Creation of the Bill of Quantities
When a scheme design has been completed, a quantity surveyor may be employed by the client to advise on the likely cost of the design. A quantity surveyor assesses the architects drawings, and measures the amounts of materials and labour needed to build the building. A long list is written and broken down into logical categories. In simple terms this is a massive shopping list showing the amount and type of work to be done, and materials to be used.
The BoQ facilitates extremely precise and rigorous cost control, but it requires a quantity Surveyor to prepare it, who might not otherwise be needed.