What is a bill of quantities?
A bill of quantities, usually called a BOQ, is an itemised list of everything a project needs, broken down into line items. Each line says what the item is, how it is measured (the unit) and how much is needed (the quantity). Once rates are added, each line also carries a price, and the lines add up to the project cost.
Think of it as a very detailed shopping list for a construction, MEP or solar project. Instead of one lump-sum price, the BOQ shows where the money goes, item by item.
In many tenders, the client or consultant prepares the BOQ with the quantities filled in. Each contractor then adds rates to every line and returns it as their bid. Because everyone prices the same list, the bids can be compared fairly.
A simple example to understand it
Meet Neha, an estimator at a solar EPC in Hyderabad. She prepares a BOQ for a 10 kW rooftop system. The structure of it is simple:
| Item | Unit | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Solar modules, as per specification | Nos | 20 |
| Grid-tie inverter, 10 kW | Nos | 1 |
| Module mounting structure | Set | 1 |
| DC cable | Metre | 120 |
| AC cable | Metre | 40 |
| Earthing kit | Set | 1 |
| Installation, testing and commissioning | Lump sum | 1 |
The numbers are only an example. Neha then adds a rate to each line, multiplies by the quantity and totals the amounts. If a client later asks why the quote is higher than another, she can point to specific lines.
Parts of a BOQ
- Item number and description. What the work or material is, with enough detail to price it.
- Unit. How it is measured, such as numbers, metres, square metres or lump sum.
- Quantity. How much is needed.
- Rate. The price per unit, added by the contractor.
- Amount. Quantity multiplied by rate.
- Total. The sum of all amounts, usually with taxes shown separately.
BOQ vs BOM vs estimate vs quote
| Document | What it is | Prices included? |
|---|---|---|
| BOQ | A list of work items and quantities, used for tendering and cost control | Added by the contractor |
| Bill of materials (BOM) | A list of parts needed to make or build a product | Usually not |
| Cost estimate | An approximate cost prepared before the work | Yes, approximate |
| Quotation | A price offered to the client, often built from a BOQ | Yes, firm |
How a BOQ is prepared
- Understand the scope. Read the drawings and the scope of work.
- Survey the site. A site survey shows the real conditions, such as cable runs and roof area.
- List the items. Break the work into line items in a sensible order.
- Measure the quantities. Take them from drawings and the survey, and add a sensible allowance for waste.
- Add rates. Use current supplier prices and labour costs.
- Check and total. Look for missed items and arithmetic errors.
Common mistakes with BOQs
- Missing items. A forgotten line becomes a loss when the work is done.
- Wrong units. Metres and feet, or numbers and sets, create large errors.
- Copying an old BOQ. Every site is different, so reusing without checking leads to wrong quantities.
- No allowance for waste. Cable, tiles and pipe are always cut and lost.
- Not tracking against the BOQ. If you never compare actual spend with the BOQ, you only find the overrun at the end.
How ZEP360 handles BOQs
In ZEP360, a BOQ is generated from a saved template in ZEP Projects, so you do not rebuild it from scratch for each job. The quotation in ZEP Sales is built from the survey data, and once the job is won, ZEP Projects tracks budget against actual by category. Material requests from the project flow to ZEP Inventory, so stores and procurement can see what the BOQ needs. That way the BOQ is not a document that gets filed away. It is the plan the project is measured against.
Related terms
Scope of Work · Cost Estimate · Quotation · Site Survey · Job Costing · Purchase Order
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BOQ stand for?
BOQ stands for bill of quantities. It is a document listing the work items and materials for a project, with units and quantities, used to price a project and compare bids. It is not the same as a bill of materials, which lists parts for making a product.
What is the difference between a BOQ and a BOM?
A BOQ lists work items and quantities for a construction or installation project, and is used for tendering and cost control. A BOM lists the parts needed to manufacture or assemble a product. A BOQ often includes labour and services, while a BOM focuses on parts.
Who prepares a BOQ?
On large projects, a quantity surveyor or consultant prepares it for the client. On smaller jobs, the contractor's estimator prepares it from drawings and a site visit. Either way, the person preparing it should understand the work well enough to avoid missing items.
What is a priced BOQ?
A priced BOQ has rates and amounts filled in. An unpriced BOQ has only descriptions, units and quantities. Clients often issue an unpriced BOQ, and each bidding contractor returns a priced one.
How accurate does a BOQ need to be?
Accurate enough that the total is reliable, with every item included and sensible allowances for waste. For tenders, the quantities are often fixed and contractors price them as given. For your own estimates, check quantities against drawings and the site survey.
Can a BOQ change during a project?
Yes. If the scope changes, the BOQ is updated, and the price changes with it. Keep a record of what changed and why, and get approval before extra work begins.
