To the majority of Clients it is vitally important to know the approximate cost of a project at the earliest possible stage. Funding will need to be arranged and approvals obtained from company boards, funding councils, etc. These processes cannot take place without a realistic estimate of cost and the basis of the estimate properly determined.
Kirkby and Diamond work with Clients and other Consultants to provide feasibility studies, cost plans and budget estimates. Kirkby & Diamond's quantity surveyors always make a point of meeting with the parties and visiting the site to establish the best level of information on which to base the estimate.
Having determined the size, arrangement and outline specification of the proposed building the quantity surveyor is able to build up a cost plan usually on the basis of approximate quantities. Kirkby & Diamond have built up a wealth of historical cost data from previous projects on which to base the pricing and this can be supplemented by trade enquiries where necessary.
However, with many projects it is often the site specific and abnormal costs which can have a profound effect on the accuracy of the estimate. These items can include factors from the following list.
Site specific factors affecting costs:
- ground conditions
- possible contamination
- boundary conditions
- position of existing drainage and services
- possible requirements for a sub-station
- site access
- availability of parking for Contractors’ vehicles
- plus many other factors
Kirkby and Diamond Chartered Surveyors believe that time spent in the early stages of a project will enable the Quantity Surveyor to produce a realistic cost plan which will be of real value to the Client.