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0 INTRODUCTION
A bill of quantities or BOQ is a document detailing the qualitative and quantitative aspects of every constituent parts of a proposed construction project (Hackett and Robinson (2003) and Chan (2002)). It is a document or a book containing a long list of all the items of works for construction. Each of these items is complete with the description of material, labour and workmanship for the work and its quantity (NSW Legislative Council, 1991; Marsden, 1998; Seeley, 1997 cited in Davis & Baccarini, 2004). Basically, it is a document with detail information about the type, nature and quantities of the finished work in a construction (Willis, et al 2002). Normally, it is compiled together with the form of tender, specification, preliminary bill and list of drawings to form a tender document. Based on the nature and complexity of construction works, various types of bill of quantities have been formalised to cost and quantify the works. These include: Trade and work section bills, Operational bills, Activity bills, and Civil engineering bills. The bill of quantities is basically divided into four parts; Preliminary and general items, Description of materials and workmanship, Measured works, and General summary. This document is outlining a comprehensive list of all items in a typical bill of quantities and briefly describing what is contained in each section.

2.0 MAIN ISSUE 2.1 PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL ITEMS The preliminary and general item is that part of the bill of quantities which...... This part of the bill of quantities covers the following: 2.1.1 PROJECT PARTICULARS The project particulars comprises of the following: 2.1.1.1 The Parties - This clearly defines the stakeholders involved in the project e.g. the employer and other expertizes (quantity surveyors, architect, structural engineers, water and drainage engineers etc). 2.1.1.2 The Works This will clearly state the works that will be covered by the bill of quantities in accordance with the tender documents and drawings. 2.1.1.3 Site Description this clearly states the location of the site. 2.1.1.4 Inspection of Site This is where the contractor visit and inspect the proposed site at his own expense prior to tendering and shall acquaint himself with the site, the accessibility of the site, the nature of the ground, the position, and extent of all services, hidden services and mains, local conditions, the full extent and character of the works covered by the contract, the supply of and the conditions affecting labour, materials the conditions under which the work is required to be executed, and no claim for variation, alterations or additional payment will at any time be considered or admitted on the grounds of lack of knowledge of the works and lack of information, deficiency of description as occasioned by any default of inspection on the part of the contractor or by any contingence arising which could be ascertained or indicated as a result of such inspection. 2.1.1.5 The Site Generally This states that the tender shall be deemed to reflect a comprehensive appreciation of the constraints imposed by the site on the carrying out of the works arising from: Its conditions and size The rights of users of adjacent and surrounding property to the safe unrestricted use of their premises and environment. It will also state clearly the use of the site e.g. the site shall not be used for any purpose other than the works. 2.1.1.6 Drawings The drawings from which the bill of quantities have been prepared, together with location drawings component details and the proposed contract drawings are as listed in the contract document 2.1.1.7 The Contract This part will state what the articles of agreement and conditions of contract will comprise of e.g. the standard bidding documents.

2.1.1.8 The Employers Requirements This will comprise the tender and other related matters. 2.1.1.9 Interpretation this will define the criteria for tender submission and the conditions on which tenders will be considered or rejected, including the immediate step to seek for tender clarification. 2.1.1.10 Acceptance This will state the criteria for successful tender acceptance. The process of the tender acceptance has to complete the following stage; Ascertainment of the trading status of the tenderer whose tender is under consideration. Formal agreement to changes or adjustments that may be required to the tender as submitted. The employer is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender or to pay the costs of expenses arising from submission of any tender and the employer the reserves the right to obtain further tenders without obligation if so desired.

2.1.2 BILLS OF QUANTITIES This will clearly state the following in the bills of quantities: That the prices contained in the bills of quantities are deemed to include all risks and obligations described referred to or implied. That the bill of quantities, the preliminary and specification are complementary and are to be read together in association with the drawings. That material shall be ordered from the drawings and not the bills of quantities. Items in the preliminaries and bills of quantities left unpriced are deemed o have been allowed for elsewhere in the prices. All quantified and unquantified items must be priced.

2.1.2.1 Contract This section will clearly state the form, type and conditions of contract. 2.1.2.2 Errors in the Tender Bills of Quantities This will state the remedies to the errors in the submitted bills of quantities. 2.1.2.3 Contractors Liability This will define the contractors attention as drawn from the conditions of contract on regard to injury on person and property and employers identity, insurance against injury to person and damage theft to and insurance of the works against fire etc. 2.1.2.4 Notices and Fees In this section, the contractor shall give notice to local authorities and public undertakings and allow for the payment of all fee charges.

2.1.2.5 Rates and Taxes in this section, the contractor shall include in his tender for all rates, taxes and other charges of a similar nature which may be levied by the appropriate authority upon temporary buildings, plant, equipment or any other matters used either on site or elsewhere for purpose of the works. 2.1.2.6 Obligations and Restrictions Imposed by the Employer this section comprises the following; Access to and possession or use of site: This defines the contractors own arrangements for providing maintenance and reinstating on completion adequate safe access to and from the site. Limitation of working space: This defines the extent to which the contractor shall restrict his operations, that is within the confines of the site except when providing mains services and drainage works which extend beyond the site boundary. 2.1.2.7 Management of the Work This simply states how the works will be managed. 2.1.2.8 Labour Returns This section tells the contractor to submit each month to the architect a statement of the manpower employed on the works in the various skills and trades and whomsoever employed. 2.1.2.9 Programmed and Progress Chart This is the chart which the contractor should submit two copies to the architect of he program and the progress of the principal operations. 2.1.2.10 Measurement of Covered Works This states and provides the provision for measurement of the work before it is covered. This usually allows the architect at least three days notice for inspection and measurement of the works. 2.1.2.11 Tests and Samples This states the section on which samples of materials and products to be used in the works are submitted to the director of buildings before orders are placed. 2.1.2.12 Use and Disposal of Materials Found on the Site this is the part in which the remedy for disposal of the materials found on the site is stated e.g. the right to dispose of sand, aggregate and top soil found on the site is reserved by the architect. 2.1.2.13 Information to the Director of Buildings- this entails supplying the director of building or other authorities all the information required by them in connection with application and returns, progress or other matters that may be required. 2.1.2.14 lives Drains Service Mains-this involves the ascertainment of the location of and protection of all water, electrical, telephone services, drains and sewers. Affording access to the controlling utilities for disconnections inspection and other activity that may be required to deal with the presence of the services and drains.

Ensuring that the employer is indemnified from all claims costs and charges arising from damage or severance to the services and drains. Notifying the controlling utility of any damage and take all protection of property. Agreement with the architect should be made before the works begin the condition of the water mains, hydrants, valves, boxes and location points and schedule the findings. 2.1.2.15 2.1.2.16 protection of trees and shrubs- this section states that careful preservation and protection of those trees and shrubs not required to be removed should be fully observed. More-so, any tree or shrub injured damaged or removed without writtern permission of the director of buildings shall be replaced at no cost to the employer with a tree or shrub of similar species and size. 2.1.2.17 Notice board- this section calls for the provision of a sign not less than 3x2.5metres on which is displayed the names of the works employer and the name of the consultant all painted by hand to the Director of Buildings design with space for the names of the contractors and sub-contractors names. 2.1.2.18 Temporary office-this states that an office of a required size shall be provided. 2.1.2.19 Access and Possession or Use of Site-this clearly states that the contractor shall make his own arrangements for providing, maintaining and reinstating on completion adequate safe access to and agrees from the site. His proposal for access and agrees shall be submitted to the authority for approval prior to their implementation. 2.1.2.20 Limitation of Working Space-This defines the extent to which the contractor shall restrict his operations, that is within the confines of the site except when providing mains services and drainage works which extend beyond the site boundary 2.1.3 Contractors General Cost Items 2.1.3.1 Management and Staff -this section covers all employees involved. 2.1.3.2 Director and Control-this part clearly defines that the director and control should 2.1.3.3 Overtime- In this section the provisions and conditions for the cost of overtime are laid out. It says provide for the cost of overtime working and gain prior writtern authorisation of the Director of Buildings 2.1.3.4 Site Accommodation-this section calls for the provision of temporary accommodation for welfare of personnel, secure weather protection of materials and fire resistance storage of inflammable materials. it further states that temporary offices and pit latrine accommodation of a standard and in such positions as the Director of Buildings may

approve should be provided. More-so it say that keep the buildings in clean and sanitary conditions, remove on completion make good all works disturbed. 2.1.4 Services and Facilities 2.1.4.1 Water-this part calls for the provision and supply of clean, fresh water, including costs of connection , consumption, temporary storage and distribution, all other materials, plant and equipment, labour and need for compliance with the requirements of the water authority. 2.1.4.2 Lighting and Power-this section states that electric power supply for lighting and power plant together with all cables, portable leads, fittings, all other materials, plant equipment and labour should be provided 2.1.4.3 Temporary Telephones-this emphasises the installation of the telephone for use throughout the contract period 2.1.4.5 Safety, Health and Welfare-this is the safety, health and welfare facilities and other statutory regulations and local working rules. it calls for the ensuring of all personnel, and visitors on the site and plan and arrange the works with safety as one of the major consideration 2.1.4.6 Site Administration and Security-it defines the administration of works as to avoid trespass, obstruction, nuisance, damage, injury to persons and property outside the boundaries of the site. Taking such measures of protection and security as to avoid trespass and unrestricted entry, damage wanton and inadvertent, theft and injury by and to those whose access tot he is unauthorised paying particular attention to children. 2.1.4.7 Rubbish Disposal-this provides the remedy for clearing up and removal of all rubbish and debris as the work proceeds and on completion, leaving the structure and surrounding areas clear of all plant and material 2.1.4.8 Protection-This emphasises on providing and maintaining all temporary measures of protection for the works and the public paying particular attention to the needs of the blind and infirm 2.1.4.9 Control of Noise Pollution-this emphasises on noise control, taking precautions to reduce the noise and vibration emanating from plant on the works. 2.1.4.10 Weather Protection-this emphasises on taking all reasonable measure to prevent or minimise delays during adverse weather 2.1.5 Mechanical Plant 2.1.5.1 Plant, Tools and Vehicles -This stresses on providing all the plant, tools and vehicles required for the due execution of the whole of the works

2.1.5.2 Personnel Transport- this highlights the need for provision of transportation of personnel for and from the site. 2.1.6 Temporary Works 2.1.6.1 Scaffolding- provides all general scaffolding required for the extension of the works. 2.1.6.2 Temporary Roads and Hardstanding- Provide temporary roads, hardstandings and paths 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP 2.2.1 Standard Specification for Materials and Workmanship-The specification for materials and workmanship is the standard General Specification of materials and workmanship for building woks. These shall be read as mutually explanatory one with the other. Where a particular specification is incorporated, it will take precedence and shall prevail over the standard General Specification should any conflict discrepancy arise between documents 2.2.2 Materials all materials shall be of the specified quality if specified , shall be of the best quality, no better quality being obtainable, trade usage s to the contrary notwithstanding. All materials shall be from approved manufacturers. The Director of Buildings may require the contractor to submit samples of any samples materials to be used in the works and if so required the contractor shall submit samples without delay. Where a British Standard is referred to in the specification the relevant material or article shall comply therewith. Where a Zambian Standard, exists which properly covers an article, at the Date of tender, then the conditions of that Zambian Standard shall apply. Provided always that the cost of the material or article so supplied shall not exceed the cost of the complying with the British Standard. 2.2.3 Workmanship -All workmanship shall be of the highest possible standard and shall accord with the recommendations in any appropriate current British or Zambian Code of Practice