What Is an AV BOQ and How to Request One

A BOQ, or bill of quantities, lists every item and service in an AV project with its quantity, so every supplier quotes on the same scope. To request one, send the project type, room dimensions, use, platform, display and audio needs, and any site photos. Corporate AV returns a scope-based BOQ that you can compare line by line.

What is a BOQ in an AV project?

A bill of quantities is a structured list of everything the project needs: equipment, accessories, cabling, software, installation and support, each with a quantity. It turns a general requirement such as "equip the boardroom" into a list that a supplier can price and a client can check. Because the scope is written down, it also becomes the reference for what is delivered at handover.

What does an AV BOQ include?

A complete BOQ covers more than the main equipment. Look for each of these groups:

• displays, projectors and screens, by make, model and size;
• cameras, microphones, speakers, amplifiers and processors;
• mounts, carts and furniture fittings;
• control systems, switchers and network equipment;
• cables, connectors, racks and power;
• software and platform licences;
• installation, programming, testing and commissioning;
• training, documentation, warranty and maintenance.

Line items name real products. A mount line might be the Lumi KL32-46F, rated for 45 kg and 37 to 86 inch screens. A conferencing line might be the Yealink MeetingBar A10, and a control line the Crestron CP4, which is a 1 RU rack-mount unit. The quantity column shows how many of each the project needs.

How is a BOQ different from a quote or a price list?

A price list shows what one product costs. A quote gives a total for a defined scope. A BOQ sits between them and lists the scope in detail, with each quantity visible, so that the total can be checked. For a project with several rooms, the BOQ makes it easy to see what a change in scope does to the figure, for example removing a camera from one room.

What should you send with a BOQ request?

The more specific the request, the closer the first BOQ will be. Send:

• the project type, such as meeting room, boardroom, training room or auditorium;
• the number of rooms, their dimensions and the number of seats;
• how the room is used, including video calls, presentations or training;
• the meeting platform, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom;
• existing equipment that should be reused;
• photos or drawings of the room, and the timeline.

The BOQ request page asks for your contact details, the project type and a message describing the scope, so put the details above in the message.

How does the process work?

Most projects follow the same steps. A request gives the scope. A site survey checks the room, the power and data points and the acoustics. The design sets the equipment and the layout. The BOQ lists the result with quantities, and you approve it or ask for changes. Installation and commissioning follow. A survey before the BOQ keeps the list accurate, which is why a BOQ built only from a short description is a starting point, not a final scope. See our AV design and AV consultancy services.

How do you compare BOQs from different suppliers?

Put the lists side by side and compare scope before price. Check that the rooms, the equipment make and model, the cabling, the licences, the installation and the support match. Ask each supplier to state exclusions. A figure that looks lower may leave out programming, commissioning or training. Our guide to AV system cost in India lists the factors behind a figure.

Why does a BOQ prevent disputes later?

Because the scope is written down, a BOQ settles what is and is not included before work starts. When the client asks for a change, the quantity or the line can be updated and the effect on the total is visible. At handover, the same list becomes a checklist: every item named in the BOQ should be installed, tested and documented. That shared reference protects both sides.

Where do you start?

Send a BOQ request with the details above, or request a quote if you want a quicker estimate. Our meeting room, boardroom and education solution pages show the typical equipment for each room type. You can also browse video conferencing systems and commercial displays to name the products you prefer.

Our AV design services and AV consultancy services teams prepare the bill of quantities and drawings, and our AV installation services team can quote the same scope for the installation.

Frequently asked questions

What does BOQ stand for in AV?

BOQ stands for bill of quantities. It is a list of every item and service in a project with its quantity, used to price the project and to check the scope at handover.

Is a BOQ the same as a quote?

No. A quote gives a total for a defined scope, while a BOQ lists the scope in detail with quantities so the total can be checked line by line.

What information do I need to request a BOQ?

The project type, room dimensions and number of rooms, how the rooms are used, the meeting platform, existing equipment and any photos or drawings. Corporate AV's BOQ request page takes this in the message field.

Does the BOQ need a site survey?

A survey makes it accurate. A BOQ built from a description is a starting point, and a survey confirms the room, power, data points and acoustics before the scope is fixed.

Can I change the BOQ after I receive it?

Yes. A BOQ is a working document, and changing a room, a product or a quantity updates the total. Approve the final version before installation starts.