Historic Restoration
At SelwayJoyce our team of experienced quantity surveyors have developed systems and working techniques that allow us to successfully control and manage costs for Historic and Ancient Buildings and Structures. We have an extensive portfolio of previous projects where our sound knowledge and working skills in conservation works have been adopted successfully.
In matters relating to the care and treatment of historic and ancient buildings the services of the quantity surveyor should not be undervalued by the building owner or protector. The employment of a knowledgeable and experienced ‘cost consultant’ in these matters will undoubtedly aid the process of procuring building works and successfully controlling financial matters throughout the course of a scheme which may comprise either restoration, conservation, refurbishment, alteration, maintenance or indeed a combination of all these.
Special requirements of (and understanding from) the quantity surveyor to be employed in this role should also not be overlooked. The skills of quantity surveyors in the successful completion of new building schemes are essential. However, the problems presented and solutions often adopted for building conservation schemes will require a further level of understanding from the quantity surveyor in carrying out his duties.
Considerations such as working practices, priorities of work sequencing, employment of traditional craft skills and the restrictions imposed by minimal intervention (to name but a few) all require special attention from the quantity surveyor in understanding how cost management systems need to be organised and successfully implemented for historic building schemes.
It is often the case that works required to an historic building will only be fully known after the project has been under way for some time. This will present the quantity surveyor with fundamental problems in the identification, understanding, quantification and management of inherent risks that will directly impact on the overall cost for the scheme. Clearly a specialist knowledge and approach from the quantity surveyor will be required for him to provide his client with useful and meaningful cost information. Our gained experience will greatly assist in mitigating potential extra expenditure.
Our specific aims in providing quantity surveying services for works to historic and ancient buildings are: -
•From the time of appointment, to work closely with the client, other members of the design team, specialist contractors and local authority team members to ensure a thorough understanding of the particular needs of the building and the client are known.
•To provide very detailed cost planning advice which assists feasibility and cash-flow decisions, highlights cost targets for remedial works based on prioritising key repair packages and ensures that procurement decisions can be taken with confidence.
•To administer the procurement process in the most effective way by considering each project in isolation and determining how best to achieve the correct balance between client and contractor risk.
•To manage the cost control of the on-site works effectively and to monitor the works within pre-agreed cost targets for separate work packages. Whilst so doing, to ensure that the building receives the best course of attention to remedy any defects thereby ensuring the ongoing usefulness of the building for its users and owners (present and future).
•To promote the benefits of preventative maintenance to our clients. Historic and ancient buildings require ongoing rather than sporadic attention. After any major phase of repair works therefore, we can assist and advise on the implementation of a managed maintenance programme and can act in the future cost control and management of such a scheme.
