Understanding and working within the terms of your contract gives you a direct path to success.
Not paying attention or playing hard and fast with the terms is a surefire way to hit roadblocks, resulting in money being left behind.
That’s why you should leave contract administration to your Quantity Surveyor (QS).
Consider This.
We worked with a main contractor who wouldn’t leave the contract administration with us. They kept butting in, blatantly disregarding the actual contract terms, leaving everyone involved frustrated and annoyed.
They submitted contractual items incorrectly and ended up losing money instead of being paid in full.
On top of that, the QS asked the builder for additional costings that were never communicated because the builder didn’t know how to go about doing it. This could have been avoided had they left those costings to us, but because they wanted to do it themselves, it led to further frustration and, ultimately, money lost.
Why Should You Leave Contract Administration to the QS?
They Speak the Language of Contracts
A QS is fluent in the language of contracts. They understand the intricate details and what needs to be given attention. Whether it’s a standard contract or a more specialised agreement, a Contractor’s QS knows how to interpret and manage it effectively for your benefit.
They Know the Rules of Measurement
The rules of measurement can be intricate and vary depending on the project. The QS is trained to apply these rules accurately, ensuring that every aspect of your project is measured correctly and fairly.
Knowledge of Different Contracts and Entitlements
A QS is well-versed in the different types of contracts and entitlements. They know what you’re entitled to and how to ensure you receive it. This is the kind of knowledge that helps you to avoid costly mistakes and protect your rights.
Time Limit of Payment Applications
Understanding the time limits for payment applications is crucial. A QS knows these deadlines inside out, meaning your applications are submitted correctly and on time.
Cash Flow Management
A QS understands the importance of maintaining healthy cash flow for the client and contractor. They work with serious attention to detail to ensure funds are managed correctly to remove any financial stress.
Resolving Cost Issues
When cost issues arise, your QS is there to work through them. They have the expertise to identify problems and offer solutions. This keeps your project on track and within budget.
Simplifying Cost Management
Cost management can be overwhelming, but it’s what a QS does daily. They simplify the process, making it easier for you to understand and manage your project’s finances.
Understand How Construction Sites Work
A QS understands the day-to-day running of a construction site. They can even tell when a potential issue might come up before others do, allowing them to prepare and problem-solve cost-effectively.
Ethical Standards
It is important to remember the ethics of quantity surveying. A QS is committed to fairness, transparency, and integrity, ensuring that everything is above board and that trust is maintained throughout the project.
The Ideal Scenario
Ideally, a contractor will have a strong relationship with their QS. This partnership allows the QS to negotiate and work seamlessly with the client’s QS, handling all aspects of cost management and contract management. This ensures that no money is left on the table and that the project runs smoothly from day one.
If you’re ready to start putting more money in your back pocket and getting time back to focus on other things that need your attention, contact Carroll Estimating to successfully bring you from tender bid to final account. We provide a team of contractor’s Qs’s and estimators for less cost than one as an employee.