An interior BOQ lists each fit-out item with its location, specification, measurement unit, quantity, rate and amount. It covers ceilings, joinery, finishes, furniture and services, using measured areas, running lengths and counts so vendors can price the same scope.
Download the interior BOQ format in Excel. It includes a fictional 2BHK measurement sheet, 26 BOQ lines and a trade abstract. Rates and amounts start blank. The quantities below are an example dated 25 October 2026, not a quotation or a measurement of your home.
How an interior BOQ differs from a civil BOQ#
A civil BOQ commonly separates excavation, concrete, masonry and reinforcement. An interior fit-out BOQ needs more detail about visible finishes, cabinet construction, fittings and installation. The flat's floor area alone cannot describe those items.
A wardrobe may be quoted per sq ft of front area, while a kitchen carcass may be quoted per running ft at a stated depth and height. A shutter can be measured by its face area, a countertop by plan area, and a light fitting by number. If a supplier prices carcass board area instead, require a cutting/component schedule: that area is different from the cabinet's front area. State the basis beside every quantity.
Use one unit system for each item. One foot is exactly 0.3048 m, so one sq ft is 0.09290304 m². Do not apply a per-running-ft rate to a running-m quantity. The worked download uses metres, m² and counts.
BOQ format for interior work: the columns to keep#
| Column | What to record |
|---|---|
| Trade and item code | Ceiling C01, kitchen K01, wardrobe R01 |
| Location / measurement reference | Room, elevation, drawing number and revision |
| Specification and inclusions | Material, thickness, finish, brand/model where selected, fixing and installation |
| Unit and measurement basis | m² of front area, running m at defined section, nos or a defined set |
| Quantity | Linked to a measurement sheet, not entered as a budget allowance |
| Rate | Vendor's rate per exactly the stated unit |
| Amount | Quantity × rate, rounded to two decimals |
| Clarifications | Unselected materials, exclusions, alternatives and provisional scope |
Keep the drawing revision and vendor clarification record with the saved workbook. The example has descriptions to complete before pricing: “board specification to confirm” is an unresolved choice, not a procurement instruction.
Trade sections: what each line must specify#
These are recommended quote fields. Units and inclusions must be agreed with the vendor; the table is not a universal schedule of rates.
| Trade | Measurement unit / basis | Specify before requesting a rate |
|---|---|---|
| False ceiling | m² of board/grid ceiling; separate cove lengths and access panels | Gypsum board or grid/tile type, thickness, frame sections/spacing, suspension, level, joint treatment and paint inclusion |
| Wall panelling | m² of specified face | Substrate/backing, board grade/thickness, laminate/veneer, edge banding, grooves and fixing |
| Modular kitchen carcass | Running ft or m at stated depth and height, or explicitly defined board area | Base and wall units separately; board grade, thickness, back panels, shelves, legs, internal finish and installation |
| Kitchen shutters | Sq ft or m² of shutter face | Board, finish on each face, edge banding thickness, handle profile and fitting |
| Countertop | Sq ft or m² of agreed plan area, or running length at fixed width | Stone/type, thickness, edge profile, joints, backsplash, sink/hob cut-outs and installation |
| Kitchen hardware | Nos, pairs or a defined set | Brand and series, hinge quantity, soft-close mechanism, runner length/load, baskets and handles |
| Wardrobes | Sq ft or m² of front elevation, or running ft at a stated height/depth | Carcass, shutters, backs, shelves, loft inclusion and finish; separate internal fitting schedule |
| Loose furniture | Nos | Dimensions, frame/board, upholstery, finish, delivery, assembly and mattress/cushion exclusions |
| Flooring and skirting | m² laid area; running m of skirting at stated height | Product/size, substrate preparation, adhesive/bedding, grout, edge work and areas behind fixed furniture |
| Painting and polish | m² of the specified surface and coating system | Preparation, primer, coat count, product, substrate and repairs; polish for exposed veneer separately |
| Electrical points and lights | Nos of each point/fixture type; metres for separately measured routes | Wire size/brand, conduit, point definition and length allowance, switchgear, fixture model, driver and testing |
| Plumbing fixtures | Nos of each fixture or defined set | Brand/model, taps, wastes, traps, connections and installation; new pipe routes measured separately |
| Glass and partitions | m² at defined height; doors separately | Glass type/thickness, framing, channels, fittings, seals and edge treatment |
| Doors and hardware | Nos of specified door sets; nos/sets of fittings | Opening size, frame, shutter, finish, hinges, lock/handle, stopper and fixing |
| Site protection and debris removal | m² protected surface; defined job or trips for removal | Protection material/layers, lift/common-area protection, loading, transport and disposal scope |
False ceiling deductions need their own rule#
The accessible IS 1200 Part 10:1973, clauses 3.1–3.4, measures flat ceiling/lining work in m², describes material, thickness and fixing, and treats supporting members separately unless specified otherwise. Clause 3.4 makes no deduction for each opening up to 0.4 m²; larger openings are deducted in full and their formation labour is measured separately. Check the edition and composite-item wording adopted by your contract. Source: BIS standard, including the February 1989 amendment.
For example, a 0.6 × 0.6 m opening is 0.36 m², while a 0.8 × 0.8 m opening is 0.64 m². Under that cited rule, the second opening is deducted. An access-panel supply item is a separate scope question. The workbook leaves deductions as reviewed inputs; it does not decide the contract rule for you.
The sample ceiling item expressly includes frame, fixing and joint treatment, with paint separate. No opening exceeds 0.4 m² in its assumed layout. Use the false ceiling cost and scope guide when choosing the system and comparing inclusions.
Sample BOQ for interior works: a measured compact 2BHK#
This fictional flat has the following clear internal room dimensions, all in metres. The 67.25 m² total excludes wall thicknesses, balcony and common areas. It is not a saleable-area claim. All rooms are 3 m high. Only the hall and two bedrooms receive a new flat false ceiling.
| Room | Length × width | Floor area m² | New false ceiling m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hall | 5 × 4 | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Bedroom 1 | 4 × 3.5 | 14.00 | 14.00 |
| Bedroom 2 | 3.5 × 3.5 | 12.25 | 12.25 |
| Kitchen | 3 × 3 | 9.00 | — |
| Passage | 3 × 2 | 6.00 | — |
| Bathroom 1 | 2 × 1.5 | 3.00 | — |
| Bathroom 2 | 2 × 1.5 | 3.00 | — |
| Total | 20 + 14 + 12.25 + 9 + 6 + 3 + 3 | 67.25 | 46.25 |
The floor finish extends under cabinetry in this example. Different dry-room and wet-room finishes must be split into separate rows before pricing. No purchase wastage is added to the measured floor area.
Joinery assumptions are a straight 3.6 m base kitchen run, a 2.4 m wall-unit run and one 1.8 m wide × 2.1 m high wardrobe in each bedroom. There are no kitchen corner overlaps, appliance gaps or wardrobe lofts. Base units are 0.6 m deep × 0.75 m high; wall units are 0.35 m deep × 0.7 m high. Wardrobes are 0.6 m deep.
Measured quantities, with rates left for the vendor#
Empty rate and amount cells are intentional. There is no total cost until the specifications are settled and every required rate is entered.
| Item | Quantity calculation | Unit | Quantity | Rate ₹/unit | Amount ₹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gypsum ceiling including agreed frame/joints | 20 + 14 + 12.25 | m² | 46.25 | ||
| Hall wall panel, one face | 3 × 2.4 | m² | 7.20 | ||
| Base kitchen carcass only | 1 × 3.6 | running m | 3.60 | ||
| Wall kitchen carcass only | 1 × 2.4 | running m | 2.40 | ||
| Base shutter fronts | 3.6 × 0.75 | m² | 2.70 | ||
| Wall shutter fronts | 2.4 × 0.7 | m² | 1.68 | ||
| Countertop, agreed gross plan area | 3.6 × 0.6 | m² | 2.16 | ||
| Kitchen hardware package | 1 defined package | set | 1 | ||
| Wardrobes, front area including carcass/shutters | 2 × 1.8 × 2.1 | m² front | 7.56 | ||
| Wardrobe internal fitting packages | 1 per wardrobe × 2 | set | 2 | ||
| Beds | 1 per bedroom × 2 | nos | 2 | ||
| Hall sofa | 1 | nos | 1 | ||
| Flooring, room-wise split required | Sum of seven floor areas above | m² | 67.25 | ||
| Bedroom skirting only | 2 × (4 + 3.5) + 2 × (3.5 + 3.5) − 2 × 0.9 − 2 × 1.8 | running m | 23.60 | ||
| Selected ceiling primer + emulsion system | Same 46.25 m², measured once | m² | 46.25 | ||
| Light wiring points | 6 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 | nos | 18 | ||
| Socket points | 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 | nos | 12 | ||
| Light fixtures | 1 at each of 18 light points | nos | 18 | ||
| Replacement basins | 1 per bathroom × 2 | nos | 2 | ||
| Kitchen sink | 1 | nos | 1 | ||
| Replacement WC sets | 1 per bathroom × 2 | nos | 2 | ||
| Fixed glass partition, no opening | 2 × 2.4 | m² | 4.80 | ||
| Bedroom door sets | 2 openings, each 0.9 × 2.1 m | nos | 2 | ||
| Door hardware packages | 1 per new door × 2 | set | 2 | ||
| One layer of floor protection | Same seven-room area | m² | 67.25 | ||
| Debris removal | Defined provisional scope, not a dimension-based quantity | job | 1 |
The kitchen hardware package assumes 20 hinges, 10 handles and three pairs of drawer runners. Each wardrobe package assumes nine hinges, three handles, one hanging rail and one pair of runners. Each door package contains three hinges, one lock/handle set and one stopper. These are example schedules, not fittings inferred from floor area; revise them against approved elevations and hardware selections.
The countertop uses an expressly agreed gross plan-area basis, with one sink cut-out and edge finishing included in that rate. If your vendor deducts the cut-out and prices its labour separately, revise both lines together. Bedroom skirting omits two 0.9 m door openings and the two 1.8 m wardrobe backs; no returns are included.
The electrical count is an assumed point schedule: hall, bedrooms, kitchen, passage and bathrooms in that order for the light points. Socket counts cover hall, bedrooms and kitchen. Confirm circuits, point routes and appliance loads before pricing. Fixture models and wet-area requirements need separate specification rows where they differ.
Wall repainting, exposed-wood polish, new plumbing routes, distribution-board changes, appliances and demolition are excluded from this particular sample. Add them when required. For wall-opening deductions and separate preparation/coating lines, use the painting BOQ format and measured example.
How to use the interior fit-out BOQ format in Excel#
The download has three linked sheets:
| Sheet | Editable inputs | Calculated results |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract | None; it reads the BOQ | Trade item counts, rates entered and complete trade amounts |
| BOQ | Specifications and vendor rates | Measurement-linked quantities and quantity × rate amounts |
| Measurements | Room dimensions, joinery dimensions, reviewed deductions and scheduled counts | Room areas, perimeters and item quantities |
- Save a project copy and record the drawing revision with it.
- Replace room and joinery measurements. Amber cells are inputs; linked dimensions and quantities remain formulas.
- Check deductions and scope, including floors below cabinets and skirting behind wardrobes.
- Replace the assumed fixture and hardware schedules. Confirm all brand, model, thickness and finish choices.
- Split rows with different specifications, especially flooring and light fixtures. Extend the BOQ formulas, trade ranges and abstract references when adding rows; this is a fixed example, not an automatic drawing reader.
- Enter each vendor's rates in a separate copy of the same agreed BOQ. Use zero only when that item is deliberately included at no additional price.
- Recalculate in Excel and trace a ceiling, cabinet and counted item through to its amount. A blank rate leaves its amount blank. A trade total remains blank until every rate in that trade is entered.
Negative rates and invalid required dimensions produce an error. The workbook requests recalculation on opening. It has no macros and supplies no market rates.
Compare two interior quotes line by line#
Start with the same item codes, quantities and units. Then compare specifications and inclusions before comparing totals. A lower sum can simply omit a countertop or use a thinner back panel.
| Check | What to resolve in both quotes |
|---|---|
| Carcass and shutters | Same board grade/thickness, inner and outer finish, shelf count and measurement basis |
| Edge banding and backs | Thickness, exposed-edge treatment and back-panel material included in writing |
| Hardware | Same brand, series, number of hinges/runners, load rating and fitting charge |
| Countertop | Same material, thickness, width, edge, backsplash and cut-out treatment |
| Installation | Who supplies fasteners, supports, sealants, fitting labour and final adjustments |
| Transport and access | Delivery, unloading, floor-level carrying, lift protection and working-hour constraints |
| Surface preparation | Repairs, levelling, joint work and primer included once |
| Services | Point wiring versus fixture supply; existing connections versus new pipe/cable routes |
| Commercial terms | Vendor's separate GST disclosure, payment stages, validity and warranty wording |
Keep unresolved items in a clarification list. Ask the vendor to reissue the quote after settling them. Do not insert an assumed tax percentage or treat an omitted price as zero. If one vendor offers a composite wardrobe rate including fittings, remove the separate fittings charge for that comparison or obtain a matching split from both vendors.
For reported budget bands and material/hardware choices, see interior design cost per sq ft in India. Those broad budget bands serve a different purpose from a measured item-rate quote.
For your project, get a BOQ from your drawings. Send layouts, elevations, ceiling plans and the finish/fixture schedule so the desk can measure the work and list missing specifications.
Frequently asked questions#
What should a BOQ for interior work include?#
Trade and item codes, locations, specifications, measurement units, quantities, rates and amounts, backed by room and joinery measurements. Include installation and ancillary work explicitly, and record unresolved selections before comparing vendors.
Is there an interior BOQ format in Excel to download?#
Yes. Download the prebuilt interior BOQ workbook. It contains a fictional compact 2BHK quantity example with blank rates, a linked BOQ and a trade abstract. Replace the example measurements before using it on a project.
Should wardrobes be measured in sq ft or running ft?#
Either can be an agreed quotation basis, but they describe different quantities. Front area needs width × height; a running-length quote must fix height, depth and inclusions. Neither automatically means the area of every board inside the wardrobe.
Does a kitchen running-foot rate include shutters and hardware?#
Only if the quotation explicitly says so. This example separates base and wall carcasses, shutters, countertop and a defined hardware package. Avoid adding those components again when a vendor supplies an inclusive rate.
Can I calculate an interior BOQ from the flat's floor area alone?#
Floor area supports flooring and selected ceiling quantities. Cabinet sizes need elevations, finishes need a surface schedule, and points/fixtures need counted layouts. A whole-flat per-sq-ft budget cannot supply those measurements.
Why does the workbook show no total cost at first?#
Rates are intentionally blank. It shows a trade amount only after all rates in that trade are entered, and a complete total only after all trades are priced. This keeps an incomplete quotation from looking like a finished estimate.
References and Further Reading
Primary and supporting sources cited in this article.
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