Well, there is a question? My job is exciting and stimulating as we work up new building projects, conversions and masterplans across many sectors at HL.
But the one constant in all projects is Money. You cannot escape it, ignore it, or pretend it will go away. Whatever the size of the project or the wealth of a client, there is always a budget – or there should be a budget. My experience also says that everyone always needs an extra £10 on the project. Which brings me to my question ‘who wants a Quantity Surveyor’? Well, what are quantity surveyors firstly? Are they the accountant of the building process, the person that says no to all the creativity or just there to count the bricks? I like to use the old phrase of quantity surveyor rather than cost consultant, but I am rather fond of this breed. They play an important role in the building process. During the design process and all the way through the construction phases, it is so important to know that we are achieving the client brief, creating something exciting and – that they can afford the project. A good architect will advise on the need for the quantity surveyor – or QS as they are known in the construction sector – early in the process. I always like to see a cost plan prepared at the concept stage before we commit to planning drawings. This should give the client the confidence to proceed or the warning that the costs are too high. Sometimes the cost plan is lower than expected, so the client can add more into their project. Many times, I have told a client that their brief is too ambitious for their initial budgets, but they live in hope, often because a friend has a mate who built something for £1! Everyone thinks they can build cheaper and faster. I often ask the question of clients, ‘if it could be done cheaper and faster do you not think the builder would be doing that now’? So, the QS along with the architect should be used to ascertaining the early costs on a project. Using the QS through the project allows more cost control and checking through the build stage so that the contractor can agree variations and hopefully avoid any untoward surprises at the end of the contract. I use many real quantity surveyors through the North East region, with specialisms across conservation, medical, one-off houses, education and commercial projects. What they all have in common is a skill to turn a series of drawings, often early sketches, into a schedule of rates and costs. This information is priceless. It can allow you to change your design or the brief, even altering materials or making changes to the build sequence with this knowledge. So, the answer to my own question is clear: nobody wants a QS, but you really do need one. You would never expect an architect to say this, but I recognise their unique skills and the tears that they can prevent to a client all the way through a project
