Basis of Estimates Manual

The Basis of Estimates is a design tool. It is not a contract document. All requirements, measurement, and payment details need to be included in the contract documents: plans, design standards, and/or specifications. Refer to the Introduction and Chapter 6 for additional information regarding the use of the BOE and specific pay item details.

BOE Notes - Summary of recent specification and pay items changes. As of 03/17/2021.

BOE Chapters
Chapter Number Title Last Updated
CoverCover Page for 202111-1-2020
IntroductionIntroduction 11-1-2020
Chapter 1  Updates and Registration 11-1-2020
Chapter 2Units of Measure2-4-2021
Chapter 3Engineer's Estimates2-4-2021
Chapter 4 Pay Items and Estimates for Alternative Contracts11-1-2020
Chapter 5 Contact Lists 11-1-2020
Chapter 6 Pay Item Development Process
Activating/Opening Pay Items
Requesting New Items
Coordination Team
Generic Pay Items for Utilities
Developmental Pay Items		11-1-2020
Chapter 7Design Tools
11-1-2020
Chapter 8 BoxesSummary Boxes: For use with projects designed using Civil 3D 2020 or SS10. Follow FDM 304, 2020 Edition.2-4-2021
Chapter 8 TablesSummary Tables: For use with projects designed using Civil 3D 2021 or ORD. Follow FDM 902, 2021 Edition. Ongoing updates to Summary Tables by CADD Office; use current CADD release files.2-4-2021
Chapter 9 Applications
11-1-19
Chapter 10 Formatting Pay Items11-1-2020

Link to the BOE within DQE

This is the active database within Design Quantities and Estimates (DQE) system for the BOE and pay item maintenance. No Login or userID required. Description of Item ranges below.

  • Items 000 to 199: MOT, Erosion Control, Litter Removal, Mowing, Earthwork
  • Items 200 to 299: Base Courses
  • Items 300 to 399: Surface Courses and Concrete Pavement
  • Items 400 to 499: Structures, Drainage, Foundations
  • Items 500 to 599: Incidental Construction, Curb, Sidewalk, Guardrail, Crash Cushions, Fencing, Turf
  • Items 600 to 699: Traffic Control Signals and Devices, Conduit, Midblock Crosswalks, Traffic Monitoring Sites
  • Items 700 to 799: Signing, Pavement Markings, Lighting
  • Items 800 to 899: Mass Transit
  • Items 900 to 999: Developmental and Special Pay Items
  • Items 1000 to 1999: Utilities