Cost advice from the start
The biggest opportunity to make savings and add value is during the early design stages, and those opportunities reduce as a project progresses. We work anywhere from project inception up to tender stage - most schemes need only one or two of our estimates, and we advise which fits yours. Separately, for schemes going into development finance, we offer Funder Information Management, gathering and issuing the information your funder's Monitoring Surveyor requires.
WHERE WE FIT
We prepare six cost estimates across RIBA Stages 0 to 4. They fall into two services, which overlap at Stage 3 where an Indicative Cost Estimate can serve either purpose.
RIBA 0
Strategic Definition
RIBA 1
Preparation and Briefing
RIBA 2
Concept Design
RIBA 3
Spatial Coordination
RIBA 4
Technical Design
FEASIBILITY ESTIMATING
Feasibility Cost Estimate
Budget Cost Estimate
Indicative Cost Estimate
RIBA 0
RIBA 0 to 2
RIBA 2 to 3
COST PLANNING
Order of Cost Estimate
Cost Plan
Pre-Tender Estimate
RIBA 3 to 4
RIBA 3 to 4
RIBA 4
Most schemes need one or two of the six.
We help you pick the one you need.
THE SIX ESTIMATES AT A GLANCE
Estimate | RIBA stages | Our Service | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
Feasibility Cost Estimate | 0 | Feasibility Estimating | Up to 1 week |
Budget Cost Estimate | 0, 1 or 2 | Feasibility Estimating | Up to 1 week |
Indicative Cost Estimate | 2 or 3 | Feasibility Estimating | 1 to 2 weeks |
Order of Cost Estimate | 3 or 4 | Cost Planning | 2 to 3 weeks |
Cost Plan | 3 or 4 | Cost Planning | 3 to 4 weeks |
Pre-Tender Estimate | 4 | Cost Planning | 4 to 5 weeks |
Estimate | RIBA stages | Our service | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
Feasibility Cost Estimate | 0 | Feasibility Estimating | Up to 1 week |
Budget Cost Estimate | 0, 1 or 2 | Feasibility Estimating | Up to 1 week |
Indicative Cost Estimate | 2 or 3 | Feasibility Estimating | 1 to 2 weeks |
Order of Cost Estimate | 3 or 4 | Cost Planning | 2 to 3 weeks |
Cost Plan | 3 or 4 | Cost Planning | 3 to 4 weeks |
Pre-Tender Estimate | 4 | Cost Planning | 4 to 5 weeks |
Most schemes need one or two of the six. From Stage 5 (Construction) onwards is not our focus.
How much detail?
The level of measurement depends on the information available. With architectural drawings alone we price at composite level, so a concrete frame is measured and priced as a frame. Where structural and services information is available, we measure in detail, down to concrete, reinforcement and formwork. The same estimate can therefore sit at either level, and we confirm which applies when we agree the fee.
A FURTHER SERVICE
Funder Information Management
Monitoring Surveyor liaison
Once a scheme is funded, we gather the information your funder's Monitoring Surveyor requires from the design team, building control, the warranty provider, solicitors and insurers, check it, and issue it to the Monitoring Surveyor at intervals agreed with you. On most schemes that is around ninety documents held by fifteen or more parties, and it usually falls to the borrower to produce them.
FOUR PHASES, TAKE THE ONES YOU NEED
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Phase A, Facility set-up. What your funder needs before releasing funds.
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Phase B, Pre-start on site. What your funder needs before work starts.
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Phase C, Construction. The monthly pack used to draw down funds.
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Phase D, Completion. The final information through to sign-off.
Why QSetc
What sets this apart is that we have sat on the funder's side of the table. We know what a Monitoring Surveyor will accept, and nothing is issued without a director checking it first, and never by a junior. Fewer rejections, and no surprises when the money is due.
Mark has acted as Monitoring Surveyor for the lender on schemes up to £100m:
Homes England / The National Housing Bank • Fairfield Real Estate Finance Services Limited • Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Limited • NatWest PLC • Julian Hodge • BLG Development Finance Limited • Roundshield LLP • Close Brothers Property Finance PLC
Construction cost estimates from RIBA Stage 0 to Stage 4, covering feasibility estimating and cost planning, prepared by a Chartered Quantity Surveyor. Funder Information Management for schemes in development finance.