Quantity surveyor??

12newbuild

Hi all, just got fpp for a one and a half storey house and about to get quotes from a couple of contractors. However I'd prefer to go the direct labour route and am wondering whether it would be worth my while getting a quantity surveyor to cost the project for me. Any thoughts? I know a few people who've built recently and none of them have used a QS but I feel it could get me better value for money.

kkelliher

as a Quantity Surveyor I would of course say yes you should.

No only from a costing perspective but from a detail perspective. From experience the greatest issues arise on projects where items have just simply not been included. Anyone can cost the blockwork but you need to make sure you include the associated items like DPC, lintels, wall starters, cills, special blocks etc. It amazes how many projects have some of these missing. A quantity surveyor can do a detailed breakdown of all of the items required for your build and therefore you can have a compelte shopping list for your project in a section by section basis.

This document can then be utilised to tender for the individual items and also as a guide for your budget as the project progresses. It also allows you to start thinking of finishes in a more structured manner whilst at all times keeping a running total on any changes to the bottom line.

A quantity surveyor will also be able to assist in all tendering and contractual matters and any site resolution issues that may arise

Best of luck with your project

archtech

Assuming you require finance from the bank, engaging a qs will properly be a condition of their loan, if you go do the direct labour route. You should be advised that direct labour isn't always as cheap as it appears, have a read through the various threads in the forum on the subject.

Hidden costs or costs not always considered/factored in, in a direct labour build include your time, insurance, hire of plant, delays by sub contractors, putting right errors by sub contractors when they long since gone and been paid etc. In a direct labour build, you are responsible for the Health and Safety of the site anything goes wrong and its you that will end up in court.

Also bear in mind VAT on materials is now 23%. A VAT registered contractor, will only be charging you 13.5% where he buys the material for the works undertaken by him.

12newbuild

Thanks! Will get a couple of quotes and check out online options and take if from there.

North West

Hi Nw build
I would agree with the two replies you got. I have been doing material quantities for over 30 yrs for one off self build. There are so many areas in all stages of construction to be considered. it is so easy to miss a lot of materials when purchasing.
the most expensive part of the build is when you have the house closed up. thats when the money really gets tight, when you get into the finishes.
I have given a lot of people a big fright because they forgot all the bits which adds too €€'s and the budget when straight out the window.
With money as it is a QS is worth ANY MONEY because of their professional attributes. There doing this work for a living and know ALL the pitfalls.
Spend your hard earned cash wisely.
Good luck with the build and remember your mates if in the building game still have to be paid. Use the professionals
NW

wirehairmax

Be careful what you find online. There are a few websites offering QS services who havnt a clue what they are on about. I have seen some of their Bill of Quantities and they are not worth the paper they are written on. However there are some others who are very good. Beware of the sites who claim to be able to save you huge sums of money. If you are going to use a Quantity Surveyor, contact the Society of Chartered Surveyors or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors for companies in your area. You can PM me if you need more details.