Bill of Quantities (BoQ) / Detailed Estimate
Sheet under review by our engineersImagine a super-detailed shopping list for your house! The Bill of Quantities, or BoQ, is an essential document that lists all the quantities of materials (cement bags, iron bars, tiles) and labor needed to build your house, along with an estimated price for each.
Why it matters for your home
This is your financial roadmap. It helps you understand where every franc goes and to compare contractor bids. Without a clear DQE, you risk overpaying, having missing items, or financial surprises along the way.
The African context
In Africa, DQEs are sometimes very simplified or even absent. This opens the door to approximations, 'forgotten' important items, or inflated prices. Insist on getting a detailed DQE right from the start.
Red flags
- ⚠ The contractor gives you a single global figure without any details.
- ⚠ The DQE is very short and only lists a few general items (e.g., 'masonry' without material details).
- ⚠ Quantities or unit prices are excessively low or high without explanation.
- ⚠ The contractor refuses to provide you with a detailed and signed DQE.
Questions to ask
- 1. "Can you detail how you calculated each quantity (e.g., how many bags of cement for the foundations)?"
- 2. "What are the unit prices for each material and labor you used in this DQE?"
- 3. "Does this DQE include absolutely everything, from foundations to finishes, or are there items to add?"
Related terms
At this stage of your project?
An independent DiasporaBuild inspector can verify on site before you pay.