§ 01 / Glossary

Bill of quantities

Understand how to read work items, quantities and rates, then use them to compare the original estimate with actual progress and expenditure.

Updated 12 October 2026Reviewed by Matthieu Crétier
§ 02

What is Bill of quantities?

The Italian computo metrico lists work items, quantities and units; the estimative version adds unit prices to estimate total value.

Key points
  • •It is used at tender, estimating and cost-control stages.
  • •Each item has an estimated quantity, a unit price and a total amount.
  • •During the project the bill is compared with quantities actually executed.
§ 03

In practice

  • •It is used at tender, estimating and cost-control stages.
  • •Each item has an estimated quantity, a unit price and a total amount.
  • •During the project the bill is compared with quantities actually executed.
§ 04

How archim handles it

  • •Keep the bill as the project reference and use verified work lines and quantities when preparing quotes or progress statements.
  • •Compare expected or recorded revenue with operational costs allocated to the project.
  • •Prepare and edit SAL work-progress lines and export them to Excel for responsible review.
§ 05

FAQ

§ 06

Continue

Go deeper with the related resources.

Feature

The work moves forward. The margin comes into view.

Job costing compares included revenue with costs allocated to the project. archim brings together recorded labour, materials, equipment, subcontractors and other expenses so you can read the margin and open its source entries.

Guide

How to keep your site margin under control

A simple system to monitor costs and revenues project by project, without waiting until the end of the job.

Turn the bill into control data

Use checked work items and quantities to prepare quotes and progress statements and compare them with project costs.

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