Estimating and BOQs
Common BOQ pricing mistakes and how to review them
Common BOQ pricing mistakes include using mismatched units, relying on outdated or incomparable quotations, omitting transport and resource costs, applying productivity assumptions without context, double-counting VAT, and hiding incomplete scope inside contingency.
Geographic scope: Tender and pre-contract estimating in Zambia
Mismatched descriptions and units
A bag price cannot be inserted into a tonne rate without conversion, and superficially similar materials may not meet the same specification. Check every source against the BOQ description and unit.
Incomplete landed cost
Rates that omit transport, handling, wastage, or minimum order effects can understate the project cost even when the supplier price is correct.
Unsupported productivity
Labour and equipment rates require an output assumption. Record the crew, method, working conditions, and expected production instead of copying an installed rate from a different project.
Tax and scope errors
Confirm whether source quotations include VAT and whether the BOQ summary adds it separately. Review exclusions, provisional sums, preliminaries, overhead, profit, and contingency for omissions or duplication.
No evidence trail
A rate without a date, source, and assumption is difficult to defend. Preserve the basis so it can be reviewed and updated before submission or procurement.
Method and limitations
Educational review checklist; contract and tender requirements govern each project.