Yes — in many cases, clients appoint us for standalone cost advice.

Early-stage cost planning is often the most valuable input on a project, particularly at feasibility or concept design stage. We regularly provide cost plans without an obligation to proceed to later stages.

That said, it’s worth understanding that cost certainty is strongest when cost advice is carried through as the design develops. On refurbishment projects especially, ongoing involvement can help manage change as unknowns emerge.

We’re always happy to discuss the most appropriate level of service for a particular project.

A Quantity Surveyor provides independent advice on cost, value, and risk throughout a construction project.

This typically includes:

• Preparing cost plans and budgets

• Advising on procurement and contracts

• Monitoring costs during construction

• Managing change and variations

• Assisting with final account agreement

On refurbishment projects, the role often extends to helping clients understand and manage unknowns within existing buildings, ensuring decisions are taken with cost implications clearly understood.

Professional fees vary depending on the nature of the project, the level of involvement required, and the complexity of the works — particularly on refurbishment projects.

Rather than applying fixed prices, fees are typically structured to reflect:

• Project size and complexity

• Stage of appointment

• Scope of services required

• Programme and procurement approach

We’ve set out a more detailed explanation of how professional fees work, including typical fee structures and what influences them, on our Fees page.

👉 Link here: Understanding professional fees

Our services can cover different stages depending on client needs.
A summary of typical scope is available here.

👉 Typical QS Scope

We work regularly with a range of contractors and can assist clients in identifying suitable builders for their project.

However, we don’t operate a fixed “preferred contractor” list. Our approach is to recommend procurement routes that suit the project and support a fair, transparent selection process.

This helps ensure appointments are based on experience, suitability, and value — rather than informal recommendation alone.

Yes. We regularly assist clients at the very early stages of a project, including advising on the appointment of an architect.

This typically involves:

• Clarifying the brief and scope

• Advising on the level of service required

• Recommending architects with relevant experience

The goal is to ensure the professional team is appropriate for the scale, complexity, and nature of the project — particularly important on refurbishment work.

Yes. Engineer input is often critical on refurbishment and adaptation projects, especially where existing structures are involved.

We can help clients:

• Understand when engineering input is required

• Appoint engineers with suitable experience

• Coordinate scope alongside the wider design team

Early involvement can significantly reduce risk later in the project.

Most construction projects in the UK broadly follow the RIBA Plan of Work, which breaks a project down into defined stages — from early feasibility through to completion.

In simple terms, these stages help structure:

• Design development

• Cost planning

• Decision points

• Delivery

While not every project follows the stages rigidly, they provide a useful framework for understanding how a project progresses and when key decisions are made. We tailor our services to suit the project rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all process.

In most cases, earlier is better.

Early professional input allows cost, programme, and risk to inform decisions before design becomes fixed. This is particularly important on refurbishment and adaptation projects, where unknowns within existing buildings can have a significant impact if not considered early.

A QS or project manager can often add the most value:

• At feasibility or concept stage

• When budgets are being set

• Before appointments or procurement decisions are made

Late appointments are still possible, but the opportunity to influence outcomes is reduced.

The level of information required depends on the stage of the project, but an initial cost plan can often be prepared with relatively limited detail.

Typically useful information includes:

• A brief description of the project and objectives

• Any available drawings or sketches

• An indication of budget expectations

• Known constraints (planning, programme, occupation, etc.)

• Whether the project involves refurbishment, extension, or new build

Where information is limited, assumptions can be clearly set out and tested as the design develops.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.