28
FEATURE
The materials and specifications reflected on the pages of a bills of quantities reflect what is specified by the architect and engineers on their drawings and specifications . The drawings and specifications are reflected in the bills of quantities in a manner that permits detailed pricing of a building project , thus enabling valuing of work on site for monthly payments as well as an excellent mechanism for adjusting the price should the design or specification be changed by the architect or engineers .
When it comes to plumbing , these installations are often not adequately designed nor specified by an architect or engineer at the time of preparing bills of quantities or any other type of tender document . The QS then , using what limited specification information is available , ‘ designs ’ and measures the plumbing in the bills of quantities . This is not how it should be but , this does occur .
The design consultants should not be specifying products that are not compliant with national or local regulations or standards . We can understand how this can create a problem when on site . Remember that when pricing an item in a bill of quantities you must price for the item specified . relevant persons named in the tender document and ensure that the responses received clearly answer the questions or result in an amendment to the tender information . These queries must relate to products you believe do not comply to standards and not because you want changes to suit one of your suppliers . If the pricing is less formal , make the necessary enquiries while you are pricing and get it resolved at that point .
I have had quantity surveyors telling me that plumbers try , and sometimes succeed , in changing specs to suit their preferred supplier and the consequence is not cost-effective or not SABS . As noted above , the design team , architect and engineer are responsible for the specification of materials in the building . Any changes to specifications or materials suggested by the plumber while on site or before plumbing installations commence on site must be approved by the relevant member of the design team and it is incumbent upon the plumber to provide the relevant paperwork to the design team that shows the alternative products are in accordance with SABS standards and any other standards that may apply . As noted above , changes to specifications must be for valid reasons and not simply to change to a preferred supplier .
The correct way to prevent or minimise this problem is during the tender / pricing period . Submit your queries containing your concerns about the specification through the main contractor to the
The consultant QS also plays an important role here in that they need to ensure that any revised pricing falls within the budget or if the cost is higher that this is reported on and that the Principal Agent obtains
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2021 Volume 27 I Number 9