How to Prepare a Professional Bill of Quantities (BOQ) Adhering to IS 1200
Published on June 15, 2026 by A. Ranganathan
Preparing a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) requires technical precision and absolute compliance with standard civil engineering norms. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards provides structural guidelines under **IS 1200 (Part 1 to 28)**.
1. Classify the BOQ Schedule Divisions
A professional BOQ should be structured into clear categories, usually starting with ground works and ending with decorative finishes:
- Earthwork & Excavation (Part 1): Calculations categorized by depth layers and soil type.
- Concrete Works (Part 2): Separate columns for PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) grades.
- Brick Masonry (Part 3): Separating load-bearing structural walls from interior partition walls.
2. Follow Measurement Accuracy Rules
According to IS 1200 rules, dimensions must be recorded to specific levels of precision to prevent cumulative errors:
- Lengths, widths, and heights should be measured to the nearest **0.01 meters**.
- Areas (for plastering, painting) must be computed to the nearest **0.01 square meters**.
- Volumes (for earthwork, concrete) must be computed to the nearest **0.01 cubic meters**.
- Steel reinforcement weights should be calculated to the nearest **0.001 tonnes (1 kg)**.
3. Clear Descriptions
Every line item in a BOQ must specify the material grade, application method, and local DSR code. Ambiguity here allows contractors to submit cheap variations later.