Cost management and BOQ
Cost management: take-off, BOQ preparation and cost control
Quantities you can defend, a bill that matches its method of measurement, and cost reports that show where the budget is moving.
The problem we solve
A bill of quantities is only as good as the rules behind it. Two bills for the same building can differ in how they measure, what the rate includes and what stands alone. If the method is not stated, or the take-off does not follow it, disputes arrive at the first interim payment.
On the cost side, budgets that are not tied to the bill drift. By the time the overrun is visible, the work is committed.
What we deliver
- Quantity take-off from drawings or models, with a measurement log that can be audited
- Bill of quantities prepared to the method your contract names: NRM2, POMI, SMM7 or CESMM4
- Preambles and measurement notes that state assumptions and exclusions
- Tender comparison and bid-clarification schedules
- Cost plans and budget breakdowns by element or work package
- Monthly cost reports: committed, spent, forecast and variance
- Variation valuations and final account support
How we work
Confirm the method of measurement
The contract or employer's brief names the rules. If it does not, we propose one and record it.
Take off
Quantities are measured from the latest information, with the revision and date stated.
Build the bill
Items, units and descriptions follow the method, and rates are left for the pricing party.
Check
We reconcile quantities against the model, a second measurement and sense checks.
Control
Actual cost is tracked against the bill and budget, with variances explained.
Articles on this topic
All articlesPreparing a BOQ to NRM2 vs POMI: what changes in practice
How preparing a bill of quantities differs under RICS NRM2 and POMI: structure, preliminaries, provisional sums, status, and what to confirm first.
Read the articleFIDIC 2017 notices: the 28-day rule (Sub-Clause 20.2) explained
How the 28-day Notice of Claim in FIDIC 2017 Sub-Clause 20.2.1 works, what the Engineer's 14-day notice does, and a register routine to avoid a time bar.
Read the articleQA vs QC on site: how the ITP and its hold, witness and review points fit together
Quality assurance and quality control are separate stages. How ISO 9000 defines each, what belongs to QA before work starts, and how QC runs through the ITP's hold, witness and review points.
Read the articleFrequently asked questions
Which methods of measurement do you use?
NRM2 for detailed building work, POMI for international projects that name it, SMM7 where a contract still refers to it, and CESMM4 for civil engineering work.
Is POMI still current?
RICS archived POMI in March 2023, but it still governs any contract that names it. If your contract refers to POMI, the bill should follow it.
Can you take off from a BIM model?
Yes, when the model carries the quantities and element data needed. We check the model against the drawings first, because a model quantity is only as good as the model.
Do you price the work?
We prepare quantities and bills. Pricing is done by the contractor or the cost consultant on the appointment, and we can support the estimate on request.
Talk to us about this service
Send the drawings or model, the contract summary and the method of measurement, if it is stated.