Quantity Surveyors are aiming to play a crucial role in getting “frozen” infrastructure development projects back on track. “Municipal managers and classically trained accountants are currently expected to deliver complex projects,” says Larry Feinberg, Executive Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). “Not only is this expectation unfair on them without them having received the proper training; it’s also part of the reason why some large infrastructure development projects have been suspended or have ground to a halt.”

According to Feinberg the ASAQS has been in talks with senior government officials and other industry bodies to create solutions that can assist with training and professional support to those charged with delivering these projects.

“Training on the use of standards documentation is but one of the areas where Professional Quantity Surveyors can be of assistance,” explains Feinberg. “Deploying Professional Quantity Surveyors to upper echelons in government is one of the mechanisms that can be used to good effect to educate officials on good governance in procurement, bidding and tendering processes, and the complex process of managing the construction process from a cost control point of view.”

The “Send Me” call made by President Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation address earlier this year has resonated with many and sparked collaborative action across many economic sectors. Feinberg hopes that this call can be used as a basis for professionals in the built environment to bridge focus areas that traditionally operate in and create solutions that serve the best interest of the public and the fiscus.

“Our interactions on several discussion platforms are focused on how to bridge the gap between what Thuma Mina means for the public sector and how our members can assist,” says Feinberg. The ASAQS has consistently promoted the role of a Quantity Surveyors as one that plays a significant part in curbing instances of fraud and wasteful expenditure.

“The time for behaviours that – intentionally or unintentionally – resist collaboration is over,” says Feinberg. “It is now time for all of us to share knowledge and expertise, so we can collectively respond to the President’s call.”

 
A “cost per square metre rate” is a method of expressing building cost that should be used with extreme caution by both clients and contractors involved in the cost comparison and cost planning process, says former Association of South African Quantity Surveyor President, Bert van den Heever. There are a number of design variables which can adversely influence square metre rates, thereby giving a false impression of the cost of a building project and this can lead to serious problems for both clients and contractors.


​“You will not compare a Porsche to a Volkswagen on the basis of their cost per square metre, so why try and do it with buildings?” asks van den Heever
 
“As a client, a generic cost per square metre rate doesn’t give you the detailed information that you need regarding finishes, fittings, services, site development costs, etc. There is a wide range of other building elements that also have an impact on costs and therefor quantity surveyors normally do elemental estimates to derive the square meter cost of a project. “An elemental estimate provides cost build-ups for elements such as the substructure, ground floor, external façade,  roofs, etc. and enables the quantity surveyor to advise the client on aspects of cost at a very early stage” says van den Heever.
 
“It is important to note that less than 40% of a building’s cost is the structure itself, so the project is far from completed once the foundation has been laid, the walls have been built and the roof constructed. Smaller contractors who tender on a cost per square metre basis puts both themselves and their clients at risk.” says van den Heever. We have, on numerous occasions, been approached by clients or their attorneys when building contracts turn sour, only to find that because there was no detailed breakdown of the costs, the project had run into trouble or come to a standstill due to overpayments on the structural elements,” says van den Heever.
 
Why and how design variables play a role
A square metre rate is calculated by dividing the net cost of the building (excluding site works, cost of land, etc.) by the gross square metres of the building or Gross Floor Area (GFA). Typically GFA can be defined as the total floor area inside the building envelope, including the external walls, and excluding the roof.
 
“As a general rule, the simpler the shape of a building, the lower the unit cost will be, but even this can be misleading as a square building of 10x10m and a rectangular building of 25x4m have the same floor area but the rectangular building requires 45% more walling to enclose it. More intricate designs generally result in higher perimeter/floor area ratios – increasing excavation costs, drainage costs and a number of other construction related costs significantly,” explains van den Heever.
 
Hiring a Quantity Surveyor early in the project, preferably not later than when sketch plans are being prepared by the architect, will put a client in the best possible position to achieve the look, finishes and final touches they want and still remain within their budget.

“Both the client and the architect need to be fully aware of any additional costs or savings that may arise from shape, size, circulation space and a number of other variables in the design of a building. The services of a registered Quantity Surveyor can help them adopt an approach that will assist the client in achieving a suitable balance between cost, aesthetics and functional aspects,” concludes van den Heever.
ENDS

 
MEDIA CONTACT: Carla Coetzee, 072 112 8347, carla@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za  
 
For more information on ASAQS please visit:
Website: http://www.asaqs.co.za/
Facebook: The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors

There are some very good reasons why alternative building methods aren’t that feasible in the South African market. They can potentially be more expensive than traditional methods, don’t inspire customer trust and may not be as aesthetically pleasing. Alternative building methods also come with a hidden price tag that can impact on quality and finish.
 
“There is a resistance to alternative methods in South Africa,” says Bert van den Heever, Immediate Past President of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). “Most of the alternative construction methods have concentrated on providing alternative walling and roofing systems, the two largest elements you see when looking at a building. “Trying to save money on walling using alternative building methods is sometimes a futile exercise as walling normally comes in at less than 10% of the total project cost,” van den Heever said.
 
The use of clad walling systems has resulted in a negative perception in the lower end of the housing market called the Knock Factor Effect. People knock the walls, if they sound hollow they instantly perceive the build as not solid or secure. They want to solidity of brick – the traditional materials - over the perceived flimsiness of panels – the alternative ones.”
 
In addition to the impact of perception, alternative building materials are not always readily available in South Africa and often have to be imported. This pins on a price tag that few can afford. As a result, there is some growth within the high-end market, but limited uptake in the lower end of the market.
 
“The value of using alternative building methods is hard to quantify,” says van den Heever. “We can show a client how using method B compared to method A will affect costs and often the answer isn’t in favour of alternative solutions. What we do is look at is every aspect of the building and assess exactly what the costs are going to be from the start. We bring clarity – you may not like the answer, but you will know exactly where you stand.”
 
Whether adopting alternative or investing in traditional, the method and materials of the build are not the questions that the customer should be asking. Instead, they should be looking at the impact of cost right from the planning stage of the project to ensure that every part of the project, from the meters to the materials, are assessed and evaluated.
 
“People often complain that there are hidden costs in their build; that the project price is stacking up in spite of a clear quote at the start,” adds van den Heever. “That’s the pitfall that the quantity surveyor helps you avoid. We can put figures down that show you what you can get, from what you want, in the budget you have. You want to invest in alternative building methods? With that kind of clarity into spend and capability, you can, and you can do it without unpleasant surprises.”

​ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 082 222 9198, cathlen@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za  
 
For more information on ASAQS please visit:
Website: http://www.asaqs.co.za/
Facebook: The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors

The construction industry has always been cyclic, enjoying a boom for several consecutive years only to face a slump afterwards. Eventually, things pick up again. South Africa's last upward cycle ended around 2010 in step with the global economic crisis. Since then, quantity surveyors have been feeling the pinch. Unfortunately, this trend looks set to continue into 2017.
 
However, quantity surveyors have always been value enablers in the construction industry. In 2017 they should strive to promote the results they produce, not just their technical capabilities. In a down economy, investors hope to do more with less and the quantity surveyors are in a prime position to help them reach that goal. The price of their services are easily offset by the cost savings achieved from their advice on sensible construction choices, such as cost-effective substitutes or avenues for realising lower building life cycle costs. So quantity surveyors can thrive, but they will need to work harder to build awareness of the value they add.
 
Another notable trend for 2017 is the Construction Sector Charter Council’s revised construction sector codes. The new codes are designed to bring the industry in line with the black economic empowerment and transformation targets set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). While the codes are still open for comment, quantity surveying firms should familiarise themselves to ensure they are prepared in the coming year.
 
Technologies available to the quantity surveyor appear set to continue developing in line with other industries. Various software packages exist for quantity surveying and they should make the most of suitable technologies. Automation of repetitive tasks brings greater efficiency, resulting in faster service and higher profits. However, technology is only a tool and cannot replace sound business advice, solve problems or suggest alternatives.
 
The #FeesMustFall movement has called into question whether or not 2017 will suffer a skills gap due to a lack of graduates. We’ve yet to see how this will affect quantity surveying. However, the construction industry is a cornerstone of the South African economy. The government is well aware of the talent required to keep it strong and there’s a huge drive to develop skills in all fields. So the expectation is that there will be sufficient expertise next year.
 
In the past, green buildings were assumed to cost nearly 60% more than traditional ones. But a recent study by ASAQS, The Green Building Council of South Africa and the University of Pretoria, using data from 54 green star certified office buildings around the country, shows that costs actually average around 5% and may drop as low as 1.1%. That's a small price to pay for protecting our future. In 2017, quantity surveyors should take the initiative and recommend sustainable building practices and materials.
 
While the forecast for 2017 isn’t ideal, there is a greater need for quantity surveying than ever. By leveraging every opportunity and promoting their cost-cutting guile, quantity surveyors will thrive.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Cathlen Fourie, 082 222 9198, cathlen@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za  
 
For more information on ASAQS please visit:
Website: http://www.asaqs.co.za/
Facebook: The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors