Our Services

Cost Advice

Preliminary cost advice is rendered by the Quantity Surveyor at the very out-set of a scheme, even before the design is done. He forecasts the probable region of cost of a proposed project or he may assess the type and size of structure that can be erected for any given expenditure. With this information, coupled with estimates of maintenance and running costs, the Quantity Surveyor assists his client in the preparation of the budget for the project. Once the preliminary drawings have been prepared, the Quantity Surveyor prepares a more detailed approximate estimate and this cost advice enables design decisions to be made with full knowledge of their implications to the client.

Cost Planning

Every client wants value for money. Value for money not only in respect of the capital cost, but also in respect of future running and maintenance costs. Cost planning enables the Quantity Surveyor to ascertain costs before many of the decisions are made relating to the design of a building and to be used objectively during the design process on every aspect of the structure. Cost planning involves a systematic analysis of the structure which enables the price for each constituent to be valued against its performance requirements and aesthetic considerations. After the initial feasibility studies and preliminary estimates have been prepared, the Quantity Surveyor prepares the cost plan from the Architect‘s preliminary drawings. The cost plan divides a building into various functional elements. In this way it is possible to ensure a proper apportionment of expenditure over the various elements. Proposals for alternative materials and designs are cost as the design progresses and the cost implications are presented to the client and other consultations are made with knowledge of the overall cost involved.

Cost Control

Where a full cost plan has been prepared in the design stages, the Quantity Surveyor will use it as a basis for cost control during the construction process. During construction, variations of the works are often necessary; sometimes to take account of the clients changing needs, sometimes to overcome site conditions which could be foreseen, such as the presence of underground obstructions. The Quantity Surveyor estimates the cost of proposed variations and reports their impact on the probable final cost, so that corrective steps may be taken elsewhere in the work, if the client requires, keeping the cost within the budget. As part of this systematic control of the cost during the progress of the work, the Quantity Surveyor will prepare at regular intervals financial statements which keep client and designers fully informed of the up-to-date financial position and the anticipated final cost of the work.