What is an SOQ?

What is a Schedule of Quantities (SOQ)?

The Schedule of Quantities (SOQ) is a structured document used to define and manage project tasks, costs, materials, and labor. It serves as the foundation for planning, tendering, and monitoring construction projects.

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1. Purpose of an SOQ

The SOQ is used to:

1. Estimate Project Costs

   • Provides a breakdown of all required materials and labor, along with their quantities and rates.

2. Streamline Bidding

   • Forms the basis for creating tenders (RFPs) and receiving bids (RTS) from contractors.

3. Track Project Progress

   • Allows real-time tracking of task completion, variations, and cost updates.

4. Control Budgets

   • Helps clients monitor costs against the project budget, reducing risks of overruns.

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2. Components of an SOQ

An SOQ typically includes the following components:

Field	Description
Item Description	Description of materials or labor tasks
Unit	Measurement unit (e.g., m³, kg, hours)
Estimated Quantity	Predicted quantity of work or materials
Bidder Quantity	Quantity proposed by the contractor (RTS)
Unit Rate	Cost per unit of material or labor
Total Cost	Calculated as Quantity × Unit Rate
Attachments	Supporting documents (e.g., drawings, notes)

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3. Role of SOQ in 14Build

The SOQ is tightly integrated into the project lifecycle within 14Build. Its key roles include:

1. Project Creation

   • SOQ data is linked to new projects during the creation phase, providing cost estimates.

2. Tender Management

   • SOQs serve as the basis for RFP (Request for Proposal) creation.
   • Contractors submit RTS (Request to Supply) bids referencing SOQ tasks and quantities.

3. Progress Tracking

   • Daily logs and task progress are measured against SOQ data to monitor completion.

4. Variation Management

   • Changes to tasks or costs are updated directly within the SOQ and reflected on-chain.

5. Escrow Payments

   • Approved tasks and milestones from the SOQ trigger escrow payments for contractors.

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4. Example SOQ Structure

Here is an example SOQ for a “Foundation Work” project:

No.	Item Description	Unit	Estimated Quantity	Bidder Quantity	Unit Rate ($)	Total Cost ($)
1	Excavation	Volume (m³)	60	65	50	3,250
2	Concrete Pouring (20 MPa)	Volume (m³)	40	42	120	5,040
3	Excavator Operator (Labor)	Hours	40	42	25	1,050

Total Cost: $9,340

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5. Benefits of Using an SOQ

1. Cost Transparency

• Provides a clear breakdown of costs for clients, contractors, and stakeholders.

2. Bidding Accuracy

• Ensures contractors submit accurate and competitive bids based on predefined tasks.

3. Real-Time Tracking

• Tracks progress and costs throughout the project lifecycle, reducing discrepancies.

4. Audit-Ready Data

• All SOQ updates and changes are logged on-chain for verifiable records.

5. Variation Management

• Simplifies task or cost adjustments with automated variation tracking.

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6. System Flow: SOQ in 14Build Workflow

flowchart TD
A[Create Project] --> B[Upload/Create SOQ]
B --> C[Generate RFP Using SOQ]
C --> D[Contractors Submit Bids (RTS)]
D --> E[Approve Winning Bid]
E --> F[Track Progress Against SOQ Tasks]
F --> G[Escrow Release Based on Milestones]

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7. Use Case Example: SOQ in Action

Scenario:

A client is planning foundation work for a residential project. They create the following SOQ:

Item	Unit	Quantity	Unit Rate	Total
Excavation	m³	60	$50	$3,000
Concrete Pouring	m³	40	$120	$4,800
Excavator Labor	Hours	40	$25	$1,000

1. The SOQ is uploaded and linked to the project.
2. The client generates an RFP for excavation and concrete work.
3. Contractors submit bids based on the SOQ quantities.
4. Once the bid is approved, progress is tracked daily, and escrow payments are released as tasks are completed.

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8. Conclusion

The Schedule of Quantities (SOQ) is a critical tool in 14Build, enabling precise cost estimation, accurate bidding, and seamless progress tracking. By linking SOQs to projects, tenders, and escrow payments, 14Build ensures transparency, efficiency, and cost control throughout the construction lifecycle.

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