A Profession Undergoing Rebirth -Transformations in the Quantity Essay

A Profession Undergoing Rebirth -Transformations in the Quantity Surveyor's Role - Essay Example The quantity surveying surfaced in England as early as the eighteenth century. Cartlidge (2002) describes in his book those beginning years, where the quantity surveyor acted for the master tradesmen, measuring the work after completion and usually submitting final accounts to the building owner.As a consequence of these activities, it more and more became the habit of building owners to have work performed under contract and to call for bids before any work was undertaken. A process, therefore, developed whereby specifications and drawings were given out to selected master builders, who would then present proposals for the total price rather than a group of prices from master tradesmen. Builders soon realized that it would be more economical for them as a group to employ one surveyor to measure quantities for all of them. They could thus split the cost of the surveyor, acquire a similar bill of quantities which made sure that they would all be tendering on the same basis. Later on, the building owner realized that it would be to his own advantage to hire and pay the fees of the quantity surveyor (Willis and Ashworth, 1994). The quantity surveyor thus transformed to a consultant. The traditional function of the quantity surveyor has been defined by Cartlidge (2002) as a measure and value arrangement. Still practiced by some, the old, conventional role prepares estimated ballpark figures of the initial costs of the building using a single price method of valuation. The design would only then be developed by the architect when the cost was suitable for the client. Afterward, bills of quantities for tendering purposes would be created, progress payments would be quantified, and a final account would be prepared on the basis of the tendered documentation. Although the process was essential and vital, it was obviously also mainly reactive. In the 1960s, cost planning services were included in the selection of tasks carried out by the quantity surveyor, in order to avoid tenders being received that were over the budget (Egan, 1998).

The English Heritage New Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The English Heritage New Model - Essay Example There is a risk of losing the fabric of historic assets if no measures are taken. In an effort to introduce a long-term sustainability program, the English Heritage has developed a business plan that will be implemented to address the emerging issues. The new model has the capacity to address some of the problems affecting the national heritage collection. However, a close analysis of the business plan reveals that it has some weaknesses that require immediate addressing if it is to be successful.   The government and the English Heritage have focused on the benefits associated with the new business plan, especially the aspect of reversing the current condition of the national heritage collection. The government has committed itself to allocate a total sum of  £80 million. Moreover, the English Heritage will rely on third parties who will contribute towards the conservation of the national heritage collection. However, a close analysis reveals that the government support of providing  £80 million will not be sufficient to support the business plan. Notably, the viability of the business plan determines whether the English Heritage will register remarkable outcomes.1 Any successful business plan must have realistic financial planning. If the budget allocation and financial planning are inappropriate or insufficient, the viability of any business plan is limited. Evidently, the  £80 million set aside by the government do not surface to address all the conservation costs that are likely to result effectively. There is a possibility that the project may fail because of insufficient funds. Although the government believes that the business plan is self-sufficient and realistic, there is a need for concern because financing the projects sufficiently will determine the expected outcomes.