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CBA
believe that there always has been and always will be a demand
for independent construction procurement and cost management.
Over the
last 40 years we have continuously concentrated on these aspects
of our service without diluting the specialist knowledge and
experience that comes within such a focused market sector. We
have adapted this service to meet ever changing market requirements
but have not lost sight of our ultimate goal - delivery of construction
projects within the cost constraints agreed with our Clients
and fellow design team members.
Services provided include:
Construction
Cost Planning
This is
the core service provided by today's quantity surveyor/ cost
manager.
Our track
record of providing detailed Cost Plans from minimal design input
at the very earliest stages of a project is legendary. This initial
plan is backed up by the delivery of ever more detailed revisions
and tracking updates throughout all stages of the project until
agreement of the final account is reached within our initial
estimates.
Advice
on Contractor Selection
With a
reducing supply of qualified tradesman and management the selection
of a capable Contractor is paramount to the success of any project.
Surprisingly,
in many cases, far too little effort is expended on Contractor
selection. Despite interviews, detailed submissions and other
criteria there is no substitute for local market knowledge. CBA
know their market and know who can deliver in each and every
category and value in the construction sector.
We adopt
a completely impartial review system of works carried out with
our offices which, together with a local intelligence system,
gives us a tremendous insight into the actual capabilities of
Contractors operating in Scotland and the North of England.
Our recommendation
will always be based on ability to deliver.
Preparation
of Tender Documentation
CBA have
concentrated on honing the professional and all-round construction
knowledge skills of our surveyors into the provision of accurate
and contractually binding tender documentation. We are noted
for our ability to complete this work within tight programmes
to rigorous quality standards by co-ordinating the input as and
when required from our fellow design team members. Our technical
knowledge often allows us to "fill in the gaps" at
tender stage and allows Contractors to price on information that
fully reflects the Clients and Design Teams requirements.
Selection
of Procurement Route
The provision
of Traditional Bills of Quantities are no longer the mainstay
of the Quantity Surveying profession. Notwithstanding they still
have their place in certain situations. CBA have no pre-conceived
preference for any of the more common procurement routes - Traditional,
Design and Build and Management - Factors affecting final selection
include programme, price certainty, competition, quality control
and risk transfer.
The selection
of the most appropriate procurement route is key to the successful
completion of any project. CBA have the in depth experience and
knowledge to advise on each route for each particular project
and set of circumstances.
Tender
Reporting
This is
another key service that is often undervalued and sometimes even
overlooked.
Detailed
tender reporting is essential to the subsequent success of a
project.
Our Reports
fully analyse the three lowest tenders received, compare them
for obvious errors and highlight areas of perceived weakness
within a tender.
Our view
is that errors and mistakes within tenders must be identified
and the Client and Contractor given the opportunity to start
every project with a clear understanding of what each party can
expect in the coming months on site.
Proper
tender analysis can often lead the discovery that the best tender
is not necessarily the lowest.
The object
of the exercise is to give the Client all the necessary information
to allow him to make an informed decision on final Contractor
selection.
Tender
Negotiation
CBA are
involved in several "partnering" contracts and tender
negotiation with our mutual Clients' partnering Contractors forms
an ever increasing proportion of our workload. Our emphasis on
detailed Cost Plans and current market place awareness has helped
to make our team highly effective negotiators.
Valuation
of Construction Work on Site
As part
of our normal retained services CBA are involved, on a monthly
basis, in the valuation of construction work completed on site.
Financial
Reporting
The thread
of financial reporting starts with the initial Budget Cost and
runs through the various Cost Plan revisions, through tender
returns to on-site cost reporting.
During
the progress of the works CBA provide detailed financial reports
on each project on a monthly basis. These are not restricted
to records of historical events but seek to identify future potential
problem courses of action where appropriate.
The level
of a proposed Final Account should never come as a shock to a
Client or Design Team. Our aim is to keep all parties informed
throughout the process and provide sufficient information to
allow costs to be agreed at the optimum levels all-round.
Agreement
of Final Accounts
Although
this can sometimes be seen as a purely technical exercise, the
ability to agree Final Accounts at levels acceptable to both
the Client and the Contractor is one of the most sought after
skills in surveying.
We pride
ourselves on the number of accounts we have satisfactorily resolved
without recourse to arbitration or adjudication. The level of
repeat business carried out by CBA is the only necessary testimony
to our ability and success in this area.
Contractual
Claim Settlement
Although
we do not target "claim settlement" work in isolation,
CBA's in-house knowledge is of great benefit to clients seeking
assistance in fighting Contractual claims. Because of our "no
nonsense" approach it is never difficult for us to prepare
a logical case for any Final Account issued by CBA. Generally
it is difficult to substantiate a contractual claim when a Contractor
has demonstrably been fairly treated. This is our starting point.
Employer's
Agency in "Design and Build" Contracts
CBA are
keen advocates of Design and Build Contracts in the appropriate
circumstances.
We have
an excellent track record on providing Employer's Agent services
on Design and Build projects. Our experience originated in the
Housing Association and Retail Park sectors but has now expanded
to cover office and town centre retail projects. We believe the
role of Employer's Agent fits very well as an adjunct to the
provision of quantity surveying services and are actively pursuing
opportunities in this area.
Project
Co-ordination
As several
of our core clients now use CBA as one of a limited number of
"partners" we have been increasingly asked to provide
project co-ordination services in addition to quantity surveying
input.
Because
we are the hub through which all design information passes prior
to issue to the Contractor CBA are in a unique position to be
able to monitor the progress of all design input information.
As we are also handling to fine detail of the project we can
foresee difficulties and take corrective action where necessary.
It is
very difficult for a third party to get as intimately involved
with project detail as the role of quantity surveyor allows is.
We are therefore ideally placed to provide effective project
co-ordination.
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