Key takeaways
- A BOQ lists what is needed, how much, to what specification — in a fixed structure suppliers can price
- Build it category by category, following a supplier's product structure
- Add a waste/overage factor per material (tiles and stone need more than paint)
- Specify, don't describe: size, thickness, finish, grade, edge
- Keep units consistent and state the unit for every line
- Note packing and container requirements in the BOQ itself
1. What a bill of quantities is (and is not)
A bill of quantities (BOQ) is a structured list of every material a project needs, with quantities and specifications, laid out so that any supplier can price it line by line. It is not a design drawing set, and it is not a shopping list of vague descriptions like "good quality tiles".
Done once, well, a BOQ lets you compare quotes that actually mean the same thing, spot where a price is too low, and plan a container load before spending money.
2. Start from the drawings and a room schedule
Work area by area — each room, then each elevation, then each external face. A simple room schedule keeps you from missing the things that are easy to forget:
- Skirting, thresholds and transitions
- Bathroom accessories and the wet-wall tiling above them
- Ceiling coves and the lighting that runs in them
- External: paving, coping, facade cladding, gate and fence
3. Structure the BOQ by product category
Follow the way materials are made and shipped, not the way they appear in a picture. A practical structure mirrors the supplier's categories:
- Doors & Windows (with an opening schedule: width × height × qty)
- Kitchen & Wardrobe (room by room, with appliance positions)
- Ceramic Tiles (floor / wall / exterior, per area)
- Marble & Granite (slabs, cut-to-size, tops, treads)
- Flooring & Staircase
- Sanitary Ware (per room type)
- Lighting, Furnishing, Furniture, Appliance, Metal & Glass, Building Materials
This structure is also how VIGOHOME prices a project, so a BOQ built this way needs no re-keying.
4. Add a waste / overage factor
Ordering exactly the measured area guarantees running short. Apply a factor per material:
| Material | Typical overage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles (large format) | 8–10% | Cuts, breakage, future repairs |
| Standard tiles | 5–8% | Cuts, shade reserves |
| Stone / slabs | 10–15% | Vein matching and wastage at the slab |
| Laminate / SPC | 5–8% | Pattern repeat and edge cuts |
| Paint | 5–10% | Coverage and touch-up |
Keep extra tiles and stone from the same batch for repairs; a repair that does not match the original shade is worse than no spare at all.
5. Specify, don't describe
Every line should be specific enough that two suppliers would make the same product. Compare:
- × "Premium porcelain floor tiles, 80 m²"
- ✓ "Porcelain floor tile, 600×1200 mm, rectified, 9.5 mm, matte, water absorption ≤ 0.5%, shade V3, 80 m² + 10%"
Do this for tiles, stone, doors, cabinets, sanitary ware and lighting. Where you genuinely do not know the specification, say so and ask the supplier to propose options — that is a legitimate line too.
6. Keep units consistent
State a unit for every line and stick to it: m² for flooring and wall finishes, linear metres for skirting and trim, pieces for sanitary ware and furniture, sets for doors with frames. Mixed units are the fastest route to a mis-priced quote.
7. Put packing and container notes in the BOQ
Packing decides whether a container arrives intact. Add a section that records:
- Packing requirement per fragile line (pallets, foam corners, crates)
- Whether a mixed container is planned (see how many categories fit in one container)
- Batch / lot marking for shade-critical materials
- Required documents (packing list, test reports, container photos)
8. Common mistakes
- Quoting from renders instead of measured drawings.
- Forgetting wastage, then paying air freight for a small top-up.
- Splitting one visible material across two suppliers, risking a shade or finish mismatch.
- Leaving the specification to "as discussed" — there is no written record to hold anyone to.
9. Turn your BOQ into quotes
A BOQ is also the ideal brief for a supplier. VIGOHOME prices a project directly from a BOQ or even a simple room list, returns a consolidated quotation across all 24 categories, and checks dimensions and finishes against your drawings before production. Start from the import buying guide or send your schedule to the team on the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a BOQ and a quote?
A BOQ is your own structured list of what the project needs, with quantities and specifications. A quote is a supplier's priced response to it. Sending a clear BOQ is what makes several quotes genuinely comparable.
How much extra tile should I order?
Allow 8-10% on large-format tiles, 5-8% on standard tiles and 10-15% on stone or slabs, and keep the spare from the same production batch so future repairs match.
Do I need drawings to get a quotation from VIGOHOME?
No. A written room list or a bill of quantities is enough to start; drawings help us verify dimensions, drainage positions and opening sizes before production, but many projects begin from a schedule.
Should one material be split across two suppliers?
Best avoided for any material where shade, finish or level matters. Splitting tiles or stone across two suppliers is a common cause of mismatch; keeping one visible material with one supplier protects the finish.
Next: make sure the quotes you receive are comparable with how to read a tile quotation.