SERVICE OVERVIEW -

We have considerable experience and knowledge with all procurement routes and can advise clients on the most suitable procurement route for their project.

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PROCUREMENT SERVICES FOR CONSULTANTS AND PRIVATE CLIENTS

• Advice on the most appropriate procurement method for the project

• Contractual advice

• Contractor selection advice

• Preparation of tender and contract documentation ie. bills of quantities & schedules of rates

• Forms of contract

• Reviewing tender documents ie. drawings and specifications

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Construction Procurement Systems & Selection

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On any construction project it is vitally important to select the right method of procuring the construction works. Not only is it important to choose the right contractor but it is vital that the contract documentation and form of contract is appropriate to the project.

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In basic terms Procurement is the process used to obtain construction projects. It involves the selection of a contractual framework that clearly identifies the structure of responsibilities and authorities for participants within the building process.  It is a key factor contributing to overall client satisfaction and project success. The selection of the most appropriate procurement method is consequently critical for both clients and project participants, and is becoming an important and contemporary issue with the building industry.

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It is vital that clients make the correct choice of construction procurement method in an increasingly complex situation, with a wide range of objective criteria and procurement systems available quantity surveyors have an important role to preform in building procurement selection because choosing the right procurement method is vital to the success of a building project.

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Construction clients range from experienced clients who may have their own professional team and an effective procurement policy to the inexperienced client with little or no knowledge of procurement methods and who requires extensive professional advice. Furthermore the needs of clients vary considerably with regard to certainty of price, cost limits, time requirements, complexity of design and many other factors.

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Traditional Procurement System

The traditional procurement system remains by far the most popular method, followed by design and build. The other forms of procurement in aggregate only form a small percentage of construction transactions. The traditional structure for project procurement is seen as a sequential method because the employer takes his scheme to an advanced stage with his professional team before appointing a contractor.

 

The designer is employed to advise the client, design and ensure that the work is kept within the cost limit and that it complies with the standards required. A Quantity Surveyor can be engaged to give guidance on design costs and budgets, prepare bills of quantities, check tenders, prepare interim valuations and advise on the value of variations. The contract price/sum is often based on a bill of quantities provided by the Quantity Surveyor which quantifies, so far as possible, every aspect of the works. Consultant structural and services engineers may be employed by either the client or his advisers to design the specialist parts of the project.

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The contractor only has responsibility for construction and not for design. Separating responsibilities for design and construction is seen as the primary reason for the move to alternative contractual arrangements. This can, and unfortunately often does, lead to disputes about whether defects are really design defects (for which the employer is responsible) or defects in materials and workmanship (for which the contractor is responsible). The other major disadvantage of this procurement route is that the final design of the project is often not fully completed before construction work commences on-site and this can and often does create problems and price uncertainty.