In order to recognize the role of the number surveyor in the present day UK industry we will review his implications and tasks during all the different stages of the development cycle.
Also as well as for information we will review how a Client appoints a Volume surveyor and when, in order to comprehend his early involvements along the way.
And finally we will make clear the way the surveyor remarks his fees and the way the Client paid the QS services.
But first of all, let's go in the past to understand where the job of quantity surveyor originates from and when it first shows up in the UK.
3. 0 HISTORY
The quantity surveyor job can trace its roots back again to the rebuilding of London following the Great fire
4. 0 ROLE OF YOUR QUANTITY SURVEYOR NOWADAYS
Quantity surveyors will be the accountants of the building career - planning and managing costs of development projects from commence to finish. Volume surveyors (or QSs because they are known, since it's a lttle bit of the mouthful) either help an exclusive QS practice and act with respect to clients or for a contracting company which holds out structure work.
This profession is obviously not absolutely all hard hats and wellies. Actually the role of the number surveyor has changed so dramatically lately that the vocation doesn't always answer to the name of volume surveying any more!
You will often see private techniques discussing themselves as 'cost consultants' and 'project managers' due to nature of the task they now handle. Because of the recession, QSs have had to change or die and nowadays there are fewer, greater private practices than ever before dealing with a broader remit of work.
No much longer do amount surveyors just strategy and price work, they have a more tactical role. Nowadays the QS is involved at all phases of a project from organizing tenders and planning costs to organizing final expenses of quantities; essentially, making sure projects are planned and completed to cost and quality, on time.
UK construction experts are respected in another country and, partially in response to the depressed market, many UK companies have developed a global outlook.
5. 0 WHEN TO APPOINT A Variety SURVEYOR
In order that maximum benefit can be gained from his skill a Number surveyor should be appointed by any customer at the earliest opportunity in the life of a project, preferably at the inception of any scheme, so that the QS's tips can be provided on:
The costs of the task (meet the Client's budget).
The best procurement path can be determined based on the Consumer' requirements.
Selection of others consultants and contractors.
It is preferred that a Customer and his Volume surveyor should meet and discuss the session before any agreement is come to, unless the services provided by the Qs is to be restricted in the process.
6. 0 HOW TO SELECT AND APPOINT A Volume SURVEYOR
There are three methods available when it comes to choose a Quantity surveyor;
Selection based on existing knowledge
A Customer may select and then appoint a QS using existing knowledge of the surveyor's performance and reputation. This might a result of past succefull job, good romance or by recommandations from others.
Selection from a -panel maintained by a Client
A Client may maintain a panel of Number surveyors. He'll have records of the experience which will enable him to make any selection or appointment.
Selection from an ad hoc list produced by a Client
If a Client cannot make a decision using any of the two others methods it might be more appropriate produce an ad hoc list.
Whichever of the above ways of selection is employed it's important for the selection criteria to add the following:
The financial ranking of the QS under consideration
The experience, competence and reputation of each candidate for equal chance.
Their ability to supply the services required by the Client.
7. 0 SERVICES PROVIDED BY A Amount SURVEYOR
This diagram shows the several stages of the building cycle. The Quantity surveyor is involved in each of these phases. The next will explain what the tasks of the QS are through the construction cycle.
Quantity surveying in Building phases
Inception and feasibility
At inception and feasibility the Quantity surveyor gets the duty of:
Liaise with consumer and other consultants to look for the Client's requirements and development of the entire brief.
Advise on selection of other consultants.
Advise on implications of proposed job and liaise with other experts to build up such advice.
Advise on the most likely procurement path.
Establish Client's order of priorities for quality, time and cost.
Prepare first budget estimation from feasibility proposals.
Prepare overall project cost computations and cash flow projections.
Design stage
During the design level the Qs will:
Prepare and develop preliminary cost plan.
Advise on cost of design team's proposals.
Monitor cost implications during comprehensive design level.
Maintain and develop cost plan, and put together periodic records and updated cash flow forecasts.
Tender documents
During this level, the number surveyor will:
Advise on tendering and contractual arrangements taking into accounts the Client's priorities and information available from designers.
Advise on insurance duties and liaise with Client's insurance advisers.
Advise on guarantees.
Advise on bonds for performances and other purposes.
Prepare tender and deal documents with the Clients and people of design team.
Provide copies of documentations as agreed
Advise on use and/or amendments of standard form of deal or contribute to drafting of particular requirements in association with Client's legal advisers.
Draw up form of contact, obtain agreement drawings from customers of the design team and prepare and deliver to both celebrations contract copies of all documents.
Tender selection and appraisal
At this stage of the soft actions cycle the Qs must:
Advise on shortlisting potential tenderers.
Investigate tenderers and recommend the Client on financial status and experience.
Attend pre-contract interview with tenderers.
Arrange delivery of documents to selected tenderers.
Check sensitive submissions for reliability, level of charges.
Advise on mistakes and skills and, if necessary, work out the offers.
Advise on distribution of program of work and method assertion.
Prepare appropriate paperwork if possible, to change the tender received to a satisfactory contract total.
Review financial budget because of tenders received and prepare revised cash flow.
Prepare tender information with appropriate recommendations.
Construction
During the building the number surveyor will:
Prepare tips for interim payments to contractors, subcontractors and suppliers relative to the contract requirements.
Post contract
During this last stage of the development cycle the Qs will:
Value designer's draft for differing the task before concern.
Prepare periodic cost reviews in arranged format at specified intervals including any allocations of cost and/or copies as requested by third parties.
Prepare the ultimate account.
Attend meetings as provided under agreements.
Provide copies of documents as provided under the arrangement.
8. 0 PAYMENTS
The Client shall pay the QS for the performance of the services the fees and charges in such instalments as are occur the fee offer clause. All fees and charges under the arrangement are exclusive of value added Tax which if credited will be paid concurrently in addition. The deadline for payment will be 7 days following the particular date of the submission of the invoice. The quantity surveyor when submitting his invoice shall on each invoice verify the basis on which the explained amount is determined.
The final particular date for payment should be 21 days following the deadline for payment. The payment must be made no later than the final date for payment.
Any amount because of the Amount surveyor under the agreement which continue to be unpaid by your client after the final day must be bear interest at the pace explained in the charge offer clause.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Client guide to the Appointing a Number Surveyor, first edition(Feb 1992; RICS books
Cost Planning of Complexes, Eighth Release; Ferry and Brandon
Lecture notes 2010; Discipline Task 2
RIBA Outline Plan of Work 2007 amended Nov 2008
