Prices/Quotations – Design Review

Tender estimating:

A quotation is prepared once the tender documents have been reviewed and the estimating time has been assessed. The quotation is then sent to the client, who can accept or decline it.

Turnkey contracts (design and build): This form of contract requires close dialogue with the client regarding execution, sizing and optimisation. It is therefore more extensive and more costly than the other contract forms, as the estimate can only be prepared for one client and cannot be reused for others, since project designs differ. 

Multi-trade contract / Main contract / Separate trade contract: In these cases a project has normally been prepared on which the estimate can be based. This provides the same basis for estimating, and the estimate can be supplied to several clients, which may result in a discount on the estimating fee.

Gross estimate / Net estimate: A gross estimate is prepared for clients who request a quotation. The estimate is prepared in EG CalWin Dynamic, and the file is sent to the client, who completes the final tender themselves. The gross estimate is accompanied by an estimate report containing all relevant project information. This gives the client a quick overview of the project scope, and the client can then prepare the net price based on their own discount agreements, mark-up etc.

Design review:

A quotation for design review is prepared once the architect or consulting engineer has drafted the tender documents. These are reviewed and the review time is assessed. The quotation is then sent to the client, who can accept or decline it.

Early design review – significant added value for the entire construction industry

Consulting engineers help lay the professional foundation for the entire construction process. When time, budget and complexity are under pressure, it becomes essential that the tender documents are supported by a cross-disciplinary review that can supplement the consultant's design and strengthen the overall basis for decision-making.

Design review as support for consultants

Design review is a structured review of the client's requirements, the architect's proposal and the consultant's design – seen from a contractor's perspective – with a focus on qualifying the project before tender.

Among other things, the review contributes to:

• Better consistency between specifications and drawings
• Early clarification of interfaces between trades
• Fewer questions during the tender phase
• A more reliable basis for decision-making for the client

In short: A stronger consultant design with fewer uncertainties later in the process.

Project workflow – the value from the consultant's perspective

Without design review before tender Consultant design → Tender → Questions and clarifications → Change orders → Schedule pressure → Risk of criticism and disputes 

This often leads to increased project costs, including:

• Increased contractor costs due to change orders
• Acceleration costs due to schedule pressure
• Risk of budget overruns and client dissatisfaction
• Increased strain on collaboration and on the consultant's role during construction

These costs typically arise late in the project, when they are most expensive and most difficult to manage.

With design review built into the project workflow Consultant design → Design review → Better-defined tender → Fewer questions → Construction → Fewer changes → More stable schedule → Better quality → Handover

This achieves:

• Significantly fewer change orders and subsequent changes
• Less pressure on the consultant during construction
• Better collaboration with and between contractors
• A stronger consultant role and higher client satisfaction

Design review is not about control, but about quality assurance and value-adding collaboration. By involving the construction perspective early, consultants can deliver a more robust, thoroughly developed and competitive project.

How we support your consultant design

Stjerne Beregning ApS offers design review focusing on building services installations as a value-adding supplement to the consultant team.

Our contribution includes:

• Ventilation, reviewed in-house
• Plumbing, electrical and BMS (building management systems) through close partners

The result is an experience-based and technically sound design review that reduces risk in the project, strengthens the consultant design and provides greater confidence for contractors, consultants and the client alike.