Project Development
Pre-Purchase Stage
If the property is not already owned, then at this stage we source a property with potential for development and advise on the development's viability. Our development management team coordinates the entire process, including engaging an attorney, architect, land surveyor, quantity surveyor, town planner, engineer, and an estate agent to provide insights on property valuations, end values, and marketability.
Concept Stage
At this stage, various concepts for development are considered while taking into account the market demands in a particular area.
Feasibility Report: This report encompasses time scales, all costs including consultants and construction costs, as well as the likely end sale values and profit margins. This results in a residual land value to determine the maximum amount we can afford to pay for the land, ensuring it becomes a viable development project. If the project is deemed financially feasible, we then consider making an offer to purchase the land on favorable terms.
Purchase
At this stage, we buy the land at a price that enables our clients to make a commercial profit, facilitated by our project management services to ensure smooth transactions.
Town Planning / Development Approval
Now, our architect draws up plans that align with the planning regulations and comply with the local council’s development guidelines. Given the complexity of the development process, a surveyor and town planner are often involved at this stage, ensuring proper contract administration and adherence to regulations.
Working Drawings and Documentation
Once Development Approval has been achieved, our architect and engineer document the working drawings to allow us to obtain a building permit, positioning us for effective project management.
Pre-Construction
We further detail the development budget and apply for finance if required. After finance approval, we issue a tender to selected contractors for pricing, ensuring we have robust dispute resolution strategies in place.
Construction
This is the stage when we begin construction on-site to build our client’s project, paying the contractor progressively upon the completion of each stage, monitored through quantity surveying practices.
Completion
Once construction is complete, the development is either sold or retained for lease purposes.
Quantity Surveying
Cost control and cost planning throughout the project life cycle are essential components of our comprehensive project management services. Our quantity surveying services include (inter alia):
1. Feasibility study phase
· Compiling the basis of estimate
· Cost comparison of conceptual studies using parametric quantities estimation
· Estimate reviews and due diligence studies
· Risk assessments
2. Pre-contract phase
· Advice on tendering procedures
· Measurement of drawings and preliminary cost estimates
· Pre-tender and mid-tender interviews
· Preparation of Bills of Quantities and overall tender enquiry documents
· Tender negotiations
· Advising on the most suitable contracting strategy, drafting and negotiations of various forms of contract
· Measurement and assembly of Bills of Quantities and Schedules of Rates
· Tender/bid evaluation, clarification and alignment (TEAR)
3. Post-contract phase
3A. On Behalf of Clients:
· Verification of contractor’s interim payments
· Validation and recommendation on contract variations
· Change control management
· Cost control and production of regular statements of anticipated final contract costs and total project cost
· Facilitation of project cost meetings and reporting
· Agreement of the final contact price
· Negotiation and settlement of contractual claims, including effective dispute resolution
· Earned value calculations
· Project close-out report
3B. On Behalf of Contractors:
· Contract administration, including formulating application for contractor’s interim payments, costing and agreement of site instructions/variation orders
· Calculation and submission of contractual claims, negotiation and settlement of contractual claims with the Client
4. Final account phase
· Final account agreement
· Financial/commercial close-out and project close-out report
Additionally, our property valuations ensure accurate assessments throughout the project lifecycle.
Property Valuations
We undertake Reinstatement Cost Estimates for Insurance Purposes, all conducted or approved by RICS Accredited Valuers. Our common valuation method is the Replacement Cost, which reflects the price required to replace an existing asset with a similar one at the current market price without deducting depreciation. This approach is essential in our project management services, particularly in property valuations, as it ensures accurate coverage.
Replacement cost valuation differs from 'market value,' which is inherently variable and does not align with the promises made to you in an insurance policy regarding the rebuilding or reconstruction of your property. We cannot depend on fluctuations in market value to guarantee that we can repair or replace the dwelling structure. That’s why our focus is solely on replacement cost calculations to determine the structure coverage amount for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This method is vital for effective contract administration and dispute resolution, ensuring that the correct insurance amount is based on the replacement cost of materials and construction needed to rebuild the property. When you opt for repairs or when reconstruction becomes necessary due to the scale of the loss, proper insurance coverage means you will have sufficient resources to restore your property to its pre-loss condition.
Project Management
A Project Manager in the built environment is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering construction and infrastructure projects from inception to completion. This role involves defining project objectives, establishing scopes, programmes, and budgets, and ensuring that all activities align with client requirements and statutory obligations.
The Project Manager acts as the central point of accountability, translating strategic intent into practical execution while maintaining control over time, cost, quality, and risk.
Throughout the project lifecycle, the Project Manager leads and integrates multidisciplinary professional teams, including designers, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors, and specialist consultants. They manage procurement strategies, oversee contractual arrangements, and facilitate clear communication between stakeholders to ensure informed decision-making. By monitoring progress, managing change, and resolving issues proactively, the Project Manager ensures that the project remains commercially viable and technically compliant.
In addition to delivery oversight, the Project Manager safeguards governance, safety, and sustainability outcomes within the built environment. This includes managing health, safety, and environmental compliance, mitigating risks, and ensuring adherence to regulatory and industry standards. Ultimately, the Project Manager delivers value by balancing competing priorities, protecting the client’s interests, and achieving successful project outcomes that meet functional, financial, and operational objectives.
Project Controls and Project Planning
Our project management services encompass a range of project controls, including:
· Developing project strategy through planning and methods studies to optimise future outcomes.
· Comprehensive scheduling services, including development, updating, and maintenance.
· Cost estimation, cost engineering/control, and value engineering to ensure effective budgeting.
· Robust risk management practices, which include maintaining the risk register and conducting thorough risk analysis and assessment.
· Implementing Earned Value Management and Earned Schedule methodologies, integrating work breakdown structures and document control.
· Forensic assessment to diagnose schedule and cost discrepancies effectively.
· Supplier performance measurement and oversight to ensure project success.
· A project management methodology that integrates all disciplines within the ‘controls’ domain and aligns with other project management functions, including contract administration.
We prioritise contract administration and performance management to guarantee compliance with project objectives and fulfilment of all contract conditions, ensuring a smooth process and effective dispute resolution when necessary. Additionally, our services include property valuations and quantity surveying to support our clients comprehensively.
Contract Administration
Our contract administration and project management services ensure compliance with project objectives and the fulfilment of all contract conditions throughout the project lifecycle.
Our comprehensive contract administration services include (inter alia):
· Supporting a project execution plan (PEP)
· Pre-selection of multi-disciplined vendors and contractors
· Clarifying and adjudicating contract bids
· Maintaining a contract correspondence register
· Chairing meetings, taking minutes, distributing information, and recording project management information
· Managing contracts to ensure adherence to specific contract conditions, including dispute resolution, variations, and costing
· Obtaining priced quotations and providing recommendations
· Overseeing contract close-out and archiving
· Managing and controlling project documentation
Additionally, our expertise in quantity surveying and property valuations supports accurate financial forecasting and effective resource allocation.
Dispute Resolution
We provide project management services that include project financial audits and expert witnesses for client and contractor claims, arbitrations, litigations, and High Court cases.
Contract disputes often arise from disagreements regarding the interpretation and implementation of the terms and conditions outlined in the contract. If these contract disputes are not resolved swiftly, they can escalate, leading to increased costs and complications. Utilizing effective dispute resolution methods can help address these issues in a manner that is amicable for all parties involved.
Our team offers specialist advice on all aspects of claims procedures, including claim preparation and defense strategies, as part of our comprehensive contract administration services. Our goal is to minimize or avoid unnecessary time, costs, and personal disruptions associated with extended litigation.
By implementing proactive measures to enhance the quality of contract documentation, it is possible to prevent disputes and the subsequent processes that follow.
Our services assist you in:
• Making the contract more user-friendly
• Improving contract communication
• Identifying contractual risks
• Allocating identified risks
• Facilitating collaborative working environments
• Avoiding adversarial contracts
• Improving cash flow
• Resolving disputes in real-time
In addition, we also provide property valuations and quantity surveying services to support your project needs.
Staff Secondment
As a result of fixed-duration projects that require flexible personnel solutions, we have staff covering various disciplines who can be seconded on a project-by-project basis to provide essential project management services. Our specialities include: Project Controls, Quantity Surveyors skilled in quantity surveying, Project Planners, Cost Engineers, Risk Practitioners, Project Managers, Engineers, Construction Managers, Construction Supervisors, Project Support Coordinators, Quality Officers, Health & Safety Agents, Environmental Officers, Procurement & Contract Specialists, Contracts Administrators who excel in contract administration, Procurement Assistants, Document Controllers, Office/Admin Assistants, and more. Our team is also equipped to support dispute resolution and property valuations, ensuring comprehensive project delivery.