The value of bills of quantities continues to be questioned, thanks to advances in technology and measuring methods. But quantification remains important, however it is done
While training I recall that measuring building works was a laborious, labour intensive task and one that became increasingly expensive. Since then, notwithstanding significant developments in terms of the preparation of bills of quantities (bills) through the use of technology and different codes of measurement, their worth continues to be questioned. Recently an associated question 鈥淎re bills of quantities a dying art?鈥� was debated at RICS.org/LinkedIn. The relevance of the answer depends on the importance of bills in modern-day construction.
To enable bills to be prepared it is necessary for the work to be defined through drawings. But the drawings have to be adequate for such a purpose. Making decisions on design and specification has time implications and can delay commencement on site. Consequently, bills are often based on incomplete information and, as a result, bills of approximate quantities have grown in significance. The concept of a contract sum based on bills, generally seen as a traditional form of procurement, has been seriously challenged.
Traditional procurement has been rejected by some industry participants. As bills are an integral part of traditional forms of