BOQ Preparation Report
Introduction
The project will focus on preparing a comprehensive Bill of Quantities (BOQ) with regards to preparation of the pre relaxation and groundwork in accordance to the existing architectural and structural drawings assigned to the project. The primary job becomes to find, measure and document all the ground works activity, in a methodical manner required to create a site according to the method of Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement (ANZSMM). The big work one is an opportunity to construct an elaborate list of all that shall be dispatched, to create a query sheet to clarify or locate sacred materials that are missing in the drawings and lastly compute justification of extended quantities of every work item. The end outcome is the organised BOQ and this ensures the right and unchanging estimation of the project to be undertaken in future.
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Project Scope and Methodology
Preparation of a Bill of quantities (BOQ): a project should prepare pre-reduced quantities and groundworks of a group of buildings construction project. Prelims are concerned with most simple set up activities such as site clearance, construction of the temporary activities and protective measures, where main and ground works is concerned with excavation and disposition of the surplus materials, back fill, and disposal of excess wastes and setting up a surface, hardcore filling and deposition of damp proof membranes (DPM) (Soon et al. 2023). All these will be measured to enable appropriate planning, and further costing. This was systematic in methodology which was implemented with reference to Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement (ANZSMM). First to begin, I have made a list of the required take offs by identifying the corresponding take offs items within the project drawings and specifications. Quantities of measurement sheets were then used, using ANZSMM rules. The query sheet was designed to list down assumptions made out of unavailable information or vague information. Finally, the BOQ was compiled by calculating the fact that I will have numerous extensions, which is appropriately preambleed both with notes and by including meaningful trade preliminary items in such a way that BOQ may be considered complete and able to satisfy industry requirements.
Figure 1: BOQ Measurement (Source: Self-created)
Take-off Process
Referring to the provided architectural and structural drawings, the take-off list was established to separate all the needed objects of the groundworks in accordance with the ANZSMM (Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement in Building Works) (Oladimeji, 2021). This was to encourage standard practitioners of the measurement, such as site clearing, excavation and backfilling and DPM installation by matching each of the work items to its respective ANZSMM reference. Where the drawings lacked details (e.g., dimensions working space, depth of turf removal, and hardcore filling specification) reasonable estimates were presented as far as common industry practise and structural layout investigations were concerned. The site clearing area as an example consisting of a working area of 375mm around the building footprint and handcore fill was assumed to be 150 mm deep. These assumptions were appropriately noted down in the query sheet to be clarified in the future.
Table 1: Take of list(Source: Take off template)
| Item | ANZSMM reference |
|---|---|
| Site works, clearing the site (m) | 4.1.1.1 |
| Site works, turf and vegetable soil should be stockpiled | 4.1.1.4 |
| Surface excavation to reduced level (m³) | 4.1.2 |
| Pit Excavation for the Pad footing | 4.1.4 |
| Backfilling to footing excavations (m³) | 4.1.6 |
| Disposal for the surplus excavated materials (m³) | 4.1.7 |
| Surface preparation to reduced level excavation (m²) | 4.1.11.1 |
| Working space for the pad footings (m²) | 4.1.12 |
| Filling beds (m²) | 4.2.1.1 |
| Surface preparation hardcore fillings (m²) | 4.3.2.1 |
| DPM vertical (m²) | 4.3.2.3 |
Query Sheet Development
It was the query sheet that held an important role in determining the uncertainties and resolving the measurement procedure. This information that was usually missed was those that did not being addressed such as what area or distance will be used when making contravener reforms of the excess material, hardcore filling requirement and the nature of the amount of footing that will be put. Best assumptions conflicting with and among each other were individual questions put into consideration through standard industry practises and analysis of the structure drawing (Abbas & Al, 2024). A 375mm perimeter buffer to the building footprint may be analogyed to work out the area which would be cleared and it was assumed that the hardcore layer was 150 mm thick. These assumptions were set down in writing and thus made transparent, and resulted in the broadest possible minimisation of ambiguity and demonstrated a greater point of high accuracy and reliability in the final product; the BOQ.
Table 2: Query Sheet (Source: Self-created)
| Query | Answer |
|---|---|
| The area to be cleared from vegetable matter not clearly indicated in the drawings. | Assumed as 51m x 15m building footprint plus 375mm working space around perimeter = 51.38m x 15.38m = 790 m² |
| The distance to dispose surplus excavated material is not mentioned. | Assumed as offsite, 10km away from site |
| Details of hardcore filling not provided | Assumed that hardcore filling is 150mm thick, thoroughly consolidated and blinded with sand |
| Foundation types and quantities not clearly specified in architectural drawings | Based on structural foundation layout: F1(2nos), F2(6nos), F3(12nos), F4(8nos), F5(8nos) pad footings as per drawing ST-01 |
| Working space dimensions around footings not specified | Assumed 200mm working space around each footing for formwork and construction access |
| Tie beam excavation requirements unclear | Confirmed that TB1 tie beams (250×450mm) are above ground level - no excavation required for groundworks |
| Surface preparation depth after turf removal not indicated | Assumed 100mm depth reduction (150mm total less 50mm turf) |
| Backfill material specification not provided | Assumed backfilling with previously excavated suitable material, excess disposal offsite |
| DPM specifications and lap requirements | Assumed 0.2mm polythene sheet, 150mm laps, sealed with pressure sensitive tape, 300mm vertical turn-up |
| Building footprint dimensions verification needed | Confirmed as 51m x 15m based on grid layout analysis from architectural drawings |
| Hardcore Filling area, materials | Assuming crushed stones, gravel hardcore graded aggregate 40 mm down to dust, layer not exceeds 150 mm. area (50.55m x 14.55m = 736 m²) under floor slab only |
BOQ Preparation and Key Calculations
The BOQ was developed through a systematic process starting from the take-off list and query sheet. First, dimensions for each work item were determined using the project drawings, applying ANZSMM rules (Oladimeji, 2022). Extended quantities were calculated by multiplying length, width, and depth/height where applicable.
Key calculations included:
- Site Clearing Area: Assumed as 51.00 m × 15.00 m, resulting in 765 m².
- Surface Excavation Volume: Calculated using (51.38 m × 15.38 m × 0.10 m) = 79.02 m³ after turf removal.
- Pad Footing Excavation: Computed by individually calculating each footing type’s volume (e.g., F1: 2 × 2.5 × 2.5 × 0.45 = 5.63 m³), summing to approximately 50 m³.
- DPM Installation: Horizontal DPM calculated as (50.55 m × 14.55 m = 735.50 m²) and vertical as (2×50.55 + 2×14.55 = 130.20 m, then multiplied by depth).
These calculated quantities matched the final BOQ quantities, ensuring consistency and completeness in the document ready for project use.
The systematic process, which started on the take-off list and query sheet, formed the foundation basis on which the BOQ was constructed. Project drawings with the ANZSMM rules were initially attempted on the size of the project work items (Agyefi & Nani, 2025). The multiplication was done between length width and depth/height where need be in order to produce the extended quantities.
Figure 2: BOQ Preparation (Source: Template)
Key calculations included:
- Site Clearing Area: It was assumed to be 51.00 m x 15.00 m hence its overall area is 765 m².
- Volume of Surface Excavation: This is (51.38 m x 15.38 m x 0.10 m) = 79.02 m³ after the turf is removed.
- Pad Footing Excavation: The volume of each mission is calculated separately (e.g., F1: 2 x 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.45 = 5.63 m³) and summed to approximately 50 m³.
- DPM Installation: Horizontal (50.55 m x 14.55 m = 735.50 m²) and vertical (2x50.55 + 2x14.55).
These values were the same that eventually became the final BOQ values and therefore presenting the document as whole and consistent to be applied to the project.
Challenges and Solutions
The absence or insufficiency of clarity in the drawings, including absence of particular size of working space, DPM lap details and case of foundation was among the significant issues. As a solution to this, rational assumptions were taken into account which ran on industry standards and structural drawing (Abdullahi et al. 2021). To illustrate, the presumed working space in the area of footings was expected to be 200 mm, and the DPM requirements were obtained at polythene compound of 0.2 mm with the laps of 150 mm with a closed surface through the use of a tape. These assumptions were well noted in the query sheet and this brought about transparency. This methodology implied that this caused the measurement of all the items required to be consistent and the ultimate BOQ to be more comprehensive and that no differences will occur in their construction in the future.
Conclusion and Reflection
The project could bring an accurate and complete BOQ down to groundworks which conformed to ANZSMM requirements and reasonable assumptions. It clarified the importance of measurements found in the systematic procedure, formal documentation and rational provisions involved in civil engineering that contributed to proper measurement of quantity and improved one way communication in case of proper planning and financing of a project.
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Reference List
Journals
- Abbas, E. F., & Al-Zwainy, F. M. (2024). Automat bill of quantities for school buildings projects using BIM. Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences, 31(3), 125-142. Retrieved from: https://tj-es.com/ojs/index.php/tjes/article/view/1717 [Retrieved on: 05.09.2025]
- Abdullahi, A. M., Mohamed, S. F., & Misnan, M. S. (2021). BIM-BASED BILL OF QUANTITIES: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTION COST CONTROL. In Proceedings International Alumni Convention (p. 31). Retrieved from: ResearchGate Link [Retrieved on: 05.09.2025]
- Agyefi-Mensah, S., & Nani, G. (2025). Analysis of Historical BoQ data for Case-Based Reasoning in Preliminary Cost Estimating. African Journal of Applied Research, 11(3), 103-128. Retrieved from: https://ajaronline.com/index.php/AJAR/article/view/1160 [Retrieved on: 05.09.2025]
- Oladimeji, O. (2021). Evaluation of Unit Rates Bids of Common Building Items. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, 11(2), 145. Retrieved from: http://www.ppml.url.tw/EPPM_Journal/.https://www.newassignmenthelpaus.expert/ID_299_11_2_145_157.pdf
- Oladimeji, O. (2022). Evaluation of price distribution of building elements in the Bills of Quantities of Locally Owned Construction Firms in South West Nigeria. LAUTECH Journal of Civil and Environmental Studies, 8(2), 12-23. Retrieved from: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/laujoces/article/view/240170 [Retrieved on: 05.09.2025]
- Soon, L. T., Ng, Z. X., Kamarazaly, M. A., & Kam, K. J. (2023). The Analysis of BIM Based Measurement for the Quantity Surveying Profession. J. Eng. Sci. Technol, 34-35. Retrieved from: JESTEC Link [Retrieved on: 05.09.2025]
