The role of a Quantity Surveyor is to estimate and control costs for large construction projects while ensuring that the resulting building or development meets legal and quality standards. This is a rather broad remit that means Quantity Surveyors should be involved at all stages of a project.
Subcontractors typically don’t have the resources to employ a Quantity Surveyor, although they leave themselves at risk if they don’t have professional advice and management of tendering, contracts, administration and post contract processes.
SubPort is an award winning quantity surveying consultancy. We support subcontractors by helping them to mitigate risk and secure profits by looking after the administration and legal aspects of the business while they focus on delivering their projects. These are the elements of a subcontractor business that are typically neglected due to lack of time, yet are extremely important.
QS support for subcontractors
The SubPort quantity surveying (QS) support for subcontractors begins at the tendering and estimating stage of a project. We compete PQQs (Pre-Qualification Questionnaires) on behalf of subcontractors. This is a fact find form that tells contractors the level of experience the subcontractor has and what their financial position is. If this isn’t completed correctly, it could result in the subcontractor not being put forward for a project.
QS support for subcontractors also involves producing a tender book and rate to estimate and produce a Bill of Quantities, as well as multi-discipline take offs that ensure the project is profitable.
Other areas of support include recovering money that has been subject to retentions. This is a long-winded process that subcontractors don’t have the time to dedicate resources to. SubPort also carry out contract reviews, settle final accounts, chase bad debts, represent subcontractors at meetings and hold business reviews that include cashflow and profitability analysis.
Commercial support for subcontractors
Commercial support for subcontractors is a significant part of the Quantity Surveyor role that SubPort provides. Commercial administration is extensive and can be overwhelming if left. We help by collating preparations and submitting payment applications and variations or compensation statements.
SubPort handle change control ensuring that any alteration to a scope of works is administered, calculated and applied for correctly. Errors within this administration can cause delays and be costly to subcontractors.
Should there be any contractual disputes, SubPort will manage the subcontractor’s response and represent the subcontractor at meetings to ensure that all risks are mitigated.
Subcontractors need to know that their work is profitable so SubPort report on the financial performance of each project by measuring costs against budgets. SubPort will also prepare and negotiate final account settlements.
How can we help you?
SubPort was set up to subcontractors with quantity surveying and commercial tasks.
If you are interested in commercial support for subcontractors get in touch with the team at SubPort to find out how we can help.
