Our services
Davies Associates provide a comprehensive range of Quantity Surveying and Construction Consultancy services depending on the needs of individual projects and clients. Our services include:
+ Feasibility Estimates
The purpose of a Feasibility Estimate is to advise clients on the cost of a project when only limited design information is available. This allows decisions on the financial viability of a project to be made at an early stage and without significant costs being incurred. Davies Associates has an extensive database of construction costs built from recently completed projects and this allows us to provide effective feasibility estimate advice at the early stages of any development.
+ Cost Planning
Cost Planning is used to control the cost of construction projects prior to their start on site by monitoring the development of the design. Cost Plan reports are issued on a regular basis as the design evolves and are used to ensure that costs are kept within pre-agreed budgets. Davies Associates focuses on issuing both timely and accurate cost plan reports to allow clients to make key decisions with the full financial details of their project at their disposal.
+ Value Engineering
Value Engineering is the process of maximising a project’s value to a client while minimising its cost. Davies Associates have advised many clients on how best to achieve this goal by proposing alternative design concepts, materials, innovative procurement methods and forms of construction. This can be achieved without compromising the functional value or aesthetics of a project.
+ Procurement Advice
In simple 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 for participants within the building process and is a key factor to any project’s success. Davies Associates provide advice on this critical element, to ensure it is the most appropriate for each client, taking into account their specific development goals.
+ Tender Document Preparation
Davies Associates view the preparation of tender documents as the most important element of cost control for any project. This is the design team and client’s opportunity to accurately and specifically convey the project’s requirements to tendering contractors and is critical to minimising variations at later stages of the project. Davies Associates work closely with all design team members to ensure that the information provided is as comprehensive as possible and represents the specific needs of the project in a clear and concise manner. Depending on the requirements of each project, we will prepare detailed pricing documents (whether this is using Bills of Quantities, Contract Sum Analyses, Schedules of Work or other pricing document formats) for contractors to price with the aim of obtaining a truly ‘fixed price’ for the tendered work.
+ Tender Reports
A Tender Report analyses the tenders received for a project with a view to recommending the most advantageous to the client. It is crucial that tenders are compared on a ‘like for like’ basis to ensure that all bids are compliant with the project requirements and there are no significant omissions or exclusions. Tender reports prepared by Davies Associates are written with the specific aim of being clear, concise, comprehensive and conclusive. This allows clients to make effective decisions in their choice of contractor.
+ Contract Preparation
It is important to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of those engaged in construction projects and we recommend that a contract between the client and contractor is implemented on every project to achieve this. Davies Associates have significant expertise in recommending and drafting appropriate contracts for each project. This not only protects our client’s interests but assists with the smooth running of their projects.
+ Post-Contract Quantity Surveying
Once a construction project reaches the ‘on-site’ phase, a Quantity Surveyor has a number of crucial duties to perform to ensure that costs are controlled, these include: preparation of interim valuations (this recommends the amount to be paid to the contractor each month), assessing variations and advising on the financial effect of them, keeping clients regularly appraised of any changes to the project costs and updating cashflow forecasts in line with actual progress on site. Davies Associates employ a ‘no surprises’ philosophy on every project so that clients are always well informed during the post-contract stage and can make financial decisions on the project with certainty.
+ Final Account Negotiation
A Final Account is the agreed amount that the client will pay to the contractor at the end of a project. It needs to take into account all instructions given to the contractor throughout the contract and, particularly on larger projects, can be a complex task to complete. Davies Associates utilise their detailed knowledge of construction costs and contracts to negotiate optimum final account outcomes for their clients on all projects.
+ Contract Administration
Davies Associates have extensive experience of acting as Contract Administrator (CA) on complex construction projects. The role requires the CA to administer the terms of the contract between clients and their contractors. Expert contractual knowledge is paramount to this role being undertaken successfully and with experience of this gathered on both large and small projects in Guernsey and the UK, Davies Associates have seen an increased demand for this service in recent years.
+ Employer’s Agent
Design and build forms of construction contract require an Employer’s Agent to be appointed by clients to act on their behalf in administering this contract. This is a varied role and requires a detailed knowledge of a project’s design, costs, programme and contract if it is to be performed successfully. Davies Associates are currently acting as Employer’s Agent on several local developments and have a successful track record of delivering design and build projects over many years.