Quantity Surveying Service with CLPM

ACA have been working with various quantity surveying companies for years, and through these years of experience we have established optimal procedures for our self build clients to ensure that their budget and cost estimations are precise; providing security and peace of mind.

We are therefore happy to announce the launch of another service by ACA, in conjunction with the well-established CLPM. CLPM are a regulated construction project consultancy company with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. CLPM was formed in 2014 through a merger of Charlie Laing Ltd and the award-winning ClearPlan Project Management.

Their quantity surveying team offer construction cost consultancy services to residential and commercial clients on a UK-wide basis.

PROJECT STAGES

A quantity surveyor is involved at every stage of the self build project: from pre-construction, to on-site and upon completion.

Pre-construction

Typically, a quantity surveyor gets involved during the pre-construction phase once you have appointed an architect and discussed your budget and design expectations. At this stage, they help set up all the project processes and reporting procedures. They will visit the site and meet with you, the architect, and the contractor to agree actions.

On-site

When your project reaches the on-site stage, the quantity surveyor takes the role of Contract Administrator and cooperates with the designer and the main contractor to ensure that your project is progressing according to plan. The Contract Administrator will monitor the progress and quality through regular site visits and regular meetings.

The main contractor is required to submit a valuation on a monthly basis, which is broken down into identifiable parts which will be assessed as to whether they are in line with the specification. At the end of this stage, the quantity surveyor will issue the final certificate.

Completion

At the end of the project, your quantity surveyor will check if the building is ready for the handover. They will also ensure that the correct paperwork is in place so you can enjoy living in your dream home.

THE CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR’S DUTIES

Administering change control procedures.
Seeking instructions from the client in relation to the contract.
Issuing instructions such as variations or relating to prime cost sums or making good defects.
Chairing construction progress meetings.
Reviewing the progress against the contractor’s programme.
Preparing and issuing construction progress reports
Co-ordinating and instructing site inspectors.
Agreeing commissioning and testing procedures.
Agreeing defects reporting procedures.
Ensuring that project documentation is issued to the client.
Issuing interim certificates with an associated cost report.
Certifying Practical completion.
Collating and issuing schedules of defects.
Issuing the certificate of making good defects.
Issuing the final certificate.

COST ESTIMATION STAGES

Stage 1 – High Level Cost Estimate

After the architect has prepared two design variations that you are happy with, the quantity surveyor provides a high-level cost estimate for each – using the design information to assess the likely cost per m2. This stage gives you an idea of the likely costs of your project options so that you can then choose the one that is within your target budget.

At this stage, the estimations will not be 100% precise due to relatively limited information. As the information evolves and you make additional design and specification choices, the estimate will be refined and you receive a more accurate project cost figure.

Stage 2 – Detailed Cost Estimate

The completion of a detailed cost estimate is made based on building regulations drawings. This will give you greater confidence that you will achieve the target budget for the project.

It will also help you identify and quantify the potential savings. You will then receive the information in an elemental or works package format.