Free workbook · Excel
Free BOQ template in Excel with a worked example
Start with a blank bill of quantities, then follow a small finishes example from dimensions to quantities and prices. The formulas are already in place.
What’s in the workbook
Read me
Instructions, scope, exclusions and official references.
Blank BOQ
20 prepared rows for your descriptions, units, quantities and rates.
Measurements
Editable room dimensions and a clear deduction sequence.
Worked BOQ
Three finishes items linked to the measurement sheet.
Pale amber cells are editable inputs. Calculated cells update with your inputs. There are no macros or external data connections.
How to use the blank BOQ
- Enter the project, currency, revision, pricing date and rate basis. Use one currency throughout the bill.
- Describe each item’s specification, location and scope. The quantity and its rate must use the same unit.
- Enter checked quantities and record the source and date of your rates.
- Resolve every input-check message before using the priced subtotal. Incomplete lines have blank amounts and are excluded from it.
- Review missing work and exclusions. If you add rows, extend the subtotal and review formulas to include them.
WORKED EXAMPLE
One room’s internal finishes
Our fictional room is 4.00 m long, 3.00 m wide and 2.80 m high, using internal finished dimensions. It has one 0.90 m × 2.10 m door and one 1.20 m × 1.20 m window.
Example rates only. These NGN rates are invented for arithmetic practice. They are not current Nigerian market prices or a complete room-renovation budget.
| Item and scope | Unit | Quantity | Example rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor tiles on prepared substrate, including adhesive and grout | m² | 12.00 | 12,000.00 | 144,000.00 |
| 100 mm high tile skirting, excluding the door opening | m | 13.10 | 2,500.00 | 32,750.00 |
| Prepare sound walls, apply primer and two emulsion coats | m² | 35.87 | 1,800.00 | 64,566.00 |
| Finishes subtotal | 241,316.00 | |||
Rates include labour, materials, consumables, waste and contractor margin for the stated finish. The bill excludes floor preparation, wall repairs, ceiling, doors, windows, reveals, services, preliminaries, taxes, contingency and other work.
Trace the quantities
For this teaching exercise, both openings are deducted in full, reveals are excluded and the floor area includes the threshold. Confirm the applicable measurement rules for your project rather than applying these conventions automatically.
Change the room length on the Measurements sheet and follow the new quantities into Worked BOQ. Each line amount rounds to two decimal places; the subtotal sums those rounded amounts.
Using the template in Nigeria
The example uses NGN. In your own bill, use current project-specific rate evidence and record its date and scope. Changing the currency label does not convert any rates.
This is an original teaching workbook, not an official BESMM4 or NRM2 template. For standard-specific resources, consult the official NIQS templates and RICS NRM publications and supporting spreadsheets.
Check before you issue
- Quantity units match the rate units.
- No incomplete or unexplained zero-rate lines remain.
- Waste is not included twice in quantities and rates.
- Openings, returns and finish boundaries are treated consistently.
- New rows are included in the subtotal.
- The scope, missing work and pricing basis have been independently reviewed.
Continue the method
Use the BOQ preparation guide for the wider workflow, the taking-off dimension sheet to record measurements, and the unit rate build-up calculator to understand a rate.
Continue in BillMate
Keep the project behind the bill.
Move into project storage, taking-off and reusable rate build-ups when a standalone workbook no longer covers the job.