News & Learning
Charismak Editorial Desk•Nigeria
LearningBOQ basics
A bill of quantities explained for homeowners
What descriptions, units, quantities, rates and assumptions mean—and why an early cost plan is not a final contract price.
By Charismak Editorial Desk15 August 20266 min read
Section 01
What a BOQ does
A bill of quantities organises construction work into measurable descriptions. It gives contractors a common basis for pricing and gives the client a clearer way to review where the money is expected to go.
Section 02
Read the five basic parts
Most items can be understood through the item code, description, unit, quantity and rate. The amount is normally the bill quantity multiplied by the selected rate.
- •Description: exactly what work or material is included.
- •Unit: how the work is measured, such as m, m², m³, kg or number.
- •Quantity: the measured amount.
- •Rate: the price per unit.
- •Amount: quantity multiplied by rate.
Section 03
Do not ignore assumptions
A BOQ can only reflect the documents and information used to prepare it. Drawing revisions, specification changes, ground conditions and market changes can affect the final cost. Keep assumptions and exclusions beside the bill.