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The BCIS have announced thier predictions for the year ahead and noted below. The construction industry starts the year in a strong position. But 2023 will be a tough year for some sectors of the industry as demand falls. However, it has proved itself resilient to many challenges over the past few years. What we’re […]

Update:23-01-2023 Little change since Nov 2017. When Architects/Contract Administrators issue Pricing Schedules as part of Drawings and Spec Tender issue, at the very least, tender assessment should be carried out on the basis of comparing each contractors Pricing Schedule. On a recent scheme, only one contractor submitted Pricing Schedule fully completed and recommendation was made […]

Increased efficiencies and productivity are the words being quoted regularly now, to try and counter the inflationary environment in which we now must be accustomed to. In our area of QS service provision, we have to try and streamline our services and delivery processes. Namely, a first for online QS Services, and to offer fixed […]

A FORMER church in north Belfast is to be demolished, more than a decade after it was closed due to leaks in the roof. The Church of the Resurrection on Cavehill Road was closed in 2008, 30 years after it first opened. Holy Family Parish launched a consultation on what should happen to the site. […]

Not every business out there serves our necessities. Some of them also serve our entertainment needs and luxurious choices. non essential businesses are those entities that help us relax from our mundane lives. During the pandemic lockdown, these businesses were the first to close and will be the last to reopen.  Now, with Cost of […]

In the North of Ireland, 15 years ago, people were rushing to build elaborate, five or six-bedroom houses in the country, fueled in part by the easy credit and the desire for country living. Many poured thousands into these spacious homes, planning to live out their golden years in designer properties with all the bells […]

Transparent procurement strategies attract quality bids, secure best value prices and deliver better outcomes. Transparency needs to be hardwired into procurement as a lack of it can result in diminished due diligence, rushed solutions and poor-quality tenders, and may lead to several problems downstream in implementation. The importance of transparency is highlighted in the UK Construction Playbook, which […]

Attached is a copy of the installation guide issued by Fibrus to indicate how connections made. As active rollout underway in the Upper Ards area, sharing this information. Any queries on installation should be made directly to Fibrus representatives.

At certain times, undertaking construction works large or small, Negotiation can be considered a more viable option where certain conditions are evident. With end of COVID-19 and the outworking of Brexit, Westminster woes,  and no local Executive, strange times prevail. Many factors determined the completion of a project, based around timing, cost and quality. Where […]

Hi, Price Increase for all Products Thank you for your ongoing business and support during these challenging times. As a business over the last year we have absorbed significant costs in raw materials and manufacturing.  Many other manufacturers have increased prices throughout the year. We decided against this to allow our customers stability but more […]

Update: 21-08-2022…as we head towards Christmas 2022, we are offering 20% discount on coupons for digitizing/estimates/pricing, until end of 2022. Two hurdles emerging… 1….Planning approval. We are advising clients to avail of our QS services and ensure their planning applications are affordable before lodging plans. 2….On reach build stage, mortgage companies are limiting their offers, […]

The report provides a detailed comparison and assessment of housing taxes across OECD countries. It shows that many countries still levy recurrent property taxes on outdated property values, even though this reduces revenue and fairness. A number of countries continue to rely heavily on transaction taxes, despite their potential impact on residential and labour mobility. […]

Recently, 3 contractors in competitive bidding, on a NI scheme < £100,000 – with BQ where scope of works measured and specified. Range between quotes was approx £28,000; lowest tender was 55% saving on 3rd place tender, and 42% saving on 2nd place tender. There are benefits to procuring work in a simple, but fully […]

If requiring a canopy for your scheme, refer to above brochure, available to download.

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain’s rule.[5][6] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a […]

Another call this evening to assess a runaway builder. Can people be reminded not to pay out for materials in advance ! Employ someone to oversee your significant expenditure….it’s worth the fee. Update further…..

Background In the late 1960s, the Northern Ireland Government established a Committee chaired by the Rt Hon R W B McConnell to “examine the existing law for the general regulation of building in Northern Ireland in the light of recent changes in Scotland, England and Wales”. The Committee’s report, published in March 1970, recommended that […]

Evidence suggests that NI DfC assistance to eligible homeowners/consumers around the 10th March 2022 was wiped out by oil suppliers increasing prices thus the homeowner/consumer did not benefit from such assistance. As DfC monies issued, oil cost rose to £1.30/litre cost on 10th March 2022 and today is £0.89/litre thus indicating that oil prices were […]

From a industrial/construction point of view, we are now witnessing a new economic iron curtain between the West & Russia, and the world does not know which side China is on, as fence sitting may not be sustainable nor desirable. The bottom line is price rises. Inflation over the reminder of the decade is foremost […]

As aluminium widely used throughout the construction and allied industries, signs of supply pressures have been building, and with events in Ukraine, manufacturing capacity being directly affected. Future supply availability and higher costs shall feed through to commercial and domestic schemes.

At a practical level, people on the Island of Ireland are grappling with a Pandemic, Brexit, Cost of living increases, Education for their children and many other issues which affect their daily lives and prevent their availing of opportunities to improve their standard and quality of living. As election time approaches, voters have to determine […]

During 2021, business may have been tough, with tempers frayed over costs and key programme dates missed, with tradesmen not turning up when promising to do so……but at least, activities may not have descended to these levels on your sites. Here’s to a safe and peaceful 2022 !

A town’s Public Realm generally refers to the built environment – the streets, pavements, street furniture, trees and so on Working on a scheme in the UK to enhance an historic town centre.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55718553 Two stages to setup; 1 ) NIDirect account; 2) Digital Cert application

This week’s number is of interest if working in London this week; bricklayers are being given £4.50 for labour in laying uno (one) 1 standard concrete block And £1 per concrete brick

Today’s number is 10 Tesla is swiftly improving quality and looks set to achieve a production time of just 10 hours per car at its Gruenheide plant, Germany. VW’s main electric-car factory in Zwickau needs more than 30 hours per vehicle, which should be reduced to 20 hours next year.  Competition time….less labour, more automation… […]

Involved in certain major schemes but due to confidentiality, cannot name. Shall give some flavour of QS input skills, considerations and thought processes adopted as schemes progress from idea to build stage. Further information shall follow each Friday as appropriate Update: 12th November 2021 To begin, in the public sector especially, certain projects come along, […]

Today’s number of concern being highlighted is the % increase in the price of NI home heating oil, only from last quotation in September 2021. In terms of reaching the lofty targets on climate change, those less able to afford this fuel oil shall achieve these targets with ease, given that they will not be […]

Click on logo above for website. Patterson Protective Coatings Ltd was formed in 1997 and since then our team has grown steadily in an effort to keep up with the customer demand for our products and services. We pride ourselves on putting the customer first and it is that attention to customers’ needs that has driven […]

QUINTIN QS invited to offer advice on a major private housing scheme in Cloughey, on the Ards Peninsula. Updated: 28th October 2021 Scheme recently received full planning permission. Good result 👏 for Planning Consultants/Architects. Discussions took place on favoured procurement route to deliver scheme, taking into account client requirements. Further information to follow. Update: 8th […]

Interesting scheme for a popular PFS heading out of Downpatrick towards Belfast. From Planning website, re-positioned shop and park/ride facilities, including electric charging facilities.

The UK Government use the term / slogan ‘levelling up’ and here is an example of the need for such, in housing terms. Above graphic only covers England. Would be interesting to view such map extended to the all the devolved regions also, and our EU neighbours in the South of Ireland. Below are the […]

We like to think our QS services help in the procurement of construction work. We have an example of a client having paid out 90 times our pre-contract fee for works not completed and more than likely, unrecoverable. So, bear this in mind if considering any future building work, whether an Architect, CA, Client, Builder […]

one4ballygalget Update: 22nd September 2021 QUINTIN QS continuing to support Ballygalget GAC in 2021. COVID-19 easements seen training and competition activities return and now reach completion with success. Appreciation to volunteers, coaching / training staff and club management involved in preparation for return of activities and the ongoing efforts to provide activities for all our […]

‘Competitive tendering is a common method of procurement in the construction industry. Those tendering for a contract are often competing with others, and generally, none of the tenderers are aware of the quotes provided by each other; therefore, they are incentivised to submit their most competitive tender’ On larger schemes, not withstanding the hype surrounding […]

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QUINTIN QS seeking online strategic alliance with a forward thinking builders supplier, as an anchor tenant for QUANTUM, to develop its all Ireland brand reach, for cross selling purposes. The QUANTUM platform is the online version of the traditional shopping mall, and with COVID-19, the traditional business models are being changed, permanently. Message if interesting […]

To contain rising costs, given the tariffs being applied to GB sourced steel due to the possible final destination being the EU single market and demand generally, NI designers and contractors may need to consider alternative materials, review all elements containing steelwork, or ultimately, aim to design steel products out of their scheme. Currently, the […]

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/how-register-cpd-dynamic-shortlisting-system

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/procurement-advice-note-pan-0121

For builders and sub-contractors, securing work has many avenues. word of mouth, past contacts, referrals, and open competitions. QUINTIN QS have built up a database of schemes, from initial estimates, to competitive tenders for small, medium and large schemes, of differing styles and shapes. In order to narrow the gap between a client thinking of […]

Update: 19th July 2021 With the UK experimentation on the gradual relaxation of restrictions, we are highlighting our ability to continue working, from our home office as required, to maintain continuity of services during these difficult times. Recently completed a school BQ (NRM) and currently involved in a gym fitout, pharmacy fitout and a new […]

QUINTIN QS were part of the design team for the provision of new Croi Eanna Community Hall, Hightown Road, Glengormley. Fresh from obtaining their recent awards, Architects Donnelly O’Neill were managing the building of this exciting scheme. Update: 6th July 2021 The design team re-assembled for Gym Fitout. Basement fitting out is being designed and […]

Infographic on the volume of planning applications received and decisions issued in 2020/21. Part of the sixth annual statistical bulletin to report on activity and performance since the transfer of planning powers to councils in April 2015.   Impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: Planning activity and processing performance in 2020/21 were impacted by the restrictions put […]

At this juncture in June 2021, with COVID-19, outworking of Brexit, coupled with relatively loose economic policies, the construction industry is facing many challenges, and all coming to a head, one way or another. Higher material prices High labour costs Availability and delivery issues Supply/demand imbalance Although some of the above may be described as […]

A trend emerging over recent months, on small, and certain larger jobs, is the builder quoting for labour etc and ‘letting’ the client supply the materials. This is the builder making sure they do not getting caught for the increasing cost of materials being quoted by various suppliers and the demand for payment ahead of […]

An old custom or saying, It’s sort of indicating an alternate way of thinking about things in life or saying 1 person together and another person together are greater than just the 2. I.e. if you ask most people what is the # 1 and #1, they say 2, however it also could be 11. […]

Within QUINTIN QS, one question we get often from both new and existing clients is how do retainers work and do I need one, or would we benefit from one? The correct answer depends on whether you are a one off client, a repeat client, a developer, large or small builder or sub-contractor. In general, […]

Following the recent trend of material suppliers issuing advisory letters on price increases and availability issues, attached is the overarching letter from CEF, the sole certified representative organisation for the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

Looking to respond constructively to the COVID-19 pandemic, many architects have turned to what they know best: design and innovation. The new restrictions placed on society have been a catalyst to rethink much of what we take for granted in the built environment. The way the world has adapted to this new lifestyle may forecast […]

Material prices are moving apace. According to the Construction Leadership Council, plastics, cement, timber, roof tiles, bricks and imported materials such as plumbing and electrical products are in short supply. It should also be noted that the £1.6 billion funding for re-cladding unsafe blocks of flats could lead to a shortage of cladding generally. The […]

All input costs are rising as the Brexit/NI Protocol and the slow post COVID-19 scenario unfolding to the ‘new normal’ An example of the crossover has seen 12-15% increase in tender prices on particular projects, such is the near drastic change in the cost base of suppliers, trades and contractors attitude to risk in a […]

Clients are demanding high quality facilities and below is an example of such. Click on image for YouTube video of the type of new facilities being designed and built.

A view of roadside pavement works completed this week by Morrow Contracts as a subcontractor to DEENA Construction Ltd forming new sightsplays off the very busy Purdysburn Road, Belfast. Remainder of in-curtilage works nearing completion to facilitate access to new building sites within.

Update: 24th February 2021 Works complete February 2021. Complex works in live working environment. Other internal works undertaken also. Job well done. Earlier progress photos

QUANTUM COMMERCIAL Dear Kevin Barry Reference: CG1461  Many Thanks for the submission of your Concept Grant Application Form. Your proposal has received an eligibility check and we are pleased to inform you that you have made it through to the next stage in the application process – the “Pitch and Q&A” session. All eligible applicants have been […]

An historic day ! Last day for male VP also !

As the COVID-19 pandemic gathers pace, and the outworkings of Brexit become evident, we are witnessing the total meltdown in the health service provision across the full range of services where severe pressures are mounting, and also for the general economy, not withstanding the financial props which exist (albeit not for everyone #excludedUK, #excludedNI) And […]

  Here we go again, it was May 2020 when we first provided blog post relating to Home Delivery Services in the Upper Ards area. As we enter a further lockdown in January 2021, timely to provide reminder of local service providers.   Click on above logo for local home delivery from Captain Jacks   […]

Happy New Year to everyone ! As 2020 gladly passes, we hope 2021 sees a return towards normality, however slow. With the continued COVID-19 pandemic and the outworkings of Brexit, we aim to assist our new and existing clients in whatever role is sought.

Ards based builder, capable of New Builds, Extensions, Sunrooms, NIHE grant work. All work to good standard. A. Mc Callum and Son Contact Anthony….07742423699 6 Parsonage Road, Kircubbin BT22 2RJ Seeking tender opportunities on private, commercial or public sector schemes.

With the Christmas season upon us, we are adjusting our normal fees to offer competitive rates during January/February 2021. If you require QS services to meet tight deadlines, cover staff on sickness leave, holidays etc, happy to discuss requirements. Discount varies according to existing client relationship and on a first come first served basis until […]

Focussing on social value in procurement delivers greater value for money In society, there are benefits in considering our mental well being and community cohesion, all evident as we witness the onset of COVID-19. In our earlier blog, we introduced the UK Government Green Paper on transforming Public Procurement, which is introducing the term ‘social […]

The Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper sets out proposals to allow public works contracts under £4.7m to be limited to small businesses or to firms from a certain geographical area, allowing a buy British approach. The post-Brexit shake-up will also allow public procurers to assess the wider social benefits offered by a supplier, such as […]

Hopes are rising that the long awaited bypass of Ballynahinch to commence in March 2022. Click on image above for further information, namely Update of 29-11-2020.

Enables NI public sector organisations and their arm’s-length bodies to access all types of building and civil engineering works. The flexible contract structure is designed to provide solutions for varying customer requirements. It includes advanced, innovative contract arrangements, allowing customers to procure programmes of work as self-managed sub-alliances. The framework is arranged in 11 lots […]

Evidence is gathering that input prices of materials are rising quickly for key products like plywood, plasterboard, facing bricks and small quantity steelwork.

As another season draws to a close, we would like to thank all the coaches and support persons in Ballygalget GAC who made it possible for all the children to take part in their hurling and camogie training and organised games during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is greatly appreciated, especially given the current circumstances. Below […]

    In UK construction, productivity increases are difficult to implement, especially in the procurement side of the equation. COVID-19 has forced a reassessment of supply and demand and the construction industry has to respond to survive !   In tendering and estimating, the advent of computers, spreadsheets and more specific software has assisted in […]

  On the island of Ireland, North and South, to help QUANTUM registered local businesses in this very difficult period of COVID-19 and with looming Brexit, QUINTIN QS has expanded the use of QUANTUM to assist all businesses to reach and expand their customer base. We are rolling out the addition of advertising / installation […]

  Wear your mask and observe PHA guidance or else ! Latest idea from UK Government. Local authorities in England to employ such ! Click on image above for explanation of historical role.

    In providing our QS Services, we utilize digitizing software to increase efficiencies and accuracy in the measurement of schemes and also for audit purposes. View the above, as first of three examples to be shared and thus help explain the nature of our services to clients. Post COVID-19 we have the online ability […]

  As a third and final example, the forecourt of a Petrol Filling Station (PFS) being broken up to allow the replacement of a tank farm. Once drawing calibrated, areas easily established as shown. Photographs can also be calibrated where once identifiable measurement provided.     In providing our QS Services, we utilize digitizing software […]

  Example 2 showing measurement of paving around a dwelling. From this, area and perimeter established.     In providing our QS Services, we utilize digitizing software to increase efficiencies and accuracy in the measurement of schemes and also for audit purposes. View the above, as second of three examples to be shared and thus […]

  Update: 9th September 2020 3nrs tender received from interested contractors and subject to review. ————————————————————————- Original blog   Enabling Works to form sight splays into development sites. Contractors required to quote for proposed sight lines construction. Please email mail@kevinbarryqs.com for tendering details.  

  Extensions to existing dwelling, Whitehead.   Update: 7th September 2020 Following representations and discussions by Gary McElvogue of Streams Architectural Design, on aspects of scheme proposals, approval from planners finally received, allowing tender procurement to proceed. Tender Documents have now been issued to building contractors who expressed an interest in tendering.     Update: […]

Require construction related programmes? Using recognised MS Project, we offer the preparation service at competitive rates. Email mail@kevinbarryqs.com requesting quotation.

  With a focus on Northern Ireland, but applying worldwide, the near panic to get people safely back to their places of work, either building site, factory, office etc, the simple issue of supply and demand has to be addressed by those able to influence such ! Repairs and renewal of our built environment is […]

  Click on logo above for website relating to the services of Mark Curran.  

      Update: 13-08-2020 Tenders returned and works due to commence shortly. M.E. Crowe to be awarded contract.   Previous blog note: Brow Packaging, located in the Castlereagh area of Belfast are proposing to install a first floor level bridge between two existing buildings, along with other minor works around the site. Any contractors […]