Bills of quantities and tender support

The way a construction project is procured has a direct bearing on the quality of the contractor you appoint, the clarity of the contract you sign, and the cost certainty you carry into the construction phase. Poorly prepared tender documentation produces unreliable returns, makes comparison difficult, and creates the conditions for disputes once work is underway.

BTG Eddisons provides RICS-regulated bills of quantities and tender support services for developers, funders, investors, and occupiers across the UK. Our cost consultants prepare procurement documentation to NRM2 standards, manage the tender process, and advise on contractor selection, giving you a well-evidenced, defensible appointment and cost certainty before construction begins.

Call 0800 051 2593, email [email protected], or complete our contact form further down the page to discuss your project.

A bill of quantities (BOQ) is a structured document that sets out in detail the materials, labour, and quantities required to complete a construction project. It is prepared by a quantity surveyor using the RICS new rules of measurement NRM2, which is the recognised professional standard for detailed measurement and tender documentation in the UK.

The bill of quantities gives every contractor tendering for a project the same scope to price against. That means tender returns are directly comparable, pricing errors and omissions are easier to identify, and the risk of a contractor claiming additional cost because they priced a different scope is significantly reduced.

For funders and lenders, a bill of quantities prepared to NRM2 standards provides the structured cost information they need to appraise a scheme with confidence. For clients, it is the document that turns a design into a priced, auditable contract.

What does our bills of quantities and tender support service cover?

Our cost consultants manage the full procurement stage, from measurement and documentation through to contractor appointment.

• Bills of quantities – NRM2-compliant detailed measurement of the project scope, giving tendering contractors a consistent basis to price and the client a clear benchmark for evaluating returns.
• Tender documentation – Preparation of the full tender package, including the form of tender, preliminaries, preambles, and any employer-specific requirements, structured to the appropriate JCT or NEC contract form.
• Tender management – Issuing tender documents to selected contractors, managing the tender period, responding to contractor queries, and ensuring all returns are received in a consistent format.
• Tender analysis and reporting – Detailed comparison of tender returns against the pre-tender cost plan, identifying pricing anomalies, qualifications, and risk items, with a clear recommendation on contractor selection.
• Contractor interviews and clarifications – Where required, we manage post-tender interviews and clarification meetings to resolve qualifications and agree the basis of the contract before appointment.
• Contract documentation – Preparing and issuing the contract documents for signature, ensuring the agreed scope, price, and programme are accurately reflected before work begins.

Our tender support service runs from the completion of the technical design through to contractor appointment, structured to the RIBA plan of work.

Stage 1 – Measurement and documentation

Once the design is sufficiently developed, we measure the works and prepare the bill of quantities and tender documentation. The quality of the documentation at this stage determines the quality of the information you receive back from contractors, and the reliability of the contract sum you agree.

Stage 2 – Tender issue and management

We issue the tender package to a selected list of contractors, manage the tender period, and respond to queries. Our involvement during the tender period ensures that any clarifications or design changes are issued consistently to all tenderers, avoiding the risk of contractors pricing different information.

Stage 3 – Tender analysis

On return of tenders, we carry out a detailed analysis of each return, comparing prices against the pre-tender cost plan, identifying outliers, and assessing qualifications and risk items. Our tender report sets out a clear recommendation on contractor selection, with the evidence to support it.

Stage 4 – Appointment

We manage post-tender clarifications and prepare the contract documents for signature, ensuring the agreed scope, price, and programme are accurately captured before the contractor mobilises.

Who needs our bills of quantities services?

Our bills of quantities and tender support service is used by a wide range of clients across the construction and development sector, including:

• Property developers procuring contractors for residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes.
• Funders and lenders requiring structured, NRM2-compliant documentation to support their appraisal and drawdown processes.
• Investors procuring refurbishment or repositioning works on assets they own or are acquiring.
• Public sector bodies with procurement obligations requiring documented, auditable tender processes.
• Occupiers commissioning fit-out or refurbishment works under a traditional or design and build contract.
• Architects and design teams who need a cost consultant to manage the procurement stage alongside them.

• RICS-regulated at firm level, with all tender documentation prepared to NRM2 standards and the recognised professional framework that funders, lenders, and auditors require.
• Led by Matthew Watson MRICS, Director of Cost Consultancy and Quantity Surveying, with more than 15 years of experience across commercial, residential, and mixed-use procurement.
• Full lifecycle capability. Our cost consultants carry cost management from feasibility and cost planning through procurement and into the construction phase, providing continuity rather than a handover between teams.
• Combined procurement and employer's agent capability. Where both services are needed, we deliver them from a single team.
• Over 180 years of commercial property experience, with 550 brilliant people across 35 offices covering every major construction market in the UK.
• Proven track record across commercial, residential, mixed-use, education, and healthcare schemes, evidenced by our case studies and client reviews.

Ready to discuss your procurement requirements?

Whether you are preparing to go to tender or need advice on the right procurement route for your scheme, our team is ready to help. Call 0800 051 2593, email [email protected], or complete the form below to speak to a member of our team.