Bill of quantities BOQ - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 09:00, 18 August 2026

2026-08-18T09:00:40Z

Editor at 09:08, 14 August 2023

2023-08-14T09:08:30Z

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	= What is a bill of quantities? =		= What is a bill of quantities? =

Designing Buildings at 08:02, 19 December 2022

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	= What is a bill of quantities? =		= What is a bill of quantities? =

Designing Buildings at 08:00, 19 December 2022

2022-12-19T08:00:15Z

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Designing Buildings at 07:48, 19 December 2022

2022-12-19T07:48:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 19 December 2022
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−	= ~~Introduction~~ =	+	= What is a bill of quantities? =

−	~~The~~ bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as 'BoQ' or 'BQ') is a document prepared by ~~the~~ cost consultant (~~often~~ a quantity surveyor) that provides project specific measured quantities of the items ~~of work~~ identified ~~by the~~ drawings and specifications ~~in the tender documentation~~..	+	A bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as 'BoQ' or 'BQ') is a document generally prepared by a cost consultant (such as a quantity surveyor) that provides project-specific measured quantities of the items identified in drawings and specifications for a built asset such as a building. Preparing a bill of quantities requires that the design is complete and a specification has been prepared.

−	The quantities may be measured in number, length, area, volume, weight or time~~. Preparing a bill of quantities requires that the design is complete and a specification has been prepared~~.	+	The quantities listed in a bill of quantities may be measured in terms of number, length, area, volume, weight or time.

−	~~The bill of quantities~~ is ~~issued to tenderers for them to prepare~~ a ~~price for carrying out the works. The~~ bill of quantities assists tenderers in the calculation of construction costs for their tender, and, as it means all tendering contractors will be pricing the same quantities (rather than taking off quantities from the drawings and specifications themselves), it also provides a fair and accurate system for ~~tendering.~~	+	= What is a bill of quantities for? =

−	The ~~contractor~~ tenders against the bill of quantities, stating their price for each item. This priced bill of quantities constitutes the tenderer's offer. As the offer is built up of prescribed items, it is possible to compare both the overall price and individual items directly with other tenderers' offers, allowing a detailed assessment of which aspects of a tender may offer good or poor value. This information can assist with tender negotiations.	+	Bills of quantities are generally prepared as part of the tender documentation that is issued to prospective suppliers to obtain a price. The bill of quantities assists tenderers in the calculation of construction costs for their tender, and, as it means all tenders will be pricing the same quantities (rather than taking off quantities from the drawings and specifications themselves), it also provides a fair and accurate system for tendering, and a useful way of comparing tenders.
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		+	Suppliers tender against the bill of quantities, stating their price for each item. This priced bill of quantities constitutes the tenderer's offer. As the offer is built up of prescribed items, it is possible to compare both the overall price and individual items directly with other tenderers' offers, allowing a detailed assessment of which aspects of a tender may offer good or poor value. This information can assist with tender negotiations.

	The priced bill of quantities will also:		The priced bill of quantities will also:
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	* Provide a basis for the preparation of the final account.		* Provide a basis for the preparation of the final account.

−	~~See also~~: Advantages of a bill of quantities.	+	For more information see: Advantages of a bill of quantities.

	= Standards for bills of quantities =		= Standards for bills of quantities =

Designing Buildings at 13:10, 8 December 2022

2022-12-08T13:10:40Z

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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	The bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as 'BoQ' or 'BQ') is a document prepared by the cost consultant (often a quantity surveyor) that provides project specific measured quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in the tender documentation.	+	The bill of quantities (sometimes referred to as 'BoQ' or 'BQ') is a document prepared by the cost consultant (often a quantity surveyor) that provides project specific measured quantities of the items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in the tender documentation..

	The quantities may be measured in number, length, area, volume, weight or time. Preparing a bill of quantities requires that the design is complete and a specification has been prepared.		The quantities may be measured in number, length, area, volume, weight or time. Preparing a bill of quantities requires that the design is complete and a specification has been prepared.

Designing Buildings: Reverted edits by 124.82.49.85 (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

2022-08-17T06:37:56Z

Reverted edits by 124.82.49.85 (talk) to last revision by Designing Buildings

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	* Working up construction works.		* Working up construction works.

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124.82.49.85 at 01:18, 17 August 2022

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	* Working up construction works.		* Working up construction works.

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Designing Buildings at 10:36, 2 August 2022

2022-08-02T10:36:25Z

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	Approximate bills of quantities can also be used during the design process as a tool for controlling design. They are then sometimes included in the tender documents as a guide with a caveat stating that responsibility for measuring quantities lies with the contractor, and drawings and specifications take priority over any description in the approximate bills (see Approximate quantities cost plan).		Approximate bills of quantities can also be used during the design process as a tool for controlling design. They are then sometimes included in the tender documents as a guide with a caveat stating that responsibility for measuring quantities lies with the contractor, and drawings and specifications take priority over any description in the approximate bills (see Approximate quantities cost plan).
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−	~~{{:C_link_cta_setup\|BoQ template}}~~

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

Editor at 04:41, 25 April 2022

2022-04-25T04:41:13Z

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	{{:C_link_cta_setup\|BoQ template}}		{{:C_link_cta_setup\|BoQ template}}

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Advantages of a bill of quantities		* Advantages of a bill of quantities

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	= What is a bill of quantities? =		= What is a bill of quantities? =
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	It is very important that bills of quantities are prepared according to a standard methodology. This helps avoid any ambiguities or misunderstandings and so helps avoid disputes arising through different interpretations of what has been priced.		It is very important that bills of quantities are prepared according to a standard methodology. This helps avoid any ambiguities or misunderstandings and so helps avoid disputes arising through different interpretations of what has been priced.

−	In the UK, bills of quantities for general construction works were ~~until recently~~ most commonly prepared in accordance with the Standard Method of Measurement 7th Edition (SMM7). ~~However, the~~ New Rules of Measurement (NRM) became operative on 1 January 2013 and replaced SMM7 on ~~1st~~ July 2013. For more information see: New Rules of Measurement.	+	In the UK, bills of quantities for general construction works were for many years most commonly prepared in accordance with the Standard Method of Measurement 7th Edition (SMM7). The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) became operative on 1 January 2013 and formally replaced SMM7 on 1 July 2013, and the NRM suite (NRM1, NRM2 and NRM3) was itself updated in October 2021, and reissued as RICS practice information in October 2022. However, RICS has acknowledged that take-up of NRM2 has been limited in practice, and many practitioners continue to use SMM7 or firm-specific methods of measurement. For more information see: New Rules of Measurement.

−	SMM7 adopted the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS), a standard method for categorising works. This is also the categorisation of work that is used for the ~~[http://www.thenbs.com/products/nbsPreliminaries.asp~~ National Building Specification] (NBS). However, this system has undergone considerable change, with CAWS being incorporated into Uniclass (see Uniclass for more information). In addition, NRM has moved away from CAWS to adopt its own system of indexing (see NRM2 and BCIS elements for more information).	+	SMM7 adopted the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS), a standard method for categorising works. This is also the categorisation of work that is used for the National Building Specification (NBS). However, this system has undergone considerable change, with CAWS being incorporated into Uniclass (see Uniclass for more information). In addition, NRM has moved away from CAWS to adopt its own system of indexing (see NRM2 and BCIS elements for more information).

−	Other methods of measurement are used for civil engineering works, such as the Civil Engineering Method of Measurement currently in its 4th Edition (~~CESMM~~). For more information see: CESMM.	+	Other methods of measurement are used for civil engineering works, such as the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, currently in its 4th Edition (CESMM4). For more information see: CESMM.
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		+	Increasingly, cost consultants also report project costs using the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS), a global standard - now in its 3rd edition, ICMS 3, published in June 2022 by RICS together with over 49 partner organisations - for the consistent reporting of construction costs and, since ICMS 3, whole-life carbon emissions. ICMS is intended to sit alongside, rather than replace, national methods of measurement such as NRM, providing a common framework for international cost comparison and benchmarking.

	For more information, see: Bill of quantities breakdown structures.		For more information, see: Bill of quantities breakdown structures.
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	An approximate bill of quantities (or notional bill of quantities) can be used on projects where it is not possible to prepare a firm bill of quantities at the time of tendering, for example if the design is relatively complete, but exact quantities are not yet known. However, this will tend to result in more variations during construction and so less price certainty when the investment decision is made.		An approximate bill of quantities (or notional bill of quantities) can be used on projects where it is not possible to prepare a firm bill of quantities at the time of tendering, for example if the design is relatively complete, but exact quantities are not yet known. However, this will tend to result in more variations during construction and so less price certainty when the investment decision is made.

−	Some contracts ~~allows~~ for re-measurement of approximate quantities (for example, this is common on cut and fill on roadworks). Here, quantities are simply revised and payments made accordingly without the need to instruct a variation.	+	Some contracts allow for re-measurement of approximate quantities (for example, this is common on cut and fill on roadworks). Here, quantities are simply revised and payments made accordingly without the need to instruct a variation.

	If an approximate quantity turns out not to have been a realistic estimate of the quantity actually required, this may constitute a relevant event giving rise to claims for an extension of time and loss and expense.		If an approximate quantity turns out not to have been a realistic estimate of the quantity actually required, this may constitute a relevant event giving rise to claims for an extension of time and loss and expense.