What is a BOQ? Know this to avoid being scammed!!

Did you know? A BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is crucial in the home construction process. It demonstrates the contractor’s sincerity and provides a detailed explanation of material quantities, costs, and labor expenses to the client. Pacharakrit Property Co., Ltd. will explain and clarify this for everyone. First, let’s understand what a BOQ is, how important it is, and how to calculate it. Let’s go!

What is a BOQ?

The Home Builders Association explains that BOQ stands for Bill of Quantities, which means a list of materials and expenses. This document must be issued by the house designer or construction contractor. It details the categories of work to be done in the construction project, the details of what materials will be used, the quantity, the price, and the labor costs for material handling.

Note: The table above is just a hypothetical example BOQ.

The Importance of a BOQ:

1. It can be used when applying for bank loans.
2. It can be used to compare market prices.
3. It can be used to inspect the work and material standards.

How to Calculate a BOQ?

Normally, the designer or construction contractor is required to calculate a BOQ. However, for small projects from subcontractors, they may not know what a BOQ is, or if you want to calculate the costs yourself. Today, the admin is sharing a calculation method.

Categorizing the Work
First, categorize the work or separate construction projects into groups, such as site preparation, surface work, structural work, roofing, ceiling work, wall work, doors and windows, painting, electrical work, plumbing, sanitary ware, interior decoration, and exterior decoration, etc.
Measuring the Area
The area should primarily be measured in meters or square meters, as these are standard units used for purchasing construction materials. This will simplify procurement, sourcing, and calculation.
Price Survey
It’s advisable to compare prices from large suppliers, as they can provide quotations based on your needs, saving you time checking prices yourself. However, if this isn’t convenient, using online stores is a much easier and more convenient option.
Agreeing on the Price
Initially, you can easily calculate the cost of materials by taking the quantity of materials x the price per unit = the total cost of materials needed. Labor costs, however, are more complex to calculate as each contractor charges differently, and there’s no fixed standard. The following are preliminary estimates:
For small or simple projects, use a price list not exceeding 50 baht per unit.
For medium or general projects, use a price list not exceeding 120 baht per unit.
For large or difficult projects, use a price list not exceeding 500–1,000 baht per unit.

It’s clear that even without expertise in construction or materials, you can still calculate a preliminary BOQ. However, remember that the BOQ prices shown may not always be the final prices, as actual work may encounter problems requiring adjustments, changes in materials, or additions/deletions.

Pacharakrit Property Co., Ltd. is a leading real estate investment consulting firm specializing in sale and leaseback, mortgages, and loan applications, trusted by numerous organizations and individuals. If you are interested in having us as your trusted partner, providing ongoing guidance and support, please contact us.