How the QS page works — every step
Provisional tool: its amounts are for discussion with the QS, not certified payment value. Retention and deductions are not calculated.
The idea in one line
Value = quantity × unit price × stage weightage × share of the stage that site has marked done — split into A (the metres inside WIRs approved by the Engineer) and B (marked work that is not approved yet).
Step 1 — Link each drawing asset to a BOQ item (tab “Assets & BOQ codes”)
- Choose the network (and for roads the layer).
- Size and material are read from the drawing’s specification text (for example “DIA 315mm uPVC”). If the drawing gives none, you set it by assigning the BOQ item yourself.
- Level (depth) is not on the drawings: enter it per asset (one by one, for the selected assets, or in the Excel sheet). The depth decides the BOQ item (for example “depth not exceeding 1.5 m”).
- Press Propose BOQ codes: assets whose size, material and level fit exactly one BOQ item are proposed; if several fit you choose; if none fits it says why. Nothing is guessed.
- You can also select assets and use Assign BOQ code directly, add a measured quantity (when the QS measures differently from the drawing; 0 excludes the asset), or add a further component (for example concrete surround) with its own BOQ item.
- Press Save. The save is refused if someone else changed the data meanwhile.
Four ways to link a BOQ item to assets — they never overwrite each other silently
| Method | Use it when | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Proposed by size / type / level | The drawing states the pipe size and material; you know the depth | Enter the level, then “Propose by size / type / level…”. Assets that fit exactly one BOQ item are proposed; if several fit or the level is missing it says so. |
| 2. By hand | A few assets, or the drawing gives no size | Tick assets, then “Assign BOQ code to selected…”. |
| 3. From a BOQ item | You think in BOQ items: “this item covers these runs” | “Link from a BOQ item…”: choose the item; the tool reads its size, material and depth band and shows which assets fit and which do not (and why); tick and link. |
| 4. From the Excel sheet | The QS already has levels or codes per run | Download the sheet, fill it, upload it. |
The one rule: every method goes through the same check. A new link on an unlinked asset is applied; the same link again does nothing; a different link on an asset that already has one is shown to you as a conflict (asset, existing item and how it was made, new item) and you choose keep existing, replace or cancel. The “how” (proposed / by hand / from BOQ item / from sheet) is shown beside each link and recorded in the audit when you Save. A drawing change still holds a link until the QS re-confirms it. Size and material come from the drawing text; level (depth) is not on the drawings, so you enter it or load it with the sheet.
Step 2 — Unit prices (tab “Unit rates (BOQ prices)”)
Normally nothing to do: the price per unit comes from the BOQ. Add a price only when the BOQ has none or the QS agreed a different one (reason required).
Step 3 — Stage weightage (tab “Stage weightage”)
A job is built in stages (for example Excavation → Laying → Backfilling). Weightage says what share of the price each stage earns, totalling 100%. Until it is provided the page counts the full price only when the last stage is done. A template lists the QS team’s own stages and the marked stage each is credited at (site marks three stages on the drawings: first, second, third).
Step 4 — Read the estimates (tab “Estimates”)
A = work done and approved by WIR (A/B). B = work done but not approved: WIR pending, WIR rejected, no WIR. A + B includes rejected work and is not accepted value. Click a BOQ code to see its assets stage by stage. Banners tell you when something is not valued, held for review or unsaved.
Step 5 — Check against the QS records (tabs “Tracker” and “Measurement sheets”)
The tracker and the generated measurement sheets follow the QS team’s own formats: work done by stage with the WIR numbers (green approved, amber pending, red rejected), completion %, certified quantity. Copy, download or print them. Only the approved weightage produces a real record; any other template is a labelled simulation.
Held for review
Assignments made before drawing fingerprints existed, assignments whose drawing changed, and WIRs without geometry evidence are not valued until you review them (reason required, audit record written). Value can fall after an upgrade or a drawing revision; nothing is deleted.
Limits
Not built yet: choosing scope on the drawing, splitting one run across BOQ items, quantity conversions, versioned approvals, frozen issued valuations, period earned value, retention. Do not use the amounts as certification.