Project Management

RICS project management for building works

Survey Merchant provides RICS project management surveyors for residential and commercial building works across the UK — from whole-house renovations and extensions to commercial fit-outs and funded development schemes. One accountable professional defines the scope, controls the budget and programme, and administers the contract, so your project is run on evidence rather than optimism.

The service is organised into six disciplines, instructed together or alone: construction project management, JCT contract administration, employer's agent for design & build, development & fund monitoring, principal designer appointments (CDM & Building Regulations) and clerk of works site inspections.

The goal is to define and manage the project scope, timescale, and costs associated with proposed works such as:

• Refurbishment and repair
• Extensions, conversions and alterations
• Reinstatement (due to damage from fire, water, adverse weather, etc.)
• Major works and construction such as basement builds

How a managed project runs

Every project is distinct, so the project manager starts from your objectives and the feasibility of the brief. The process ordinarily involves the following steps:

1. Feasibility: assessment and preparation and this includes taking into account building condition.
2. Design: collaboration with architects.
3. Planning & Building Control: making the relevant applications.
4. Other Statutory: reviewing and advising on other statutory obligations, HMO licence, such as party wall, health and safety obligations, etc.
5. Engineering: engagement and liaison with structural engineers.
6. Project File: preparing a schedule of works, specifications, etc.
7. List of Contractors: forming a tender list.
8. Tender Packages: inviting contractors and specialists to tender.
9. Tender Review: analyse and query the tenders submitted before compiling a tender report.
10. Pre-contract meeting: check the programme of works, including start and completion dates, setup of site, protocols on communication, stage payments, etc.
11. Contract: prepare a standard form of contract (e.g. JCT).
12. Inspections: check the works regularly and chair meetings on-site whilst monitoring the cost and quality of the project.
13. Contract administration: value the works at intervals, organise interim payments, certify different stages of completion, agree any variations to the original scope of works, etc.
14. Handover: reviewing the final account, certifying final completion.
15. Rectification period: following-up on any outstanding defects such as snagging.
    

Fees and when to instruct

Project management fees are quoted per project — typically a percentage of construction cost for full feasibility-to-handover appointments, or fixed fees for defined stages such as tender-only or inspections-only, agreed before appointment. The disciplines above can also be instructed standalone: many clients need only contract administration once a design already exists, or independent site inspections alongside a builder they already trust.

Timing drives value. The earliest instruction — at feasibility, before the design is fixed — is where a project manager saves the most, because budget, scope and procurement route are still open decisions. As a working rule, professional management earns its fee wherever the works will run for more than a few months, involve multiple trades or contractors, are funded by a lender expecting independent monitoring, or must proceed while you are elsewhere. On insurance reinstatement projects, instruct before the scope of works is agreed with the loss adjuster — that document decides everything that follows.

To ensure a project’s success you will need effective team leadership with a blend of expertise and hands-on experience. Feel free to reach out to us if you're gearing up for a project — and if a completed project has already gone wrong, our construction expert witness team can help instead.

Tell us about your project — get a proposal →