USING A BILL OF QUANTITIES

Discover why this practical method of costing your building project is an effective way to keep a tighter control of your budget and prevent overspending

- TIM PHILLIPS Is a quantity surveyor and runs Quantiv.uk, with over 30 years of experience across the commercial and residential sector. @timphillips71

One of the most common questions homeowners have when they want to carry out a self-build, renovation or extension is how to correctly estimate the project and keep costs down. In my opinion, it’s now more important than ever to get a firm grip on your building budget from the start, since the costs of materials and labour may change over time. That's when a Bill of Quantities (BQ) is very important.

As a quantity surveyor (QS), I produce lots of BQs throughout the year for clients. A Bill of Quantities is a 'control document' that lists all quantities of materials and labour as an item that will be required to successfully complete a building project. They are increasingly common for domestic/residential projects these days. Most importantly, it brings together the quantities to units of cost, which means you and your builder have a clear way of tendering the project, establishing a contract sum to go into your chosen contract and also using it as a valuation tool throughout the project to keep track of costs during the build.

When there is a lot of uncertainty, a BQ can provide clarity for individuals doing a major home renovation or self-build. It lowers the possibility of issues with builders, helps avoid unforeseen costs and enables you to compare comparable quotations throughout the tendering process. To put it briefly, it’s a professional tool that gives your budget rigour and your build confidence.

We'll look at what goes into a Bill of Quantities, when and how it's utilised, and the benefits it offers to residential projects of all sizes. Knowing how a BQ operates could be the best first move you make, whether you're building your dream house from the ground up or expanding and renovating a period Victorian terraced house.

WHAT'S IN A BILL OF QUANTITIES?