpose of a Bill of Quantities?
A Bill of Quantities (BoQ) is a comprehensive pricing document that provides tenderers with the information they need to price and submit a fair and accurate tender. The BoQ is drawn-up by the quantity surveyor (employer’s consultant) using construction information provided by the design team – this includes the drawings, specifications and other documentation.
The BoQ is compiled by listing the items required for each component of the project and indicating their quantities, along with the unit prices for each item. This is a complex task that requires time and attention to detail. It is best completed by experienced quantity surveyors or cost consultants who use specialised software to measure the project.
Once the BoQ is prepared, it can be used to compare contractor proposals. It will allow the owner to see which bids include all of the work shown on the plans, and to select the most competitive one.
The BoQ can also be used as a reference throughout the lifecycle of the project. It can be used as a base for the preparation of interim valuations, variations and the final account. It can also assist in the negotiation of contract sum with the successful tenderer. The BoQ can also be used as resourcing and benchmarking tool to help identify the correct materials and pricing for future projects.
How do I prepare a Bill of Quantities?
Often used in construction projects, a bill of quantities can be an effective tool for project managers to use. It helps ensure that materials and labor are accounted for, making it easier to forecast costs. It can also help make the bidding process more accurate for construction contractors, as they will have a clear understanding of what is required for each aspect of the work to be completed.
The construction design team will prepare a bill of quantities from the information provided on the drawings or plans. It’s usually a building quantity surveyor who does this, as they’ll have the skills and experience to do so accurately. Once the bill of quantities has been prepared, it’ll be used by the project owner in the request for tenders that they put out to construction contractors. It will be central to the pricing section of their bids, helping them determine which contractor they should award the contract to.
A standard bill of quantities template will include sections for plant, labour, and material costings. It will also typically include a provisional sums or risk allowance section. This is where risks that the project team wants to transfer to the contractor are listed, such as weather impacts, site delays and faulty workmanship or materials. These can be expensive to deal with, and so are added to the contractor’s final price.
Why should I use a Bill of Quantities?
A bill of quantities (BOQ) is an essential tool for any construction project. It can be used for tendering, as well as for preparing quotes for subcontractors and suppliers. It can also be used to identify potential cost savings. However, it’s important to note that a BOQ should always be prepared by an experienced quantity surveyor.
A quantity surveyor will examine the project drawings and specifications to identify work items and their associated costs. They will then prepare the BOQ using the elemental costing method – breaking down all of the different elements of work into their individual component parts and then estimating each one individually. This is done so that the contractor will be able to compare quotes and select the best option for the job.
The process of preparing a BOQ can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. However, the benefits of having a accurate and detailed BOQ are clear. It will ensure that your construction project is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. For example, if you have a problem with sourcing a particular material that is required for the flooring of your building, looking at your bill of quantities can help you determine whether to push ahead with the construction and sacrifice the flooring or find an alternative solution. This will save both time and money.