Quantity Surveying Services for Self Builders

Build With Confidence! Know Your Costs! Stay in Control!

Building your own home is one of the biggest financial commitments you are likely to make.

You may have a clear vision for the finished house, but understanding what that vision will actually cost — and keeping control of those costs throughout construction — can be challenging.

BMAC Services provides practical quantity surveying and cost management support to self-builders across the UK and Ireland.

From establishing an initial budget and reviewing contractor quotations through to monitoring costs and agreeing the final account, we help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary financial surprises.

Discuss Your Self Build

A self-build project can quickly become more expensive than originally planned.

Design changes, unforeseen works, specification upgrades and variations can all add to the final cost.

Having independent quantity surveying support gives you someone on your side who understands construction costs and can help you make sense of the commercial side of your project.

BMAC can provide as much or as little support as you need — from an initial cost review through to ongoing commercial management throughout the build.

Your Home! Your Budget! Your Dream! Your Investment!

How We Can Help

  • Before construction begins, you need a realistic understanding of what your project is likely to cost.

    We can help establish an initial construction budget based on the proposed scope and available information.

    This can include:

    • Initial construction cost estimates

    • Cost per square metre assessments

    • Review of proposed designs

    • Budget development

    • Benchmarking

    • Identification of potential cost risks

    • Preliminary cost advice

    • Budget allowances

    Start your self-build with a realistic financial plan.

  • Your budget should develop alongside your design.

    As plans and specifications change, we can help you understand the financial implications and keep the project aligned with your available budget.

    Our support can include:

    • Detailed cost planning

    • Budget updates

    • Cost checks

    • Design cost reviews

    • Cost comparisons

    • Value engineering

    • Forecasting

    • Budget monitoring

    Know the financial impact of decisions before you make them.

  • Choosing a contractor isn't simply about accepting the lowest quotation.

    We can help you compare quotations and understand what is — and isn't — included in each price.

    We can review:

    • Contractor quotations

    • Bills of quantities

    • Scope of works

    • Inclusions and exclusions

    • Contractor qualifications

    • Allowances

    • Provisional sums

    • Potential omissions

    • Pricing differences

    Understand exactly what you're getting for your money.

  • If you are obtaining quotations from multiple contractors, we can support you through the tender process.

    Our involvement can include:

    • Preparing tender documentation

    • Issuing tender enquiries

    • Comparing contractor returns

    • Analysing quotations

    • Identifying discrepancies

    • Clarifying scope

    • Reviewing exclusions

    • Commercial comparison

    • Contractor selection support

    Make an informed decision rather than simply choosing the cheapest price.

  • Once your build starts, keeping track of expenditure becomes increasingly important.

    We can help you monitor the financial position of your project and identify potential cost increases before they become difficult to manage.

    Our support can include:

    • Cost reporting

    • Budget monitoring

    • Cost/value reconciliation

    • Forecast final cost

    • Cash-flow forecasting

    • Contractor payment assessments

    • Variation tracking

    • Commercial risk management

    Know what you've spent, what you're committed to and what your home is likely to cost when finished.

  • During construction, your contractor may submit regular payment applications.

    We can independently assess these valuations against the work completed and the agreed contract.

    This can help you understand:

    • What work has actually been completed

    • Whether the amount being claimed is reasonable

    • The value of variations

    • The remaining contract value

    • The amount still available within your budget

    Pay for work completed — with greater confidence.

  • Changes are common during a self-build.

    You may decide to upgrade finishes, alter layouts or make changes during construction. Your contractor may also identify additional work that wasn't included in the original scope.

    We can help you understand the financial impact of those changes.

    Our support can include:

    • Reviewing variation requests

    • Assessing additional costs

    • Measuring changes

    • Checking variation prices

    • Maintaining a variation schedule

    • Reviewing contractor quotations

    • Negotiating variation values

    • Updating the project budget

    Know the cost before saying yes.

  • When your home is complete, the final account should accurately reflect the work carried out and the changes agreed throughout the project.

    We can help review and reconcile the final account, including:

    • Final measurement

    • Contract value

    • Variations

    • Payments made

    • Outstanding amounts Contractor claims

    • Retention

    • Final account reconciliation

    Bring your project to a clear and properly documented commercial conclusion.

Avoid the Most Common Self-Build Cost Problems

The Budget Isn’t Realistic

An initial budget based on assumptions rather than detailed cost information can create problems later.

BMAC can help establish a more informed starting point.

The Cheapest Quote Isn't Actually the Cheapest

Two contractors can provide significantly different prices because they have made different assumptions about what's included.

We help you understand the differences.

Small Changes Add Up

Individual upgrades and variations may seem insignificant, but together they can have a major impact on your final cost.

We help you monitor the cumulative effect of changes.

You Don't Know What You're Paying For

Understanding contractor valuations can be difficult if you aren't familiar with construction measurement.

We can provide independent assessment and advice.

The Final Account Becomes a Surprise

Without proper cost tracking throughout construction, the final project cost can be difficult to predict.

Regular cost reporting helps keep you informed throughout the build.

Independent Advice on Your Side

As a self-builder, you're often dealing with architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers — all while trying to manage one of the largest investments you'll ever make.

An independent quantity surveyor provides another perspective.

We can help you:

  • Understand your budget

  • Compare contractor prices

  • Monitor project costs

  • Assess payment applications

  • Challenge unexpected costs

  • Manage variations

  • Forecast the final cost

  • Understand your final account

Our role is to give you the information you need to make confident decisions.

Flexible Support for Your Self-Build

You don't necessarily need a quantity surveyor involved every day.

BMAC can tailor its involvement to your project and budget.

One-Off Cost Review

Need an independent opinion on your budget or contractor quotation?

We can review the information available and provide practical commercial advice.

Pre-Construction Support

Need help before work begins?

We can assist with cost planning, tendering, contractor comparison and procurement.

Ongoing Support

Want someone involved throughout the build?

We can provide ongoing cost monitoring, valuation assessment, variation management and commercial reporting.

Project Completion

Need help with your final account?

We can review the final position and help ensure outstanding commercial matters are properly addressed.

Why Choose BMAC Services?

10+ Years Experience

Experienced in quantity surveying and commercial management within the construction industry.

Independent Perspective

We provide an objective view of construction costs and contractor charges.

Practical Advice

Clear explanations and commercially focused advice without unnecessary jargon.

Flexible Service

Support can be tailored to the size, complexity and stage of your self-build

Focused on Your Budget

Our aim is to help you understand and control your construction costs from start to finish.

Thinking About Building Your Own Home?

The earlier you understand the likely cost of your project, the more opportunity you have to make informed decisions.

Whether you're still considering a site, developing your plans, comparing contractor quotations or already building, BMAC Services can provide the quantity surveying support you need.

Let's Talk About Your Self-Build

Tell us a little about your project and we'll discuss how we can help.

Discuss Your Self-Build