QuantaraAI BOQ Generator and Quantity Takeoff from Drawings
Select the project industry, upload the complete drawing set and use Quantara to prepare a structured, quantity-complete unpriced BOQ. Every supported quantity retains calculation evidence and drawing provenance, while assumptions, exclusions and unresolved evidence remain visible for engineer review.
Who Uses AI BOQ Software?
Quantara is built for contractors, estimators, quantity surveyors, consultants and specialist teams that need controlled construction records and professional review.
- Contractors managing multiple tender submissions
- Estimators preparing supported measurement and calculation workflows
- Quantity surveyors reviewing extracted information and calculated quantities
- MEP teams organizing specialized BOQ disciplines
The Challenge of Manual BOQ Workflows
Construction teams often move information between drawings, schedules, PDFs and spreadsheets before they can prepare a BOQ. Quantara combines review-led extraction, guided measurement and controlled BOQ structuring so the professional can review each result before it is used. Teams can compare AI-assisted and manual BOQ preparation before choosing a workflow.
Basic OCR tools recognize image text but do not by themselves establish a BOQ hierarchy or verify measurement inputs. Captured content, dimensions and quantities still require professional review.
How Quantara Supports the Workflow
Quantara processes supported project sources through an industry-specific estimator, applies deterministic engineering calculation rules and assembles an unpriced BOQ without inventing commercial rates. The responsible professional reviews the evidence, assumptions, exclusions and unresolved scope before issue.
In supported BOQ contexts, voice can enter or correct measurements and propose supported item changes for review. Through controlled access, Autodesk / AutoCAD DWG analysis can turn selected DWG model metadata and properties into traceable review candidates. Quantara also supports structured BOQ management and professional outputs from reviewed project data.
Relevant Features
Reviewed extraction
Confirm, correct or reject supported extracted information before later BOQ use.
Guided BOQ measurement and quantity calculations
Use reviewed source-linked or professionally entered dimensions with deterministic formulas, visible equations and calculated quantities.
Voice-assisted measurement and BOQ editing
Use voice to enter or correct supported measurements and propose supported BOQ changes for confirmation.
Autodesk / AutoCAD DWG analysis
Create traceable review candidates from selected Autodesk DWG model metadata and properties.
Structured BOQ management
Organize confirmed items into hierarchical BOQ sections, trades and revisions.
Professional project outputs
Generate supported BOQ documents and project outputs from reviewed project data.
Practical AI BOQ Measurement Workflow
A controlled workflow for moving from project sources to professional output:
Upload / Connect Source
Add a supported project source or connect an authorized source account where enabled.
Supported Extraction
Create supported review candidates from extractable source data or supported Autodesk DWG model metadata and properties.
Human Review
Verify, correct or reject relevant information against the source before it is used in the BOQ workflow.
Guided Measurement
Review source-linked dimensions where available, or enter and correct the dimensions required for a supported calculation type.
Quantity Calculation
Apply the supported deterministic engineering formula and inspect the visible equation and calculated quantity.
BOQ Structuring
Confirm reviewed items into governed BOQ sections, quantities, units and revisions.
Professional Output
Generate supported outputs from reviewed project records and templates.
Supported Inputs
Text-based PDF
AvailableSupported PDFs with selectable text and reviewable table content.
Note: Plain paragraph text is not automatically converted into BOQ candidates; table results depend on the source layout and must be checked against the original file.
Scanned/Image-Only PDF - Detection
LimitedDetects image-only pages and reports that text extraction is unavailable.
Note: Quantara does not currently perform OCR text extraction from scanned or image-only PDFs.
Scanned/Image-Only PDF - OCR
Not availableAutomated text recognition for image-based documents is not currently implemented.
Note: Scanned documents require manual transcription.
XLSX / CSV
AvailableSupported structured spreadsheet formats, subject to mapping and review.
Note: Only supported structures and destinations are included; column mapping and imported values still require review.
Autodesk / AutoCAD DWG analysis
Controlled accessControlled-access analysis of supported Autodesk DWG files for traceable review candidates.
Note: DWG-derived information remains subject to professional review. Quantara does not automatically treat arbitrary drawing properties as confirmed final BOQ quantities.
Generic CAD / BIM / IFC model quantity extraction
Not availableGeneric model quantity extraction is not claimed and is distinct from supported Autodesk DWG analysis.
Supported Outputs
XLSX Export
AvailableStructured spreadsheet output for further professional use.
Note: Generated documents are not professional approval and remain subject to project-specific review.
PDF Generation
AvailableReviewable documents generated from stored data and available templates.
Note: Generated documents are not professional approval and remain subject to project-specific review.
Technical Reports
LimitedDOCX technical reports generated from reviewed project records and templates in supported configured environments.
Note: Technical report generation is currently limited to DOCX; other technical-report formats are not supported.
Current Limitations
- Quantara does not automatically determine final project costs.
- Results depend on legible, coordinated and supported project evidence; unclear or missing scope is recorded for professional resolution rather than silently invented.
- Supported calculation types require the applicable dimensions, professional review and confirmation; missing dimensions are not fabricated.
Professional Disclaimer
Project information, extracted data, measurements, calculations, rates and outputs require review by the responsible construction professional before tender, procurement, contractual or construction use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI BOQ software?
AI BOQ software helps construction professionals capture, review, measure, calculate and organize supported project information into controlled BOQ workflows.
Can AI create a BOQ?
Yes. Quantara generates a structured, quantity-complete unpriced BOQ from supported drawing evidence using industry-specific extraction and deterministic calculation rules. A qualified professional reviews the evidence and approves the final issue.
Can AI read scanned BOQ files?
Not yet. Quantara detects scanned or image-based PDFs and flags them as requiring OCR, but OCR text recognition is not currently available. Scanned content currently requires manual transcription.
Can Quantara measure and calculate BOQ quantities?
Yes. For supported calculation types, Quantara provides a guided BOQ measurement workflow. It works with reviewed source-linked or professionally entered dimensions, applies deterministic engineering formulas, displays the equation and calculated quantity, and allows the responsible professional to confirm the result before it is applied to governed BOQ data.
Is AI BOQ software the same as quantity takeoff software?
Quantity takeoff measures project scope from drawings; BOQ software structures those quantities into sections, items, units, revisions and deliverables. Quantara connects both stages in one evidence-backed workflow for supported industries.
Can I use voice for BOQ measurement and editing?
Yes. In supported BOQ contexts, voice can enter or correct measurements and propose supported item changes. Each change remains subject to professional review and user confirmation before it is applied to governed project data.
Can Quantara analyze Autodesk DWG files?
Yes, through controlled access. Quantara can analyze supported Autodesk / AutoCAD DWG files and create traceable review candidates from model metadata and properties for professional review.
Can AI replace a quantity surveyor?
No. Quantara supports quantity surveyors with reviewed extraction, guided measurement, calculation visibility and structured workflows; it does not replace professional judgment, commercial context or strategic decision-making.
How should AI-assisted quantities be reviewed?
The responsible professional must verify source information, required dimensions, equations, calculated quantities, units, assumptions and final commercial totals before issue.
Which files can Quantara currently process?
Quantara supports text-based PDFs, XLSX and CSV files. Through controlled access, it can analyze supported Autodesk DWG files. Scanned or image-only PDFs are detected and flagged as requiring OCR, but OCR text extraction is not currently available.
Related Resources
BOQ Software
Learn about structured BOQ management and revisions.
PDF BOQ Extraction
Deep dive into processing text-based PDF documents.
Scanned PDF Processing
How Quantara detects image-based documents today and the current OCR limitation.
BOQ Management
Controlling project records and templates.
Product Features
View the complete list of available and unavailable capabilities.