Construction Quotation Format
Construction quotations involve the largest amounts most small contractors handle, and the longest timelines. Prices of steel and cement move during the job, quantities change as drawings change, and payments come in stages. A quotation that does not handle these three things clearly will cause trouble, however good the work.
This page explains the main ways to quote construction work, how to write an item-rate BOQ, and gives a sample for a ground-floor room extension.
Three ways to quote construction
- Per square foot: a single rate multiplied by built-up area, common for complete houses. Simple to compare, but it hides specifications, so attach a list of what is included: cement and steel brands, flooring, doors, electrical and plumbing allowances.
- Item-rate BOQ (bill of quantities): each item of work with a quantity, unit and rate, such as cubic metres of concrete or square metres of plaster. Final billing is on measured quantities. Best for extensions, renovations and commercial work.
- Labour contract: you supply labour only and the owner buys material. Quote labour per square foot or per item, and list the material the owner must provide and when.
Writing an item-rate BOQ
Each BOQ line should describe the work fully enough that another contractor could price it: the item, the mix or grade, thickness, and what is included. "RCC M20 in slab, 125 mm thick, including shuttering and curing, excluding steel" is a proper description; "Slab work" is not. Keep reinforcement steel as a separate line in kilograms, since the steel quantity changes with the structural drawing.
Use standard units: cubic metres for excavation, concrete and masonry; kilograms for steel; square metres or square feet for plaster, flooring and painting; running metres for skirting and drains. State that quantities are estimated and final billing will be on actual measurement.
Sample construction quotation (ground-floor room extension, about 250 sq ft)
Sri Lakshmi Builders
Mysuru GSTIN 29ABCDE1234F1Z5 (sample)
QUOTATION
- Quotation No.
- QT/2026-27/009
- Date
- 01 Oct 2026
- Valid till
- 16 Oct 2026
Bill To
Mr. Prakash Gowda
Vijayanagar, Mysuru
Subject: Construction of one room extension, ground floor (item-rate BOQ)
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns
| # | Item | Qty | Unit | Rate (₹) | GST | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excavation for foundation in ordinary soil, including disposal within plot | 18 | Cu m | 450.00 | 18% | 8,100.00 |
| 2 | PCC 1:4:8 below footings, 100 mm | 2.5 | Cu m | 5,800.00 | 18% | 14,500.00 |
| 3 | RCC M20 footings, columns and plinth beam, incl. shuttering (excl. steel) | 4.5 | Cu m | 7,800.00 | 18% | 35,100.00 |
| 4 | Reinforcement steel Fe 500D, cutting, bending and placing | 780 | Kg | 82.00 | 18% | 63,960.00 |
| 5 | Brick masonry 230 mm in CM 1:6 | 12 | Cu m | 6,900.00 | 18% | 82,800.00 |
| 6 | RCC M20 roof slab 125 mm with beams, incl. shuttering (excl. steel) | 3.6 | Cu m | 8,200.00 | 18% | 29,520.00 |
| 7 | Internal plaster 12 mm in CM 1:4, walls and ceiling | 85 | Sq m | 320.00 | 18% | 27,200.00 |
| 8 | External plaster 20 mm in CM 1:4 | 65 | Sq m | 420.00 | 18% | 27,300.00 |
| 9 | Vitrified tile flooring 600x600 mm, tile up to Rs. 45/sq ft | 250 | Sq ft | 95.00 | 18% | 23,750.00 |
Terms & Conditions
- Final billing on actual measured quantities.
- Steel and cement price changes above 5% adjusted at actual.
- Payments: 15% advance, then stage-wise on foundation, slab, plaster and handover.
- Approvals, water and electricity for construction by owner.
For Sri Lakshmi Builders
Authorised signatory
Bank / UPI (sample)
Sample Bank, A/c 000123456789, IFSC SAMP0001234
UPI: srilakshmibuilders@upi
Scan to Pay (sample)
Download this format: ExcelWordPDF
Sample for reference only. Rates are typical figures and vary by city and brand. GSTIN, bank and UPI details are made up. GST on construction depends on the type of contract and property; works contracts are often at 18%. Confirm with your accountant.
Material price escalation
Steel and cement prices can change noticeably over a few months. For jobs longer than a month or two, add an escalation clause: "Rates are based on steel at Rs. X per kg and cement at Rs. Y per bag on the quotation date. Changes of more than 5% at the time of purchase will be adjusted at actual." This is fair to both sides and avoids you absorbing a price rise you could not control.
Stage-wise payments
Tie payments to visible stages, not to dates. A typical schedule is an advance at start, then payments on completion of foundation, plinth, each roof slab, brickwork, plastering and handover. Customers are comfortable paying when they can see the stage is done, and you keep a steady cash flow for material.
Responsibilities and exclusions
- Building approvals and permits, and the structural drawing, unless you are providing them.
- Water and electricity for construction: who provides them and who pays.
- Curing period and who is responsible for watering.
- Debris removal and disposal outside the plot.
- Electrical, plumbing, doors, windows and painting if quoted separately.
Faster construction quotations
Construction BOQs are long, and rates for the same items repeat from job to job. In Quotely Pro you save your standard items with descriptions, units and rates, copy a previous BOQ, adjust quantities for the new drawing, and download a PDF to send on WhatsApp. Collect each stage payment with an advance receipt. For the finishing work, see the painting and plumbing quotation formats.
Frequently asked questions
What is the format of a construction quotation?
A construction quotation has your company and client details, project description, a bill of quantities with item description, quantity, unit, rate and amount, totals with tax, payment stages, timeline, escalation clause, responsibilities such as approvals and utilities, and exclusions.
What is a BOQ in a construction quotation?
A BOQ (bill of quantities) lists each item of work, such as excavation, concrete, steel, masonry and plaster, with its quantity, unit and rate. Final billing is usually on measured quantities, so the BOQ is an estimate that becomes the basis for the bill.
Should steel be quoted separately in a construction quotation?
Yes. Quote reinforcement steel as a separate line in kilograms, and write concrete rates as excluding steel. Steel quantity depends on the structural drawing and steel prices change often, so keeping it separate makes the quotation fair and easy to adjust.
How do I handle cement and steel price changes in a quotation?
Add an escalation clause stating the steel and cement prices your rates are based on, and that changes above a set percentage at the time of purchase will be adjusted at actual. This protects both contractor and owner on longer jobs.
What payment schedule is common for construction work?
Most contractors take an advance at start and then stage payments on completion of foundation, plinth, each slab, brickwork, plastering and handover. Linking payments to visible stages keeps both sides comfortable.