A BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is an itemised list of every material and product a project needs, with quantities, specifications and units, used to get accurate quotations. For a China sourcing order, a clear BOQ lets a sourcing agent price each line at real factory rates, flag which items need drawings or samples, match each item to the right factory, and consolidate suppliers into shared containers. You do not need a formal quantity-surveyor BOQ to begin — a structured product list in Excel with quantities and specs works.
What Should a BOQ Include?
- Item description: what it is (e.g. “matt porcelain floor tile, rectified”)
- Specification: size, material, finish, colour, grade or standard
- Quantity and unit: e.g. 1,200 m², 300 pcs, 40 sets
- Location or area (optional): which rooms/floors the item is for
- Reference: a drawing number, model or photo where helpful
Sending it in editable Excel (not a flat PDF) speeds up the takeoff and quotation.
How Do I Prepare a BOQ if I Only Have Drawings?
If you have architectural or interior drawings but no BOQ, a sourcing agent can help do the takeoff — reading quantities off the drawings and finish schedules to build the list. For custom items, the agent reviews your CAD and shop drawings and coordinates factory production drawings. If you have neither, start with a room-by-room list of what each space needs and refine from there.
Sourcing this for a commercial project?
FBM Sourcing works with project owners, developers, main contractors and FF&E contractors on hotel, apartment, school, office and other commercial building projects. Send us your BOQ, drawings or product list — we’ll come back with a sourcing plan and budget estimate.
What Happens After I Send a BOQ to a Sourcing Agent?
- Review and clarification: the agent checks the list, groups items by factory type, and raises any missing sizes, finishes or specs.
- Quotation: each line is priced at real factory rates, with items that need a sample or drawing flagged.
- Shortlist and samples: a supplier shortlist and, where needed, samples are arranged for approval.
- Order and QC: confirmed items go into production with quality checkpoints, then consolidate for shipping.
Common BOQ Mistakes That Delay a Quote
- No units or quantities (just “tiles”)
- Finish or colour left open, so the item cannot be priced accurately
- Custom items with no drawing or reference photo
- A flat PDF that has to be retyped before takeoff
How FBM Sourcing Works from Your BOQ
Send FBM Sourcing your BOQ or product list — formal or a simple Excel — and we price each line at factory rates, flag the items that need a drawing or sample, and return a supplier shortlist with a consolidation and shipping plan. There is no need for a perfect BOQ to start; we help complete it as the project firms up.
Send Your BOQ for a Quotation
Submit your project requirements with your BOQ, quantities, destination port and timeline. See also the minimum order for building materials from China and how much a China sourcing agent costs.
