Construction projects go over budget for many reasons, but one of the most common and most avoidable is a poorly structured tender process. When contractors are pricing from different assumptions, comparing quotes becomes guesswork. That’s precisely the problem a bill of quantities is designed to solve. Despite being one of the most established documents in the UK construction industry, the bill of quantities is still underused on smaller projects. Many homeowners and even some developers have never worked with one. This article explains what it is, what it includes, and why getting one prepared could be one of the smartest decisions you make before a project goes out to tender. What Is a Bill of Quantities? A bill of quantities often referred to as a BOQ is a comprehensive document that lists every item of work required to complete a construction project. Each item is measured, described, and priced. The document is prepared by a quantity surveyor and issued to contractors as par...