How to check a bill of quantities (BOQ) – contractor checklist

1. What is included – labour only or labour + materials, with or without tax/VAT. If it is not written, that is the first problem.
2. Arithmetic – check every quantity × rate and the total; list provisional ("if required") items and daywork hours separately.
3. Units – trims, beads, edge profiles, reveals and skirtings are linear (m / ft), surfaces are m² / sq ft. Corner beads priced per m² are a classic error.
4. Double charging – taping and skim coat of the same board, a "complete system" item plus its individual layers, protection and cleaning in several items.
5. Missing items – primer (especially on concrete), profiles and beads, how openings and reveals are measured, scaffolding, protection, waste removal; for waterproofing: upstands at walls, penetrations, drains and the protection layer.
6. Unclear descriptions and typos – ask; e.g. "round" openings instead of straight ones cost 2–3× more.
7. Materials – EPS and XPS are not the same price; each item should name one material and one manufacturer's system.
8. Conclusion – a table: item, quoted rate, typical market rate (labour / labour + materials), verdict; then the corrected total and the list of fixes.

With AI Onin you can upload the BOQ (PDF, Excel or a photo) and write "check the prices": within a minute you get the item-by-item table with a verdict, the total and what is missing – with market rates in your currency, marked as estimates.

AI Onin is an AI assistant for construction: material quantities, cost estimates in your currency, bill of quantities checks and site photo analysis. Values are typical and approximate – follow the manufacturer's data sheet, your local code and your engineer.