Working out how much your house will cost to build – and sticking to the budget – can be a headache and costs could easily spiral. A quantity surveyor will give you all the certainty you need, but are they worth the investment?

What is a quantity surveyor?

Put simply, a quantity surveyor (or QS) calculates and manages the costs of a project to mitigate risk. Bring them on board at the start, hired for specific stages, or stay on throughout the build. Depending on your requirements, charges are around 0.5%-2% of the total project budget.

What services does a QS offer?

– Feasibility studies
– Initial assessment
– Bill of quantities
– Tender documentation
– Contracts
– Cost control

Feasibility studies

You might have found a tricky plot of land, or an old building to convert, and you’re concerned you might sink more money into the construction of your new home than planned. A QS carries out a feasibility study that will give you a broad overview of the hidden costs you might encounter. For example, installing and connecting to the services or digging deeper foundations than usual.

Benefit: Being armed with this information before you put in an offer will help you evaluate the land/project’s worth.

Initial assessment

A QS can work alongside your architect and structural engineer during the conceptual design phase. They identify the risks and estimate the potential costs to you, and ensure the design is buildable within your budget.

Benefit: Appointing a QS early on allows you to establish a cost per sqm for the type of property you want to build.

Bill of quantities

If you’ve already got plans drawn-up, a QS can cost the design (called a ‘take-off’) and produce a bill of quantities, which itemises all the materials and labour right down to the last nut and bolt. For example, the windows won’t be generic but detailed in the list as a specific product from a specific supplier, and priced accordingly.

Benefits: You can see exactly where your money will be spent. If the total comes in over budget, a QS can value engineer the numbers by suggesting alternative materials and suppliers, or changes to the design.

Tender documentation

A tender package can be put together by an architect or QS and contains the bill of quantities, drawings and specification. Contractors’ price each item against the bill of quantities and the QS reviews the quotes, cross-checking the figures to make sure everything has been included.

Benefits: A bill of quantities will make it harder for contractors to be vague on costs and easier for you to compare like with like quotes. A QS has the expertise to do this for you, and they can negotiate with a contractor on your behalf.

Contracts

Once you’ve appointed a contractor, you’ll need to agree a) the final sum based on the plans and specification b) project start and end dates c) payment terms. A QS can draw-up this contract for you.

Benefits: You’ll have written proof detailing the design and final sum, which will also protect you if there are money disputes.

Cost control

A QS who remains on the project keeps a beady eye on the cost plan. They order the right amount of materials and monitor variations. This is done to the materials or design, and they update the cost plan accordingly. They can also manage trades and pay invoices.

You will only pay for works that is complete. If a contractor goes bust you aren’t out of pocket. Make savings easily. This could mean the opportunity to upgrade the spec in the kitchen or bathrooms. The QS can act as an intermediary between the architect or contractor.

How to find a QS

Ask for a recommendation from your architect. Or search for a QS using the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website: www.ricsfirms.com.