INITIAL COST ADVICE AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES
This is a vital part of a project no matter what the scale. A client needs to know the likely cost of their proposals as the time and expense which would be wasted working towards proposals that do not match the available budget could be significant, not to mention the difficulties which could arise if a project were to proceed only to find out further down the line that the budget has run out before completion!
BUDGET ESTIMATING
As Chartered Quantity Surveyors we can offer a wide range of services on all construction projects from initial design to project completion. A services package can be tailored by us to meet particular client requirements.
Following initial cost advice, we will assist Clients in developing a project budget.
This will not only involve construction costs, but also advice regarding site acquisition costs, stamp duty, acquisition fees, capital contributions, planning fees, local authority fees, professional fees, interest on loans, advertisement and marketing fees and other ancillary costs.
COST PLANNING
We will estimate the project cost to ensure that the final cost of a project does not exceed the initial budgets.
We will issue cost saving advice and measures to the client and the design team. This cost plan will be monitored as the design evolves.
PROCUREMENT ADVICE
This is the contractual route that the project will follow to completion and will be dependent on the type and scale of the project, timescales, finances and level of involvement from the client.
We are familiar with all the current procurement roots using the various recognised building contracts.
ADVICE ON CONTRACTOR SELECTION
We realise that the selection of a capable contractor is paramount to the success of any project.
With this thought forefront in our minds, we have various tried and tested methods of achieving this, dependant on, amongst other things, the scale of the project and the timescales.
For larger scale projects, including public sector projects, we have the experience to ensure that National/EU procurement procedures are adhered to which may involve advertising the opportunity followed by a pre-selection process to provide us with a final tender list.
Clients can have the confidence that we have the experience to advise on the most appropriate way forward and, critically, to ensure that the timescale for this process is included within the overall programme
PREPARTION OF TENDER & CONTACT DOCUMENTATION
We prepare and produce all of our tender documentation using some of the latest computerised tendering / bill of quantities software packages.
The use of this software system enables us to fully tailor the Tender Documentation to suit both the client’s wishes and the needs of the project whilst retaining a great deal of versatility to react to changes both quickly and efficiently.
We are familiar with the public procurement criteria, such as the e-tender portal, as well as tendering requirements for private clients.
REPORTS
We will thoroughly analyse tender submissions which is vital to ensure the project then follows on successfully.
We will provide the client with all the necessary information to allow them to proceed to contractor acceptance and appointment.
CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS
We will analyse the construction programme and develop cashflow predictions to assist the client in managing their cash requirements.
COST CONTROL & REPORTING
We will control costs in your project by ensuring that here is strong communication at all times and that regular updates and reporting are issued as required.
We will limit variations and change orders where possible and offer advice on possible alternative options to the client and design team.
We are successful in controlling project costs by using latest cost management software and calling on the vast experience of our chartered quantity surveyors.
ISSUE MONTHLY COST REPORTS
A useful and informative part of our Quantity Surveying duties is that, for each project, we will prepare a full cost report to accompany the monthly payment certification.
This provides the client with a summary of all the financial aspects of their project including, ultimately, how much under, or over, the budget the project currently runs at.
VALUATION OF WORK IN PROGRESS
McHugh Glynn & Associates Ltd. will undertake monthly valuations of work completed and recommend payments for the Main Contractor and nominated Sub-contractors / Suppliers.
We will assess on-going variations, additional works and changes to the programme in discussions with the Design Team and provide cost reports for same.
It is important to provide realistic costs to the Client and Design Team during the construction at monthly intervals. This will give Client an estimation of the costs involved in completing the project.
SETTLEMENT OF FINAL ACCOUNT
On completion of a project, a final account must be agreed between the client and the contractor. One of our chartered quantity surveyors will negotiate and agree the final account, a welcome skill in today’s ever litigious environment.
We will endeavour to do this in a timely fashion and within the client’s budget where possible.
CONTRACTUAL CLAIM SETTLEMENT
We have the required experience and ability to fully analyse any contractual claim, respond and ultimately negotiate on the client’s behalf.
We have a number of procedures in place for claim analysis which, together with our methodical approach, has proven to be very successful over the years, this success having been well received by our clients.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We have successfully managed many construction projects and taken them from a client’s initial concept right through to final completion and certification. As we are a multidisciplinary construction consultancy practise, we can offer professional advice and guidance from an architectural and design to management and full cost control of a project.
We have the skills and knowledge in project management as well as an understanding of the business construction process and environment.
VALUE ENGINEERING
When applied to the construction process, value engineering has enormous benefits for both clients and contractors.
The multi-step process is an integral part of the design stage of new developments and is aimed at increasing value. In value engineering, value is defined as a function divided by cost.
McHugh Glynn & Associates Ltd. concentrates on maximising the project’s function while minimising cost which generates the greatest value for our clients.
An important part of the value engineering planning process is held during the design phase of the project.
This value engineering stage involves the project team who reviews the proposed project, performs a functional analysis of the facility, obtains the owner’s definition of value, defines key criteria for the project, and offers alternative solutions for the project.
We divide Value Engineering into five key steps:
Information: During the initial phase, the project team seeks to gather information about the project thus far, including important details about the clients’ objectives, key criteria, and definition of value.
Speculation: We study the data and brainstorms as many ways as possible to reduce initial or lifecycle costs while still maximising function.
Evaluation: We evaluate ideas produced during brainstorming. Some ideas become part of the final solution while others are deemed inefficient or unworkable.
Development: Many of the ideas that passed the evaluation phase are further developed into workable proposals. Each recommendation will be accompanied by a short narrative with a list of the positive and negative aspects of each proposal along with cost comparisons.
Presentation: Lastly, the team makes a formal written presentation of their findings accompanied by an oral presentation to clients, users, and designers. In this final stage, the client can determine which value management proposals will be incorporated into the project in order to reduce costs and increase overall value.
