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QUANTITY SURVEYING AND COST MANAGEMENT: From Inception through Design Development and Construction, to Completion and Final Settlement, Boulter Stewart Limited has a considerable depth of experience in providing a comprehensive range of integrated pre and post contract quantity surveying and cost management services, carefully tailored and applied to suit the needs of each client. Our role is to control and review costs, using a whole project approach with management of total budget at all development stages, and save our clients’ money far in excess of our professional fees. More than 80 per cent of project costs are determined during the initial concept design stage and it is at this time where we can influence cost the greatest. We utilise skilful estimating and cost planning techniques, through working with the design team, to examine the options and produce the most effective solutions, both in terms of construction cost and optimised design. Value engineering procedures to examine planned schemes, also aim to produce savings and increase cost efficiency, without compromising the design intent, thereby achieving “fit for purpose” status without unnecessary waste of funds. Boulter Stewart Limited is familiar with and uses a variety of contract forms applicable to different procurement methods including: competitive tendering, design and build, negotiation, partnering and alliances. We operate in tandem with our clients and designers to establish the optimal method of procurement and suitable contract arrangements. The early establishment of reporting procedures, roles and responsibilities, scope of work and understanding the chosen method of procurement enable us to: § Act to ensure effective decision making in the construction process
§ Review and evaluate competing costs in proportion to their significance
§ Focus on market conditions and looking forward at future cost movements
§ Ensure total cost transparency
§ Enable budgets to be followed or adjusted to accommodate change/variation orders
§ Actively manage cost reporting to avoid hidden costs or surprises at completion by way of providing full construction cost consultancy services, including: Pre-Construction Cost Consultancy § Feasibility studies, preliminary cost advice and budget estimates
§ Cash flow forecasting
§ Risk management
§ Value engineering
§ Cost planning of design alternatives and continuing cost advice
§ Life cycle costing Contract Documentation § Advice on tendering procedures
§ Agreement of contractual strategies and arrangements
§ Preparation of tender documents, including bills of quantities and specifications
§ Provision of pre-tender estimates
§ Pre-qualification and selection of local / international contractors and obtaining tenders
§ Tender reporting, analysis, evaluation and negotiation
§ Preparation of contract documents, including forms of contract and contract conditions Construction Phase Cost Management, Recording and Planning § Valuation and certification of work in progress
§ Measurement, assessment and negotiation of contract variations
§ On-going cost management, cost reporting and forecasts of final costs
§ Negotiation and settlement of final accounts Services for Contractors We are also experienced in providing services specifically required by Contractors, including: § Estimating
§ Tender advice and documentation
§ Investigation of local costs
§ Scheduling and resourcing labour, plant and materials
§ Preparation of bills of quantities
§ Contract documentation
§ Construction auditing
§ Administration of subcontractors
§ Post contract cost management
§ Re-measurement of quantities
§ Final account preparation
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT:
Experience and knowledge gained on many types of contracts used in the construction industry, means that Boulter Stewart Limited’s professional team is able to advise and guide clients through the processes affecting their contractual relationships, to ensure they are established and administered effectively. • Contract Review
Full vetting of tender or contract documentation to highlight onerous conditions / specifications and recommend protective procedures. This service may be carried out either during tender or after the award of a contract. Reports can be prepared in Thai or English • Project Monitoring
Periodic visits throughout the construction phase to give early advice on problems encountered, including remedial action and / or the maintenance of contractual notices and appropriate records. A senior member of our staff will visit site and maintain regular contact with the contractor’s project manager by telephone and email. Incoming contractual correspondence, construction records and site-meeting minutes will be reviewed and our staff will prepare draft responses for the contractor’s consideration. The service may also be extended to cover attendance at site progress meetings. This service can help to prevent the most common problem, which faces contractors – the failure to respond to correspondence or notify additional costs or delays in the time frames required by the construction contract. Our service can also assist the contractor’s project manager by allowing him to focus on the construction activities • Contract Changes
Full range of services from outline advice as to strategy through to full documentation preparation and assistance with negotiation. The service covers all aspects of requests for additional costs and extensions of time from notification through detailed submission and negotiation. Our team will commence by discussing the problem with the contractor’s management. All relevant data will be reviewed and an initial presentation will be given to the contractor. Usually two to three weeks of review will be necessary. However, if we have been carrying out contractual monitoring the review stage can be shortened. During the initial presentation we will discuss the contractual status of the request for “time or costs”, suggest an approach and provide a recommended document format. At this stage it will normally be possible to agree a document preparation schedule. The second stage of the service concerns the preparation of the “claim” document. Factual data and the relevant contract provisions will be presented. The basis for the application will be clearly identified and all costs supported in an easily understood format. During the preparation of the claim document we will report at agreed regular intervals. This is usually done by visits to the contractor’s offices. When we have completed the document we will provide the contractor with copies for review. When all of the comments have been incorporated we will produce the requisite number of bound copies. If required, we are also available to assist in negotiating the matter with the client or his project manager. • Dispute Resolution
Assistance at every stage including second opinion on contractual basis of entitlement, technical and commercial support to legal advisors, and the provision of expert witnesses. • Claims Defence
Contractual, technical and commercial analysis of claims to be resisted either informally or in arbitration or litigation. • Conciliation / Adjudication
Provision of a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers Conciliation Panel to assist the parties to a contract to resolve a difference amicably. • Mediation and Arbitration
Provision of qualified engineering and quantity surveying mediators and arbitrators.
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