BOQ format
How to quote wall panelling work
How wall panelling is quoted, what goes into the rate beneath the finish, and the double-count that happens when a fitted unit sits on the same wall.
The unit
Square foot of finished elevation
Height x width of the panelled face. The trap is that fitted furniture on the same wall is usually also quoted on elevation, so the area behind it can be counted twice unless the BOQ says where the panelling stops.
What the BOQ breaks into
| Line | Unit | Why it is its own line |
|---|---|---|
| Base board | sqft | Ply or MDF behind the finish. Grade belongs on the line. |
| Finish material | sqft | Laminate, veneer, fluted, fabric, mirror — each a different rate. |
| Beading and profiles | rft | Priced by length, not area. |
| Grooves / reveals | rft | Labour, and where profile lighting sits. |
| Profile lighting provision | rft | The channel, not the driver — coordinate with the electrical points. |
| Polishing / finishing | sqft | Veneer needs it; laminate does not. |
The specs that decide the rate
- Base material and thickness
- What the finish is stuck to decides whether it stays flat. Invisible on day one.
- Finish and its thickness
- Veneer thickness and laminate gauge vary widely inside the same description.
- Groove detail
- Width, depth and spacing. It is most of the labour and all of the look.
The wall behind a fitted unit counted twice
Panelling and fitted furniture are both quoted on elevation area, and on a feature wall they meet. If the panelling line runs wall-to-wall and the TV unit is priced on its own elevation, the client pays twice for the same square feet. State where the panelling stops on the drawing and repeat that on the BOQ line.
Houscade writes this breakdown for you, room by room, and the client approves it on their phone. See a real quotation.