Build cost basics: Should you use a quantity surveyor or an estimator?
Adrian Wild looks at the options for accurately pricing up your project
Getting your figures right is an essential part of any home building project. Armed with the right information, you can ensure the viability of your scheme, identify the best places to focus your budget and make certain your builders’ quotes reflect the work you’re expecting. There are two main routes to ascertaining costs – namely appointing a quantity surveyor (QS) or an estimator. But how can you tell which is the best fit for your project, and what will they provide?
The estimator
If you’ve had a project drawn up by a designer that’s not especially unusual, an estimator is likely to be a cost-effective solution to pricing up the job, ready to go out to contractors.