# Bill of Quantities in Construction

> A bill of quantities itemises the work in a contract with the quantity of each item. See a concrete foundation example and how SuperWise uses the Project BOQ.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

An itemised list of the work in a contract with the quantity and unit of each item, against which contractors quote their rates.

## What is Bill of Quantities (BOQ)?

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is a document used in tendering that itemises the work, materials and labour of a construction project, with a quantity and unit for each item. Contractors price each item, so the BOQ gives a uniform basis for budgeting, planning and cost control.

## Practical example

If a project needs a concrete foundation, the BOQ lists the volume of M25 concrete (for example 500 cu.m), the tonnage of [reinforcement](https://superwise.site/glossary/reinforcement-rebar/) steel and the labour for [shuttering](https://superwise.site/glossary/formwork/) and pouring. The contractor quotes a rate against each item and quantity.

## In SuperWise

In SuperWise the Project BOQ is the financial scope of a project, a tree of work items with contracted quantity, rate and amount. [Work order](https://superwise.site/glossary/work-order/) lines and [RA bill](https://superwise.site/glossary/running-account-bill/) lines tie back to a BOQ item, and a [material indent](https://superwise.site/glossary/material-indent/) linked to an item should not exceed the quantity still unordered on it. Quantities and rates are edited in the BOQ playground and then committed for billing.

[Budget tracking](https://superwise.site/features/estimation-vs-earned-value/)

## Related terms

- [Quantity Surveyor (QS)](https://superwise.site/glossary/quantity-surveyor/)
- [Abstract of Estimate](https://superwise.site/glossary/abstract-of-estimate/)
- [Measurement Book (MB)](https://superwise.site/glossary/measurement-book/)
- [Running Account bill (RA bill)](https://superwise.site/glossary/running-account-bill/)

## Related
- [Quantity Surveyor (QS)](https://superwise.site/glossary/quantity-surveyor/)
- [Abstract of Estimate](https://superwise.site/glossary/abstract-of-estimate/)
- [Measurement Book (MB)](https://superwise.site/glossary/measurement-book/)
- [Running Account bill (RA bill)](https://superwise.site/glossary/running-account-bill/)
- [Budget tracking](https://superwise.site/features/estimation-vs-earned-value/)