OUR SERVICES
PROJECT MONITORING
With every construction project, we aim (at minimum) to save you the cost of hiring a PQS, through our unique approach to reviewing the project.
QSSi is dedicated to provide professional construction risk advice to lenders and financial institutions. In the early stages of a project, we assist in assessing and determining the financial and technical viability of a project, ensuring that the contractual relationships/ financing and the extent and coverage of the budget is clearly understood between the lender, the borrower, and the contractor. In many instances, we can also assist in the assembly of an adequate budget, advising on the suitability and comparability of presented costs.
Throughout the reporting period, one of our primary aims is to ensure that project-specific risks are identified and addressed as they arise. Also reporting on progress and scheduling, we provide legislation compliant and easy to understand reporting to aid in each construction loan advance throughout the project.
Our project cost monitoring and reporting is performed in our capacity as an independent third party to ensure compliance for all kinds of construction loans, assuring that the lending institution’s independent loan reporting and monitoring requirements are met.
TECHNICAL ADVICE & EXPERT OPINION
Independant and Unbiased, our opinions have been entered into court, Arbitrations and Mediations on several occasions. With over 150 cases to date, we are one of the top providers of Expert Witness reporting and testimony in the country.
With varied and technical projects carried out to date, and a strong background of writing, amending and disputing construction contracts, our principal is well versed in contract law and experienced in many forms of contract dispute.
As such, we are confident in our ability to provide accurate and specifically tailored reporting, created to meet the specific requirements of owners, lenders, or other parties who require our professional advice services.
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A small cross section of the works we can perform for our clients includes; assisting with dispute resolution, performing cost to complete assessments; and defective work and replacement cost analysis.
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Additionally, we can also perform life-cycle costing analysis and advise on the technical feasibility and likely costs of various construction options, while identifying critical elements for consideration. Through a combined approach, we can discuss a number of ways in which we can assist you in mitigating project risks of all kinds.
RESERVE FUND STUDIES
With a unique approach, our Reserve Fund Studies are the best in class, with a foundation in actual realistic cost assessments, leveraged from all our ongoing projects as well as current industry standards.
Our reserve fund study is world class, providing comprehensive facility condition audits and capital renewal analysis for buildings or groups of buildings across Canada and the USA. There are many types of community associations that we can assist, from condo corporations to co-ops, HOA's, POA's or PUDs.
Our Reserve Fund Studies are a collaborative, technologically advanced approach to the project, which we always complete expediently.
Our inspections can utilise cutting edge drone technology to capture site conditions and site photographs from difficult to access areas; and we provide e-links to our reports as soon as components are completed for the fastest possible delivery of information to the client.
As a firm of Professional Quantity Surveyors (PQS staff), and because we are so heavily involved in current construction projects at all stages of construction, QSSi is uniquely positioned to provide accurate and comprehensive advice on the current state of the building elements, the expected lifespan of elements, the cost of maintenance and current and future repairs.
We typically competitively tender for each project under separate cover, but can also offer discounted hourly rates for Service Agreements, or for larger, multi-property reports.
COST PLANNING
The earlier we are involved in a project, the more money we can save.. With every project review, we utilise a little "Value Engineering" to ensure you are using the most cost effective materials, or that the design is truly fit for purpose.
Professional estimates, assembled to the CIQS standards, for any stage of project, from feasibility and conceptual estimating to pre-tender estimates or assembly of tender packages. We can advise on the benefits of using a variety of formats for your project, and provide our services to developers, owners, engineers, architects or government directly.
No matter the size of project, to assist in meeting the end-user’s needs, our detailed cost estimates at key design stages provide the basis for our advice on lifecycle costs, constructability and sustainability. Our value engineering expertise can often assist the design team to examine unique solutions that meet the end-users’ needs and fit within the owner’s budget.
Our knowledge is drawn from project experience as varied as hospitals, schools, churches, housing estates and all kinds of commercial projects, which enables us to provide accurate comparative costs, benchmarking costs and advise on effective risk management.
At all stages of estimating, from conceptual to detailed design documents, we work to ensure that design decisions can be made on an informed basis, with the full knowledge of related capital and operating costs. Our focus on this ensures that budgets can be met and assists in maximizing the value for money achieved during construction or through the planned lifespan of the building.
INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS & DISPUTES
Our independent advice is valued by both insured parties and insurers, and we have a long history of solving disputes in our role as Expert Witness under the Insurance Act.
Professionally prepared estimates for Replacement Cost Value (RCV) and actual Cash Value (ACV) appraisals, assembled to Canadian CIQS reporting standards, for any type or size of project. QSSi's highly procedural approach is typified by accurate and high quality results time after time, providing data based upon solid comparable sources, or using industry standard software when instructed.
Our professional staff provide highly experienced site inspections, and we are happy to interview insured parties or negotiate with legal representation on behalf of insurers where required. With specialists in fire and water remediation on staff, as well as Haag certified inspectors, we provide our services to insurance adjusters or insurers directly. Our extensively varied past work experience and past audit and insurance experience means carrying out file audits and in-company reviews can be completed in a targeted and efficient manner. We provide a secure and reliable database system to track all appraisals on a claim by claim basis.
QSSi appreciate lifecycle costs, constructability and sustainable building techniques, and are not only specialists, but also have direct past experience in high-rise residential and commercial fire damage remediation; and performing audits to evaluate the VWIP on incomplete construction projects damaged by fire events.
RISK ASSESSMENT & REVIEW
As contract specialists, we offer a fixed price for review of your risk profile and advise on the best use contract for your new project. With simple language, we ensure your contract is written with the best possible terms from the outset.
QSSi can provide comprehensive risk profiling for complex projects from the bid stages through to completion and occupancy.
By compiling several different sources of information, we effectively translate the data for lenders and owners alike, and always try to offer "plain English" translations for the more complex problems.
We offer detailed and professional advice on topics from suggesting form of contract to use, to compliance with legislation, mitigation of risk, contract formation and even the proper format for administration services.
Throughout the duration of the contract, we can also review and advise on the content of construction change orders, or prepare comparative costs for ease of use and for benchmarking purposes.
Overall, our approach is defined by our belief that 'there are no problems, only solutions waiting to be found' and our desire to assist you in finding the most equitable solution (or at least provide options) to whatever issues that may be encountered.
