Role of consultant QS

Question 1

What are the stages in a project life cycle?

Answer 1

1) Feasibility Stage
2) Design Stage
3) Tender Stage
4) Construction Stage

Question 2

What is the role of a QS through the life cycle of a construction process?

Answer 2

Feasibility - Prelim cost advice, project feasibility study, cost planning and budget estimating.
Design - Budgetary cost control and advice on contractual methods and tendering procedure.
Tender - Advice on contractors, technical auditing and preparation of expenditure statements for tax and accounting.
Construction - Contract documentation, project control, interim payment and evaluation of variations.

Question 3

What are 2 of the important pre-contract tasks for a QS to do?

Answer 3

1) Preparing a realistic cost estimate to see whether the client can afford it.
2) Cost planning.

Question 4

What is a document that can aid a realistic cost estimate?

Answer 4

RICS NRM 1 - Format of cost estimate

Question 5

What information do QS’ need to prepare a realistic cost estimate?

Answer 5

1) Information from Employer/Client
2) Information required from Architect
3) Information required from Structural Engineers
4) Information required from Service Consultants

Question 6

What types of cost planning are used?

Answer 6

1) Elemental cost planning, RICS NRM 1 has a formulated structure for this with measurement rules for a standard set of elements to be measured.
2) Comparative cost planning.
3) A combination of both is used in the modern day

Question 7

How do you prepare an initial cost plan?

Question 8

What are the pre-contract duties of a consultant QS?

Answer 8

1) Preliminary cost advice
2) Feasibility study
3) Cost planning and budget establishment
4) Updating cost plans, finalising final cost plan
5) Produce a tender pricing document and tender estimate
6) Prepare contract documentation
7) 3D BIM model is used - consultant QS services are fully prepared and integrated with the design model.