What a usable line looks like
Compare two descriptions of the same wardrobe. Line A: “Wardrobe — 1 no. — ₹1,85,000.” Line B: “Wardrobe, 8 ft × 7 ft, carcass 19 mm BWP ply to IS 710, shutters 18 mm HDHMR with 1 mm laminate both faces, 2 mm PVC edge banding all edges, Hettich Sensys soft-close hinges (4 per shutter), two internal drawers on Hettich full-extension runners, 56 sq ft @ ₹2,350 = ₹1,31,600.” Only the second can be checked, compared or measured. Both may be the same wardrobe; only one is a BOQ.
The six columns
| Column | What it must state |
|---|---|
| Description | The item, with dimensions |
| Specification | Materials, grades, brands, models |
| Quantity | Measured, not estimated |
| Unit | Sq ft, running ft, no., point, lump sum |
| Rate | Per unit, ex-GST |
| Amount | Quantity × rate, and it must actually multiply |
Where money hides
- Unstated units. A wardrobe at ₹2,350 per sq ft — of elevation, or of shutter area? The difference is 30%.
- Unnamed brands. “Branded hardware” permits anything.
- Provisional sums that are not labelled as such.
- Exclusions in the footnote — electrical, painting, civil work and transport are the usual four.
- Rounded quantities that do not match the drawing.
BOQ versus quotation
A quotation is a commercial offer to do work for a price. A BOQ is the schedule that explains what that price buys. A good quotation contains a BOQ; a bad one contains a total. Ask for both, in a spreadsheet rather than a PDF, so that two vendors can be placed side by side on the same rows. Our guide to reading a quotation shows how, and the downloads page has a comparison sheet. See also our pricing approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is a BOQ the same as an estimate?+
No. An estimate is an approximate total, often built from rates per sq ft of carpet area. A BOQ is a measured schedule of actual items. An estimate is fine at concept stage; only a BOQ should form part of a contract.
Should a BOQ name brands?+
Yes, for every board, hardware item, appliance and finish, with a model where relevant. "Or equivalent" is acceptable only if the substitution needs your written approval — otherwise it is a blank cheque written in your favour and cashed in someone else's.
Who prepares the BOQ?+
The designer or the contractor, depending on the procurement route. In a design-and-build project the same firm does both, which is faster but means the BOQ is not independent. Ask for it early, and ask for it in an editable format.
Can a BOQ change during the project?+
Yes, through priced variation orders agreed in writing before the work is done. What should not change is the rate for an item already in the BOQ. Final measurement against the BOQ is what settles the account at the end.