Read the summary first
Read the BOQ alongside the drawings and the exclusions. Check that quantities, units, specs and labour match before comparing totals, and ask for a clear process for approving extra work from the start.
Read the BOQ alongside the drawings and the exclusions. Check that quantities, units, specs and labour match before comparing totals, and ask for a clear process for approving extra work from the start.
A single total does not tell you enough
A BOQ is a list of quantities and prices for the agreed scope of work. A good one shows where the money goes and can be checked against the drawings, rather than giving one big total on a single line. The level of detail should match how far the design has progressed at that point.
Read all five columns together
| Fields we check | Questions worth asking |
|---|---|
| Items | Which version of the drawings does it match, and is there preparation work before installation? |
| Quantity and unit | What is it measured by, actual area or number of pieces? |
| Specs | What are the materials, models, sizes, or the criteria for an equivalent? |
| Pricing | Does it include labour, transport and the equipment needed? |
| Note | What is a provisional price, still to be chosen, or not included |
Categories that usually need a detailed talk
Demolition and removal, levelling, soil, drainage, access for equipment and protecting what is already there all affect how the work is done. If the site cannot be inspected yet, state the assumptions and when they will be checked. Do not let the uncertainty disappear from the paperwork.
Trees should have their agreed specifications written down and be approved before they come to site. Items already included in a unit price should not be charged again under another heading without an explanation.
Extra work should come from a decision made together
When the design changes or a new condition turns up, have the team propose the additions or reductions, with the price and the effect on the schedule, before starting the changed part. Keep clear document version numbers and a record of who approved what. Fixing the team's own mistakes should never be counted as extra work for the client.
Before starting on site, check three documents
- The approved drawing set, with matching dates
- The BOQ and its included/excluded items refer to the same set of drawings
- Work plan, inspection stages and the agreed handover list
This article is a guide to preparing questions for the job. It does not replace the agreement for a specific project. If a condition is still unclear, talk it through before confirming.
