TL;DR
A BOQ is your contract in numbers. If you can't read it, you can't verify it. Here's how — in 5 minutes flat.
What Is a BOQ?
A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is the detailed spreadsheet that breaks your entire interior project into individual items — each with a description, quantity, rate, and total cost. It's the financial DNA of your project. If the 3D render shows you what your home looks like, the BOQ tells you what you're actually paying for.
Anatomy of a BOQ: The 4 Columns That Matter
Every BOQ — whether it's a one-page quote or a 15-page spreadsheet — comes down to four columns. Here's a sample kitchen BOQ row with annotations:
| Item Description | Quantity | Rate (₹) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen base cabinet — 18mm BWR plywood carcass, 1mm Merino laminate finish, soft-close Hettich hinges, SS handles ⬆ LOOK FOR: material grade, brand names, dimensions, finish type | 42 sqft ⬆ VERIFY: measure your kitchen yourself — does 42 sqft match? | ₹2,200/sqft ⬆ CHECK: is this within Bangalore market range (₹1,800–₹2,500)? | ₹92,400 ⬆ CALCULATE: 42 × 2,200 = ₹92,400 ✓ |
| Wall cabinet — 18mm BWR plywood, 1mm laminate, glass shutter (5mm frosted), Hettich lift-up ⬆ GOOD: glass type specified, hardware brand named | 28 sqft ⬆ VERIFY: wall cabinets are typically 60-70% of base cabinet area | ₹2,450/sqft ⬆ CHECK: glass shutters add ₹200-400/sqft — is it reasonable? | ₹68,600 ⬆ CALCULATE: 28 × 2,450 = ₹68,600 ✓ |
| Loft storage — 12mm commercial plywood, 0.7mm laminate, basic hinges ⬆ NOTICE: lower grade plywood + laminate for loft = cost saving. Acceptable. | 18 sqft ⬆ VERIFY: loft runs the length of kitchen — does 18 sqft seem right? | ₹1,400/sqft ⬆ CHECK: loft should be 30-40% cheaper than base cabinets | ₹25,200 ⬆ CALCULATE: 18 × 1,400 = ₹25,200 ✓ |
The 4-column check: For every single row, ask — (1) Is the description specific enough to hold the vendor accountable? (2) Does the quantity match my actual measurements? (3) Is the rate within market range? (4) Does qty × rate = amount?
5 Red Flags in Any BOQ
If you see any of these, stop and ask questions before signing:
- "As per actual" Translation: blank cheque. The vendor hasn't committed to a price. You'll pay whatever they decide at the time. Always demand a fixed rate or a capped maximum.
- "Lump sum" without breakdown A ₹3,50,000 lump sum for "kitchen work" tells you nothing. What's the plywood grade? What's included? How many sqft? Without a breakdown, you can't verify anything — and you can't dispute overcharges later.
- Missing dimensions If the quantity column says "1 unit" for a wardrobe instead of "62 sqft," you have no way to verify the rate. A "unit" can be any size — and you'll find out what it means only when the bill arrives.
- No brand specifications "Soft-close hinges" could mean ₹50/pair (generic Chinese) or ₹450/pair (Hettich). "Laminate finish" could mean 0.7mm unbranded or 1mm Merino. If the brand isn't written, assume the cheapest version will be used.
- "Excluded" or "Not in scope" items Check the bottom of every BOQ for fine print. Electrical points, painting, civil work, handles, skirting, glass shutters — these are commonly excluded. They will be charged "extra" at 2-3× market rate once you're committed.
Quick Verification Method
The Sqft × Market Rate Sanity Check
You don't need to verify every line item. Use this quick formula to spot if the overall numbers make sense:
Example: Your modular kitchen is 110 sqft total (base + wall + loft). Bangalore mid-range market rate: ₹1,800–₹2,500/sqft.
If your quoted kitchen total is ₹3,80,000 for the same 110 sqft — that's ₹3,450/sqft. Either it's a premium spec (which should be reflected in the description) or you're being overcharged.
Market rates (Bangalore, mid-range, 2026):
- Modular kitchen: ₹1,800–₹2,500/sqft
- Wardrobes: ₹1,500–₹2,200/sqft
- TV units / crockery: ₹1,400–₹2,000/sqft
- False ceiling: ₹85–₹150/sqft
- Painting: ₹22–₹35/sqft
What to Do Next
Your Action Plan
1. Ask your vendor for the full BOQ (not a summary quote). 2. Measure your rooms independently. 3. Run the sqft × market rate check on major items. 4. Flag any red flags from the list above. 5. If anything looks off — or if you just want professional confirmation — get a ₹500 quote audit.
Get a Professional BOQ Audit in 3 Steps
Send your BOQ
WhatsApp us a photo or PDF of your vendor's BOQ or quotation
We review (48 hrs)
Line-by-line verification of specs, rates, quantities & calculations
Get your report
PDF with findings: red flags, fair rates, missing items, total true cost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BOQ in interior design?
A BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is a detailed spreadsheet that breaks down every item in your interior project — material, quantity, rate per unit, and total cost. It's the financial blueprint of your project and forms the basis of your contract.
How many line items should a good interior BOQ have?
A good BOQ for a kitchen alone should have 40–60 line items. If your kitchen BOQ has only 10–15 lines, it's bundling items together — which makes it impossible to verify individual rates and leaves room for hidden charges.
What does "as per actual" mean in a BOQ?
"As per actual" means the vendor hasn't committed to a fixed price for that item. You'll be charged whatever it costs at the time of execution — essentially a blank cheque. Always ask for a fixed rate or at least a cap.
How can I verify if my BOQ rates are fair?
Use the sqft × market rate method. For example, if modular kitchen rates in Bangalore are ₹1,800–₹2,500/sqft for mid-range, multiply by your kitchen's total sqft. If the quoted amount is significantly higher, ask for a breakdown. For professional verification, get a quote audit done for ₹500.
Should I ask my vendor for a BOQ before signing?
Absolutely. Never sign a contract based on a one-page summary or verbal estimate. A detailed BOQ is your right as a customer. If a vendor refuses to provide one, that's a red flag — they don't want you to be able to verify their charges.