A BOQ is a list of cabinets, sizes and quantities with rates, not a lump sum. Five sections make it usable: unit types, cabinet schedule, quantities, rates and exclusions. Separate supply and install where possible, and schedule one unit type then multiply. A BOQ that cannot be checked is a quote in disguise.
Five sections: unit types, schedule, quantities, rates, exclusions.
Schedule one unit type, then multiply.
Separate supply and install.
List exclusions explicitly.
A BOQ is a measuring document, not a quote.
1. What a BOQ is
A bill of quantities measures the work. For cabinets, it lists the cabinet types, sizes and quantities per unit type, then multiplies by the number of units. Rates are added later by each supplier. The BOQ is the common basis for comparison.
2. The five sections
| # | Section | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unit types | Studio, 1-bed, 2-bed, with counts |
| 2 | Cabinet schedule | Type, width, height, door configuration |
| 3 | Quantities | Per unit type, multiplied by units |
| 4 | Rates | Supply and install, separate lines |
| 5 | Exclusions | Benchtop, appliances, services |
The order matters: measure first, price second. A BOQ priced before it is measured is a guess with a total.
3. Unit types
Group the apartments by type and count them. A project with 40 one-bed and 20 two-bed units has two schedules, not 60. That keeps the BOQ short and the quantities checkable.
4. Cabinet schedule
One line per cabinet type: base, wall, tall, drawer, corner. Record width, height, depth and door configuration. A schedule that lists only widths leaves the heights and depths to assumption, which is where errors enter. The specification template covers the clauses.
5. Quantities
Multiply the schedule by the unit count, then add a wastage allowance for damage and site changes. A 2–3% allowance is typical; more on a first project with an unfamiliar installer.
6. Rates
Separate supply and install. They are different risks and often different suppliers. A combined rate hides which part is expensive, and it makes the comparison with a local quote harder. The landed cost guide shows how to build the rate.
7. Exclusions
List benchtop, appliances, plumbing, electrical and waste removal explicitly. An exclusion that is not written is an assumption, and assumptions become disputes. The quote checklist covers the same items from the quote side.
8. Using the BOQ
Issue one revision, dated, and ask each supplier to price the same lines. A supplier who re-organises the BOQ is making comparison harder, not easier. Keep the priced BOQ with the contract.
9. A checklist before you commit
Before you sign, confirm six things: the board grade, the hardware model, the finish system, the packing standard, the inspection scope and the payment schedule. Each should be in writing, not in a call. The quote checklist turns the six into a one-page comparison.
10. Common mistakes
The most common mistake is comparing a factory price with a landed cost. The second is leaving the inspection out of the budget. The third is paying the balance before the inspection is signed off. Each is avoidable with a written scope and a pre-shipment inspection.
11. How to measure the room
Measure each wall at three points, top, middle and bottom, and use the smallest. Walls are rarely square, and a 10 mm bow over three metres changes the filler. Measure the ceiling at each corner and note sockets, radiators and soil pipes before drawing. A measured survey saves more time than a faster drawing, and the measuring guide has a printable sheet.
13. A specification checklist
Write four lines for every material: the product, the grade, the thickness and the surface or edge treatment. A material specified by name alone leaves the grade to the factory, and the grade is where the cost and the performance sit.
14. Questions the factory will ask
Expect four questions: which grade, which thickness, which edge and which batch. The answers should already be in the specification. If they are not, the factory will choose, and the choice will be the cheapest that meets the drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BOQ?
A bill of quantities: a list of the cabinets, sizes and quantities in a project, with rates. It is a measuring document, not a quote.
Why not just use a lump sum?
A lump sum cannot be checked or compared. A BOQ shows what is being bought and lets two suppliers price the same list.
What sections should a cabinet BOQ have?
Five: unit types, cabinet schedule, quantities, rates and exclusions. A summary per unit and per project helps the client read it.
Should supply and install be separate?
Yes, where possible. They are different risks and different suppliers, and separating them makes the comparison clearer.
How do I handle repeated unit types?
Schedule one unit type, then multiply by the number of units. It keeps the BOQ short and the quantities checkable.
What should be excluded?
Benchtop, appliances, plumbing, electrical and waste removal, unless they are part of the package. List them explicitly.
