Take-offs and Bill of Quantities Production
We pride ourselves on swift, efficient and precise take-offs to the required method of measurement that can be used for material scheduling, labour and resource planning, estimating and the production of bill of quantities among other valuable tools. Out-Surve can provide tailored services to suit our independent clients on their needs in a timely manner. As a result, this service enables us to perform in out of hours compared to the UK, America and Australia to ensure tight timeframes are met whilst simultaneously reducing costs and overheads.
Concept Design Proposals, Feasibility Studies and Development Appraisals
Complimented by our in-house team of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Construction Cost specialists, we are able to take the clients brief and develop that into a conceptual design whilst providing detailed calculations on the profitability, expected return on investment, discounted cashflow yield, construction programme, capital outlay and investment required. In addition, we can support with investment and projections on the development whilst utilizing our expertise on how to reduce costs and maintain the same vision which ultimately increases profitability.
Architectural Design Services
Our Architectural division focuses on meticulous design detail, providing a range of services from concept, development through to detailed design dependent on our clients expectations.
Engineering Design Services
In addition, our Engineering division provides both further support and experience with structural and civil engineering requirements. The benefit of this service ensures we can provide an non-bias turnkey approach taking our clients best interests as priority. Complimented on the basis all divisions are working in unity we are able to avoid such conflictual and costly issues that arise in traditional methods whilst simultaneously having our cost engineers providing input against design to ensure best value for money and optimum design criteria is met.
Land Acquisition
In addition to the appraisals this bolt on service allows us to cater for detailed cost reports for banking purposes and funding. Combined with our established relationships with land owners, consultants, financial institutions and agents we can assist with the facilitation of sourcing the appropriate land or property investment for your development needs.
Cost Estimation and Cost Planning
Whether it be for purposes of establishing project budget, design change, tendering purposes, funding or project review our team of Construction cost consultants can provide cost estimates and cost planning exercises in accordance with the New Rules of Measurement and the RIBA Plan of works or in a bespoke format as required.
Procurement Advice
Our Construction Contract specialists liaise with our client’s priorities and project or development vision. This will allow us to analyse each individual project on a requirement risk and constraints level. We consider factors including but not limited to the complexity, cost and time sensitivity of the project. Following the client brief we will provide a detailed evaluation on the differing procurement routes and recommend which methods are most optimal based on your requirements and expectations.
Pre-Qualification Questionnaires
Through our detailed and diligent review and template to which we can adjust depending on the client’s requirements we ensure the process of screening and evaluating Consultants, Contractors and suppliers before invitation to bid is catered for accordingly. This ensures they meet not only the minimal but optimal requirements and standards required whilst mitigating risk and future complexities and issues.
Tender Document Preparation
We aim to guide and assist our Clients through the tendering process, producing templates, forms and processes compliant with the various forms of contract and chosen procurement strategy. These documents can include but limited to, Invitation to Tenders, Form of Tender, Preliminaries, Form of Contract, Employers Requirements, Pricing Documents, Drawings and Specifications, As well as any ancillary requirements such as insurances, bonds and legal documentation.
Tender Analysis and Recommendation
Following on from Tender Preparation or in independence we shall collate, analyse and report findings. Through our detailed approach we will ensure compliancy, proof check, query and communicate with the Tenderers, provide a detailed report, rate comparison, risk register and final recommendation for the Clients Consideration.
Contract Preparation and Contract Review
The preparation of Construction Contracts and the organisation of the project will be based on a strategic analysis of the requirements for project success and the challenges that may be encountered. Our team of Construction and Contract experts will provide legal counsel and prepare the required documentation for the appropriate administration and deliverance of a Project.
Separately we can provide third party review and non-biased assessment of Contract documents to provide client comfort. We are able to assist our clients from developers, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.
Cash flow preparation and monitoring
Our cash flow forecasts can be prepared based on the clients requirements for purposes of cash management, future forecasting of expenditure and revenue to factor in both time and cost implications such as accruing interest, payment milestone, tracking and procurement of materials, labour resourcing, delay analysis to name a few.
Life Cycle Cost Exercises
Whilst initial capital outlay for Developers is a critical criteria, we aim to assist throughout the lifespan of a managed asset or investment. We are able to highlight key products, specifications and items included within the construction process that whilst initial outlay may be low, attract high future expense, maintenance or replacement prior to disposal of the investment, asset or development. This exercise will allow clients to make proactive decisions on adjusting specification early in the design or construction phase to avoid high future costs which will implicate profitability and yield on investment.
Design Review and Value Engineering Proposals
From general design review, third party review through to detailed value engineering proposals, our cost engineers in collaboration with our in-house design team will provide varying levels of review dependant on the clients requirements. With expertise in the design and build sector we are to provide non-biased review on construction methodology and innovative design alternatives that will result in reduced cost, increased construction speed and quicker yield on investment without affecting the quality or intent of the initial design intent and functional expectation.
Interim Applications and Cost Reporting, and Invoicing.
Support of Monthly Interim applications or assessment and review can be provided, monitoring against initial Estimates and Cash Flow forecasts for purposes of internal review and forecasting purposes.
General Contractual Advice
A number of our existing Clients sometimes just require ad-hoc contractual or legal advise for items such as reviewing tender and contract documents, highlighting contractual risks and exposure, guidance with varying forms of contract and mechanisms within contracts to either enforce or defend any disputed issues. An initial review before any legally binding contract is entered can be invaluable tool in pre-emptively raising potentially detrimental cost and time implications that could hinder project progress quality or ultimate completion whether from a Developers, Consultant or Contractors perspective.
Variation and Change Order assistance
Out-Surve have expert consultants who have the expertise and experience to assist with variation assessment and to advise fair and reasonable resolve. We are able to assist with measurement, valuation and assessment of potential time, cost and loss and expense relating to variations under various forms of contract.
Final Account Preparation
Out-Surve specializes in providing expert assistance with final account settlement in the construction industry. Our team ensures that all project costs, variations, and claims are accurately reviewed, documented, and negotiated to reach a fair and timely settlement between contractors, subcontractors, and clients. We help resolve disputes, verify payments, and streamline the financial closure process, ensuring transparency and compliance with contractual obligations. With our extensive industry knowledge, we minimize delays and discrepancies, delivering a smooth and efficient final account settlement.
Retention Monitoring and Recovery
Retentions are common practice in the construction industry with many sub-contractor having between 3 and 10% deducted off applications. Many Contractors and sub-contractors can struggle to recover this cash and often the process of recovery is frustrating and time-consuming, resulting in many companies not pursuing to obtain those monies.
Overhead review and analysis
It is essential for a company to fully understand the cost of its overhead and what level of margin needs to be achieved to cover this. We aim to fully understand and report the overheads, offering advice and assistance to get the overhead to an appropriate level for the business.
Business health check and GAP analysis
This is a full review of all the current business processes. We report on the current state and the target state and define a clear list of actions to support the company in achieving the target state.
Lessons learnt review
Our structured lessons learnt review upon completion of projects aim to provide extremely valuable feedback on the process from tendering, project inception through to completion, discuss the issues and constraints that were apparent and how to successful mitigate these in future issues. This will assist in capturing, disseminating and drive real improvement on future projects.
Training Workshops
Through our extensive in-house database of existing training material and bespoke training depending on our clients requirements we have provided training from Commercial awareness, contractual understanding, specialist take-off through to assistance in gaining Chartership. This can be done on an individual basis or corporate group sessions as required. In order to accommodate our clients needs we are able to complete these workshops either face to face or via long distance learning.