Source: https://www.quantsurv.com/quantity-surveying/main-contractors/quantity-take-off-and-bill-of-quantities-preparation
Content format: Markdown version of the public page.
Content reviewed: 2026-10-19

# Quantity take-off and bill of quantities preparation

For main contractors

Receive measured work-package quantities for your main-contract estimate or subcontract enquiries.

## What is it?

We identify package boundaries and shared items so different subcontract enquiries do not omit or double-count the same work. A measured, unpriced schedule for one trade or work package, prepared from an agreed set of drawings and specifications. We confirm the measurement rules, item allowance and schedule format before quoting.

Pricing, additional trades, revised designs, site surveys and material-order schedules are separate scope items.

## How does it work?

1.  ### You explain the work and the decision you need
    
    You describe the named main contract or subcontract and your position under it, the result you need and any urgent dates. The introductory conversation checks fit and availability; substantive assessment starts under an accepted instruction.
    
2.  ### We agree the scope, responsibilities and fee
    
    We check suitability, conflicts and capacity, then agree the scope, deliverables and timetable in writing, with a fixed fee or agreed hourly or daily basis. We explain payment terms, VAT and any separate costs before you accept. We agree one trade or work package, the document and item allowance, measurement rules and intended use. The base schedule is unpriced. We confirm responsibility for urgent actions and specialist input.
    
3.  ### You accept the scope and provide the information
    
    You accept the written scope and provide the listed drawing and specification revisions for one agreed issue, scope boundaries, required schedule format and any existing quantities; proposed terms only where they affect measurement. You identify missing items and the versions supplied; we agree who will obtain anything still needed.
    
4.  ### We check the records and resolve gaps
    
    We check the documents against the agreed scope, dates and versions, raise queries and record the basis on which work can proceed. Missing evidence stays identified; we agree any limited assessment or pause affected work until essential information is available. Live deadlines continue to run.
    
5.  ### We confirm the measurement boundaries
    
    We map the named packages and common items so work is neither omitted between trades nor counted twice.
    
6.  ### We measure and describe the work
    
    We take off the included work using the agreed rules, record dimensions and units, and trace items to drawing and specification references. We seek clarification where the design cannot support a reliable quantity.
    
7.  ### We check the measured schedule
    
    We check calculations, units, descriptions, coverage and repeated items against the documents. We reconcile related quantities and record assumptions, exclusions and unresolved design queries.
    
8.  ### We explain the result and complete the handover
    
    We issue the checked editable, unpriced bill or quantity schedule and its measurement basis; pricing, ordering allowances and revised drawings are separate scope, explain the findings and record unresolved items, next actions, owners and dates. We answer the included clarification and correct our errors. New information, changed scope and later stages need a separate agreement; you decide whether to instruct them.
    

We confirm timing after checking the scope and available records. Flag any live deadline when you enquire; it continues to run while information is gathered.

Read [how we agree the scope, fees and instruction](<https://www.quantsurv.com/about#ways-to-work>).

## What do you get?

-   An editable, unpriced quantity schedule or bill, with drawing and specification references.
-   Measurement queries, assumptions and exclusions, including gaps that prevent a reliable quantity.

Each fixed piece of work includes one consolidated clarification round requested within 10 working days of issue, unless agreed otherwise. New records or scope need a separate agreement; we correct our own errors without charge.