Quantity surveyor and structural engineer advice

insular1

We have been granted planning permission and are getting started on the tender process. I sat down with our architectural technician earlier this week to start the construction drawings and discuss what professionals I should be hiring. While he supported the hiring of an airtightness/low energy specialist as we'd need someone to do the BER anyway he felt we didn't need an engineer as our design is straight forward. He was against the idea of hiring a quantity surveyor as he felt for providing quotes the building contractors will hire their own quantity surveyor so there was no need for me to do it.

He did say if I was going for a wider than normal cavity that we would require a structural engineer but we're still in discussion about this.

Just thought I'd throw it up here and see if I could get a few different opinions on if a quantity surveyor or structural engineer are good hires at this stage of the process?

kkelliher

insular1 wrote: »

We have been granted planning permission and are getting started on the tender process. I sat down with our architectural technician earlier this week to start the construction drawings and discuss what professionals I should be hiring. While he supported the hiring of an airtightness/low energy specialist as we'd need someone to do the BER anyway he felt we didn't need an engineer as our design is straight forward. He was against the idea of hiring a quantity surveyor as he felt for providing quotes the building contractors will hire their own quantity surveyor so there was no need for me to do it.

He did say if I was going for a wider than normal cavity that we would require a structural engineer but we're still in discussion about this.

Just thought I'd throw it up here and see if I could get a few different opinions on if a quantity surveyor or structural engineer are good hires at this stage of the process?

Well unfortunately this shows a complete lack of understanding on your technician's part in respect to what a quantity surveyor can do for a client (and yes I am one so of course I am biased).

Would you agree that there is little point in the builders quantity surveyors all coming back with there own opinions of what you want? Their own interpretation of whats required. How much do they allow for tiles, kitchens, doors, skirtings, etc. How many sockets do they allow in the house. What if something is not specifically noted on the drawing, will they all include it? What if you get a single lump sum back from one builder and a 30 page document from another, how do you compare the prices? how do you ever get a like with like comparison? what if they exclude items, what happens then?

In respect to the Engineer issue, I thinks its nothing short of madness not to have an engineer sign off on the design irrespective of how simple it is. An Arch Tech has no qualifications in structural design and it is also unlikely that he would have professional indemnity to cover a liability in structural design. You generally wouldn't get your electrician to do the plumbing and vice versa so I would advise against trying to do it with the design of the property.

But best of luck not matter what way you go.

Calahonda52

... and then he wept:mad:

Op, lets say I am a builder and I get a set of drawings in the post asking for a quote.
The same day I get a full BoQ with all the detail, down to the type of SS sockets in the utility room etc, with the underlying drawings of course.

I am a a busy builder, sick of spending money with my QS on requests for tender that come in that never go anywhere: the boom is back so I want real projects.
Which of these items above will get my greater attention,

1. will be easier to price?
2. and easier to control.?

Then
From your perspective, ask the same two questions.

The devil is in the detail, your tech should know that so as KK has alluded to, he must be smoking it.

If you do get a PC sum laden, lowest bid tender back and you go with it, rest assured that, to start with

1. it will get not done right
2. you will get screwed at every opportunity.
3. it will overrun on costs.

Have to go now, this list is pretty much endless and you will regret it each and every day you see some crap workmanship in the house.

As for no engineer sign off.... as one, all I can say is .....and then he wept again

insular1

Thanks for the replies. I agree with what you are saying and had always planned to hire the two, so was a little surprised with my arch techs opinions. He has proven himself a little old fashioned in his approach a few times already so I'm glad I double checked here.

Gonna go get a few quotes for QS and engineers now! Any suggestions for either that cover the south east would be appreciated! (By PM of course).

Thanks again.