 BoQ Full Form | What Is BoQ | BoQ Meaning | Bill of Quantities Example | Bill of Quantity |

Boq Format

BoQ Full Form | What Is BoQ | BoQ Meaning | Bill of

Quantities Example | Bill of Quantity | BoQ Format 9 min
read
By Bhushan Mahajan
 Post Contents
 What Is BoQ?
 What Is BoQ Meaning?
 Types of BoQ In Construction
o 1. Bill of Materials
o 2. Bill of Labor
 Purpose of Preparing Bill of Quantity (BOQ)
 Format of Bill of Quantity
 Process or Elements of Preparing Bill of Quantity (Boq)
o 1) Estimating Quantity of Material
o 2) Finding Out Unit Rate For Various Item of Work
 Example of Bill of Quantity (Boq) for Construction Excel Sheet
 Advantages of Bill of Quantity
o 1. It Provides Details of Work
o 2.  It Offers Evaluation and Comparison Opportunity
o 3. Helps in Defecting Problem Before Work Starts
o 4. Better Project Planning
o 5. Provide Advanced Time to Find Good Suppliers
o 6. No Guesswork:
o 7.  It an Efficient Tool for Limiting the Time Frame
o 8. It Helps in Reducing Construction Cost
o 9. Better Project Management Tool
o 10. Transparency
 Watch Video: How to Prepare Bill of Quantity (BBQ) Excel Sheet
 FAQs
o Q.1 How to calculate Steel?
o Q.2 What are Bill of Quantities?
o Q.3 What is the purpose of Bill of Quantity?
o Q.4 What is the meaning of BOQ in tender?

What Is BoQ?
BoQ means a bill of quantity is a document prepared by a
cost estimator to calculate the exact costing of project work by multiplying item work by
their rate. It is the most important document for tendering and contracting. Bill
of quantity gives an idea about the cost of a project that is tendering firm willing to offer.

This information is important for them to fill a higher or lower rate with respect to their rate

while contracting. It is popularly known as BOQ.

What Is BoQ Meaning?

BoQ means “Bill of Quantity” is a document prepared by a cost estimator to calculate the
exact costing of project work by multiplying item work by their rate. It is the
most important document for tendering and contracting

Types of BoQ in Construction

Types of Bill of Quantities (BOQ) in Construction is given below,

1. Bill of Materials

In this document, only material costing is estimated from the material quantity and their unit

rate. For example, the Cement quantity is 400 bags for the project and its rate per bag is 300
Rs. So, its estimated cost will be,

= 400 x 300 = 12000 Rs.

2. Bill of Labor

In this document, only labor costing is estimated from labor quantity and their per day rate.

For example, if 5 labors required to complete any work in 2 days on-site and their per
day wages are 400 Rs, then the cost of labor will be,

= 5 x Rs .400 x 2 days = 4000 Rs.

Read More: Estimation Of A Building With Plan

Purpose of Preparing Bill of Quantity (BOQ)

1. It is useful in cost planning before tendering process.
2. Tendering – BOQ with empty unit rate is given to contractors or bidders. They fill rate
as per there cost and bidder with lowest cost is announced winner. (also based on other
qualification criteria).
3. It provides basic idea to investor about costing of project. 
4. It provides a basis for valuation of variation. (Variation is to be discussed in detail).

Format of Bill of Quantity

Generally, the Bill of quantity is prepared in an excel sheet. There is also some bill
of quantities software like Pro core, Assemble, and Spectrum. But the format of the bill of
quantity is fixed even in software only difference is that software do auto
calculation and whereas in the excel sheet you have to use excel formulas to calculate.

BOQ format includes Sr. No, Description of an item of

work, Numbers, Quantity of material or labor, and Total Quantity with their suitable unit.  An
example of bill of quantity for construction excel sheet format is given below,
boq format
Process or Elements of Preparing Bill of Quantity (Boq)
1) Estimating Quantity of Material

Suppose, following is the bill of quantities sample for a house,

Item No. Item Description Quantity

1 Excavation in foundation 39.79 m³

2 Cement concrete in the foundation 11.33 m³

3 First-class brickwork up to plinth in C: M (1:3) 21.80 m³

4 Damp-proof course (1:2:4) above plinth walls 10.92 m²

5 Earth filling in plinth 14.81 m³

6 R.C.C. work for Slab (1:1.5:3) 4.23 m³

7 Brickwork for steps 0.216 m³

8 Mosaic tile for flooring 23.64 m²

9 Woodwork for doors and windows 19.74 m²

10 Smooth plaster on inside walls and ceiling 58.17 m²

11 Brickwork for parapet wall 200 thick 5.92 m³

Bill of Quantity
2) Finding Out Unit Rate for Various Item of Work

The unit rate for a different item of construction is given in SOR (Schedule of Rate). SOR is

a document which has a list of various item of work. It helps in
the preparation of estimates and also serves as a guide in setting
rates in connection with contract agreements, a schedule of rates for all items of work
is maintained in the form of printed books as Schedule of Rate(SOR).

The schedule of rates consists of a group of items such
as excavation items, concrete items, masonry items, demolition items, plumbing items, ele
ctrification items, etc. As the rate of items mentioned in the schedule of rates is likely to
vary, the SOR is periodically revised, usually after 3 years.

The Public Works Department (CPWD), a premier construction organization of

the government of India, maintains a printed schedule of rate books for various items of
work, and an estimate is prepared with these rates. This SOR contains a rate of about 2500
to 3000 items. In the CPWD – SOR the items are covered under different subheads like
building work, road work, water supply, and sanitary items, etc.

The rate of the finished item is worked out by the analysis of the rate with the standard

requirement of materials, labor, equipment, and necessary sundries like water
charges, contractors ‘profit, etc.

Sample of SOR Books and BOQ for civil works with rate 2021 is given below,
SOR Andhra Pradesh
Read More: Top 10 Civil Engineering Site Work
Example of Bill of Quantity (Boq) for Construction Excel Sheet
Bill of quantities example for construction calculation is given below,

BO
Q format Sample Sheet for Construction
Advantages of Bill of Quantity
Following are the major advantages of Bill of Quantity(BOQ)

1. It Provides Details of Work

In BOQ full details of an item of work is given with their quantity, which gives

the bidder a fair idea about project work.

2.  It Offers Evaluation and Comparison Opportunity

The details of all the items of work are specified in BOQ, which

will help in evaluating it thoroughly. It helps in tendering process with
the facility of comparing each contractor on the basis of each item. Hence we will get the
best deal.

3. Helps in Defecting Problem Before Work Starts

It includes full project work detail, which is useful to identify future problems. Thus we can

find future problems and search for a possible solution for those problems.

4. Better Project Planning

As we know planning the project is the most important task in that BOQ plays a very crucial

role in the planning of a project. In the bill of quantity items of work with
their quantities are listed, thus half of the work of the planner is already done. The
project planner only has to arrange resources and set the duration of
work completion, planning is done.
5. Provide Advanced Time to Find Good Suppliers

As we have the material quantity, we have plenty of time to identify the suppliers and

do negotiate with them. Ultimately, it will result in saving project costs.

6. No Guesswork:

Bill of quantity provides exact and real information and eliminates any kind

of guesswork. Guesswork is not recommended in project work. BOQ is necessary for the
smooth running of the project.

7.  It an Efficient Tool for Limiting the Time Frame

It becomes an essential and efficient tool in project management. As we know

the quantity of material so we will arrange it on time. Thus the project
works completely within the time limit.

8. It Helps in Reducing Construction Cost

The cost and Time of construction projects are extensively correlated to each other.  As

we complete the project in a given time period cost will reduce.

9. Better Project Management Tool

It is one of the proven best project management tools which offer ease for

the management when they are fully aware of the items/components, suppliers, time frame,
etc. 
10. Transparency

In BOQ every item of work and their quantity with rate are given, hence

everything automatically becomes transparent. There are no chances of corrupt practices.

FAQs
Q.1 How to calculate Steel?

1. Weight of bar in kg/meter should be calculated as (d2 ÷ 162) where‘d’ is the diameter of the
bar in mm.
2. ‘L‘ for column main steel in footing should be considered as a minimum of 30cm/as specified.
3. For bent up bar add 0.42d in a straight length of the bar where’d’ is the clear depth
of beam/slab.

Q.2 What are Bill of Quantities?

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ or BQ) is documentation established to define the quality and quantity

of works required to be carried out by the main contractor to complete a project. It is prepared by
a quantity surveyor or cost consultant.

Q.3 What is the purpose of Bill of Quantity?

Various Purpose of Bill of Quantity listed below:

1. It is useful in cost planning before tendering process.
2. Tendering- useful in passing important construction tenders.
3. It provides a basic idea to investors about cost of the project. 
4. It provides a basis for the valuation of variation.

Q.4 What is the meaning of BOQ in tender?

BOQ stands for Bill of Quantities in Tendering.  Bill of Quantity gives an idea about the cost of a
project that is tendering firm willing to offer. This information is important for them to fill a higher
or lower rate with respect to their rate while contracting.