What is BOQ or Bill of Quantities?
BOQ is a document that gives detailed information on the items, quantities and prices for construction activity. Design consultants for industrial project provide a BOQ as a part of the tender for issue to pre-qualified contractors.
Why do design consultants for industrial project prepare a BOQ?
Design consultants prepare a BOQ in an industrial project for the following purposes:
- To standardise the tender
- To arrive at the cost of the project
- It helps the client to plan the finances
- It enables the Client or Project Management Consultants to check the contractors’ bills.
What does the BOQ include?
The bill of Quantities typically includes;
- Description of item: It consists of each item required for a particular work, with the technical specifications and benchmarked product.
- Unit of Quantity: The BOQ provides the standard unit for each item.
- Quantity: The quantity for each item is there against each item.
- Unit Price: When the BOQ is a part of the tender, this contractor fills this part. When it is a part of the cost estimate, the design consultants’ team fills it out.
- Approved makes: The design consultants give a set of approved makes as a part of the tender BOQ. This list helps the contractor understand the project.
- Summary: this gives an overview of each section of the BOQ. The summary also provides the total cost of the tender.
What level of detail should the BOQ have?
- By System: Industrial projects have multiple disciplines, like civil, MEP, IBMS, and HVAC.
- Specifications: Each item should have detailed technical specifications like dimensions, critical dimensions, and other relevant technical details.
- Chapters based on special works like steelwork, plastering, finishes, flooring etc.
- Quantities: The quantity of items is a critical part of a BOQ. Design consultants must provide accurate and comprehensive quantities.
- Other costs: Industrial projects often have additional costs like permits, inspections, testing, and commissioning.
However, the design consultants must ensure the BOQ has sufficient information for the bidder to quote. But at the same time, it must not be too complicated.
Difference between BOQ and cost estimate
The BOQ is a document that quantifies the work, whereas the cost estimate provides the cost of the BOQ and the project cost.
Conclusion
The design consultants for industrial project must ensure the BOQ has the clarity for the bidder to quote. It is an essential part of an industrial project design.
