Bill of Quantities

Precision Measurement for Accurate Project Pricing

Enhance your tendering process with KJM Ltd's professional Bill of Quantities services. Our meticulously prepared BOQs provide the foundation for accurate pricing, fair comparison of tenders, and effective cost control throughout your construction project.

What Is a Bill of Quantities?

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is a comprehensive document that precisely quantifies all materials, labour, and plant required for a construction project. Unlike general specifications or schedules of work, a professionally prepared BOQ breaks down every element into measurable items with standardised descriptions, units, and quantities.

Key Features of Our BOQs:

  • Detailed measurement of all construction elements

  • Industry-standard formatting using NRM2/SMM7 conventions

  • Clear item descriptions and specifications

  • Accurate quantity calculations

  • Logical work section organisation

  • Digital and print-ready formats

The Strategic Advantages of Professional BOQs

For Contractors & Subcontractors

  • Efficient Pricing Process – Focus on rates rather than quantity take-offs, reducing tendering costs

  • Reduced Estimating Risk – Rely on professional measurements rather than estimator assumptions

  • Fair Competition – Compete on efficiency and value rather than quantity interpretation

  • Clear Scope Definition – Understand precisely what is required with detailed item descriptions

  • Cash Flow Protection – Use the BOQ as the agreed basis for payment applications

For Project Owners & Developers

Accurate Budget Forecasting – Gain confidence in project viability with precise cost projections

  • Comparable Tender Returns – Evaluate contractors on a like-for-like basis with standardised pricing documents

  • Reduced Variation Risk – Minimise unexpected costs with comprehensive scope definition

  • Simplified Payment Management – Use BOQ as the basis for interim valuations and payment applications

  • Enhanced Project Control – Track actual vs. budgeted costs throughout the project lifecycle

Levels of Detail to Suit Your Project

Elemental BOQ

Ideal for early-stage cost planning and budget setting, our Elemental BOQs provide quantities organised by building elements (foundations, walls, roofs, etc.), offering a strategic view of cost distribution.

Trade BOQ

Organised by trade (groundworks, brickwork, carpentry, etc.), our Trade BOQs facilitate efficient tendering to specialist contractors and subcontractors while maintaining overall project coordination.

Detailed BOQ

Our comprehensive Detailed BOQs break down every aspect of construction into precisely measured items, providing the ultimate foundation for accurate pricing and cost control.

Activity Schedule BOQ

For NEC contracts and programme-driven projects, our Activity Schedule BOQs align quantities with project activities, enhancing schedule integration and progress monitoring.

Formats to Suit Your Workflow

  • Editable Spreadsheets – Excel-based BOQs for flexibility and ease of use

  • CATO/CESM Format – Industry-standard electronic formats compatible with estimating software

  • PDF Documents – Secure, print-ready documents with professional formatting

  • Building Information Model Integration – 5D BIM capability linking quantities to model elements

The KJM Advantage

Technical Excellence

With 18 years of industry experience, our measurement specialists combine technical precision with practical understanding of construction methods. Our team stays current with measurement standards and best practices, ensuring your BOQs reflect industry conventions.

Value-Added Measurement

Beyond basic quantities, our BOQs incorporate:

  • Risk identification flags for uncertain elements

  • Alternative specification options where appropriate

  • Strategic item grouping to optimise contractor pricing

  • Market-aware item descriptions that attract competitive rates

Continuous Support

Our service doesn't end with BOQ delivery. We provide ongoing support throughout the tendering process and beyond, including:

  • Contractor query response

  • Tender return analysis

  • BOQ-based interim valuation preparation

  • Variation pricing support

Frequently Asked Questions

  • While a Schedule of Works provides a general description of required activities, a Bill of Quantities offers precise measurement of each element. This shifts risk away from contractors (who would otherwise need to estimate quantities themselves) and ensures all tenders are based on identical quantities.

  • Ideally, a BOQ should be prepared when design information is reasonably complete – typically at RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design). However, we can prepare preliminary BOQs at earlier stages to support budget setting, with appropriate qualifications.

  • Timeframes vary based on project complexity and information availability. For a typical residential project, allow 1-2 weeks; for larger commercial projects, 2-4 weeks is common. We can accommodate urgent requirements through our resource planning.

  • Yes, we offer BOQ revision services to accommodate design developments. Our digital measurement processes make updates efficient, allowing rapid recalculation of affected quantities.