To me it doesnt really matter what architects charge whether 6 or 7%, I dont see the value.

I think the challenge is to the above mentioned building professionals to actually to much more work in not just educating the investing public but also adding value adds. I believe maybe I can pay that for a 'green' building as the savings will offset the initial cost.

We do not dispute that. The point is, a Qs is duplication of effort as explained in the other strings.

A quantity surveyor(referred to as a cost engineer in US) is important any construction project design team. Its true that u can do without a QS in a project, but the value added when one is involved can not be refuted.

The architect is trained to interpret a clients requirements into a concept/a form.. and thus he comes up with an architectural design. From this architectural design, the structural engineer is called in to do the structural design for the architectural design to be achieved...

the importance of involving a Qs in the design team is to assess the cost implications of various designs. And by so doin, at the very initial stage of the design, you will be designing to a cost and not costing a design as there is usually what the client can afford ie the client's budget.

there are the various stages of design:-
1. inception/feasibility stage - the QS will assess the feasibility of the project in terms of affordability and value addition.
2. Outline Proposals - After the initial feasibility studies and preliminary estimates have been prepared, the Quantity Surveyor prepares the cost plan from the Architect’s preliminary drawings. The cost plan divides a building into its various functional elements and allocates costs to these elements. In this way it is possible to ensure a proper apportionment of expenditure over the various elements. Proposals for alternative materials and designs are costed as the design progresses and the cost implications are presented to the client and other consultations are made with knowledge of the overall cost involved.

3. To be short, after the design is complete, the QS will prepare the final BQs. Bills of Quantities are the translation of the designer’s drawings and specification into describing the building works in words and quantities. They enable each contractor tendering to estimate his price on exactly the same basis as his competitors. the BQs provide a basis for the financial management of the contract.
4. Construction stage - Cost control - the QS uses the cost plan prepared in the design stages as a basis for cost control during the construction process.Variations sometimes to take account of the client’s changing needs, sometimes to overcome site conditions which could not be foreseen such as the presence of underground site conditions _ The Qs estimates the costs of proposed variations and reports their impact on the probable final cost, so that corrective steps may be taken elsewhere in the work, if the client requires, to keep the cost within the budget.

The QS will prepare at regular intervals financial statements which keep the client and designers fully informed of the up-to-date financial position and the anticipated final cost of the work.

5. Valuation of work in progress for stage payments
6. Preparing a final account by adjusting the contract sum in accordance with the terms of the contract to take account of any variations, of adjustments in the accounts of nominated sub-contractors and suppliers and of any other matters for which the contract allows.

@Kaigangio & all,The QS is adequately trained in construction law(contract, tort, agency, land laws,..); architectural and structural design; economics; management; accounting; .. just to mention but a few. Their specialty is cost management and construction contracts.

Just like u go to a shoe shiner on the street, or take a taxi while u cud do shining and the driving urself, an architect or a civil engineer cud as well do what the QSs do, But i think the ideal thing wud be to leave everything to the specialists. We can not do all,

each person in the design team has a special role, that is why each is a professional. the architect cud as well do the structural design..,Fundis can design for u and build if its a matter of saving costs..

There is something called Engineers Estimate. There are softwares that design and produce quantities.
Personally, i don't understand why i do a design, prepare bar bending schedule, get the total kilograms of reinforcemnet required then all the QS does is multiply the kilograms by unit price.
He does the same to the volume of concrete.

For contract management and standard documents, you can use FIDIC and PPOA documents which can be downloaded from the link below.
PPOA Documents

@holycow,

As fantony has put it, these free software tools dont do the job.

I have worked in the IT industry all my life and have even paid for software related to building your own house.

However, that does not mean that you dont need a QS.

Read my message above no. 36.

Unless you want to be the QS on your project, it is not possible. 1) you are not qualified
2) Do you have the time
3) If as in my case the project is in Mombasa and I am in Nairobi, how do I control it.
4) Who gives the certificates for work completed for staged payments

I promise you the 2% is well worth the hasle you avoid.

As I mentioned in my post above Mama ( the BOSS ) had changed her mind on the tiles in the kitchen.

Since then she has decided that instead of a plain hardwood front door she wants a carved Zanzibar door.

Just looking at the detailed B of M, we can see the cost impact straight away.

I am currently waiting for my Mama to think of something else to change ( she is a very creative Mama !!!! )

I hate to think what would happen if I didnt have a QS, and had to deal with it myself on the phone of email or even fly down to Mombasa.

Save yourself the headaches and probably money by having a QS.

Regards