Why use a Quantity Surveyor?
Why use a Quantity Surveyor – see what our client says! We have recently worked with a client who has shared her thoughts. She thought instructing a quantity surveyor was just another cost. However the more she learnt, the more she realised it was a good investment.
We look here at why it is important to use a quantity surveyor, or cost manager on your project.
Our client explains how she wanted help to find a builder.
She was concerned about finding the right builder. Also that quotes from builders would not be like for like, or detailed enough.
Our client had initially thought that by providing her plans to a builder, that would be enough for contractors to quote on. Every aspect of the build needs to be accounted for, there were so many detailed points that she hadn’t considered.
CLPM were instructed and she was glad of our professional help.
Our QS team began with preparing the tender documentation, we organised the tender and analysed the returns. We were then able to present the results and appoint a contractor.
What is the tender process?
- An invitation to tender can be defined as the formal offer to bid for work or projects.
- A tender document, sent out by an organisation, will need to include a full description of goods and services to be procured.
- A tender return or submission is a document that a supplier will submit in an attempt to win the work.
More about the tender process.
Do I need a contract?
A building contract plays an important part in helping you control your building costs. This formalises your agreement, the price, and the works necessary. Along with the completion date, and how much and when your builder will invoice you and receive payment from you.
CLPM use industry standard JCT contracts. These contracts are available to purchase by anyone wishing to enter into a building contract with another party.
The JCT suite of contracts are standard forms of building contracts. They are available so parties can document their construction projects.
It is possible that not using a contract can expose your build project to risk. If you don’t use a standard form of building contract you expose yourself to your contractors’ terms and conditions, or common law to control payment, disputes, and insurance amongst other things.
Our team found that projects that start without a contract can be delivered very late and at much higher costs than initially envisaged.
Our Quantity Surveying team regularly work with JCT suite of contracts and will be able to advise which contract is suitable for your project, and draft it for you.
In this case, we drafted the necessary contracts for the client, to provide with them with the necessary protection from risk.
Cost Management throughout the build!
Our clients were keen to do as much project management themselves as they could. Once the most complex construction elements were complete, our project manager stepped back and CLPM just provided cost management support. Read more about this project!
CLPM provided expert cost advice throughout the project. Making sure any changes attracting additional costs were itemised and closely controlled.
Find out more about our QS Services.
Our client said at the end of the project “CLPM offered a great degree of comfort, it was reassuring to know there was someone on our side, keeping track of all the costs“
If you have a self-build, renovation or home building project, we would be happy to provide cost advice. We can start with a budget, manage the tender process, prepare contracts and manage costs throughout. Our flexible personal approach means you can use as many of our services as you wish.
We hope you have found this ‘Why use a Quantity Surveyor – see what our client says!’ blog useful. If you want to find out how we can help you set and control your construction project budget then we’d love to hear from you.
Simply call us on 01923 896550, email info@cl-pm.com or complete a contact form.
