by Whether you are a property owner or a contractor, you should have a clear and accurate idea of how much your building project will cost, what is the construction material quality/ Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and how long it will take before you begin.
In this article, you will get an idea on how to assess construction cost estimate/Bill of Quantities (BoQ) that is right for your project.
1. Check whether the BOQ is based on the scope of work
BOQ will be created by the service provider, which is an itemized list of the work and materials required for a construction project. This BOQ should include the following eight functional division as per the requirement.
- Substructure
- Shell
- Elevation
- Interiors
- MEP Works
- Services
- Equipment & Furnishings
- Special construction
2. Cheaper homes do the trick!
Many construction service providers offer a BOQ with a lower per square foot rate. When you get a BOQ from different providers, cross compare the following points in it:
- Determine the structural design
- Type of Foundation chosen (based on the strength of the soil)
- Type of structure chosen (framed / load bearing / G+1 / G+2 etc)
- Concrete-mix specified
- Grade of material used should conform to IS Codes
- Confirm the wall thickness is as per design
- Check quality and brand of materials chosen for structure and finishing
- Check all BoQs cover same line items, chances of missing items such as compound wall, fabrication etc are commonplace
3. Get an Idea of what your new home construction costs per square foot!
Take the total cost of your project, as outlined by your builder and divide this number by the total square feet in your project.
For example, If your home is to be 2000 Sqft and your builder’s estimated cost is Rs.36,00,000/-, then your cost per square foot is Rs.1800/-. Cross compare the per square foot rate with other builders, but only if all BoQ line items submitted are matching between the builders. Otherwise you will end up comparing apples to oranges!
4. Measures adopted to safeguard your home
Damage caused by weather conditions can drain your pockets. Therefore, make sure that the BOQ received covers your home with protection against natural entities. This can be in the form of waterproofing, damp proofing beneath the structure, a better quality paint, anti-termite treatment, plastering quality etc.
5. Aesthetics
The role of technology plays a vital role in the construction sector in this era. You can educate yourself about the advanced construction techniques adopted by various experts that can impact the aesthetics of your home. However, special construction features like elevation, fabrication works, cost effective materials etc within the square foot rate provided by the builder is definitely an icing on the cake. Therefore, keep an eye out for new ways of construction.
6. Customization options provided by the service provider
Above all, while assessing the BOQ, you should check the available options which the service provider presents. If you are allowed to choose amongst a good number of options on various details of your house, better is the transparency and flexibility. This may include the brands of various construction materials, the type of material etc.
In conclusion, you should be very careful and detailed in your assessment of Bill of Quantities. Do you agree with the above points? Share your thoughts below.
Worth reading for someone, who is planning to construct their new home.
Very Informative