Read the BOQ alongside drawings and exclusions. Check quantities, units, specifications and labour before comparing totals, and agree a clear approval process for extra work from the outset.
A single total is not enough
A bill of quantities, or BOQ, lists the quantities and prices within an agreed scope. It should show where the budget goes and relate clearly to the drawings, rather than offer a single unexplained total. Its detail should match the stage of the design.
Read these five columns together
| What to check | Questions worth asking |
|---|---|
| Item | Which drawing revision does it follow? Is preparation included? |
| Quantities and units | How is it measured—actual area or item count? |
| Specification | Which material, model, size or equivalent specification? |
| Pricing | Does it include labour, delivery and necessary equipment? |
| Note | Which prices are provisional, awaiting selection or excluded? |
Categories worth discussing in detail
Demolition, waste removal, levels, soil, drainage, access for equipment and protection of existing work all affect construction. If the site is not ready for inspection, state the assumptions and the later verification steps rather than omitting the uncertainty.
Specify agreed plant characteristics and the approval process before delivery to site. Items already included in unit rates should not be charged again in a separate category without explanation.
Additional work starts with a shared decision
When drawings change or new site conditions emerge, the team should propose additions or deductions, their price and schedule implications before the changed work begins. Record document revisions and approvals clearly. Corrections to the team's own errors should not be treated as client-requested extras.
Before site work: check these three documents
- Matching approved drawing revisions and dates
- A BOQ and clear inclusions and exclusions that refer to the same drawings
- Work plan, inspection stages and agreed deliverables
This article helps you prepare questions; it does not replace a project-specific agreement. Discuss any unclear terms before confirming work.
