Firm bill of quantities
A bill of quantities (BoQ) is a document prepared by a cost consultant 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. A bill of quantities is issued to tenderers for them to prepare a price for carrying out the works.
The more precisely the work in a bill of quantities can be measured and described (i.e. the ‘firmer’ it is) the more accurate tenderers’ prices should be, the easier it will be to control costs and the fewer variations will be necessary. The process of identifying elements of construction works that can be measured and priced is known as 'taking off'.
A firm bill of quantities can be prepared when the design is complete, a detailed specification has been prepared and quantities can be accurately calculated. If there were no changes to the project requirements following the preparation of a firm bill of quantities, then the tenderer’s priced bill of quantities would be the same as the final cost of the contract. In practice of course there are always changes.
Where it is not possible to prepare a firm bill of quantities at the time of tendering, an approximate bill of quantities (or notional bill of quantities) might be prepared. This might be necessary, 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.
Approximate bills of quantities can also be used during the design process as a tool for controlling design development.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Advantages of a bill of quantities.
- Approximate bill of quantities.
- Approximate bill of quantities vs approximate quantities cost plan.
- Approximate cost plan.
- Approximate quantities.
- Bill of quantities.
- Bill of quantities software.
- Common mistakes in bill of quantities.
- Cost plans.
- How to take off construction works.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Priced bill of quantities.
- Quantity surveyor.
- Taking off.
- Types of bill of quantities.
- Working up construction works.
Featured articles and news
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?
Share your knowledge with the industry.
Create an account and write the first of many articles.
The green jobs delivery group.
CIAT commentary after the first meeting.
Liverpool's world heritage site status
Who is to blame?
Research recommends focussing on portfolio success rather than project success.
ICE and BSI launch revised PAS 128 standard.
The revised standard for mapping underground utilities.
Launching the UK net zero carbon buildings standard.
Cross-industry steering group seeks support in delivery.
How to write an inspection and test plan.
Help us update process pieces from your field.
APM report explores existing practice.
Previous reflections on mental health with CIAT.
COVID-19 and the importance of mental wellbeing.
IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS
As Professionally Qualified Person (PQP).
The Queens speech; bill by bill for 2022.
In order of relevance and with industry responses.
Mental Health awareness week, May 9-15.
Raising awareness of the impacts of loneliness.
Rapidly renewable materials and construction.
The list is growing, and in more ways than one.
Personal experiences of infrastructure maintenance issues.
We shouldn’t build new, If we can’t maintain what's built.
Mass timber: challenges and potential solutions.
Timber Accelerator Hub phase 1 report