General & Value Questions
What does a Quantity Surveyor (QS) actually do?
We act as the financial construction managers of your project. We manage all costs from initial calculations to final figures, ensuring you get maximum value for your money.
At what stage should I hire a Quantity Surveyor?
Engage us as early as possible, ideally before hiring architects or contractors. Early involvement allows us to set a realistic budget and prevent expensive design revisions later.
How do your services save me money?
We prevent budget overruns through accurate cost planning, aggressive negotiation with contractors, and strict verification of all site changes and monthly bills.
Can you help me determine if my project is even feasible before I commit to anything?
Yes. Before you spend money on detailed drawings or a contractor, we can give you an early, rough cost picture so you know whether your plan realistically fits your budget — and if it doesn't, we'll suggest changes that bring it back in line.
Pricing & Procurement
What is a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and do I need one?
A BOQ is a detailed list of all materials and labor required for your project. It ensures all contractors bid on the exact same specifications, creating fair competition.
How do you handle project budget overruns?
We use proactive cost tracking to spot overruns early. If costs rise, we immediately offer "value engineering" options—suggesting alternative materials or methods to get back on budget.
How do you help us choose the right contractor?
Project & Contract Management
How do you manage changes or variations during construction?
Any change to the original plan must go through our strict variation process. We value the change using agreed contract rates before the work happens, preventing surprise costs at the end.
What is the difference between an interim payment and the final account?
Interim payments are monthly payouts to the contractor for work completed so far, which we verify on-site. The final account is the ultimate, negotiated total cost at project completion.
How do you handle disputes between clients and contractors?
We act as independent contract administrators. We use objective project data, site records, and strict contract clauses to resolve valuation disputes fairly and avoid legal escalation.
Can you help if my project has already started, or is already in dispute?
Yes. We're often brought in partway through a project — to take stock of where the costs stand, resolve a disagreement with a contractor, or bring a budget that's drifted back under control. It's never too late to get an independent, accurate picture of your project's finances.
Can you help if my project has already started, or is already over budget?
Yes. We're often brought in partway through a project to regain control of costs, resolve a dispute with a contractor, or simply get a clear, honest picture of where the money has gone. It's never too late to bring in a second pair of eyes.
Estimating and Tendering
What estimating and tendering services do you provide?
We provide quantity take-offs, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), detailed cost estimates, tender pricing and commercial support for contractors, developers and private clients across a wide range of construction sectors.
Can you support our business if we don't have an in-house estimator?
Yes. We act as an extension of your commercial team, providing flexible estimating and tendering support on a one-off project basis or as an ongoing service, without the cost of employing a full-time estimator.
Can you help us win more tenders?
Yes. We prepare accurate, commercially robust estimates and review tenders to identify risks, pricing opportunities and value engineering options, helping you submit competitive bids with confidence.