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BOQ & Material Take-off Codes & Standards Explained

Buyers of boq & material take-off tend to ask the same questions: what is actually included, what does it cost, which standards apply and how do you pick a reliable partner? This article answers all four with the level of detail your project team needs.

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Key takeaways3 min read4 sections

The short version

  1. 1The standards that govern boq & material take-offBOQ & Material Take-off is governed by AISC 360, EN 1993, IS 800, AWS D1.1.
  2. 2How code compliance is demonstratedCompliance is shown through documentation, not assertion. Your package should include:
  3. 3Common compliance mistakesThe most frequent compliance failures we see in boq & material take-off are edition drift (working to a superseded code edition), mixing code systems mid-package, and missing project-specific overlays.
  4. 4Working across multiple jurisdictionsGlobal projects often need one package that satisfies several jurisdictions.
  5. 5The bottom lineName the edition, not just the code family — AISC 360 compliance is demonstrated through a documented design basis, calculations and a checker's sign-off.

Quick answer

In short, boq & material take-off means extracting accurate steel tonnage, plate, bolt and paint-area quantities directly from the 3D model. The work is governed by AISC 360 and EN 1993, executed on licensed Tekla Structures and checked against a documented QA checklist before issue.

The standards that govern boq & material take-off

BOQ & Material Take-off is governed by AISC 360, EN 1993, IS 800, AWS D1.1. Which one leads depends on the project location and the owner's specification — a US refinery package and a European commercial building may need the same discipline executed to entirely different rules.

Beyond the headline code, most projects layer client specifications on top: operator standards (Shell DEPs, Saudi Aramco SAES, ADNOC), fabricator preferences and local authority requirements. A good boq & material take-off partner maps all of them into a compliance matrix at kick-off.

How code compliance is demonstrated

Compliance is shown through documentation, not assertion. Your package should include:

  • Design basis / basis-of-design note referencing the governing code and edition.
  • Calculation reports with load combinations and acceptance criteria.
  • Drawings flagged with the applicable code and material grades.
  • A documented checker's review with sign-off.
  • Revision-controlled transmittals so the latest code-compliant issue is unambiguous.

Common compliance mistakes

The most frequent compliance failures we see in boq & material take-off are edition drift (working to a superseded code edition), mixing code systems mid-package, and missing project-specific overlays. Each is avoidable with a kick-off compliance matrix and a senior review gate.

Working across multiple jurisdictions

Global projects often need one package that satisfies several jurisdictions. We deliver boq & material take-off to AISC 360 and EN 1993 routinely and maintain checklists for each, so multi-code packages are reviewed against every governing standard, not just the primary one.

BOQ & Material Take-off — codes & standards

BOQ & Material Take-off Codes & Standards Explained: FAQ

Which code applies to boq & material take-off?

In short, boq & material take-off means extracting accurate steel tonnage, plate, bolt and paint-area quantities directly from the 3D model. The work is governed by AISC 360 and EN 1993, executed on licensed Tekla Structures and checked against a documented QA checklist before issue.

Which software is used for boq & material take-off?

We deliver on licensed Tekla Structures, AutoCAD, Navisworks and issue native files plus PDF, DWG and IFC on request.

Which standards do you follow for boq & material take-off?

We work to AISC 360, EN 1993, IS 800, AWS D1.1, plus client specifications such as Shell DEPs and major operator standards.

How long does a boq & material take-off package take?

Small packages are typically delivered in 3–7 working days; larger scopes are split into phased submissions agreed at kick-off.

How do I get a quote for boq & material take-off?

Send your drawings or scope through our quote form — a senior engineer reviews them and returns a fixed-price proposal within 24 hours, free and without obligation.

Code by code

The standards behind a boq & material take-off package

Each standard below governs a different slice of the scope. A compliant package names the edition of every one that applies and carries the evidence in the transmittal.

Multi-jurisdiction projects need the package reviewed against every governing standard — not only the primary one named in the contract.

  1. AISC 360United States

    Governs member sizing, stability and bolted or welded connection strength for structural steel.

    Evidence: design calculations showing load combinations, interaction ratios and connection capacity checks.

  2. EN 1993Europe & UK

    Governs limit-state steel design under the Eurocode partial-factor method, including National Annex values.

    Evidence: a calculation report naming the National Annex and the partial factors adopted.

  3. IS 800India

    Governs limit-state design of steel structures for Indian-jurisdiction projects.

    Evidence: member and connection design sheets referencing the relevant clause numbers.

  4. AWS D1.1United States

    Governs weld joint details, procedure qualification, prequalified joints and visual acceptance criteria.

    Evidence: weld symbols on every drawing plus the WPS and PQR register from the fabricator.

Work through this

The boq & material take-off checklist

Fifteen points, in the order you will need them — from assembling the enquiry to signing off the final transmittal. Tick them here, or copy them into your own project procedure.

15 checks
01

Before you send the enquiry

Everything a supplier needs in order to price accurately.

02

Proving compliance

Compliance is documented, never asserted.

03

Before you accept the package

Fifteen minutes here saves a fabrication hold.

About this guide

How we know this

Written from delivered work
The guidance here comes from live boq & material take-off packages produced on licensed Tekla Structures, AutoCAD, Navisworks — not from a content brief.
Checked against the governing codes
Every technical statement is cross-read against AISC 360, EN 1993, IS 800, AWS D1.1 and the operator specifications our teams work to daily.
Reviewed through the same checker gate
A senior engineer who signs off boq & material take-off deliverables reviewed this article, using the independent-check process every client package passes through.
Revised when the standards move
Articles are re-read and re-stamped whenever a governing code edition, software release or client specification changes materially.

2009

Engineering since

1,200+

Projects delivered

40+

Countries served

60+

In-house engineers

Reviewed by

Steel Structures & Detailing practice

Senior engineer, SES steel structures & detailing team

Last reviewed
25 February 2026
Review gate
Independent checker

Working toolset

Tekla StructuresAutoCADNavisworks

Next step

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