As a contractor, you’re no stranger to the challenges of managing multiple projects and the stress that goes along with it. You know your Quantity Surveyor is under pressure, too. They’re already tendering, procuring, negotiating, and managing costs, payment claims, and final accounts for your business.
You can only do so much, and so can your QS.
Here’s why having a dedicated team of Quantity Surveyors (QS) and estimators can make all the difference for your contracting business.
Life Without a QS Team.
Whether it’s just you juggling everything or your solo QS. So many things can go unnoticed and missing, losing you money at every corner.
Here are some scenarios we’ve seen on jobs without a QS team.
- Missed Tenders
A QS under pressure trying to manage everything on their own is a nightmare. They will never get to everything in time, and tenders can be missed, which comes at the cost of valuable projects. - Financial Management
Spending too much time on financial management sounds like a good thing but it can lead to other important aspects of a project being missed. - Supply Chain Issues
Not having time to get three prices from your supply chain can cause missed savings and less competitive bids. - Delayed Payment Applications
Late payment applications affect your cash flow, putting financial strain on your business.
- Overpriced Subcontractors
Without time to properly review things, subcontractors might throw in overpriced invoices that eat into your profits. - Incomplete Subcontractor Accounts
There’s a reason we view all subcontractors’ accounts, from ground workers to painters, to ensure accuracy and fairness. - Overlooked Quotations
Lack of time to review quotations thoroughly can lead to crucial items being left out, which can significantly impact the project’s cost. Imagine missing costs from a window company. That can really blow your budget. - Untracked Variations
Are variations being picked up on all your sites? If not, you’re leaving money on the table.
Real Life Example.
One of our clients, a demolitions and groundworks contractor, was working one too many jobs: they were the QS, contracts manager, and project manager.
The workload was too much, and they ended up making some serious mistakes in their business. They missed tender deadlines, lost projects, and ended up paying more in certain areas than they should have because they didn’t have the time to get additional quotes.
All totally avoidable mistakes that ended up having a negative impact on overall cashflow.
The Solution: A Dedicated Team of Expert QS & Estimators.
Simply put, one person can only do so much. That’s why having a team of dedicated QS and estimators is crucial.
Here’s how we helped this client to make sure they didn’t make the same mistakes twice:
- Ensured payment applications were accurate and submitted on time to improve cash flow management.
- Fewer errors were made as we have multiple eyes on all aspects to make sure nothing gets missed.
- We have more time to get and compare different quotes to secure better deals and more competitive bids on their behalf.
- Simply dividing out the work means everyone knows their job and has the time to do it without rushing to the next one. Get rid of the stressful pressure of doing it all yourself and delegate.
Conclusion
Don’t let your contracting business’s overwhelming demands compromise your success. Investing in a team of Quantity Surveyors and Estimators can improve your cash flow, enhance accuracy, and help your business expand. It’s time to take the pressure off and let the experts handle what they do best.
That’s what we do here at Carroll Estimating, take the stress off your plate so you can focus on what you do best. Leave the rest to us.
Contact us to discuss our ongoing monthly agreement options and finally get the support you deserve to bring your business more profit and success from tender bid to final account.