Master BOQs

Master BOQs are complete Bills of Quantities that serve as templates for new projects.

Overview

Master BOQs offer:

• Standard positions - Frequently used BOQ positions with item numbers
• Prices - Pre-filled unit prices
• GAEB structure - Lot, Group, Subgroup, Position
• PDF templates - Assigned document templates
• Source linking - Traceability of where positions originated

Opening a Master BOQ

Click on a Master BOQ in the list to view the details. A dialog opens with two tabs:

Tab: Positions

Shows all BOQ positions with:

• Item No. - Item number
• Short text - Position description
• Type - Lot/Group/Position (as colored chip)
• Unit - m, m², m³, pcs, etc.
• UP - Unit price
• Quantity - Default quantity (if defined)
• Source - Origin project (if adopted from project)

Position types:

Type	Chip color	Description
Lot	Yellow	Top-level hierarchy
Group	Blue	Service group
Subgroup	Purple	Sub-service group
Element	Cyan	Further subdivision
Position	-	Individual position with price

Adopting Positions via Drag & Drop

1. Open a project with the Costing Panel
2. Open the Master Template
3. Drag positions from the dialog into the Costing Panel
4. The positions are adopted with price and type

Multiple Selection

With Ctrl + click you can select multiple positions and adopt them together.

Apply to Project (Button)

As an alternative to drag & drop, you can apply a Master Template directly to a project:

1. Open a Master BOQ
2. Click on "Apply to Project"
3. Select the target project from the list
4. Options:
   • Delete existing positions - Deletes all existing GAEB positions in the project before import
   • Include prices from Price Archive - If a Price Archive is linked, unit prices are automatically inserted
5. Click "Apply"

Linked Price Archive

When the Master BOQ is linked to a Price Archive, current prices from the archive are automatically adopted. This way, new projects start directly with current market prices.

Existing Positions

If you enable "Delete existing positions", all existing GAEB positions in the target project will be permanently deleted. BIM links will be lost.

Tab: Templates

Shows PDF templates linked to this Master BOQ:

• Template name - Name of the PDF template
• Content - Template code with placeholders
• Variables - Available variables (e.g., {PROJECT_NAME}, {TOTAL_PRICE})

Usage:

When exporting PDF from a project, you can select one of the linked PDF templates. The variables are automatically filled with project data.

See PDF Templates for details on template creation

Sending GAEB Positions to Master BOQ

One of the most powerful features: Send GAEB positions from a project directly to a Master BOQ.

Creating a New Master Template from Project

1. In the project: Select GAEB positions in the Costing Panel (use Ctrl for multiple selection)
2. Right-click → "Send to Master BOQ"
3. Select "Create new Master Template"
4. Enter:
   • Name - e.g., "Electrical Installation Standard"
   • Category - e.g., "Electrical", "HVAC", "Shell Construction"
   • Description - What this template is used for
5. Click "Create"

TIP

All selected positions are adopted with their complete structure (item numbers, prices, units, long text).

Updating an Existing Master Template

You can extend an existing Master Template with new positions:

1. In the project: Select GAEB positions
2. Right-click → "Send to Master BOQ"
3. Select "Existing Master Template"
4. Select the target Master BOQ from the list
5. Choose the update mode:
   • Append - Adds new positions at the end
   • Replace - Deletes all old positions and replaces them
   • Synchronize - Updates existing positions from the source
6. Click "Update"

Update Modes

• Append: Good for gradually building up the template
• Replace: Caution! All old positions will be deleted
• Synchronize: Uses source linking to update only original positions

Source Linking

Positions adopted from projects retain a link to the source:

What is stored:

• Source project - Which project the position came from
• GAEB Item ID - Reference to the original position
• Adoption date - When the position was adopted

Benefits:

• Traceability: See where a position came from
• Updates: Synchronize changes from the source project
• Versioning: Track price developments over time

Updating Positions from Source

When prices or texts have changed in the source project:

1. Open the Master BOQ
2. Right-click on a position with source linking
3. "Update from Source"
4. The position is overwritten with current data from the source project

Batch Update

Select multiple positions with Ctrl + click and update all at once.

Searching Templates

Search function:

Use the search to find Master BOQs:

• By name
• By description
• By position texts (searches all short texts)
• By category

Creating a New Master Template (Admin)

There are several ways to create a new Master Template:

Method 1: Create Manually

1. Click on "New Master Template"
2. Enter name, category, and description
3. Add positions manually:
   • Click "Add Position"
   • Fill in item number, short text, unit, UP
   • Select the type (Lot/Group/Position)
4. "Save"

Method 2: Adopt from Project (Recommended!)

1. Open a project with a well-structured BOQ
2. Select the positions that should go into the template
3. Right-click → "Send to Master BOQ" → "Create new Master Template"
4. Enter name and category → "Create"

Method 3: Import GAEB

1. Click on "Import GAEB"
2. Select an X83/X84/X86 file
3. The positions are automatically created as a Master BOQ

Editing a Master Template (Admin)

1. Right-click on the template
2. "Edit"
3. Modify:
   • Positions, prices, or types
   • Name, category, or description
   • Position order (drag & drop)
4. "Save"

Editing hierarchy:

• Use the type dropdown to convert positions into Lot/Group/etc.
• The colored chips show the current type

Export / Import

Export:

1. Right-click on the template
2. "Export"
3. Choose format:
   • JSON - For backup or import into another instance
   • GAEB X83 - For other AVA software

Import:

1. Click on "Import"
2. Select JSON or GAEB X83 file
3. The template is created

Deleting a Template (Admin)

1. Right-click on the template
2. "Delete"
3. Confirm

Note

Deleting a template has no effect on projects that have already adopted positions from it.

Best Practices

Trade-Specific Master BOQs

Create separate Master BOQs for different trades:

• Shell construction - Earthwork, concrete, masonry
• Interior work - Windows, doors, drywall
• Building services - Heating, plumbing, electrical

Build from Real Projects

Instead of creating Master BOQs from scratch:

1. Complete real projects
2. Send proven positions to Master BOQs
3. Refine templates based on experience

Use Source Linking

Keep source linking to:

• Adopt price adjustments from updated projects
• Ensure traceability
• Manage multiple versions

Link PDF Templates

Link PDF templates with Master BOQs to ensure consistent documentation. Each trade can have its own PDF template.

Typical Workflows

Workflow 1: Project → Master BOQ → New Projects

1. Complete Project A: You've finished an electrical project with a perfect BOQ
2. Create Master BOQ: Send all positions to new Master BOQ "Electrical Standard"
3. New Project B: Use Master BOQ via drag & drop or "Apply to Project"
4. Adjustments in B: Adjust prices or quantities project-specifically

Workflow 2: Improve Master BOQ Over Time

1. Base Master BOQ: Create initial template with standard positions
2. Execute project: Use the Master BOQ and add missing positions
3. Update Master BOQ: Send new/improved positions back (Update mode: Append)
4. Iteration: Repeat the process - your Master BOQ continuously improves

Workflow 3: Central Price Update

1. Price change: Material prices have changed
2. Update source project: Adjust prices in the current project
3. Synchronize Master BOQ: Send positions with Update mode "Synchronize"
4. All new projects: Automatically use current prices

See Also

• Cost Calculation - Adopt positions from Master BOQs into projects
• Price Archive - Manage historical prices
• PDF Templates - Create custom export templates
• Import/Export - GAEB export with Master BOQ structure
• Data Linking - Link positions with BIM elements