Hong Kong office fit-out quotation: Why can’t the price per square foot be directly compared?

The unit price is naturally different depending on the scope.

Public quotations often put basic hard decoration, standard decoration and high-end customization in the same price band, but what really affects the final total price is usually the mechanical and electrical complexity, fire sprinkler and alarm interfaces, air conditioning modifications, conference room acoustics, access control network, furniture brand, night construction restrictions and the contractor designated by the management office. A low unit price is not necessarily cheap, and a high unit price is not necessarily unreasonable. The key is whether these items are listed.

Let’s look at inclusions and exclusions first

A comparable BOQ should clearly list demolition, partitions, floors, ceilings, painting, electrical, fire protection, air conditioning, furniture, IT/AV, insurance, rubbish removal, cleaning, testing and acceptance documents. The tentative amount, your company’s designated brand, additional requirements from the management office and taxes and fees must also be listed separately, otherwise it will easily become additional after signing the contract.

Ask three companies using the same caliber template

Have each company quote from the same table and ask for exclusions and assumptions. When comparing, first look at the total scope, then the unit price, and then the change mechanism; if the price of a certain item is significantly lower than that of other companies, you should ask whether the management office, fire protection, air conditioning or professional signatures have been omitted.

Checklist before project start