The BOQ Problem in Chennai
73% of Chennai homeowners accept a contractor's Bill of Quantities without any independent verification. Most don't know what quantities their project should require, don't know current material market rates, and can't identify when a specification is deliberately vague enough to allow material substitution.
The result: overquoting of 18–25% above verified market rates is standard practice, not exceptional. On a ₹80 lakh project, that is ₹14–20 lakhs left on the table at signing.
⚠ A contractor cannot review their own quote independently. Only an engineer with no stake in the project can give you an honest audit.
What a Buildogram BOQ Review Includes
Quantity Take-Off Verification
Every quantity is derived from your drawings. Concrete volume, steel weight, brickwork area, flooring area — all checked against actual drawing dimensions.
Rate Benchmarking
All rates are compared against project inputs and available Chennai market references for cement, TMT steel, M-sand and RMC. Benchmarks are dated and stated with their assumptions in your report.
Specification Audit
Every line is checked for specificity. Vague specs like "cement" or "TMT bars" without grade/brand are flagged as substitution risks.
Margin Analysis
We identify where contractor margins exceed industry norms and separate genuine cost items from inflated overhead allocation.
Contract Compliance
We check whether the BOQ matches any specification schedule or scope of work document attached to the contract.
Negotiation Brief
You receive a prioritised list of recommended negotiation points — which items to push back on, what to accept, and the market basis for each ask.
Common Issues We Catch
| BOQ Item | Issue Found | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cement specification | Contractor quotes "cement" — allows them to use PPC (₹30/bag cheaper) instead of the specified OPC 53. | ₹30/bag × 800 bags = ₹24,000 |
| TMT steel | "TMT bars" instead of "Fe500D TMT steel" — enables using lower grade or non-ISI steel. | ₹2,000-5,000/MT difference |
| Concrete grade | BOQ says "M20 concrete" but allows site mixing instead of RMC — inconsistent strength. | Quality risk, not just cost |
| Brick wall thickness | 9-inch (230mm) specified in drawings but contractor quotes 4.5-inch (115mm) partition walls throughout. | ₹45/sqft difference on wall area |
| Flooring quantity | Contractor quotes floor area but includes wall area in the sqft figure — inflating quantity 15-20%. | Avg ₹12,000 overcharge found |
| Lump sum items | "Electrical work — lump sum ₹3.5L" with no point list. Allows reduction of points after signing. | Need itemised point list minimum |
What You Receive
- Marked-up BOQ PDF with per-line comments
- Benchmarked rate sheet (dated, with sources and assumptions stated)
- Prioritised negotiation brief
- True cost estimate vs. quoted cost
- Specification risk flags
- 45-minute video walkthrough call
Pricing
for up to 50 BOQ line items
- 50–100 items: ₹7,999
- 100+ items: Custom quote
- Contract review add-on: ₹2,999
- Turnaround: 3 working days
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a BOQ audit?
A BOQ (Bill of Quantities) audit is a line-by-line engineering review of your contractor's quotation. Every item is checked: the quantity is verified against your drawings, and the rate is benchmarked against current market prices for Chennai. You receive a marked-up document showing which items are overpriced, which quantities are inflated, and which specifications are vague enough to allow material substitution.
How long does the BOQ review take?
Standard turnaround is 3 working days from when we receive the BOQ and drawings. For BOQs with more than 100 line items or when drawings need to be generated from site measurements, allow 5 working days. We will confirm the exact timeline when you submit.
What format should I send my BOQ in?
We accept any format — Excel, PDF, Word, or even a handwritten contractor estimate scanned as a photo. If your contractor provided a lump-sum quote with no breakdown, we can help you request an itemised version and review that. Drawings can be sent as PDF, DWG, or photos of physical prints.
Can you review a contractor quote if I don't have structural drawings?
Yes. For projects where drawings are not yet finalised, we perform a quantity estimate review — checking whether the quantities in the BOQ are realistic for your project type and floor area. For a full rate + quantity check, drawings are ideal, but we can work with floor plan sketches and site measurements.
What if my contractor disagrees with the review findings?
Our review is an independent engineering opinion backed by current market data and quantity take-offs from drawings. If a contractor disputes a finding, we provide the calculation basis and market data reference. Most rate disputes are resolved through negotiation using our benchmark data. We can also join a three-way call with your contractor to explain findings.
How much money can I realistically save from a BOQ review?
In our experience across Chennai residential projects, the average overquoting above verified market rates is 18–25%. On a ₹1Cr project, that is ₹18–25 lakhs in potential savings. Our service fee is a fraction of this. The ₹3.2 lakh average saving figure we cite is our observed average across completed reviews.
Do you also review construction contracts and agreements?
Yes, as an add-on to BOQ review. We check whether the contract has milestone-linked payment terms, defect liability period, arbitration clause, and whether materials are specified with brand/grade rather than generic terms. Contract review is priced separately from BOQ review.
Why Trust Buildogram for BOQ Review
Our reviews are performed by structural engineering professionals — not marketers, AI tools, or junior analysts. Here is what backs our technical recommendations.
Our Commitment
- All technical reviews are performed by a structural engineering professional — not AI tools or junior analysts
- Every rate in a BOQ review is benchmarked against project inputs and available Chennai market references
- Structural plan reviews reference the applicable IS codes — IS 456:2000, IS 1893:2016, IS 875 Parts 1–3
- We declare our role clearly: Buildogram is an independent engineering oversight service, not a contractor
- Client data and project documents are stored securely and never shared with third parties without consent
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