Unpriced bill of quantities
A bill of quantities (BoQ) is an important document prepared by a quantity surveyor (or cost consultant) which itemises the type, form and amount of material that will be required on a project, including quantities of labour and other items. Quantities may be measured in number, length, area, volume, weight or time and are known as ‘measured quantities’.
A BoQ may be priced, in that prices are given by suppliers for each item. The sort of considerations that might be considered when pricing work include current costs of materials, machinery hire and transport, wages, overhead expenses associated with administration and so on.
In contrast, an ‘unpriced bill’ is a BoQ that is essentially a template: it breaks down the work required on a project into exact tasks but has no measured quantity (or price) by each task. The information is arranged into a form that is suitable for direct pricing by a supplier, describing the individual items to be priced and the numbers, amounts or quantities of each required for the project.
It is up to the company tendering for the project to insert against each task what it will charge the client to complete that task. This priced bill of quantities constitutes the tenderer's offer. It is the unpriced bill of quantities, but with the tenderer’s rates, costs and totals added.
The preparation, by the client’s consultants, of an unpriced bill of quantities means all tendering contractors will be pricing the same quantities (rather than taking-off quantities from the drawings and specifications themselves), and so provides a fair and accurate system for tendering. It also makes it 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.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approximate bill of quantities.
- Approximate quantities.
- Bill of quantities.
- Bill of quantities breakdown structures.
- Bill of quantities software.
- Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS).
- Common mistakes in bill of quantities.
- Comparison of SMM7 with NRM2.
- Elemental bill of quantities.
- Firm bill of quantities.
- How to take off construction works.
- Measurement.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- NRM1.
- NRM2.
- NRM3.
- Standard Method of Measurement (SMM7).
- Taking off.
- Tender documentation.
- Tender pricing document.
- Uniclass.
- Working up construction works.
- Work package bill of quantities.
- Work section bill of quantities.
Featured articles and news
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.