Commercial Management in Construction

This handbook covers all the practices and procedures the quantity surveyor working in a contractor′s office needs to know – from budgets and forecasts to cost–value comparisons and partnering. By giving a thorough account of the commercial aspects of the work of the contractor′s QS, the book offers a useful insight into their day–to–day work, with plenty of sample documents, worked examples and extracts from the standard contracts. This is a practical manual but it also helps develop an understanding of the theory underpinning current practice. As the QS role becomes more complex, commercial managers wanting to maximise profitability will find the sound advice given here invaluable as it: demonstrates tried–and–tested best practice through practical examples provides a good grounding in financial management and cost analysis describes the need for benchmarking, the benefits of setting targets and the use of key performance indicators (KPI′s) as a means of increasing project and company performance highlights the benefits of teamworking.

Introduction.

Budgets and Forecasting.

Interim Valuations.

Subcontractors.

Cost value Comparisons.

Contracts, certificates and notices.

Teamwork and Partnering.

Appendices – A Worked Example.

Cost Value Ccomparison – an Easy Guide.

Bibliography.

Glossary of terms.

Index.

Ian Walker MCIOB, is a chartered builder with over 33 years′ experience in general contracting with a particular emphasis on quantity surveying within contracting organisations. Working with national and major regional contractors in both the private and public sectors, he brings extensive experience to the book. In his present role as Deputy Managing Director of one of the North s leading contractors, he is responsible for all the commercial management of the company.

Robert Wilkie MSc MCIOB, also a chartered builder, worked in industry for 15 years, including as Project Manager with Laing Construction. He is now Head of Construction in the School of the Built Environment at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. He is external examiner for several universities; a Subject Specialist Assessor with HEFCE; s member of the Q. A. A. Benchmark Statement drafting group for Building and Surveying; and is Deputy Chair of the CIOB′s Recognition of Awards Division.