What is a Bill Of Quantity (BOQ)?

What is a Bill Of Quantity (BOQ)?

A Bill of Quantities, or BOQ, is a document that lists every material and labour item needed for a construction project, with the quantity of each measured out, ready to be priced. Builders and subcontractors price against it when tendering for a job, and it lets you compare several quotes on exactly the same scope.

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What does BOQ stand for?

BOQ stands for Bill of Quantities. You will also see it written as bill of quantity or, less commonly, BQ.

What's actually in a BOQ

A BOQ is organised trade by trade, using the same structure as a full construction cost estimate. Each line lists a description of the work, the quantity, and the unit of measurement, for example square metres of brickwork, linear metres of skirting, or an item allowance for a shower screen.

The difference between a BOQ and a priced estimate is what happens next. An estimate has a rate and a dollar amount against every line. A BOQ, in its unpriced form, stops at the quantity, so a builder or subcontractor can apply their own rates and send back a price. Here's what that actually looks like in practice, taken from a real (anonymised) job:

Trade 7, Structural Timber, sample lines:

• Pine H3 Structural Framing MGP12, 90x35mm external wall frame, 33.00m

• Smartframe H3 300x45mm L/M SL30045H3, 234.00m

• LVL E13 Hyspan 130x45mm L/M, 9.00m

• Estimate for roof trusses, 219.00 est m2

No rates, no dollar figures. Just the exact quantities a builder needs to price against. See the full sample Bill of Quantities, 21 trades, 26 pages, laid out exactly as we deliver it to clients.

The Australian Standard Method of Measurement

In Australia, BOQs are prepared to the Australian Standard Method of Measurement (ASMM), a standard jointly developed by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) and Master Builders Australia. The ASMM sets out how items should be described and measured, so a BOQ prepared by one estimator can be understood and priced the same way by any builder or subcontractor.

This matters because a BOQ that does not follow a consistent measurement standard cannot reliably do its job. If one trade's linear metres are measured differently to another's, the quotes that come back will not be comparable, which defeats the purpose of preparing a BOQ in the first place.

When do I need a Bill of Quantities?

You need a BOQ whenever a project is complex enough that comparing quotes on gut feel is not good enough. In practice, that covers most builds beyond the smallest renovations:

• Tendering a job out to multiple builders or subcontractors, where you need every quote pricing the same scope

• Applying for bank or lender funding, where a structured cost breakdown is usually required

• Any project where scope gaps or missed items would be expensive to discover on site

• Larger residential, commercial or civil projects, where the number of trades makes an informal quote comparison unreliable

Our guide on when you should hire a construction estimator covers the broader question of timing in more detail.

Full BOQ or abbreviated BOQ?

Not every project needs the same level of detail. In Australia, BOQs are generally prepared in two forms:

• Full BOQ, a complete, ASMM compliant measurement, typically used for larger residential, commercial or high value projects where multiple stakeholders, such as banks, QSs or multiple tenderers, need a fully compliant document.

• Abbreviated BOQ, a simplified version used for smaller residential or lower value projects, where the priority is a clear, usable cost and scope breakdown rather full compliance with every measurement convention.

We will advise which format suits your project once we understand its scope and purpose.

Who prepares a Bill of Quantities?

A Bill of Quantities is usually prepared by a quantity surveyor or an experienced construction estimator. A quantity surveyor typically has a university qualification specialising in construction. What matters just as much as the qualification is whether the person preparing it has actually built something, because a BOQ prepared without site experience is more likely to miss the practical items that only show up once work starts.

At Estimating Australia, BOQs are prepared or reviewed by Peter Irvin, who has worked as a builder and project manager as well as an estimator across more than 30 years in residential, commercial and civil construction in Australia. That combination, formal measurement discipline plus real site experience, is what separates a BOQ that looks complete from one that actually is.

Bill of Quantities vs Bill of Materials

These two documents are often confused. A Bill of Quantities lists items at a combined labour-and-materials rate, priced or unpriced depending on the stage. A Bill of Materials lists every individual material component required, without labour.

For example, a BOQ will list "internal door, supply and install" as a single line. A Bill of Materials would break that same door down into the door leaf, the frame, the hinges, the handle and the architrave as separate material items. A BOQ is what you need for tendering and cost comparison. A Bill of Materials is closer to a procurement or ordering list.

Bill of Quantities vs a building estimate

A BOQ and a building estimate are closely related but not the same document. Our guide on Bill of Quantities vs Building Estimate covers the full difference, but in short: an estimate gives you a total likely cost. A BOQ itemises every quantity so several parties can price the same scope independently, which is what makes it the stronger tool for comparing quotes.

How is a Bill of Quantities prepared?

A BOQ is prepared by measuring the architectural and structural drawings, trade by trade, using purpose-built takeoff software. Once every quantity is measured, the items are compiled into trade sections, in the same structure shown in the sample above, ready to be priced by the client, or priced by us as part of a full construction cost estimate.

Our dedicated Bill of Quantities service covers the full process, from drawings through to a delivered BOQ. If you only need the measured quantities without pricing attached, our construction takeoff service may be the better fit, see our guide on takeoff vs estimate vs BOQ if you are not sure which one you need.

Bill of Quantities, common questions

What does BOQ stand for? Bill of Quantities.

Is a BOQ legally required in Australia? No, a BOQ is not a legal requirement for most projects, but it is standard practice for tendering, bank funding and any project where comparing quotes accurately matters. See our guide on how accurate estimates protect your project budget.

What is the difference between a BOQ and a Bill of Materials? A BOQ lists items at a combined labour and materials rate. A Bill of Materials lists individual material components without labour, closer to a procurement list than a pricing document.

Can I use a BOQ to compare builder quotes? Yes, this is one of the main reasons to prepare one. Issuing the same BOQ to several builders or subcontractors means every quote is priced against exactly the same scope, so the numbers can be compared directly.

How long does it take to prepare a BOQ? It depends on the size and complexity of the project and the completeness of the drawings supplied. Priority turnaround is available for urgent tenders, typically 24 to 48 hours for eligible projects, for an additional fee.

Do I need a full BOQ or would an estimate be enough? If you only need a total likely cost, an estimate may be sufficient. If you need to issue the same scope to multiple builders or subcontractors for comparable pricing, a BOQ is the stronger tool. See our comparison of Bill of Quantities vs Building Estimate for more detail.

Need a Bill of Quantities?

The team at Estimating Australia prepares BOQs to the Australian Standard Method of Measurement, reviewed by an estimator with real building experience, not just a measurement qualification. We service Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and the rest of Australia, fully online.

Get in touch and send us your plans