Understanding Our Services

Q: What does a quantity surveyor actually do?

A: Think of us as the financial guardian of your construction project. Our primary role is to manage all costs and contractual aspects to ensure your project is completed within its budget. This includes everything from initial cost planning and budgeting to managing contractor payments, valuing construction work, and negotiating contracts to ensure you get the best possible value.

Q: Why do I need a quantity surveyor for my project?

A: The simple answer is to save you money and provide peace of mind. Without professional cost management, projects can easily go over budget due to unforeseen issues, inefficient procurement, or contractual disputes. We use our expertise to prevent these problems before they happen, ensuring your financial investment is protected and often saving you significantly more than our fees.

Q: What's the difference between a quantity surveyor and a project manager?

A: While there can be some overlap, the roles are distinct. A Project Manager is typically responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and execution of the entire project to meet deadlines and objectives. As your Quantity Surveyor, our focus is specifically on the financial and contractual health of the project—the budget, costs, and value. We often work alongside project managers to provide specialised financial oversight.

Q: At what stage of my project should I get you involved?

A: The earlier, the better. The greatest value can be added during the initial design and planning stages, where we can help establish a realistic budget and advise on cost-effective designs and materials. However, we can provide value at any stage, whether you need help with procurement, managing costs during the build, or resolving a financial issue that has arisen.

Working with Ryburn Commercials

Q: What types of projects and construction sectors do you specialise in?

A: With over 20 years of experience, we have a broad expertise across the construction industry. We regularly work on residential projects (including new builds, self-builds, and large extensions), commercial developments (such as offices and retail units), and industrial projects (including aviation, nuclear and power generation). We are equipped to handle projects of varying scales and complexities.

Q: What geographic areas do you cover?

A: We are based in Ripponden and proudly serve clients throughout West Yorkshire, including Halifax, Huddersfield, Sowerby Bridge, and the surrounding areas. However, we also offer our services to the wider United Kingdom and Ireland.

Q: I see you have 20+ years of experience, but are you RICS accredited?

A: This is an important question. We are not a RICS accredited; our expertise is built on over two decades of practical, hands-on experience managing costs and contracts on live construction sites. This means we provide pragmatic, real-world advice focused on delivering value and results for your specific project. Clients benefit from a direct, flexible, and cost-effective service from a seasoned industry professional.

Q: I'm a small builder / doing a self-build. Is my project big enough for your services?

A: Absolutely. We provide services for projects of all sizes. In fact, smaller builders and self-builders often gain the most from our support, as we provide a level of commercial control and expertise that can make the difference between a profitable, successful project and a stressful, costly one.

The Process and Costs

Q: How can you prove you will save my project money?

A: We save you money in several key ways: by creating accurate initial budgets to prevent overspending, negotiating more favourable terms with suppliers and subcontractors, meticulously managing contract variations to avoid unexpected costs, and resolving disputes before they escalate into expensive problems. Our goal is to maximise value at every stage.

Q: How are your fees structured?

A: Our fees are flexible and tailored to the specific needs of your project. Depending on the scope of work, this could be a fixed fee for a specific task (like preparing a budget), a percentage of the overall project cost for ongoing management, or an agreed hourly rate for consultation. We are fully transparent about all costs before any work begins.

Q: What information do you need from me to get started?

A: A simple phone call or email is the best way to start. To give you the most accurate advice, it's helpful if you have some initial plans or drawings and a brief description of what you want to achieve. From there, we can schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your project in more detail.

Have Another Question?

If your question isn't answered here, please contact us for a friendly, no-obligation chat. We'd be happy to help.