A Bill of Quantity - A Project Essential?

November 2008

The construction industry constantly strives for progress and in so doing we have seen various procurement methods come and go as contractors and clients endeavour to find the most cost effective way of tendering.

Whilst many methods have been tried those with experience in the industry say you cannot underestimate the value of well-prepared bills of quantity.  That's the view of the chief executive of Cornhill Construction, Peter Wilby speaking in an article in Building magazine.

There are many advantages to Bills of Quantity:

• lack of design detail can be dealt with upfront
• contractors can price the job much more easily meaning more accurate quotations which can be compared on a like for like basis
• bids can be analysed in fine detail to see if there is one particular area which is increasing cost
• errors can be easily identified
• the process is speeded up which is vital when the overall project timescale is tight

Glovers has been preparing bills of quantity for almost 30 years and this skill is at the heart of what we do.  Investment in proper bills at the start of a project can save much time and expense further down the line.  For more information contact Andrew Brown, our Director responsible for Cost Management.