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How to write a BOQ for curtains, wallcoverings and rugs

A reliable BOQ for curtains and wallcoverings lists every opening or wall by location code with measured width and drop, product type, heading, fullness, fabric code and width, lining, hardware and operation. Curtain quantities are then expressed as sets plus fabric metres, wallcoverings as rolls calculated from drops per roll and pattern repeat, and rugs by size, construction and material.

Key takeaways

A curtain BOQ line should state width and drop, heading, fullness, fabric code and width, lining, hardware and operation for each location.
Each curtain layer (main, sheer, lining) should be a separate BOQ line to avoid omissions and simplify final measurement.
Wallpaper roll quantities should be calculated from drops per roll including pattern repeat, not from wall area divided by roll area.
Typical wallcovering waste is around 5–10% for plain papers and can reach 15–25% for large repeats or half-drop matches.
A rug BOQ line needs size, construction, fibre blend, pile height and underlay so that quotes cover the same product.

Why do soft-furnishing BOQ lines go wrong?

Errors usually come from counting windows or floor area instead of describing the actual size and build of each item. When a line is missing data, every supplier fills the gap with its own assumption, and the quotes stop being comparable.

“Bedroom curtain: 1 set” with no width, drop or fullness. Fabric quantity then varies widely between quotes; fullness of 2.0 versus 2.5 alone is a 25% difference in fabric.
Missing layers. The two-layer curtain plus sheer is standard in apartments and villas across the region, yet often appears as a single line.
Hardware not itemised: tracks, poles, brackets, hooks, weights and tie-backs are bundled or forgotten.
Operation not stated: hand-drawn, corded or motorised, and for motors no power or control details.
Wallcoverings measured in m² divided by roll area, ignoring pattern repeat and drops per roll.
Services missing: installation, high-rise delivery, wall preparation.

A simple test before issuing a tender: could any competent supplier calculate the same quantity from this line alone.

What fields does a curtain BOQ line need?

A curtain line needs enough data to calculate fabric, choose hardware and plan installation without a single clarification email. Put each layer on its own line and use location codes that match the floor plan.

Field	Example	Note
Location ID	L12-A-BR1-W01	Level – unit – room – window
Size	Track 3,200 mm × drop 2,750 mm	State whether track or opening; site-measured
Product type	Main curtain	Curtain, sheer, roman, roller, zebra
Heading	Wave	Drives fullness and track type
Fullness	2.2	Typically 2.0–2.5 for pleated headings; about 2.0–2.2 for wave; 1.5–2.0 for eyelet
Fabric code, width	XX-01, 320 cm	Note whether it can be railroaded
Lining	Blackout	Blackout, dimout, thermal or none
Hardware	Recessed aluminium track, 3.2 m	Type, length, ceiling or wall fix
Operation	Motorised, remote	Hand, cord, motor (state power)
Quantity	1 set; approx. 7.5 m fabric (railroaded)	Sets for finished goods, metres if fabric is free-issued

Take sizes from a site survey following a curtain measuring method for site teams, not from architectural drawings while ceilings are still open. To convert to fabric metres, QS teams can use the curtain fabric quantity calculation.

Should curtains be measured in sets, m² or linear metres?

For finished-goods tenders, use sets with the size of each set. Linear metres suit free-issued fabric, while m² suits flat blinds such as roller and zebra.

Set: made-up curtain including fabric, lining, making and usually hardware. Meaningless without width and drop.
Linear metre of fabric: when the client or contractor supplies fabric, or imported fabric is controlled by the roll.
m²: roller, zebra, roman and venetian blinds. Note any minimum chargeable area, which affects small windows.
Linear metre of track: when hardware is tendered separately or runs continuously across openings.

Consistency matters more than the unit chosen. Mixing sets and m² for the same product makes final measurement and payment reconciliation difficult.

How do you take off wallcovering quantities without running short?

Calculate drops per roll, not wall area divided by roll area. Wall height plus pattern repeat determines how many full-height drops each roll yields, and that is what sets the roll count.

Field	Example	Note
Wall ID	Lobby-L1-Wall B	Split walls with different codes
Wall size	6.4 m × 2.9 m	State whether openings are deducted
Product, roll size	0.53 m × 10.05 m	Common wide roll in Vietnam about 1.06 × 15.6 m; contract vinyl about 1.30–1.37 m wide
Repeat, match	64 cm, half-drop	Straight, half-drop or free match
Waste factor	15%	Depends on repeat and wall complexity
Quantity	8 rolls (7 by drop count + 1 spare)	13 drops, 2 drops per roll; rounded up

Waste factors are guidance only. Typically:

Plain or free match: around 5–10%.
Straight match, small repeat: around 10–15%.
Half-drop or repeats above 50 cm: 15–25% is possible.
Walls broken by windows, columns or service boxes: add as measured.

Allow one or two spare rolls for maintenance and order them with the main quantity, since shade can differ between production runs. The full method is in calculating wallpaper rolls.

What should a rug BOQ line describe?

Enough for two suppliers to quote the same product: size, construction, fibre, pile and underlay. Missing construction is a frequent reason rug prices differ several-fold.

Field	Example	Note
Location	Villa V03 living	With furniture layout
Size	250 × 350 cm	Loose rug: each; wall-to-wall: m²
Construction	Hand-tufted	Hand-knotted, tufted, flatweave, machine-made
Fibre	80% wool / 20% viscose	State the blend
Pile	12 mm, cut and loop	Affects durability and feel
Underlay	Anti-slip	Itemise for timber or stone floors
Design	To drawing, colours to reference	Custom rugs need a drawing and colour reference

For custom rugs, state the size, colour reference and design drawing in the line, and note that a mock-up is typically made only once the project is under way. See also the rug guide to size and construction.

What is the step-by-step take-off procedure?

Work from location schedule to site survey to confirmed specification, and only then quantify. Quantifying straight from drawings causes many variations.

Build a location schedule coding every window, wall and rug zone.
Confirm design specification: product, heading, fullness, lining, fabric, wallcovering, rug type.
Survey on site once ceilings, pockets and walls are formed; note ceiling levels and motor power points.
Quantify fabric metres, rolls and rugs with one agreed formula and stated waste.
Itemise hardware and services: tracks, motors, installation, delivery.
Cross-check: a second person reviews codes, units and rounding.
Issue and version-lock so all quotes use the same revision.

When the BOQ is frozen also affects programme; see interior procurement lead time planning.

Which items are often left out?

The ones that do not appear on renders: hardware, power, labour and spares. They are rarely large in value but cause delays when found late.

Curtain pockets and gypsum ceiling reinforcement for track and motor loads.
Power points and conduit for motors, controllers or smart-home gateways.
Tie-backs, hold-backs, weights, end stops.
Specialist adhesive and primer for wallcoverings.
Anti-slip underlay for rugs on timber or stone.
Spare rolls and spare fabric for maintenance.
High-rise delivery and restricted working hours in occupied buildings.

How does SEAMATER support quantity checking and survey?

SEAMATER does not write or take over the BOQ; its support sits at the survey, quantity-check and installation stages once materials are chosen. This keeps measured data and order data consistent, for projects in Vietnam and for overseas (export) projects.

Survey and measurement: carried out on site for curtains and wallpaper.
Quantity check: fabric yardage and wallpaper roll counts are checked for the customer, based on size and pattern repeat.
Installation: curtains, blinds, wallpaper and curtain motors (travel and limit setup, smart-home connection).

On the website, registered accounts can create a project, order samples inside it, and see lead time and stock per product; verified trade accounts also see price. Submitting a project creates the quote request.

Frequently asked questions

What is a BOQ for curtains?

A curtain BOQ is a schedule listing every window by location code with measured size, product type, heading, fullness, fabric, lining, hardware and operation, converted into sets or fabric metres. Its purpose is to let every supplier calculate the same quantity and price the same scope, so quotes can be compared and final measurement is straightforward.

Should curtains be priced per set or per m²?

Made-up curtains are usually priced per set, each with width, drop and fullness stated. Roller, zebra, roman and venetian blinds are usually priced per m², with any minimum chargeable area noted. Linear metres apply when fabric or track is tendered separately. Use one unit per product type consistently across the BOQ.

What waste factor should I use for wallpaper?

As a rule of thumb, plain or free-match papers need around 5–10% extra, straight-match papers around 10–15%, and half-drop or large-repeat designs 15–25%. Walls broken by openings or columns need more. A more accurate approach is to calculate drops per roll from wall height and pattern repeat, then round up.

Can I use architectural drawings to quantify curtains?

Drawings are fine for a budget BOQ, but order quantities should come from a site survey once ceilings, curtain pockets and walls are formed. A few centimetres of difference is enough for curtains to fall short or fail to close, especially on floor-to-ceiling glazing in high-rise apartments.

How are wall-to-wall carpet and loose rugs quantified differently?

Loose rugs are counted individually by size, for example 200 × 300 cm. Wall-to-wall carpet is measured in m² plus waste from roll width and seams, usually with a seaming plan showing pile direction. Both lines should state construction, fibre, pile height and underlay.

What is often missing from an interior BOQ?

Commonly missed items include curtain pockets and ceiling reinforcement, power for motorised curtains, tie-backs and end stops, wallcovering primer and adhesive, rug underlay, spare rolls, and high-rise delivery or restricted working hours. Each is small in value but can delay handover if discovered late.

Fabric yardage and wallpaper roll counts are best checked again after the site survey and before the order is confirmed.

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