SERVICES

1 PREFACE
The quantity surveyor is the financial consultant of the construction industry and his training and experience qualify him to advise on cost and contractual arrangements and to prepare tender procurement and contract documents. He acts in conjunction with the architect, consulting engineers, other professional consultants and contractor to safeguard the clients interest and his status is that of an independent professional financial consultant providing expertise in a specialised area of the construction industry

2 MAXIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY

It is the quantity surveyors ongoing implementation of financial discipline in the areas of budget setting, alternative design option costing, cash flow predictions, final cost forecasting, management of variations including potential areas of dispute and timeous final account settlement, etc. that allow the maximum value for money requirement to be achieved A professional quantity surveyors involvement early in the project allows effective budget setting and evaluation by utilising the extensive cost information drawn not only from the particular clients data base, but from experience of many other projects and geographic areas In order to utilise a quantity surveyors specialised expertise to the best advantage, it is recommended that the client employs the quantity surveyors full services rather than in a technical/ measurement role

3 EXPERT ADVICE
Any client who is considering building any structure of any size, changing an existing structure or investing in construction projects no matter how simple or complex, needs the expert advice of a professional quantity surveyor for establishing budgets, cash flows, cost planning, cost management and obtaining value for money As a result of advanced economic, financial and technological development and influences both locally and internationally the procedures adopted for building, civil engineering, mechanical or electrical work, mining and other industrial installations are varied and complex and the advice of a professional quantity surveyor should always be obtained prior to the commencement of any project planning and during the estimating, documentation and construction phases.

4 STANDARD QUANTITY SURVEYING SERVICES

The professional quantity surveyor is qualified to provide the following standard services: 4.1 Initial budget and financial viability studies prior to detailed design; 4.2 Preliminary cost studies, comparing alternative materials and designs in terms of capital, operating, maintenance and depreciation costs; 4.3 Monitoring and evaluating design as it evolves, to ensure compatibility with the clients budget; 4.4 Advising on contractual arrangements and preparing tender procurement documents (these documents may or may not include bills of quantities, according to the circumstances); 4.5 Investigating, checking and reporting on the suitability of submitted tenders; 4.6 Negotiating contract sums; 4.7 Cash flow predictions; 4.8 Cost management and reporting; 4.9 Valuation of work done during construction; 4.10 Determining final costs; 4.11 Settlement of final building costs with the contractor and sub-contractors

5 OTHER SERVICES
Many professional quantity surveyors are also experienced in providing the following Specialist services: 5.1 Acting as project manager; 5.2 Advising on property development; 5.3 Evaluating buildings, i.e. replacement valuations for fire insurance, risk management, value engineering, etc; 5.4 Acting as principal agent; 5.5 Settling of disputes i.e. acting as expert witnesses etc; 5.6 Assisting with fast track/turnkey construction projects; 5.7 Advising on maintenance programmes and cost predictions for buildings and installations; 5.8 Full services for projects in heavy engineering, mining and petro-chemical industries 5.9 Facilities Management 5.10 Capacity building and empowerment We assist a number of Historical Disadvantaged Contractors with tender procedures, pricing tender documents, and general contractural matters.

We encourage wherever possible and in every conceivable way the upliftment of the disadvantaged by means of tutoring, mentorship, sponsorship, etc. We endeavor through our procedures and application of our expertise and technology to involve and address the needs of the various communities in which we operate.

6 QUANTITY SURVEYORS FEES

The fees charged by professional quantity surveyors are commensurate with the work done for their clients and are based on the following options:6.1 Percentage fee (on a sliding scale) based on the tariff recommended by The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession; 6.2 An agreed percentage of the contract value; 6.3 A time charge; 6.4 An agreed lump-sum fee; 65. Any other agreed fee negotiated between the client and the quantity surveyor

CAPACITY BUILDING AND EMPOWERMENT

We assist a number of Historical Disadvantaged Contractors with tender procedures, pricing tender documents, and general contractual matters. We encourage wherever possible and in every conceivable way the upliftment of the disadvantaged by means of tutoring, mentorship, sponsorship, etc. We endeavor through our procedures and application of our expertise and technology to involve and address the needs of the various communities in which we operate.

SMM7, CESMM3, POMI, ARM3 and IS1200.