On another matter

First, congratulations on your concise dedicated magazine.

Times a-changin’? You bet that they are. Having been trained as a contractor’s QS and practising now as a freelance in that field, I frequently find myself in tricky situations since so few clients now employ PQSs. After an architect, engineer or building surveyor has let a contract with poorly prepared drawings or spec, I find myself being accused of being confrontational if I follow my traditional role and pursue realistic valuation of variation orders.

I am told that my approach is aggressive, or not in the spirit of partnership, even though there are obvious shortcomings or differences in the respective documents.

I believe the contractor is entitled to proper recompense when amateurish details lead to financial risk. Am I right or am I just another dinosaur who ought to be put out to grass?

Geoff Weston, Aspect Survey