Interior Planning · BOQ Guide
Interior Design BOQ: What Should It Include?
A good interior design BOQ turns a broad quotation into a clear project scope. It should show what is being made, where it is being used, how much is required, which materials and specifications apply, and what is included or excluded.
An interior BOQ should normally cover the work item, location, dimensions or quantity, board or construction material, thickness, finish, hardware, accessories, rate, amount, installation responsibility and relevant exclusions. The exact format can vary by project, but important specifications should not be left vague.
Why the BOQ matters
A BOQ is more than a price sheet.
In an interior project, the final amount depends on much more than the number printed at the bottom of a quotation. Kitchen size, wardrobe configuration, board specification, finish, hardware, furniture, electrical work, installation and site requirements can all change the actual scope.
A properly prepared BOQ documents those details so the homeowner, designer, contractor and execution team are working from the same project definition.
01 · BOQ basics
What information belongs in an interior BOQ?
Work item
Clearly identify the item being supplied or executed: kitchen cabinets, wardrobe, TV unit, bed, false ceiling, lighting, painting or another agreed element.
Location
Mention the room or zone so the quantity and specification can be understood in context.
Measurement
Record dimensions, area, running length, number of pieces or another suitable unit of measurement.
Material
Identify the board, surface, stone, glass, metal, paint or other primary material required for the item.
Specification
Where relevant, record grade, thickness, finish, brand or agreed equivalent, construction method and application.
Commercial value
The BOQ should connect the agreed quantity and specification with the rate, amount and applicable commercial terms.
02 · Project scope
Start with everything the project is actually supposed to cover.
A BOQ becomes difficult to compare when one quotation includes a room or trade that another quotation leaves outside the package.
03 · Materials & construction
“Plywood” or “laminate” alone is not a complete specification.
Material names can hide significant differences. The BOQ should describe the construction specification appropriate to the application rather than relying on a generic material label.
| Element | What to specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Board | Board type/grade, application and thickness | The substrate affects construction, durability and cost. |
| Finish | Laminate, acrylic, veneer, PU, paint or other approved finish | Appearance, maintenance and cost can vary significantly. |
| Edges | Edge banding, sealing or other applicable treatment | Edges are part of the finished construction, particularly in moisture-prone areas. |
| Countertop | Material, thickness, profile and relevant cut-outs | Stone and countertop scope can materially affect kitchen pricing. |
| Glass / metal | Type, thickness, finish and application | Different specifications can look similar but have different costs. |
| Paint | System, finish and number of coats where applicable | Surface preparation and finish quality affect the final result. |
04 · Quantities & measurements
A BOQ should explain how the quantity was arrived at.
A number without a unit or measurable basis is difficult to verify. Depending on the item, the BOQ may use running feet, square feet, square metres, pieces, sets, points or another suitable unit.
| Work | Possible unit | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wardrobe | Running ft / sq ft / unit | Width, height, depth, shutters and internal configuration. |
| Kitchen cabinets | Running ft / modules | Base units, wall units, tall units and accessories. |
| False ceiling | Sq ft | Area, design zones and included lighting/profiles. |
| Lighting | Pieces / points | Fixture type, wattage/specification and electrical responsibility. |
| Furniture | Pieces / sets | Dimensions, construction, upholstery and finish. |
| Painting | Sq ft / room / package | Surface preparation, paint system and included coats where relevant. |
05 · Hardware & accessories
Hardware is part of the construction specification.
Cabinet performance depends not only on the board and finish but also on the hinges, drawer systems, channels, handles, baskets and other functional fittings. Important hardware should therefore be identifiable in the BOQ.
Hinges
Specify the hinge type and relevant soft-close or functional requirements.
Drawer systems
Identify the drawer mechanism and any load or soft-close specification.
Channels
Record the relevant channel or runner specification rather than leaving it as a generic “hardware” allowance.
Kitchen accessories
Baskets, bottle pull-outs, corner mechanisms, lift systems and other accessories should be separately identifiable.
Handles
Specify profile, handle type, finish or agreed equivalent where important to the design.
Other fittings
Include mirrors, glass fittings, wardrobe accessories or other functional components where they form part of the approved scope.
06 · Room-by-room BOQ
Break the project into understandable zones.
| Zone | Typical BOQ items | Specification to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Base cabinets, wall cabinets, tall units, countertop, accessories | Board, finish, hardware, dimensions, countertop and installation. |
| Master bedroom | Wardrobe, bed, side tables, dresser, TV/storage | Dimensions, construction, finish, hardware and furniture scope. |
| Bedroom 2 / 3 | Wardrobe, bed, study unit, storage | Room-specific quantities and approved design. |
| Living room | TV unit, storage, furniture, wall treatment | Furniture, panels, finish, lighting and electrical scope. |
| Dining | Dining furniture, crockery/storage units, lighting | Furniture dimensions and fixture responsibility. |
| Common areas | Entry storage, shoe unit, ceiling, lighting, painting | Dimensions, quantity and installation responsibility. |
07 · Exclusions & responsibilities
What is not included can be just as important as what is included.
A clear BOQ should identify exclusions rather than leaving them open to interpretation. The exact exclusions depend on the project and contract.
08 · Homeowner checklist
Before approving the BOQ, check these points.
09 · Common BOQ mistakes
Where homeowners often lose clarity.
10 · BOQ vs quotation
They work together, but they are not exactly the same thing.
| BOQ | Quotation |
|---|---|
| Breaks the project into measurable work items. | Presents the commercial price for the agreed project scope. |
| Records quantities and specifications. | Shows rates, amounts, taxes and commercial conditions. |
| Helps define what will actually be executed. | Helps define the financial agreement. |
| Useful for procurement and execution control. | Useful for commercial approval and payment milestones. |
In a well-defined project, the quotation and BOQ should support each other rather than describe conflicting scopes.
11 · From BOQ to execution
A useful BOQ should remain connected to the actual design.
Brief
Establish rooms, lifestyle requirements, storage needs, priorities and budget direction.
Measurement
Verify dimensions, openings, services, site conditions and access.
Design
Develop layouts, furniture, elevations, materials and key details.
Specification
Finalize boards, finishes, hardware, fixtures and other approved selections.
BOQ
Convert the approved scope into measurable items, specifications and costs.
Execution
Manufacture, install, inspect, resolve snags and hand over according to the approved scope.
12 · Related interior guides
Continue planning your project.
13 · Frequently asked questions
Interior design BOQ questions.
What is a BOQ in interior design?
BOQ means Bill of Quantities. In an interior project, it is a detailed document that records the agreed scope, quantities, measurements, materials, specifications, rates and project costs.
What should an interior design BOQ include?
A useful BOQ should identify the work item, location, dimensions or quantity, material and construction specification, finish, hardware where applicable, rate, amount and relevant installation or execution responsibility.
Should plywood thickness be mentioned in the BOQ?
Yes. Where board products are used, the BOQ should identify the board type or grade, thickness, intended application and agreed brand or equivalent specification where relevant.
Should hardware be included in an interior BOQ?
Yes. Hinges, drawer runners, channels, baskets, lift systems, handles and other important fittings should be identified so the scope is not based only on the cabinet or furniture body.
Should installation be included in the BOQ?
The BOQ should clearly state whether fabrication, transportation, installation, site handling and finishing are included or excluded.
Why is a BOQ important when comparing interior quotations?
A BOQ allows homeowners to compare quotations on the same scope, quantities and specifications instead of comparing only the headline project price.
Can the BOQ change during an interior project?
Yes. Approved changes, additional work, site conditions or client selections can change the BOQ. Changes should be documented and approved before execution wherever possible.
What exclusions should be mentioned in an interior BOQ?
Exclusions may include appliances, loose furniture, major civil or structural work, plumbing relocation, electrical upgrades, curtains, air-conditioning or other items outside the agreed scope. The exact exclusions should be project-specific.
Plan with clarity
Start with a measured scope, then build the BOQ.
For a Dwarka home interior project, the useful starting information is the property type, approximate area, floor plan, rooms required, storage needs, kitchen requirements, preferred style and project priorities.