Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
A structured document that describes and quantifies work items so contractors can price the same measured scope.
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Glossary
Construction estimating glossary
Clear UK construction and commercial definitions, with a practical explanation of why each term matters and how it appears in project work.
27defined terms
5commercial categories
A–Z reference
27 terms found
Definitions explain normal UK construction usage. Always check the wording in the project-specific contract and tender documents.
Showing all 27 terms.
Contingency
A sum carried to manage identified uncertainty or potential change that is not priced as defined work.
Read definitionContract Sum
The amount stated in the building contract as payable for the agreed work, subject to the contract's adjustment rules.
Read definitionCost Plan
An organised forecast of project cost, commonly arranged by element or work package and updated as the design develops.
Read definitionDaywork
A method of valuing work using agreed labour time, materials and plant records when the work cannot be priced reliably in advance.
Read definitionEstimate
A reasoned forecast of the likely cost of work based on the information and assumptions available at the time.
Read definitionExclusion
Work, cost or responsibility expressly stated as not included in a price or scope.
Read definitionFixed-price Quote
An offer to complete a defined scope for an agreed price, subject to the assumptions, exclusions and adjustment terms stated in the quote or contract.
Read definitionLabour Rate
The cost or charge applied to a unit of labour time, often an hour or day, with the included employment and overhead costs clearly defined.
Read definitionMark-up
An amount added to cost, usually as a percentage, to recover overhead, profit or a defined commercial adjustment.
Read definitionOverheads and Profit (OH&P)
The allowance or percentage used to recover business overheads and provide profit above direct project cost.
Read definitionPreliminaries
Project-specific costs needed to manage and deliver the works that are not usually measured as permanent construction, such as site setup, supervision and welfare.
Read definitionPrime Cost Sum (PC Sum)
An allowance for the supply of a particular item that has not yet been selected, with associated labour, waste, delivery and mark-up treated as the quote states.
Read definitionProvisional Sum
An allowance for work that is not sufficiently defined or measured when the price is prepared.
Read definitionQuantity Surveyor (QS)
A construction cost professional who advises on measurement, cost planning, procurement, tendering, valuation and commercial control.
Read definitionRisk Allowance
A specific amount included to reflect an identified risk after considering its potential cost and likelihood.
Read definitionScope Gap
Work or responsibility needed for the project that is absent, unclear or inconsistent across the available documents and prices.
Read definitionScope of Work
The defined work, responsibilities, deliverables and limits covered by an estimate, tender, quote or contract.
Read definitionSpecification
A document or set of notes that defines required materials, products, workmanship, standards and performance.
Read definitionSubcontractor Quotation
A price submitted by a specialist or trade contractor for a stated package of work and commercial basis.
Read definitionTakeoff
The process of extracting quantities, measurements and work items from drawings, models, schedules and specifications.
Read definitionTender
A formal offer to carry out defined work under stated commercial and contractual conditions, usually submitted in response to tender documents.
Read definitionTender Clarification
A formal question or response used to confirm scope, assumptions, qualifications or pricing before a tender decision is made.
Read definitionTender Return
The complete price and supporting information submitted by a tenderer by the stated deadline and in the required format.
Read definitionValuation
An assessment of the value of work completed, materials and permitted adjustments at a particular date for payment purposes.
Read definitionValue Engineering
A structured review of function, performance and cost to find a better-value solution without simply reducing necessary scope or quality.
Read definitionVariation
A change to the agreed scope, design, quantity, sequence or conditions that is valued under the applicable quote or contract terms.
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