Our Quantity Surveyors will estimate the cost of your proposed building project very early in the process. This is done initially by using the concept documents to establish a high-level cost indication. We appreciate that at this stage in the process you don’t want to commit too much capital, but having an early indication of cost will really help you assess viability and ensure the cost fits within your budget. You are then in a much better position to decide whether you can continue, or if you need to adjust your plans to better fit your needs and budget.

Our Project Managers work closely with various related professionals such as Architects, Structural Engineers, Service Engineers and Interior Designers, to make sure the plans drawn for your new home are exactly what you want.

Absolutely! Our Project Managers work closely with Planners and Design Consultants to ensure all consenting requirements are met, then liaise on your behalf with the Territorial or Local Authority to monitor the consent processing and avoid any unnecessary delays.

Exciting times ahead! When you’re ready to start, our team will work closely with you to secure the best people for your project. We will prepare detailed tender documentation to ensure potential contractors have a very clear idea of what is involved, then invite selected Building Contractors to tender for the project. We will then review each tender to ensure the contractor has allowed for every aspect of the build. ‘The devil is in the detail’, so this is an important part of the process as it helps to iron out any potential risk and helps you understand the difference between the tenders received.

We then prepare a report for you summarising findings – this will also show a clear comparison between tenders received to help you select which builder you would like to work with. Once the builder is selected, our Quantity Surveyors will prepare Contract Documentation for signing by all parties.

Definitely! Whether you’re the hands-on type wanting close involvement in your project or too busy getting on with your day-to-day business, our full Project and Contract Management services can be tailored to best suit you.

We can do any or all of the following for you:

• Develop and monitor a construction-related programme - this includes close liaison with and management of the selected building contractor to ensure targets are met and the project is completed in a timely fashion;
• We will regularly inspect the work in progress, and (without diminishing the responsibilities of any other consultants) ensure all work is being carried out in compliance with the project brief;
• Liaise with Contractors to ensure a robust Quality Assurance (QA) system is implemented, then monitor construction on site to ensure all work is of a high standard and any remedial action required is carried out promptly;
• Manage all building finances on your behalf. This involves assessing the building contractor’s payment claims, reviewing and approving variations claimed by the building contractor, providing you with monthly financial updates and reports, and settling the final account with the building contractor.

We can either work with you in the dual role of Client Representative / Project Manager, or as a Project Manager liaising directly with you or your representative. Either way, our priority is to develop close relationships to help achieve a successful outcome.

Project controls include:

• Implementing a structure for project management and meetings;
• Preparing a detailed budget which is monitored regularly, reporting monthly on performance against budget;
• Regular work inspections and liaison with Contractors to ensure a robust QA system is implemented, monitoring construction on site to ensure consistently high quality workmanship, and ensuring any remedial action is undertaken promptly;
• Monitoring consultant activity and any tests required during the project;
• Providing you with regular reports when required.

Consultant management includes: 

• Coordinating the fees and conditions of engagement of consultants, making sure they carry the appropriate professional indemnity insurance, and ensuring all documentation they produce is accurate and timely;
• Evaluating options during the design and documentation phases to ensure maximum value for money in all expenditure;
• Providing you with regular comparison of expenditure against budget and the anticipated cost to complete.

Design services include: 

• Prepare a brief outlining the project description and objectives, for your approval;
• Direct and monitor design development and documentation to ensure it complies with the brief;
• Prepare monthly project reports for you on all relevant issues;
• Ensure that the approved programme, budget and project quality are maintained;
• Develop a design programme and consult with you progressively throughout the design development;
• Ensure that technical and plant equipment are to the appropriate standard and will provide reliable and economical service throughout the life of the facility (in conjunction with the consultant team);
• Ensure that the building structure, fabric and finishes are of the appropriate standard and suitable for the facility’s purpose.

Authority requirements include: 

• Managing the timely submission of documentation to relevant authorities and assisting with any communication required;
• Ensuring the final clearance is obtained from relevant authorities in relation to tendering and contract documents as quickly as possible.

Completion phase includes: 

• Ensuring that formal notices of practical and final completion are issued when appropriate;
• Arranging for handover of the building at completion;
• Facilitating the arrangement of appropriate insurance in conjunction with your insurance advisors;
• Ensuring that all monetary adjustments between client and contractor have been accounted for;
• Ensuring that all maintenance and service manuals for installations, plant and equipment have been prepared and handed over;
• Ensuring that all operating procedures have been demonstrated and all appropriate maintenance contracts have been arranged.

We can financially manage your project.  Our services include: 

• Investigating the most appropriate option for contracting the works;
• Tendering / negotiating contract sums with contractors and sub-contractors. If these exceed budget, we can review and advise you on options available to either meet the budget or re-cost;
• Making recommendations to the client about tender acceptances and ensuring the proper execution of contracts.

During the construction phase we can: 

• Ensure the proper administration of the head contract and of any separate contracts;
• Brief you or your representative regularly on progress, variation status, forecast final costs and other relevant matters;
• Make recommendations in respect to any construction matters arising during construction;
• Liaise with your bank Quantity Surveyor and assist with the claims certification process;
• Provide instructions and directions to the consultants in clear and precise terms;
• Provide you with a project cash flow and amend this when required;
• Check and issue progress payment schedules and certificates for contractors and sub-contractors monthly, in accordance with the CCA;
• In the event of any disputes arising with contractors, notify you of the details of the relevant issues, and endeavour to resolve the dispute on your behalf;
• Assist you and your insurance broker in establishing and maintaining appropriate insurances for the project;
• Ensure that all warranties and guarantees have been provided;
• Settle the contractor’s final accounts.

Are you still battling with EQC or your insurer about your earthquake-related repair? Have you been offered a cash settlement to cover the repair or rebuild of your home or business but are unsure whether the offer will cover the costs to undertake the repair work should you choose to do so?

We have helped many clients navigate their way through to a successful and fair repair / rebuild cash settlement with their insurers.  

Focus Quantity Surveyors assist our insurance-related clients via the following process:

• Obtaining and reviewing all documentation issued to you to date, including geotechnical, architectural and engineering reports;
• Ascertaining whether the proposed repair strategy and scope is robust and complete – this may require additional engineering consultation and reporting for complete accuracy;
• Visiting the property and undertaking detailed on-site scoping and measurement of building elements and  areas, and surrounding landscape components (if required);
• Providing a detailed scope of works schedule based on the repair strategy arrived upon (if required);
• Establishing costs for repair work;
• Meeting with you and your broker / solicitor to present and discuss the repair strategy and associated budget;
• Liaising with you, your broker / solicitor and your insurer as required and addressing any questions raised on your behalf.

If you own a building that is deemed by the local Territorial Authority to be earthquake-prone, your building will be subject to upgrade requirements within a timeframe established by that local Territorial Authority. This can be a challenging and daunting prospect for building owners, property managers and, of course, your tenants.

We can assist you to plan and manage the upgrades whilst maintaining a clear dialogue with all involved. The efficiency we bring to this process ensures that the building is brought up to the required Building Code standards as soon as possible, so you can get your tenants back into the building and back to business.

We do this by:

• Liaising with the client and stakeholders;
• Assisting you to select and engage a structural engineer and any other Design Consultants required;
• Working with the project Structural Engineer and other Design Consultants (if required) to produce construction-level documentation;
• Assisting with formulating associated upgrade costs and developing and managing a Cost Plan;
• Procuring a Building Contractor;
• Managing the selected Contractor through to completion of the project to ensure cost, quality and time aspects are well managed on your behalf;
• Liaising with the project Structural Engineer to ensure work is completed in a sequence and timing that best suits your needs;
• Managing the payment claim process on your behalf and issuing payment schedules and certificates;
• Managing the Building Contractor’s variation claims and reporting on both actual and forecast cost to complete;
• Establishing and overseeing quality management, defect identification and remediation to ensure a high quality build and finish;
• Ensuring that health and safety systems are established, implemented and adhered to in accordance with current legislation;
• Throughout the project, we will be the central point of contact, reporting back regularly to you to ensure you are kept up to date.