Quantity Surveying + Cost Consultancy

Our team provide construction cost advice and quantity surveying from inception to completion to ensure your project is delivered with the highest level of cost certainty and value for money possible through all stages of a project. We are experts in both public and private sector projects including Health, Education, Blue Light, Industrial, Residential, Assisted Living, Leisure, Libraries and Retail.

Working closely with our clients we manage our cost advice through a series of gateways and proactively control forecast cost and expenditure against budgets to completion. As projects evolve and adapt we ensure regular communication and transparent cost advice is maintained to ensure our client can be confident that we are driving to achieve cost and value targets, whilst managing challenges and changes.

From small projects to large, we can adapt the services we provide to suit the client’s needs and budgets.

Our Quantity Surveying +Cost Consultancy services include:

• Development appraisals• Feasibility studies and business case appraisal• Building costs and economic guidance• Estimating/budgeting services• Measurement services• Tender advice including building contract and Procurement strategies, advice and selection• Public sector procurement compliance advice• Cost planning• Value engineering• Cash flow forecasting• Cost control and risk management• Valuations and cost certificates• Produce pricing documentation including both NRM And SMM bills of quantities• Agreeing main contractors and sub-contractors Final accounts• Due diligence/fund monitoring

Quantity Surveying +Cost Consultancy at Concertus

Concertus is a vibrant multi-disciplinary design and property consultancy based in Ipswich, Suffolk. We specialise in the delivery of quality, innovative and value focused projects that bring our clients’ vision to life.

We offer wide ranging professional expertise and knowledge, creating successful solutions that are tailor-made to meet our clients’ needs.

Working across a number of specialisms, we are an enthusiastic, passionate and talented team of property specialists and designers who provide a range of services to clients in both the public and private sectors.

We strive to make places, properties and people be the best they can by working collaboratively with all parties to create effective and sustainable built environments.

Welcome to Concertus

Project Location / Ipswich, SuffolkProject Sector / Community and ResidentialProject Value / Feasibility stage cost estimate £1.8 million

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying +Cost Consultancy, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Building Services, Structural + Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture

Lavenham RoadCase Study

Riverwalk SchoolCase Study

The Brief / The brief was to provide a new adult residential respite and supported living care home. We are working (with the client) to a brief incorporating strict guidelines from NHS England who are funding the project. The budget is time critical and required planning with a start on site before the end of the 2018/19 financial year. This project required us to obtain planning consent by the end of 2018 and make a start on site by 2019.

The Scope / We were instructed to complete a feasibility study, support with the funding bid, prepare information, submit a planning application and deliver the scheme through to completion. The sloping site presented several challenges and was of interest to archaeologists being in the vicinity of a Bronze Age cremation site, as well as Roman and Iron Age finds. Following receipt of planning consent, we carried out a full design and value engineering to provide approximately 6% savings.

The project will involve our project management and quantity surveying services through to completion. Our collaborative approach to project delivery will include continued client and stakeholder engagement during design and construction phases of the project.

The Commission / To meet the client’s requirements and make sure the building works efficiently, we have worked closely with a number of statutory bodies and advisers including NHS England, occupational therapists, the end user/service provider, the local planning authority, building control, the fire service and acoustic engineers. As a multi-disciplinary practice, we have extensive experience of working with clients and stakeholders throughout the entire design process, ensuring that the client’s brief is developed and their aspirations are met within the parameters of the budget constraints.

The Brief / This project required us to extend and re-model the redundant, dilapidated Hardwick Middle School building. This was in order to provide a new special school with 17no. class bases and associated teaching and therapy provisions.

The Scope / The works included a new roof, windows and doors (externally) and new heating, re-wiring and new finishes (internally). We worked closely with the client, key stakeholders and the governing body to ensure the requirements of the scope and provision were met. The new soft landscaping area provided a space within a calming environment for informal play and teaching opportunities.

Working in partnership with the contractor’s supply chain and interrogating the costs ensured the best value was achieved on

all construction packages. Our value engineering works for the roof coverings led to an amendment in the specification which enabled the equivalent guarantee. The alternative product allowed us to recover the existing roof within the same budget as the original design.

The Result / The existing school was successfully extended and transformed in a seamless manner. The project exceeded the client’s expectations through the creation of an extension which was sympathetic to the design of the original building. Despite a tight deadline and budget pressures, we completed ahead of the programme. Handing over the building 2 weeks early allowed the school sufficient time to prepare before the start of the new autumn term.

Project Location / Bury St. Edmunds, SuffolkProject Sector / EducationProject Value / £8.5 million

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Building Services, Structural + Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture

Project Location / Woodbridge, SuffolkProject Sector / EmergencyProject Value / Overall £6 million approx.

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying + Cost Consultancy, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Building Services, Structural + Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture

Blue Light CollaborationCase Study

Project Location / Lowestoft, SuffolkProject Sector / Commercial and IndustrialProject Value / £4 million

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying + Cost Consultancy, Project Management, Estates, Architecture, Building Services, Structural + Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture and Carbon + Energy Design + Management

The Brief / We were required to carry out the following:• A master plan for the site (to follow the Local Development

Order)• The development of a 9 acre industrial site• Feasibility studies• Advising on the marketing and leasing of the business units• Advising on the lease or sale of the remainder of the site• Management of the site pre-development• Management of transition to Suffolk County Council asset management

The Scope / We were commissioned to deliver a master plan on the entire site. Following discussions with the client, we decided to provide a phased option to suit their funding line.

Cost data was presented to the client to allow them to determine the affordability and different phasing options open to them. A full application was submitted for Phase 1 of the project which consisted of 16 units varying in meterage to be leased on completion to local businesses. The business units and external areas were developed with robust, low maintenance materials and components. Producing visuals at an early stage of the project helped with the marketing of the site. We supported the client through the development of the project with design, quantity surveying and project management services.

The Result / The usable business space we created contributed to the economic development in an area of Lowestoft which was in need of regeneration. Our clients have complimented the efficient delivery of this project.

Phoenix Enterprise ParkCase Study

Background / Since 2010, we have been working closely with Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Constabulary on an initiative that has aimed to achieve greater collaboration between the blue light services in the county.

Several projects have already been completed to refurbish, extend and adapt existing facilities to accommodate the 2 emergency services under one roof, so they can work more efficiently.

The Suffolk ‘Blue Light Collaboration’ project has now caught the attention of the Government’s Home Office, which could use the county and its results as a case study on best practice for the rest of the UK.

The Scope / Our team has been involved in the initiative from its very early stages. We were called upon to work with multiple stakeholders to give consultancy advice, before moving on to provide design, project management and cost services, as required, for each of the individual projects.

One of the projects completed was Woodbridge Community Fire Station where we were initially selected as the preferred consultant to undertake a feasibility study. We were appointed to assess and lay out the options that would make the vision of a shared property a reality. Our multi-disciplinary team included Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Quantity Surveyors, Landscape Designers, Project Managers

and Estates Surveyors. Within the team, we considered issues relating to design, planning, land ownership, available budgets and lease arrangements.

Our report was presented and once our client had decided on the option they wanted to progress, we then acted as Project Manager for the scheme, overseeing the transformation of the existing fire station into a refurbished and extended emergency services property that housed both Woodbridge’s fire and police services.

To date, we have been involved in 9 shared community fire and police facilities in Suffolk, undertaking a variety of roles from project management, structural and civil engineering, architecture and building services, through to quantity surveying and landscape architecture.

The Result / The Government has praised the result achieved from the joined-up approach by Suffolk, with talks of the Home Office using the county as a case study for ‘blue light collaboration’ success. Accomplishments so far have highlighted how benefits can be achieved through bringing together blue light services in Suffolk. However, these results have also moved the public sector in Suffolk a step closer to the objective of creating single public sector estates or hubs, sited centrally, that bring together services that support the local community.

Project Location / Ipswich, SuffolkProject Sector / Commercial

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying +Cost Consultancy, Architecture, Interior Design and Building Services

Project Location / Benfleet, EssexProject Sector / Education

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying

The Brief / Bills of Quantities for accommodation units at Glenwood School needed to be produced. The new-build residential boarding facility will provide accommodation for up to 20 pupils at any one time.

The Scope / The Bills of Quantities were based on a design which was created by our Architecture team. Being a multi-disciplinary team means that our Quantity Surveyors have high

levels of experience in liaising with design teams to make certain sufficient information is provided to produce a robust Bills of Quantities.

The Result / Our Quantity Surveyors resolved queries efficiently to save time and cost, ensuring the client’s tight deadline for this work was achieved.

Glenwood SchoolCase Study

Friars Bridge Road OfficeCase Study

The Brief / Our brief was to create a functional and engaging workspace fit for purpose, that a developing design and property practice could grow into and adapt to their future needs and requirements. There were 2 elements to the project; the construction and refurbishment phase and the furniture fit-out element which took place once the refurbishment works were completed.

The Scope / The new remodelling of the 4th floor offices were carefully designed and set out to create flexible working environments whilst representing positive work culture for a forward-thinking and developing practice. Their new office features a main reception area, open plan offices fit for a multidisciplinary practice, meeting rooms to support both focused and collaborative work, informal touchdown workspaces, project rooms and a staff social area.

First floor spaces provide office accommodation, meeting rooms, and a breakout area for members of staff. The social space aimed to achieve a contrasting environment to the rest of the building where an industrial style environment was selected. Whiteboard walls were installed to allow individuals to create and share ideas wherever they are.

During the construction phase, we ensured that the building complied with modern building standards, whilst working within the client’s budget and time constraints. The budget was very tight, however, the client still wanted high quality. Budget initially played a huge part during the works so discussions with

manufacturers and building control took place to ensure a cost-effective design could be co-ordinated with all design disciplines.

Once a design was in place that met the client’s budget, we ensured that all information was delivered to the contractor in the swiftest manor to ensure no time delays on site. This enabled us to handover on time to allow the furniture-fit-out to take place ready for staff to move in at the end of July 2017.

During the project the costs were clearly monitored from a construction and fit-out point of view and clear communication throughout the project was key to achieve an effective outcome. The client was informed of all design decision changes throughout the process. Throughout the construction phase we carried out monthly valuations and monitored variations to ensure any additional costs were offset by equivalent value engineering so the project remained within the fixed budget allowance.

Aware from the start of design that the team would be working to a very challenging and tight construction, budget, programme and fit-out schedule, the aim was to ensure that an extremely close working relationship was established between the client, designers and Boot Construction.

The Result / Construction was completed at the end of July and staff moved into their new premises on Monday 31st July 2017.

Project Location / Acle Bridge, NorfolkProject Sector / Community and Leisure

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying +Cost Consultancy

Acle BridgeCase Study

The Brief / The Broads Authority will be commissioning an Architect to build an outstanding visitor centre for their site at Acle Bridge. This building will provide a new visitor attraction for the National Park. A competition for the initial concept designs was organised and our services were required to give an overview of the costs of implementing the shortlisted concept designs.

The Scope / The works our Quantity Surveyors undertook included an overview of the site (involving a background investigation), reviewing the concept designs and collating a comprehensive report which we presented with the client.

A list of potential risks was compiled to address any issues which could occur. An estimate of cost for each specific risk was also noted.

We were asked to join the selection team for the interview process. This involved working alongside the Broads Authority (who found our input hugely beneficial).

The Result / The feasibility report helped the client to narrow down the submissions to a suitable shortlist. The costings within this report enabled the Broads Authority to focus on their overall budget effortlessly.

Project Location / Bury St. Edmunds, SuffolkProject Sector / EducationProject Value / £25 million

Concertus Disciplines / Quantity Surveying + Cost Consultancy, Project Management, Architecture, Interior Design, Building Services, Landscape Architecture and Estates

Sybil Andrews AcademyCase Study

The Brief / After carrying out the master plan, we were asked to project manage on behalf of our client, the construction of a new secondary school at Moreton Hall in Bury St. Edmunds. Our brief was to follow through on implementing our design proposal and deliver the completed Sybil Andrews Academy in the autumn term of 2016. Construction would incorporate core facilities capable of initially supporting 900 students, with teaching accommodation for 600. The new school also had to have the ability to expand to accommodate 1400 pupils, plus a sixth form, by 2031.

Phase 2 of the scheme was the construction of the Sports Building, which is clearly identified as having a different usage on the site. Externally across the whole site, paved areas follow a form and pattern to delineate the spaces and guide the users and there is a strong relationship with the outdoor environment through the views from stairwells, curtain glazing (glass walls) and doorways.

The Scope / Sybil Andrews Academy was designed and constructed so that the building provides flexibility and can be adapted as the academy grows and in response to changes in the school curriculum. The core administration and other infrastructure areas support ease of movement and access as well as management of the school and the site.

A two-stage procurement option was chosen to enable the best use of our framework. Cost plans were regularly updated during the tender process to make sure the project was on budget. We produced Bills of Quantities to allow the selected contractor to accurately price the works, ensuring the greatest value was achieved. Once the Bills were returned, we carried out due diligence checks and analysed the tender return to make certain the price was compliant and in line with current market values. We managed variation and value processes to make sure costs were controlled. The client was kept informed of design and cost development throughout the project. By challenging the original design concept, we were able to provide our services within the client’s budget.

The Result / The 3rd phase of the project is to take it from a 600 place school to a 900 place in the 1st phase by providing Teaching Block 2 and then to follow directly on with the 2nd phase and take it up to a 1200 place school by provision of Teaching Block 3. We are currently on site building Teaching Block 3.

RICS 2018 Shortlisted for ‘Community Benefit’ + ‘Design Through Innovation’

enquiries@concertus.co.uk | 01473 316 600 | www.concertus.co.uk2 Friars Bridge Road | Ipswich | Suffolk | IP1 1RR