Any QS's (Quantity Surveyors)? [Archive] - Saxperience

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DevilDamo

26th October 2009, 15:57

Do we have any QS's on here?

If so, can you tell me what program(s) you use for pricing purposes (i.e. build/construction costs for house building, etc...)?

Chuffy

26th October 2009, 16:11

Ever heard of Estimation? My company use that data base which prices are regularly updated. But we are a Mechanical & Electrical fit out company, not a builder. I'm a services QS.

I think mattymills on her is a QS for a builder

If it's a small job I'm sure Spon's or Wessex price books can help give an idea of materials and labour

DevilDamo

26th October 2009, 23:17

Estimation being the process or a program? I'm not after unit prices, etc... And I'm not after the manual (SMM7) way. Just wondering what estimating programs QS's use where you can simply input the information for a job (i.e. materials) and it will total everything and give you rates, etc...

Chuffy

27th October 2009, 08:17

Estimation is the program mate.

Just pull your rates off the data base. It can also give you installation times as well.

I don't know any other programs which offer the full package in terms of putting together a Bill in accordance with SMM7 AND price it for you. I'm sure there is if you were to look in some construction journals for software.

I once did the mechanical and electrical services for a mates extension. I used a program called Conquest to produce the bill and then took my bill into work so I could use our Estimation program to obtain up-to-date material / labour rates.

What do you work as? And what are you trying to find out for?

Edit: Architectural Technician by any chance lol

Proffitt

27th October 2009, 09:48

Hey mate, i aint a QS but i work with loads. im based in the structures department as a AutoCAD technican. We use a book called SPONS and it has everything you need to price (approx) a job up.

SPONS book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0415552567/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2/277-0801269-7301160?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=166E79910D2EMKV3G0XT&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=471057153&pf_rd_i=0415370302)

Slammed_Posi_Vtr

27th October 2009, 10:28

I'm a QS, I don't use the program, but I know our estimating team use "Conquest"

Chr15

27th October 2009, 10:30

Matty Mills is a QS iirc.

Matty_Mills

27th October 2009, 10:42

I use SPONS matey.
x

Chr15

27th October 2009, 10:45

Told ya ;)

Proffitt

27th October 2009, 10:58

Slammed_Posi_Vtr

27th October 2009, 11:17

In my opinion SPONS is old and unreliable. In my market sector anyway.

Proffitt

27th October 2009, 11:28

Its not old if you buy the up to date version ;)
Only down side is that they are around £120 - £150 each and you have to buy a new one every year.

Slammed_Posi_Vtr

27th October 2009, 11:38

Its not old if you buy the up to date version ;)
Only down side is that they are around £120 - £150 each and you have to buy a new one every year.

A lot can change between issues though matey, although depending on what your pricing it can either be spot on or miles out.

and yes that is a downside, although the licenses we need for our programs are damned expensive too!

DevilDamo

27th October 2009, 12:14

I'm a QS, I don't use the program, but I know our estimating team use "Conquest"

Thanks for that mate. That is something I'm after :)

http://www.conquest.ltd.uk/what_conquest_does.php

Btw people, I'm not after a book, just a program or some software.

Matty_Mills

27th October 2009, 12:42

Matty Mills is a QS iirc.

i feel privilaged.com that you remember that...

I was however made redundant....

SUCKS!!!!!!!

Chr15

27th October 2009, 12:48

I never forget my homies :hug:

Bad times mate :(

Matty_Mills

27th October 2009, 12:49

I never forget my homies :hug:

Bad times mate :(

I got a better job out of it which involves travelling to Mexico...

Previous employer/fail

Chuffy

27th October 2009, 13:29

Thanks for that mate. That is something I'm after :)

http://www.conquest.ltd.uk/what_conquest_does.php

Btw people, I'm not after a book, just a program or some software.

Hey come on I said that lol

Remember guys Spon's should only be used as a price guide.

There is a difference in pricing a job to win it, and pricing a job to carry it effectively and returning a decent profit