Bill Attributes
In Resource Attributes, we explained how summary reports on a detailed resource list can be of value and we used the attribute Resource Type to group similar resources. In the same way, summary reports on a large bill of quantities can also provide valuable insight into how allowables are spread throughout a project. As with the resource attributes, Trimble Quest allows users to create their own groupings within the bill of quantities with the help of bill attributes. Bill attributes not only provide for summarized reports on a BOQ, but can be combined with resources or resource attributes to produce powerful matrix-style allowable reports. By default, all standard Trimble Quest projects will be prepopulated with one bill attribute class, namely Trade. Typical examples of trades are Brickwork, Earthwork, Carpentry, Plumbing, etc. An unlimited number of trades can be created for each Trimble Quest project. Trades should be used to group bill items pertaining to the same trade together.
Please note that users can define additional bill attribute classes if required. The tools and procedures for doing this are explained for Trades below, but are applicable to any attribute class. To highlight the flexibility that Trimble Quest offers in this regard, attribute class Page nr was added in the example shown in Figure: Creating Bill Attributes. A page number attribute can then be created for each page of the official BOQ of a project and items in the Trimble Quest BOQ can be grouped according to their presence on a page of the official BOQ.