Table of Contents Introduction to Tender Meetings The Importance of Pre-Tender Meetings Understanding Tender Clarification Meetings Deep Dive: Tender Handover Meetings from Estimating to QS Construction Site Handover Checklist Specialised Tender Types and Improvements Enhancing the Tender Process Through Various Strategies Comprehensive List and Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Leveraging discovery Platforms and Tender Expertise Effective Bid Management… Continue reading What’s a Tender Meeting?: Tender Handover Tips
Blog
Undervalued CPD – improving your Construction Knowledge via Specialist Subcontractors
In my experience, when I think about the best QS’ that I’ve come into contact with, they all share one thing in common. Not only do they have the pre-requisite contractual knowledge to do the job, but they also have a really sound practical understanding of construction. By best I mean the QS who finds… Continue reading Undervalued CPD – improving your Construction Knowledge via Specialist Subcontractors
Eggs in one basket – weighing up the risk of multi-letting packages to one subcontractor
I was letting a ventilation package to a subcontractor and there was a big AHU (air handling unit) partially connected to the package. With the AHU, my initial thoughts were to buy the unit and have the ventilation subcontractor install it. Although this was my planned method to proceed, at tender, I asked the ventilation… Continue reading Eggs in one basket – weighing up the risk of multi-letting packages to one subcontractor
Bringing your construction team into the procurement process
It’s difficult not to feel isolated as a QS. Everyone working around you on a project tends to work within a team, whereas the QS tends to work as the sole lead on the commercial aspects of the project. Where you fit into the dynamics of the project is integral, but to make sure you’re… Continue reading Bringing your construction team into the procurement process
Understanding where materials are sourced
A few years ago, I was trying to source a carpet that had been specified by the architect. I knew a little about carpets and competitive rates, and the specified product was double the rate of similar products I’d seen in the past. I approached my flooring contractor to ask if there was an alternative… Continue reading Understanding where materials are sourced
Making the most of equal approved
When you’re handed a job as a QS, you want to find the potential financial gains that you can make based on what you’ve allowed versus the scope, and if there is an equal approved opportunity. Getting a good understanding of this upfront is one of the most effective and simplest ways of internally value… Continue reading Making the most of equal approved
Squeezing every penny – Is it really worth it?
Knowing when to stop squeezing your supply chain is an important intuition that you develop with time. Most people involved in procurement see their main objective as buying at the lowest price possible. But is the lowest price the lowest cost? As a QS, I have felt that other people within the business viewed me… Continue reading Squeezing every penny – Is it really worth it?
Spec and Drawings – Minimising your risk and reducing cost
Procurement is one of the most time-consuming tasks for a QS and when I’ve tendered packages in the past, I normally chose the spec and drawings approach. But, from my experiences as a subcontractor from the other side of the table, I’ve also seen it used as an opportunity for the main contractor to sneak… Continue reading Spec and Drawings – Minimising your risk and reducing cost
C-Link Upgrade!
We’ve just undergone some product upgrades at C-Link. We’re really happy with the changes and think they’ll have a big impact in helping our connect professionals with specialist contractors, and improve the procurement process all round. Supply Chains With C-Link, Pros can now host their entire supply chain on one platform and upload their existing… Continue reading C-Link Upgrade!
Payment Provisions: JCT Design & Build
As is usual in JCT contracts there are two methods for determining payments, termed ‘stage’ and ‘periodic’ payments; both of which provide for monthly payments, the difference being in the method of determining what is to be paid. The Contract Particulars giving the option for which payment method will apply for the project in question.… Continue reading Payment Provisions: JCT Design & Build