What size projects require a Quantity Surveyor?
A quantity surveyor can be involved in all projects from a small extension to multi million pound projects.
Although they're not routinely used for domestic projects, a quantity surveyor can save money. A quantity surveyor can also reduce the risk. Without a quantity surveyor, the design goes to planning and tender without an extra layer of cost checking, and more chance of going over budget. In contrast - with a, quantity surveyor, client aspiration is matched to budget early on.
A quantity surveyor can safeguard any funders commercial interest in a project. If the builder doesn't do the right thing, then there's a fallback. Any quantity surveyor adds a vital reality check. If you're after architecture with a high specification, a quantity surveyor will stop you being blinded. Can that high quality kitchen for £15,000 be found for £8,000? The quantity surveyor challenges both architect and the builder, making sure you're never paying for more than what is done.
Most clients need a lot of handholding and a personal service. When appointing the architect, you should also consider appointing the quantity surveyor. After all, there's no point going for planning if you find you can't afford it – and clients often have unrealistic impressions of costs. A good quantity surveyor can cost labour as well as materials, and quantify the time it'll take to do the work. This is difficult for a non-builder to comprehend. There's another use for a quantity surveyor: client - builder conflict resolution. Often we work on claims when building goes wrong. A quantity surveyor can advise as to whether the client is getting ripped off.
So, a quantity surveyor can help get over the hurdles, hopefully saving money en route. The quantity surveyor will cost, of course: perhaps up to two to four per cent of the whole contract if used for the entire time, or at an hourly rate could be as low as £30. Some quantity surveyor's will project manage, but this might cost more.
Still, not all agree that a quantity surveyor is essential, as some Architects will suggest quantity surveyor's are for larger jobs. We do a lot of one-off houses and extensions/ alterations which are difficult for a quantity surveyor to cost.
Whether you choose a quantity surveyor or not, the point is to nail down the costs early on.
