A per sq ft quote is a single number that hides a hundred assumptions. A BOQ breaks the house into measured items, so you can see exactly what you are paying for — and what each contractor has left out.
What Does a House BOQ Contain?
| Section | Typical items | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Earthwork | Excavation, backfilling, disposal | m³ |
| PCC | Beds under footings, floor base | m³ |
| RCC | Footings, columns, beams, slabs, lintels, stairs | m³ |
| Reinforcement | TMT steel by diameter | kg / tonne |
| Formwork | Shuttering for RCC members | m² |
| Masonry | Brick or AAC walls by thickness | m³ or m² |
| Plaster | Internal, external, ceiling | m² |
| Flooring and tiling | By type and room | m² |
| Waterproofing | Terrace, toilets, sump | m² |
| Doors and windows | By type and size | No. |
| Plumbing and electrical | Points, fixtures, pipes | No. / m |
| Painting | Internal, external | m² |
Each line carries a specification — "RCC M25 in footings", "8 inch AAC in adhesive" — so it is clear what is being priced.
How a BOQ Becomes a Material Order
| BOQ line | Material |
|---|---|
| RCC volume by grade | Cement (≈8 bags/m³ for M20), sand, aggregate |
| Reinforcement by diameter | TMT order by size |
| Masonry quantity | Blocks or bricks, adhesive or mortar |
| Plaster area | Cement and plaster sand |
Using a BOQ to Compare Contractors
- Send the same BOQ to every contractor and ask them to price each line.
- Compare line by line, not just the total. A low total with a suspiciously low steel or concrete rate deserves a question.
- Check missing items. A turnkey quote without sump, septic tank or compound wall is not comparable to one with them.
- Use it for changes. Extra work is priced at the BOQ rates, which prevents disputes.
When Is a BOQ Worth It?
For any house beyond a small single floor, almost always. The fee for preparing one is small against the savings from comparable quotes and controlled changes — and the quantities make buying cement and steel yourself straightforward.
The Short Version
A BOQ turns drawings into measured, priced items. It makes contractor quotes comparable, changes controllable, and material orders easy to plan stage by stage.
