Have you ever been in the middle of a project, and suddenly, your quantity surveyor (QS) leaves? There you are, with a half-finished project and no one to manage the costs. The one person who knew the ins and outs of the money on the job – gone!
In the fiercely competitive construction world, where every contractor constantly tries to streamline operations and improve their financial performance, this kind of setback is like a punch in the gut. Sadly, it’s not uncommon in the construction industry. This is where an external QS company steps in, offering a lifeline to contractors.
Let’s dive into the top 10 reasons why turning to an external QS company might just be the smartest move for your business.
1. Proven expertise
External QS companies have access to a pool of experienced QS professionals on tap who deeply understand the construction industry and the latest QS practices. This means a wealth of experience and knowledge to tap into, ensuring your projects are always in expert hands, helping you to:
- Accurately estimate project costs
- Manage construction projects effectively
- Identify and resolve potential problems early on
- Protect your company from financial losses
2. Cost-effectiveness
Hiring a full-time QS can be expensive. Think of hefty salaries, big benefits packages, and other overheads like travel and car expenses. These costs quickly add up, making the decision to hire or grow your in-house QS team.
An external QS company offers a more cost-effective solution, with services tailored to your needs and budget. With a whole team of QS’s at your disposal, likely costing you less than that of one QS employee, you’ll enjoy expert guidance and support without the significant cost of maintaining a full-fledged QS department, such as office space, equipment, and administrative support.
By utilising the expertise of experienced QS professionals without the burden of in-house staffing, you’ll streamline project management, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately achieve cost savings without compromising project quality.
Here is a table that summarises the cost savings that contractors can expect to see from outsourcing QS services:
| Cost Savings | Percentage of Project Cost |
| Reduced salaries and benefits | 20% – 30% |
| No need to buy or lease office space | 10% – 15% |
| No need to purchase software and hardware | 5% – 10% |
| Reduced risk of errors and omissions | 5% – 10% |
| Access to specialised expertise | 5% – 10% |
| Reduced risk of liability | 5% – 10% |
3. Scalability
External QS companies can scale their services to meet the needs of your business, whether you’re working on a small project or a large, complex development. This can help you avoid the challenges of hiring and firing QS staff to meet fluctuating project demands.
4. Access to technology
External QS companies often have access to the latest QS software and technology, which can help you improve project efficiency and accuracy. This technology can help you to:
- Automate tasks
- Improve data management
- Generate reports and dashboards
- Collaborate with other stakeholders
5. Reduced risk
Outsourcing QS services offers a strategic advantage in helping you to reduce the risk of cost overruns and delays. External QS professionals are trained to identify and mitigate potential risks, which can help you stay on track and avoid nasty budget surprises.
Consider the scenario where your in-house QS is unavailable due to sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave or one of the other leaves! Or imagine they suddenly quit. An external QS company ensures continuity and reliability, keeping your projects on track no matter what.
With an external QS company, you benefit from specialised expertise and gain a dependable safety net, keeping your projects smoothly on course under any circumstances. This aspect is especially beneficial for maintaining the overall health and predictability of your project finances and schedules.
6. Peace of mind
Knowing that your QS services are being handled by experts can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other aspects of your business. This can help you to improve your overall efficiency and productivity.
You can build profitably confidently when you have a reliable, expert team working tirelessly in the background, ensuring every aspect of your project is meticulously managed and accounted for.
7. Reduced turnover
External QS companies have a lower turnover rate than in-house QS teams. This means that you can avoid the disruption and cost of hiring and training new QS professionals on a regular basis.
| Team Type | Turnover Rate |
| In-house | 15-20% |
| External | 5-10% |
8. Focus on your core competencies
By outsourcing QS services, you can free up your time and resources to focus on your core competencies, such as bidding and project management. You’ll have more time to build relationships with architects and clients to help you land your next big job. This can help you to strengthen your competitive advantage and grow your business.
9. Up-to-date knowledge
How contract-savvy is your current QS? External QS companies are constantly up-to-date with the latest QS contract laws, regulations and best practices. This can help you ensure your projects are compliant, using the most efficient and cost-effective methods to safeguard your projects from legal pitfalls.
10. Flexibility
External QS companies can provide you with the flexibility to adjust your QS services as needed. This can be helpful if you are working on a project of varying size or complexity.
Case Study
A small contracting company in the South East was struggling to manage its QS workload. The company’s QS team was overworked and unable to keep up with the demands of the projects. As a result, the company was experiencing cost overruns and delays. The company decided to outsource its QS services to Carroll Estimating, an external QS company.
This decision helped the company to:
- Reduce its QS costs
- Improve project efficiency
- Negotiate variations more effectively
- Eliminate cost overruns
- Avoid delays
Conclusion
In conclusion, the challenges contractors face in the construction industry, particularly when dealing with the sudden departure of a key quantity surveyor, are both significant and not uncommon. The solution to this problem, as highlighted in this blog, lies in the strategic decision to engage an external QS company.
In essence, turning to an external QS company is more than a mere operational decision; it is a strategic move towards ensuring financial stability, operational efficiency, and the successful delivery of projects. This approach addresses immediate challenges and positions contractors for long-term success in the competitive construction world.
Outsource QS services to an external QS company if you want to:
- Benefit from proven expertise
- Improve cost-effectiveness
- Scale your services to meet project demands
- Access to latest QS technology
- Reduce risk
- Gain peace of mind
- Reduce turnover
- Focus on core competencies
- Stay up-to-date with QS regulations
- Have flexibility
- Improve your business
Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways Carroll Estimating can help you:
4. Managing all your QS work from tender bid to final account