A bill of quantities (BOQ) is an itemized document that lists every material, part, and unit of labor a project requires, each with a measured quantity. Buyers issue it so competing suppliers price the exact same scope, which makes bids directly comparable on a like-for-like basis. It is most common in construction, fabrication, and engineered orders where a single “product” is really dozens of line items assembled to spec.
How it works
The buyer (or a quantity surveyor) breaks the project into discrete items: quantity, unit of measure, and often a short description or spec reference, but usually no prices. Each supplier fills in unit rates and line totals, then returns the priced BOQ. Because everyone quotes against the identical item list, the buyer can compare submissions line by line instead of guessing what each lump-sum bid actually covers.
Why it matters
A BOQ removes ambiguity from tendering. It exposes where one supplier is cheaper on materials but dearer on labor, flags missing inclusions, and gives a clear basis for negotiating or awarding the work. It also becomes a reference for progress billing and variations once the order is underway.
BOQ and B2B quoting on Shopify
Many Shopify merchants who sell building materials, MRO supplies, or made-to-order goods receive a buyer’s BOQ and need to return a priced quote against it. In practice that means mapping each BOQ line to a product or variant, applying account-specific pricing, and sending back a document the buyer can accept and pay. Turning that itemized request into a real, checkout-ready order (rather than a flat PDF) keeps the quantities, pricing, and eventual payment tied together. See more terms in the B2B quoting glossary.