BuildCopilot

Generate a Bill of Quantities

Produce a structured Bill of Quantities section in NRM2 format for a specific building element using AI.

Editor: Owen HaggerLast updated

Overview

This workflow helps Quantity Surveyors rapidly draft BoQ sections following NRM2 measurement rules. It generates properly structured items with descriptions, units, and quantities for a given building element, which you can then price and refine against project drawings.

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Prompt

You are an experienced UK Quantity Surveyor preparing a Bill of Quantities in accordance with NRM2 (RICS New Rules of Measurement: Detailed measurement for building works). Generate a detailed BoQ section for the following building element:

Building Element: [ELEMENT, e.g., Reinforced concrete frame, columns, beams, and suspended slabs]
Project Type: [PROJECT TYPE, e.g., 4-storey commercial office building]
Gross Internal Floor Area: [GIFA, e.g., 3,200 sqm]
Structural Grid: [GRID, e.g., 7.5m x 7.5m typical bays]
Specification Notes: [SPEC, e.g., C40 concrete, B500B reinforcement, typical slab thickness 275mm]

Structure the BoQ as a table with the following columns:
- Item Reference (e.g., 2.1.1, 2.1.2)
- NRM2 Work Section Reference
- Description (full measured item description including specification)
- Unit (m3, m2, kg, m, nr, etc.)
- Quantity
- Rate (leave blank for pricing)
- Amount (leave blank for pricing)

Follow NRM2 measurement rules for each item. Include:
- All concrete work measured in m3 separated by element (columns, beams, slabs, upstands)
- Formwork measured in m2 by type (sides of beams, soffits, column faces, slab soffits)
- Reinforcement measured in tonnes separated by bar diameter
- Any associated sundry items (construction joints, waterstops, cast-in fixings)

Add brief notes at the end covering measurement assumptions and any items excluded from this section.

Typical result

~4hby hand~2hwith AI

A cautious typical estimate, including the time to gather the inputs and check the output. It varies with the job.

What it replaces: Writing bill items and descriptions for an element by hand.

What you still check

  • Quantities come from your measure, not the AI
  • Item descriptions follow NRM2 and the specification
  • Units, rules and any provisional items are checked by a QS

Use Case

Use this when you need to quickly draft a BoQ section for a specific element during the measurement phase. Replace the placeholders with your actual project details and review against the drawings before issuing for pricing.

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