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Tender Document Choices

BILLS OF QUANTITIES or SCHEDULES OF WORKS?

What are Bills of Quantities?
A quantified and completed list of works giving descriptions and quantities of all items in the architect’s (and structural engineer’s if applicable) drawings and specifications.

What is a Schedule of Works?
A schedule listing the works in general terms describing the requirements in the
drawings and specifications, as above.

Why Use a Bill of Quantities?

• Provides a level playing field / standard basis for the tender process
• Provides enhanced quality control
• Assists tender evaluation
• Provides rates for valuation of variations
• Provides basis for improved financial reporting / management
• Can reduce ultimate overall project construction cost

Both forms of tender documentation are used on construction projects, to provide
a basis for contractual tendering. In Bills of Quantities (BQ) the quantities form part of the contract. In Schedules of Works (SW) the quantities do not form part of the contract.

Both can be used to build up the tender sum and provide a list of rates for the valuation of variations (changes to the project). BQs will be more precise in the calculation of any variations. BQs generally cost more in fees as there is more work in measuring and compiling the information required.

However, in a survey of 33 construction projects in the South West costing between £100,000 & £2 million, an average saving of £19,349 was indicated when using Bills of Quantities over other forms of tender documents.*

* Survey into Bills of Quantities Use, Aug. 2010, by RJ Hart ©