Feasibility studies define the project parameters and identify how construction goals are to be accomplished and the associated risks in connection with proposed projects; our involvement in this regard comprises cost reviews and the identification and, where practicable, the evaluation of associated risks.

Accurate budget costings allow our clients to appraise whether a proposed project is viable and sets the scene for the life of a project. It is essential that budget costings are as accurate as possible and the design development is kept within defined cost parameters.

Reliable cost estimating is essential to the success of any construction project. Effective cost planning plays a central role in the success of a construction project. Decisions made early in the development process can have far reaching economic consequences. Based upon information available during the initial design process, and utilising the project teams’ collective knowledge, we prepare, develop and maintain cost plans that serve as effective control documents during the various stages of the design development and tendering process.

Value engineering comprises a systematic review of a project to achieve maximum value without compromising quality. The objective of value engineering is to reduce the extent of unnecessary costs, whilst maintaining the overall parameters of the project in terms of quality, durability and appearance. The benefits of value engineering will be greater if the review is carried out early, preferably before the completion of the scheme design. The value engineering process should be seen as an ongoing process during the pre-construction phase continually maintaining a ‘could it be done more efficiently’ mindset.

Risk analysis is the identification and quantification of construction risk in terms of cost and programme which exist in every project. Risk management is the process implemented to monitor and subsequently reduce, contain or eliminate the risks identified during the risk analysis process.

During the pre-construction stage, our role in this process, in dialogue with the client and the project team, is to prepare a risk register and to monitor and update the document so as to identify the residual risks that cannot otherwise be reduced, contained or eliminated.

Effective cost management lies at the heart of any project comprising the identification, control and monitoring of construction costs during all stages of the design development and construction process. We utilise a systematic, proactive approach to establish and manage budgets so as to minimising costly surprises.

Our approach involves working closely with our clients, and their project teams, and in doing so, maintain effective communication and informing the relevant parties of anticipated costs throughout the design development and construction process.

The procurement strategy selected must be appropriate for the scope and nature of the proposed project and commensurate with the specific requirements of the clients’ objectives. Our experience provides an understanding of various procurement options which facilitates the review, with our clients, the merits of appropriate options, including the allocation of risk between the contracting parties, to identify the suitable option for a project.

Tender documentation is the collective term for information prepared by consultants and specialist organisations appointed by a client to illustrate the parameters of a project; such documentation would comprise information in the form of contractual terms and conditions, drawings, specifications, reports, construction notes and the like.

Depending upon the selected procurement strategy, our role in this process is to prepare the Employer’s Requirements Preliminaries document, to collate and issue the tender documentation to selected tenderers and to monitor the tendering process, and in doing so, maintain communication with the tenderers.

Upon receipt of tender submissions, we undertake an assessment with regard to financial, programme and contractual matters liaising with the project team to procure confirmation of technical compliance in relation to their particular discipline from which the client, and the project team, can agree upon the appointment of the successful tenderer.

During the decision process as to suitable procurement strategies, and subsequent tender documentation process, issues such as the appropriate form of building contract and amendments, the requirement for specific insurances, collateral warranties, novation agreements, performance bonds, damages and retention would require reviewing.

Our role in this process is to procure the necessary documentation from the consultants and specialist organisations appointed by the client and to complete the selected form of building contract, amending where required, for execution by the client and the contractor.

During the construction phase, we prepare recommendations for interim payments and final payments which identify the sums payable by the client, to the contractor, accordance with building contract.

In a world of changing market conditions, a client may find it necessary to vary certain elements of the works previously agreed with the contactor.

Our role in this process is to agree, in dialogue with the contractor, the cost of proposed changes and to maintain periodic reporting to the client commenting on changes for which formal instructions have been issued to the contractor, potential changes, programme delays which have occurred and potential delays.

For various reasons, not all projects run as smoothly as anticipated; consequently, the contractor may, under the terms of the building contact, be entitled to pursue extensions of time to the agreed construction period and or contend a case for disruption whilst undertaking the works.

In such circumstances, we are able to provide an opinion as to the validity of requests for extensions of time and or notices of disruption that may be submitted by the contractor.

We are also able to assess the extent of loss and or expense attributed to valid extensions of time and or disruptions and, where instructed, undertake negotiations with the contractor to reach a settlement on behalf of the client. For any period for which the contactor is not entitled to extensions of time, we are able to advise our clients as to their entitlement to deduct damages identified within the building contract.

To conclude the cost management process, we can facilitate the agreement of the final cost of the construction works with the contractor and, depending on the form of building contract adopted, also prepare the final account.

Our forensic financial and contractual skills are available to review and analysis project costs and delays in retrospect, this may also encompass the validation of disruption notices submitted by a contractor; the objectives of such being to validate or challenge a contractor’s entitlement for additional payment and or extension of time.

Capital Allowances are important to any owner, investor, occupier or tenant that incurs capital expenditure on a property. The allowances can be off-set against the individual’s or company’s tax liability and therefore assist in maximising the value gained from a property.

With our cost management experience, we can assist our clients’ tax specialists in assessing the extent of Capital Allowances during the pre-construction phase and, with input from the contractor undertaking the building works, also during the construction phase.

In the unfortunate situation whereby a contractor becomes insolvent, we are able to assist the appointed insolvency practitioner in respect of cost and contractual matters relating to the works the contractor had undertaken to execute under the building contract.