Browse Forums Building A New House Re: 'Broker' to find a Builder - a good way of going? 2Mar 27, 2014 9:31 pm Need hints, tips and inspiration? Join me on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ournewhomecoach Who am I? See my LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jennifer-crawford/1a/429/296 Re: 'Broker' to find a Builder - a good way of going? 3Mar 29, 2014 9:31 am jenathome Hi GlennGreaves, The person you are looking for is a quantity surveyor rather than a "broker" per se. A quantity surveyor is a person that prepares cost estimates for building work. They are an independent consultant and many architects use them on larger projects. Their role in the industry has diminished a little over the years with the rise of design and construct contracts and the like. A good QS is invaluable. They are the most thorough people around and will go through your drawings and documentation with a fine tooth comb. They will ask you for the details of everything so that their estimates are as accurate as possible. I've started looking into Quantity Surveyors after your suggestion. One company says that they can help in the selection of the builder - so playing a similar role to the companies that act as a broker for finding a builder. Differences I guess would be that a Quantity Surveyor presumably has to have certain qualifications, and get paid directly by me (whereas the broker gets paid by the builder and so I only pay indirectly) jenathome Hi GlennGreaves, I am not a QS by the way, but I have worked in offices that have used them and think that they are a highly undervalued resource. Once the QS has a cost estimate for you, you can then compare that with the tenders that the builders will provide. An architect may offer you an "opinion of probable cost" (that's a real term by the way, but the QS can give you something far more accurate because of how detailed they are. snip Cheers, Jenny. Many thanks for your advice Jenny, it sounds like the sensible thing to do Broker here - legislation says that every true broker must put the clients best interests before theirs so in theory they must offer you the best options for you on their… 2 46003 I would never build with Fowler homes. I built with them in 2021 and till date maintenance issues are pending. All their existing trades and businesses don't work with… 14 105490 Hi I am wanting some opinions about the build of a steel shed I am going to get one about 4.5 x 2.5 m steel shed and the height will be about 2.3-2.4m high The one I am… 0 14435 |