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Everything you need to know about using BoqCalc.
Getting Started
What is BoqCalc?
BoqCalc is an AI-powered platform that reads your Bill of Quantities (BOQ) documents and generates detailed cost estimations with labor, materials, equipment pricing, and risk analysis.
How do I create an account?
Sign up with your email or Google account at boqcalc.com. You'll receive 3 free credits to try the platform immediately.
What are credits?
Credits are used to finalize calculations. The number of credits required depends on your project's estimated value — the AI determines this automatically at the final step. Larger projects use more credits.
The 10-Step Wizard
Step 1 — Upload & Verify
Upload your BOQ document (Excel or PDF). Our AI extracts every line item — code, description, unit, and quantity. You can review and correct items before proceeding.
Step 2 — Project Documents
Optionally upload project specifications, drawings, or notes as PDFs. The AI reads these to understand project context, which improves pricing accuracy in later steps.
Step 3 — Subcontractors
If you have subcontractor quotes for specific BOQ items, assign them here before the costing phase. Items assigned to subcontractors use your quoted price instead of AI-calculated costs.
Step 4 — Resource Library
Define your project's cost norms: individual labor rates, work crews (brigades), equipment with rental type and operator costs, and base material prices. The AI seeds this library automatically — review and adjust rates to match your market.
Step 5 — Direct Costs
For each BOQ item, review and adjust the AI-suggested labor and material assignments. Switch between the Labor and Materials tabs to fine-tune quantities, hours, and unit prices. Items assigned to subcontractors are shown but locked.
Step 6 — Additional Costs
Add project-level costs: bank guarantees, insurance, permits, testing, temporary facilities, and other expenses not tied to specific BOQ items.
Step 7 — Overhead
Define your overhead structure: site staff, office costs, project duration, and your target profit margin. The system calculates overhead as a percentage of direct costs.
Step 8 — Financing Parameters
Optionally enter your confirmed financing details: available credit line and interest rate, client advance %, payment lag, retention %, own equity, and supplier payment terms. The AI uses these exact values in the cash flow model instead of industry defaults.
Step 9 — Risk Analysis
Our most advanced AI model performs deep risk analysis on your entire project, identifying potential cost risks and generating price coefficients that adjust your estimate accordingly.
Step 10 — Review & Payment
Review your complete estimate with per-item breakdowns. The system calculates the credit cost based on project value. Confirm to deduct credits and unlock your final result.
Exports
Excel Export
Downloads a .xlsx file with 4 sheets: the filled BOQ with unit prices and totals, a detailed price breakdown per item, risk analysis results, and additional costs with subcontractor details.
PDF Export
Downloads a formatted PDF with a Price Analysis for each BOQ item, showing labor, equipment, and material tables with a summary calculation.
MS Project XML Export
Exports a .xml file in Microsoft Project XML format (.xml). Available from the Dynamic Schedule tab on the Review page. Importable in Microsoft Project — includes tasks with durations, start/finish dates, milestones, predecessor links, and schedule buffer.
Supported Formats
BOQ Upload
Excel files (.xlsx, .xls) and PDF documents are supported. The BOQ should contain columns for item code/number, description, unit of measurement, and quantity.
Project Documents
PDF files only. These can include technical specifications, drawings, site reports, or any additional project documentation.
Still have questions?
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