It has been suggested to us that we employ a quantity
surveyor for our building project, although our architect thinks it
unnecessary. What would a quantity surveyor add?
SINCE your letter indicated a larger project - more than £50,000
- I would also recommend engaging a quantity surveyor, who could
add several layers of reassurance to you and your team. The
architect may think this is unnecessary, but could be
over-optimistic about his or her ability to set and manage a
realistic budget.
At the first stage of preparing for building works, the quantity
surveyor will establish a thorough budget, that includes everything
from planning costs to the contractor's overheads and VAT. This
budget enables you to plan the finances of the project
realistically, and with far less anxiety about the project's having
the potential for financial surprises when the work on site is
under way.
Once the budget is set out, the quantity surveyor can meet you
to discuss where savings might be made. At times, the working
method of the contractor may have an impact on the budget, and the
quantity surveyor can prepare you for the variations in cost of
different methods: for example, whether to have a temporary roof
when slates are replaced, or different methods of dealing with
subsidence issues.
In the industry, this stage is called cost engineering - a grand
name for ensuring that the budgeted work fits the available
finances.
During the process of going out to tender, the quantity surveyor
will have a key part to play in preparing the tender documents and
double-checking all the tender return figures. The quantity
surveyor will assess and explain the reasons why different
contractors have varying prices for aspects of the work. A
significantly cheaper price on one tender could be the sign of a
mistake by the contractor, or a sign of a different and more
economical working method. A report identifying and recommending
one contractor will help you to make a good decision.
During building works, the quantity surveyor will meet the
contractor's own quantity surveyor on a monthly basis, to ensure
that the assessments for payment (the architect's certificate), and
the contractor's invoice are at the right level, and within the
contracted figure.
When your project involves repairs that will replace like with
like, even on a larger sum - say on stone repair, externally - it
may be necessary to engage the quantity surveyor on a daily or
hourly basis only, to help you set the budget. After that, the
control of cost may be very straightforward. But if the project
involves construction and alteration, it is advisable to keep your
quantity surveyor working with you throughout the project.
As surprises arise, items that could not be foreseen, from a
tomb in the floor or problems in the wooden structure supporting
the tiles, he or she can help you to negotiate the issues and
change the work so that essential items can be covered without
going over the financial limit. Not all architects and not all
contractors realise that when you say you have no more money, you
really have no more money.
Find an independent quantity surveyor, not a member of the
architect's team. Ask the DAC secretary or other churches to
recommend names.
Issues and questions to
maggiedurran@virginmedia.com.