Distinguishing and applying tile (block) finishes vs stone finishes: separate BOQ items and three quota criteria (material -> size -> workmanship)

Topic Positioning

The distinction caliber and quota-application criteria between "block (tile) finishes" and "stone finishes" in BOQs and budget quotas, for BOQ listing, sub-item selection, and conversion in floor and wall/column decoration (building BOQ per GB/T 50854-2024; quota application exemplified by railway buildings TB/T 10831-2024 and Beijing DB11/T 2382-2024).

Core Conclusions

1. The two senses of "block finish"

1. Collective sense: as table/chapter name it is collective — stone, ceramic tiles, and other slab finishes all fall under it — GB/T 50854-2024 Table L.2.1 is titled "stone and block finishes" (code 011102), with stone and block sub-items side by side.
2. Specific sense: juxtaposed with "stone", "block" specifically means non-stone tiles (ceramic floor tiles, glazed tiles, vitrified tiles, etc.). -> Which sub-item applies is decided by the "face material", not the table name.

2. BOQ level: stone and block are separate items by nature GB/T 50854-2024:

• Floors (Table L.2.1, 011102): 011102001 stone floor, 011102002 rubble-stone floor, 011102003 tile floor;
• Wall/column faces (Table M.3.1, 011203): 011203001 stone wall/column, 011203002 rubble-stone wall/column, 011203003 tile wall/column. List them separately; price each under its quota sub-item.

3. Quota level: three criteria (material -> size -> workmanship/position) (1) Material (primary): check the sub-item's main-material consumption — natural-stone facing panels/marble/shaped panels => stone sub-items; floor tiles, glazed tiles and other ceramics => block sub-items. Examples (DB11/T 2382-2024 Table A.11.2): A-11-45 stone floor (panel area within 0.64 m2) consumes "natural stone facing panel 800x800"; A-11-48 stone marquetry consumes "shaped marble panels"; A-11-54 tile marquetry consumes "floor tiles". Railway TB/T 10831-2024 is plainer: "stone finishes inlaid within 100x100 apply the accent sub-items of this node" and "vitrified tiles apply the corresponding ceramic-tile sub-items" (however stone-like, vitrified tiles must take ceramic/block sub-items). (2) Size tier: tier by actual panel area — stone at 0.36/0.64/1.0 m2 per panel (railway FY-1218, FY-1219 granite); block tiers finer with small sizes (railway FY-1214-1217 ceramic tiles <=0.1/<=0.36/<=0.64/>0.64 m2). (3) Workmanship and position: marquetry, rubble mosaics, borders (banding), accents are dedicated sub-items (railway FY-1220-1223); walls split by fixing method — mortar bedding / bond-and-tie / dry-hanging, the latter split hook-bolt and back-anchor (railway FY-1384-1391 granite walls). Metal framing is not in the block/finish/curtain-wall sub-items and is computed separately.

4. Companion conversions and measurement (railway TB/T 10831-2024 Vol. 10 Chapter 2 notes)

• Stone floors with division strips or color zones: labor x 1.10; curved or irregular floor inlays: labor x 1.15; curved skirtings and stair-flight skirtings: labor and machinery x 1.15;
• Stair decoration includes treads, landings, and stair skirtings; curved stair surfaces: labor x 1.25;
• Floor cushions with underfloor heating: apply by material with labor x 1.30 and materials x 0.95;
• Steps, ramps, and aprons include face and bonding courses but not cushions; step platforms (outer wall to the outer edge of the top riser) within 2.50 m take step sub-items, beyond 2.50 m take floor sub-items;
• Terrazzo cement-aggregate mix may be adjusted when design differs; terrazzo includes acid washing and waxing; other finishes needing it apply the dedicated sub-item;
• Wood flooring assumes tongued-and-grooved products; square-edge installation: labor x 0.85; wood-floor fills apply "floor insulation, soundproofing" sub-items;
• Measurement: stone marquetry by the maximum bounding rectangle; floors with marquetry deduct the marquetry bounding rectangle from the paved area; accents counted by count, not deducted from paved area.

Applicable Boundaries

• The "material -> size -> workmanship" chain is generic across systems; the specific conversion coefficients are railway TB/T 10831-2024 calibers — building and other provinces follow their own volume notes; no cross-system mixing.
• BOQ items and codes per GB/T 50854-2024; local/industry divisions may differ in detail — verify item characteristics and work content before applying.
• Distinction and application do not depend on amounts; labor/material/machinery unit prices are computed separately at compilation-period prices.

Further Reading

• GB/T 50854-2024 Standard for Measurement of Building and Decoration Works, Appendix L Table L.2.1 (011102), Appendix M Table M.3.1 (011203);
• TB/T 10831-2024 Budget Quota for Railway Works, Vol. 10: Buildings, Chapter 2 decoration notes and Section 1 floors (FY-1214-1241), Section 2 stone wall sub-items (FY-1384-1391);
• DB11/T 2382-2024 Consumption Standard for Construction Works, Appendix A A.11.2 block finishes (A-11-45, A-11-48, A-11-54, etc.).