Quantity Surveyors in Nairobi: Cost Estimation and BOQs
Know the cost before you build
Cost estimation is how you find out what a building will cost before you commit to it: bills of quantities, cost plans, feasibility studies and audits of costs already incurred. Beaver Concepts provides quantity surveying in Nairobi and across Kenya for homeowners, developers and businesses who want a defensible number, not a guess.
Cost Estimation services
- Bills of quantitiesA measured, itemised document that lets contractors price the same scope like for like.
- Cost planningBudgets tracked against the design so it stays affordable as it develops.
- Feasibility studiesEarly cost and viability appraisal for a plot or development before you commit.
- Construction cost auditsAn independent check of a contractor's price, valuations or final account.
Which cost document when
Cost advice changes as a project matures. Early on you need a range to decide whether to proceed; later you need an exact measured price to contract on. Using the right document at the right stage is what stops budgets drifting.
| Stage | Document | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Before buying or committing to a plot | Feasibility study | Test whether the project is viable against the site and budget |
| During design | Cost plan | Keep the design within budget as decisions are made |
| Before tender or contract | Bill of quantities | Fix a measured scope every contractor prices identically |
| During and after construction | Cost audit | Check valuations, variations and the final account |
What a bill of quantities does for you
A bill of quantities (BOQ) lists every item of work in a building, measured from the drawings and specification in line with the standard method of measurement used in Kenya. Contractors price each line, so their tenders can be compared on an equal footing. A builder who quotes a single lump sum without a BOQ leaves the scope open to interpretation, which is where disputes and variations begin.
A BOQ is only as good as the drawings behind it. If the drawings are incomplete, quantities are provisional and the price will move. Part of our job is to tell you when a design is not ready to be priced.
Why costs differ so much between projects
Cost per square metre is a useful benchmark but a poor budget. Finish level, the number of storeys, ground conditions, the county, services specification and site access all move the number. Two three-bedroom houses of the same area can differ substantially in cost once foundations, finishes and MEP are counted. That is why we quote from measured quantities rather than a rate applied to floor area.
How cost estimation works with us
- Stage 01
Scope and drawings review
We review the drawings, specification and brief, and identify anything missing that would make the price unreliable.
- Stage 02
Measurement
Quantities are taken off the drawings item by item, following the standard method of measurement.
- Stage 03
Pricing
Rates are built up from current material, labour and plant costs for your county and specification.
- Stage 04
Review and reconciliation
The estimate is checked against benchmarks and reconciled with the design team before it is issued.
- Stage 05
Issue and explanation
You receive the document with a summary of the main cost drivers and the options for reducing cost if needed.
What you receive
- Measured and priced bill of quantities in editable and PDF form
- Summary of cost by element or trade
- Cost plan tracked against design changes
- Feasibility appraisal with stated assumptions
- Cost audit report with findings and recommendations
- Notes on risks and provisional items
Related services
- Architectural DesignArchitectural design in Nairobi: house plans, 3D renders, interior design and county approvals for homes, apartments and commercial buildings.
- Design and BuildOne Nairobi team for architecture, engineering, costing and construction under a single contract, with a priced BOQ before you commit to build.
- ConstructionBuilding contractors in Nairobi for bungalows, maisonettes, apartments, commercial buildings and renovations, with staged payments and site reporting.
Questions we are often asked
What is a bill of quantities?
A bill of quantities is an itemised list of all the work in a building, measured from the drawings, with a quantity and unit for each item. Contractors price each item, which makes tenders comparable and gives you a clear basis for valuing variations.
Do I need a BOQ to build a house?
It is strongly advisable. Without one, contractors price different interpretations of the same drawings, and you cannot compare their quotes fairly or check how the final bill was built up.
How much does a BOQ cost?
Fees depend on the size and complexity of the building and the completeness of the drawings. Share your drawings and we will provide a written quote that states exactly what is included.
Can you cost a project from a rough sketch?
We can give an early range from a brief and sketch, clearly stated as an estimate with its assumptions. A binding measured price needs complete drawings and a specification.
Can you check a quote I have already received?
Yes. A cost audit reviews a contractor's price or valuation against measured quantities and current rates, and points out omissions, overpricing and items that are provisional.
Are the rates you use current?
Rates are built up from current market prices for your county and specification, not from a fixed table. Material prices move, so a BOQ is dated and has a validity period.
Last updated 29 September 2026
Tell us about your project.
Share your plot, brief and budget. We reply with clear next steps and a written fee or cost proposal.