Bruce Shaw is one of Europe's leading cost consultancy practices with a proven track record in providing total cost management for many of the largest construction projects in the country. To compliment the traditional cost management service, a range of pioneering specialised divisions within the Group has evolved which include: Services, Healthcare, Civil Engineering, and Retail Cost Control.
The practice has available considerable resources in its qualified personnel, backed by the wide-ranging experience of its principals and senior staff. Extensive in-house support services are available and particular attention has been paid to the use of computers as a tool to improve the quality of the service offered to clients. Computer programmes have been developed to assist our professional work in risk assessment, cash flow prediction, valuation of work in progress, final accounting, cost reporting and cost control, contract documentation and cost data information. Software for collaborative project websites have also been developed and implemented on many of our large scale fast track developments.
- Initial Cost Advice / Feasibility Studies
- Budget Estimating & Cost Planning
- Value Engineering
- Risk Assessment
- Life Cycle / Whole Life Costings
- Advice on Contract Procedures
- Preparation of Contract Documentation
- Cost Control during Construction
- Valuation of Work
- Settlement of Final Account
- Building Energy Rating Assessors
To obtain the best value for money, the viability of each project should be carefully examined. Cost must be weighed against aesthetics, quality, space and time, and an acceptable budget agreed to. Close collaboration at this stage between the project team members will bring maximum benefit to the client.
The initial budget cost is established by reference to cost data derived from previous projects. The budget is allocated amongst the various building elements to establish limits within which each element is allowed develop. As the scheme develops, each element is checked to ensure it remains within its limit and the overall scheme remains within budget.
To obtain the best value for money, the viability of each project should be carefully examined. Cost must be weighed against aesthetics, quality space and time, and an acceptable budget agreed to. Close collaboration at this stage between the project team members will bring maximum benefit to the Client. We will implement the most up to date Value Engineering techniques during the design stages of the project in order to ensure that the most economically effective solutions are adopted, consistent with the design/operational requirements of the Client.
At all stages of the project we will review the relevant risks pertaining to that stage of the project. We will utilise the Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) techniques in assessing these risks. Risks may include, construction cost overrun, programme risks, changes in legislation or the risk of value not exceeding costs. The results of our assessment will be presented using the latest “@ Risk” software. This will present the combination of possible scenarios utilising a simulation process.
Life cycle costing is commonly interpreted as the operating cost of buildings over the forecast useful life attributed to them. The wider and more correct view considers the full range of costs arising from the provision of accommodation to fulfil a particular user requirement and which accrue from initial provision of the facilities right through the anticipated life span and include initial capital costs, subsequent operating costs and replacement or renewal at intermediate stages of the life cycle. All these factors require evaluation on a common basis and should be included in the decision making process at development stage.
Cost control is maintained using one of a variety of contract procedures available which gives a client the flexibility to choose a method most suited to his requirements. Methods include the traditional method of tendering, two-stage tendering, negotiated contract, management contracts, design and construct contracts, cost reimbursement contracts etc.
At this stage of the project we provide expert advice on the adequacy of the levels of insurance, liquidated damages, dates for completion etc.
Central to cost control during the construction stage is the determination to complete the project within the original budget. Variations are continuously monitored and cost reports updated to show the current position to the client as established by good record keeping and good physical control in the field. In the event of a projected cost over-run, evasive action is taken by making design adjustments to achieve the necessary cost reductions.
Monthly valuations of work-in-progress are carried out in order to make stage payments to the contractor. This includes the physical measurement of the work on the site and materials delivered. Cash flow projections may be provided to indicate the client's anticipated monthly expenditure throughout the construction stage.
We negotiate with the Contractor to sign-off the cost of work as each element is complete. The advantage to the contractor is that he is paid in full for variations completed and agreed. The further advantage to the Client is that there is a rolling Final Account with can be speedily agreed upon project completion with no surprises.
We can provide Building Energy Rating assessments including advisory reports on how to cost effectively improve the energy efficiency of your housing development or home. As Chartered Quantity Surveyors we are experts in the measurement and costing of buildings and our building energy rating assessors can also provide advice on the cost of recommendations.
