FEATURE
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approval for the cost increase from the client . Costs savings because of approved alternative materials or products must also be calculated .
I recall some time ago being told that plumbers cause the quantity surveyors ‘ grief .’ Unfortunately plumbing sub-contractors have a reputation , whether earned or not , for over claiming quantities in their monthly valuations and final accounts . In my years of experience , I have seen these many times . In addition , when alternative products or specifications are approved , the pricing for these is often higher than the pricing level in the bills of quantities and obtaining a price breakdown priced in the same manner as the tender pricing is often difficult . There is often a long ‘ story ’ about increased costs , for example , from the plumbing sub-contractor . So , I believe many consultant quantity surveyors will sympathise with the above statement .
What influence does the QS have in the selection of the plumber , or is it left to the main contractor ? Should the QS have some influence ? It is up to the main contractor to select which domestic subcontractors they use on the project . Most tender documents will state that the main contractor needs to provide a list of the domestic sub-contractors they intend using for comment and approval by the Principal Agent and by implication the entire professional team which includes the QS during the site mobilisation stage . However , good reasons need to be provided by the professional team to the main contractor if they reject any of the domestic sub-contractors . In my experience , changes to the main contractor ’ s proposed list of domestic sub-contractors are seldom done . So , in short , the consultant QS has very little , if any influence over the selection of the plumbing sub-contractor . In the case of selected and nominated sub-contractors the professional team has much influence ; however most plumbing sub-contractors are however domestic .
It could be argued that the professional team and therefore the consultant QS should have more influence over the selection of the domestic sub-contractors , but this would lead to several unintended problems . One could be that if the main contractor is having performance and productivity issues with a domestic subcontractor which the professional team insisted , they use , the main contractor could submit claims for time or costs .
It is important to leave the contractual responsibility of constructing a building to the standards and timing required to the main contractor and for them to decide on the ‘ how ’ they will achieve this . The key for a professional team and the building client is to select a competent main contractor . PA
“ When it comes to plumbing , these installations are often not adequately designed or specified .”
November 2021 Volume 27 I Number 9