Design Dilemma's
April 3, 2025
Hard Cost Estimate
I recently did a Cost estimate for the client of an Architect from a Sketch design drawing.I remember it was a beautiful split level house drawn by an overseas architect, similar in style to those mid-century designs from America in the 1950’s.The NZ Architect and Cl...
Estimating costs of building during design
March 22, 2025
Engaging a Q.S. as a Design partner
Traditionally, Quantity Surveyors and Estimator are not considered part of the design process as are other professional services like Architects and Engineers.My view from over 30 years experience as an Estimator is that a relatively small amount of money spent in looking at...
Renovation Cost Blowouts are Unnecessary
March 7, 2025
Renovation cost blowouts are unnecessary
There is probably not a week that goes by when I am not talking to someone about a renovation job that exceeded the expected budget, sometimes catastrophically and significantly.I have real-life examples where the cost has doubled or the full cost has been reached and the jo...
Creating Interest and Competition at Tender time
January 24, 2025
Schedule of Quantities and Tender.
Recently, i was reading an article on the advantages of using a Schedule of Quantities for tendering by another Quantity Surveyor and i can across a phrase that caught my attention. It said “providing a schedule of quantities to Tenderers will generate more interest”…M...
Do I want to hear this? You need to hear this.
October 22, 2024
It happened to me!
Even as a Quantity Surveyor , the figures and bottom line can be helpful / confronting / depressing.To cut to the chase, I am talking about wanting to build a new home, refurbish your existing one or add on to it but the costs seem to high.It happened to me with my own home ...
Hourly rates are good...... aren't they?
March 19, 2024
The Contract Line
I had recently come across a line in a building contract which read " you will only be charged for the hours that are used".I was stunned for a while after reading that. I must have read it wrong. No, I read it again and the self-evident statement was still there.It is a rel...
Cost impact of incomplete design in buildings
October 4, 2023
Pitfalls of incomplete design
Recently, a client approached me with a predicament. They had signed a contract with a group housing company to build a new house, but there was a significant issue – the design work had not been completed at the time of contract signing. As a result, much of the geotechni...
Can I help you?
September 20, 2023
Engage a Quantity Surveyor for my next Build Project. Why?
Why do I do this? Why do I? Why am I a quantity surveyor?Unlocking the Role of a Quantity Surveyor: Beyond the NumbersEver wondered why I chose to become a Quantity Surveyor, often referred to as a cost estimator? In essence, my role revolves around helping individuals and b...
Residential Quantity Surveying
June 10, 2023
What got me thinking…
I was visiting the site of a new residential house build the other day and talking to the Builder he opined that “with people currently struggling to afford the amount they have to borrow to build nowadays, then they have the extra expense of a Quantity Surveyor on top of ...
Advantages of using a Quantity Surveyor
February 12, 2023
Although often considered a service more likely to be used by a commercial project or large-scale projects, there are many potential benefits that can be had for the Residential build or even the home Renovation project. Here are a few points to consider and to view as an al...
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Contact
Phone: 0274-204-746
Email: kevin@mtestimating.solutions
Location: 35 Fantail Drive, Maungatapu, Tauranga
