What the Quantity Surveyor can offer to our clients
Once the Architect has produced their initial drawings which meets your requirements and expectations for scale, layout, design and are at a suitable level for submitting for Planning Approval this is a useful point to check whether the proposals meet your affordability budget. This is where an independent Chartered Quantity Surveyor can assist and from this stage can help assist through the various stages of construction of the project.
During the Tender stage, what does the the Quantity Surveyor do?
- Preparation of Order of Cost Estimate to establish a realistic budget
- Preparation of Tender Documents comprising Preliminaries, Conditions of Contract and Elemental Schedule for pricing by the contractors
- Analysis and assessment of tender returns, production of Tender Report including any necessary negotiations with contractor and adjustment to scope of works to achieve established budget
- Production of Contract Documents once an acceptable Contract Sum has been agreed
- Monthly Valuations of work in progress, issue of Valuation Certificate to Architect and production of Cost Reports assessing the value of any variations on site
What do RICS professionals offer?
- Give you clear, impartial and expert advice
- Act in your interest
- Are regulated and have to follow strict rules of conduct, including having in place professional indemnity insurance to protect you
- Have a specific set of rules and best practice guidance designed to help ensure they provide exceptional service
- Have to regularly update their skills and knowledge throughout their careers (known as CPD), so you can rely on their expertise
- A quantity surveyor is an expert in the art of costing a building at all its stages.
- Chartered quantity surveyors are highly trained professionals offering expert advice on construction costs. They are essential for life cycle costing, cost planning, procurement and tendering, contract administration and commercial management. A Chartered Quantity Surveyor may be involved as a specialist in one area or generalise in several over the course of a project. They may also specialise in particular areas such as residential or retail. Surveyors must pass an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become a member of RICS and a chartered surveyor.
How do quantity surveyors work?
Before a construction project starts, a quantity surveyor will study drawings and specifications about a new building normally provided by architects or engineers. From this information, he/she will be able to calculate the quantities of materials for the build. They must also provide accurate labour and work costs.
Quantity surveyors rely on a range of technical measurement tools to come to accurate costs. For example, the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) data to give early cost advice, to budget and benchmark projects and to prepare life cycle cost plans. They will also have a thorough understanding of Building Regulations in order to adhere to them and ensure that the project passes Building Control. During the build, they keep a constant check on costs.
Almost all construction projects require a budget. This forms the basis of the financial plan, which sets limits on the amount of money available to be spent. Very few project funders, whether private individuals or institutional investors, will proceed without an agreed budget. In construction, ‘estimating’ is the calculation of the likely final cost for any given project. This will form the basis of the budget for that project at all stages. A budget can be produced for any stakeholder in the construction process who requests or needs one. The stage the project has reached will determine how much detail can be entered into and how much time and effort will be expended in producing the estimate
If you want to find out more, get in touch with us today.
