BOQ line total calculator
Each bill of quantities line is quantity × unit rate, rounded to the fils. The lines add up to a subtotal, a discount percentage is taken off, and 5% VAT is added to give the grand total. Each line is also shown as a percentage of the subtotal.
How the totals are built
Enter up to eight lines. A description is optional. For each line the calculator multiplies quantity by unit rate and rounds half-up to the fils. It adds the line amounts for the subtotal, takes off the discount percentage, and adds VAT at 5% on the discounted total. The share of each line is its amount divided by the subtotal before discount.
| Line | Quantity × rate | Amount (AED) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation (m3) | 1,200 × 38.50 | 46,200.00 | 24.80% |
| Blockwork (m2) | 850 × 62.75 | 53,337.50 | 28.63% |
| Plaster (m2) | 2,400 × 24.30 | 58,320.00 | 31.30% |
| Paint (m2) | 2,400 × 11.85 | 28,440.00 | 15.27% |
| Subtotal | 186,297.50 | 100% | |
| Discount 2% | 186,297.50 × 2% | 3,725.95 | |
| After discount | 182,571.55 | ||
| VAT 5% | 182,571.55 × 5% | 9,128.58 | |
| Grand total | 191,700.13 |
Rounding
VAT on the discounted total is 182,571.55 × 5% = 9,128.5775, which rounds half-up to 9,128.58. Rounding line by line means the subtotal always equals the sum of the amounts you see. The FTA guide confirms construction services are subject to VAT at 5%.
Why a BOQ matters
The bill of quantities is the base for tender pricing, for variations and for measuring work against the contract. Read the tendering and costing guide and the costing sheet entry. In SupaJack Construct, costing sheets are priced from BOQ lines, quantity times rate, and subcontract certificates are measured against the subcontract's BOQ lines, in projects and tenders.
Related tools
Use payment certificate calculator, retention calculator, advance payment recovery calculator, VAT calculator, variation order calculator, extension of time calculator, delay damages calculator, bank guarantee cost calculator, price escalation calculator, subcontractor payable calculator. See also variation and interim payments.
Worked example
A fit-out BOQ has excavation 1,200 × 38.50 = AED 46,200, blockwork 850 × 62.75 = AED 53,337.50, plaster 2,400 × 24.30 = AED 58,320 and paint 2,400 × 11.85 = AED 28,440. The subtotal is AED 186,297.50. A 2% discount of AED 3,725.95 leaves AED 182,571.55. VAT at 5% is AED 9,128.58, and the grand total is AED 191,700.13.
Questions people ask
What is a BOQ?
A bill of quantities lists the items of work with quantities and unit rates, used to price a tender and measure work.
How is each line calculated?
Quantity × unit rate, rounded half-up to the fils.
Is the discount applied before VAT?
Yes. VAT at 5% is charged on the total after the discount.
What does the share column show?
Each line's amount as a percentage of the subtotal before discount.
How many lines can I enter?
Up to eight. Lines with no quantity and no rate are skipped.
Can I use decimals in quantities?
Yes. Quantities can have decimals, such as 12.5 m3.
Is the description required?
No. If you leave it blank the line is labelled by its number.
Why does the subtotal equal the sum of the visible amounts?
Because each line is rounded first and the rounded amounts are added.
Does it handle provisional sums or lump sums?
Enter a lump sum as quantity 1 and the amount as the rate.
How does SupaJack Construct use the BOQ?
Costing sheets are priced from BOQ lines, quantity times rate, and subcontract certificates are measured against the subcontract's BOQ lines.