Methods of Bill of Quantity | BOQ Meaning

The bill of quantities (BOQ) is a form of tender document which sets out the quantities and descriptions of the items of labor, material, and plant required to erect and complete a building or other works in a systematic manner.





BOQ meaning The principles use of the bill of quantities is to obtain competitive tenders and for this purpose bills of quantities should be prepared to a recognized Method of Measurements to standardize the bills. We have a perfect article published a long time ago.



First of all, you must read about the Function of a Bill of Quantity



The final preparation of bills of quantities for building work by the traditional method is given below. Traditional abstract and billing This is the main method of producing bills of quantities and for this type of billing the work is taken off then squared and checked. The taking off is then transferred/ written onto abstract sheets/ dimension paper than checked again.

boq meaning Cut and Shuffle The cut and shuffle method is a semi-mechanical method of producing bills of quantities that help to save time with abstracting and billing. For this method, the paperwork is taken off using cut and shuffled into the correct order (trade or element), which can then be used to collate a draft bill that can be checked again until the final bill is produced.



This is the main method of producing bills of quantities and for this type of billing the work is taken off then squared and checked. The taking off is then transferred/ written onto abstract sheets/ dimension paper than checked again.The cut and shuffle method is a semi-mechanical method of producing bills of quantities that help to save time with abstracting and billing. For this method, the paperwork is taken off using cut and shuffled into the correct order (trade or element), which can then be used to collate a draft bill that can be checked again until the final bill is produced. The `cut and shuffle' system of bill preparation operates as follows:



(a) The taking-off is carried out to the same procedures as described above.but the dimensions are entered on special `cut and shuffle' paper. Each sheet comprises a white original and a yellow carbon copy and is ruled in such a manner that it forms three separate small dimension sheets, which are commonly referred to as `slips'.



Each `slip' should be numbered, and have the job number stamped on the top. Taking-off then proceeds in the usual manner, except that a separate `slip' must be used for each individual item.



(b) When the taking-off is completed, or in the case of a large job, substantial sections are completed, the dimensions on each `slip' are squared and checked.



(c) The person who carries out the taking off retains the yellow carbon copy as a record, but the white original sheets are cut into three separate `slips', each containing one item or part of an item.



(d) The `slips' are shuffled, or sorted, into sections, such as Earthworks, Drainage, Concrete, etc., similar items are collected and stapled together, and the whole of the slips placed, as near as possible, in bill order.

The `cut and shuffle' system of bill preparation operates as follows:(a) The taking-off is carried out to the same procedures as described above.but the dimensions are entered on special `cut and shuffle' paper. Each sheet comprises a white original and a yellow carbon copy and is ruled in such a manner that it forms three separate small dimension sheets, which are commonly referred to as `slips'.Each `slip' should be numbered, and have the job number stamped on the top. Taking-off then proceeds in the usual manner, except that a separate `slip' must be used for each individual item.(b) When the taking-off is completed, or in the case of a large job, substantial sections are completed, the dimensions on each `slip' are squared and checked.(c) The person who carries out the taking off retains the yellow carbon copy as a record, but the white original sheets are cut into three separate `slips', each containing one item or part of an item.(d) The `slips' are shuffled, or sorted, into sections, such as Earthworks, Drainage, Concrete, etc., similar items are collected and stapled together, and the whole of the slips placed, as near as possible, in bill order.

Direct Billing



Computer System This process can be used either for a full or particular process for producing bills of quantities.





Process of preparing Bill of Quantity

1) Taking off

2) Working up

3) Writing the BOQ

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(e) The slips are then edited to form the preliminary draft bill, with further slips inserted as necessary to provide headings. The correct unit is entered in the box provided on each slip, or on the top slip where a number of similar items are stapled together.(f) The total quantity for each item is calculated and inserted in the box provided on the slip. This process must be independently checked and ticked in red ink or ball pen.(g) Once completed, these slips are attached together in bill order by a treasury tag from the draft bill, and can be passed directly for typing onto billing paper.(h) The typed bill must be closely checked with the draft to ensure that all descriptions, quantities and units have been transferred correctly.(i) As a final check, the cut slips should be counted and compared to the yellow carbon copy sheet to ensure that all slips are accounted for. Although this system takes a long time during the taking-off stage owing to the need to write descriptions out in full, the time saved in the bill preparation process means a considerable reduction in overall time spent on pre-contract measurement.This method of bill preparation can be used for all projects, but is best suited to large complex jobs where there are a large number of similar items. Used correctly, it can result in great savings in time in the bill preparation process, as it omits both the abstracting and billing stages.This method of bill production is produced directly from the take-off, without the need to abstract and bill or cut and shuffle. The work is taken off as usual then squared and checked but the dimensions and their quantities are reduced and only checked on the taking of sheets. The draft bill is then written directly from the reduced dimension sheets.This involves the measurement of dimensions, scaled or read from drawings, and entered in a recognized form of specially ruled paper, called dimension paper.The term working up is applying to all the subsequent operations collectively and consists of the following process.(a). Squaring the dimensions and entering the resultant lengths, areas, and volumes in the third or squaring column on the dimension paper.(b). Transferring the squared dimensions to the abstract where they are written in a recognized order, ready for billing, under the appropriate work section headings, and are subsequently totaled and reduced to the recognized units of billing, preparatory to transfer to the bill.(c). In the bills of quantities, the various items of work which together make up the complete bill are listed under the appropriate work section headings, with descriptions printed in full and quantities given in the recognized units of measurement, as laid down in the SMM(SL). The bill also contains rate and price columns for pricing by contractors when tendering for the project.The draft bill is written directly from the abstract.Read more article>>>