Initial Consultations and Advice including Preliminary Development Budgets, Project Delivery Strategies, Cash Flow Projections, Development Scheduling, and advice on available Local Development Incentives.

Our service ensures that whilst under construction expenditure and cash flow match the funding available. The commercial management of this process involves the accurate valuation of works in progress and a detailed review of changes to date and materials on site.

The early identification, control and costing of changes in the works is fundamental and regular clients cost reports are issued to ensure the client can adapt to the potential cost and time implications of such changes prior to formal commitment. Effective cost control ensures corrective action can be taken to ensure the clients’ objectives are met.

Our service includes managing the relationship with the contractor including agreement of interim payments, change negotiation, cash-flow preparation and monitoring, claim avoidance and settlement and final account negotiations.

In conjunction with the design team the cost implications of various designs can be estimated at key design milestones from conceptual level feasibility estimates through to anticipated final project cost. Our approach is to control costs, rather than simply monitor, with the primary objective being to ensure the project is delivered within the parameters of the original business case.

Cost planning detail increases in line with key design stages ranging from benchmarking data at conceptual level through detailed elemental analysis at Schematic and Design Development Stages through to a market tested final cost estimate, linked to final design and specifications, at Construction Documents stage. Each cost plan evaluates design progression and provides early advice to ensure project budgets reflect the final designed product. This process is often linked with value engineering services to investigate the optimum cost achievable whilst retaining the original design objectives.

Once the decision to proceed with a project is made selecting the most effective project delivery route depends on a number of criteria and determining how the client prioritizes these. Commonly analyzed criteria are time (certainty and speed of construction); cost (certainty and value) and performance (function and quality). Commonly used project delivery routes satisfy each of these criteria differently and we recommend the most appropriate strategy based on a weighted criteria analysis. Commonly used project delivery routes include the Traditional Route, Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management.

Increasing importance is being placed on reducing energy use and the costs of occupying buildings and focus on the return on investment in buildings is shifting to include a fuller consideration of Whole Life Costs. Our Life Cycle Cost advice yields the most cost effective balance of capital and revenue costs over the life of a building.

We adopt a system aiming to achieve the required project function for the minimum cost without detriment to quality, reliability, performance or delivery.

Bills of Quantities

Bills of quantities remain the predominant means of obtained competitive bids for construction projects particularly with public sector clients. Bills of quantities allow transparency during bid review and award, means for accurate interim payment reviews; valuing changes and preparation of the final account.

Bills of Quantities are prepared using internationally recognized standards of measurement and are incorporated into the clients chosen contract route.

 

Pricing Schedules

An alternative to Bills of Quantities we prepare project specific Schedules of Values, Labour, Plant and Basic Materials; Schedules of On-Costs and Schedule of Unit Rates. Schedules provide invaluable data to assist with ongoing construction cost control during the project duration for interim payment reviews; valuing changes and preparation of the final account.

 

Contract Documentation

Experience throughout the development and construction process allows us to prepare contract documentation that protects the parties’ interests and proposed construction management process and risk allocation. We incorporate standard forms of contract prepared by international recognized professional bodies amended to reflect the individual project and location.

 

Negotiated Contracts

Contracts are often negotiated bi-laterally, without competition, when a client wishes to engage a particular contractor or when contract must be signed and engaged quickly. Our continual review of local market conditions and quantity surveying skills make us particularly qualified to negotiate on behalf of the Client.

Expert Witness

Construction disputes invariably necessitate the used of expert witnesses and we have provide services on numerous proceedings. We understand the duty of the expert witness is to advise the court on matters within our expertise and this overrides and obligation to the instructing party.

 

Arbitration

Arbitration has traditionally been the main method of dispute resolution in the construction industry and is the preferred method in most standard forms of construction contract. It is particularly effective for dealing with disputes of a technical nature and we have relevant experience to effectively provide Arbitration services.

 

Dispute Resolution

Chartered Quantity Surveyors are often involved in the preparations for a claim or for a defense against a claim in a construction dispute. It therefore provides us with the skills to effectively negotiate construction disputes and most construction disputes are resolved by negotiation. Such negotiations can take place in conjunction with litigation, arbitration or other forms of dispute resolution. Any negotiated settlement is prepared in a formal document enforceable by the court.

Our Project Management service can include the overall planning, co-ordination and control of a project from inception to completion aimed at meeting a Client’s business objectives. Our core services listed below ensure the clients requirements are met or exceeded to deliver a functionally and financially viable project that is completed on time, within the approved budget and to the expected quality standards.

We tailor such services to meet the requirements of the particular project and maximize the client’s resources and strengths. From project inception, identification and coordination of design disciplines through implementing effective project delivery strategies we add value and manage key project factors including time, quality, cost and risk.

Project Management Services can be provided directly to the Owner or as a Sub-Consultant to an established design team and include:

• Feasibility Studies
• Project Delivery and Procurement Strategies
• Design and Construction Team Recommendation
• Project Scheduling
• Cost, Contract and Risk Management
• Design Team Coordination and Management
• Bidding and Contract Award Advice
• Health and Safety Advice
• Post Occupancy Reviews

Our Services allow the identification, evaluation, monitoring and recommendation of mitigation solutions to a bank or fund lending to the development and property finance sector. We advise on the risks associated with acquiring an interest in a project or development that is not directly controlled by the client.

Expert Witness

Construction disputes invariably necessitate the used of expert witnesses and we have provide services on numerous proceedings. We understand the duty of the expert witness is to advise the court on matters within our expertise and this overrides and obligation to the instructing party.

 

Arbitration

Arbitration has traditionally been the main method of dispute resolution in the construction industry and is the preferred method in most standard forms of construction contract. It is particularly effective for dealing with disputes of a technical nature and we have relevant experience to effectively provide Arbitration services.

 

Dispute Resolution

Chartered Quantity Surveyors are often involved in the preparations for a claim or for a defense against a claim in a construction dispute. It therefore provides us with the skills to effectively negotiate construction disputes and most construction disputes are resolved by negotiation. Such negotiations can take place in conjunction with litigation.

We combine traditional cost planning with sustainable design criteria ensuring that green goals are achieved with economy. Long term costs and benefits associated with individual initiatives and the design as a whole are assessed. We can also manage and assist with project LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation; Green Building accreditation through the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC).