How Can a Quantity Surveyor Pay for Itself and Then Some?
How disciplined variation management secured £92,185 in additional value on the refurbishment and extension of two semi-detached houses in Headington
Refurbishment and Extension of Two Houses, Headington
This quantity surveying case study covers the refurbishment and ground-floor extension of two semi-detached houses on Kennett Road in Headington. Both properties required identical refurbishment works, making the project appear relatively straightforward at the outset.
However, client-led changes, variations and new works information increased the scope as construction progressed. Without consistent commercial oversight, the contractor could have completed significant additional work without recovering its full value.
Oxford Surveying Services identified every change, calculated its value and presented it clearly for agreement. This process ensured that the contractor captured the full value of the additional work in the final account.
By completion, the project value had increased by 55.82%, adding £92,185 to the original contract value. The total OSS fee represented just 1.5% of the final project value.
The OSS Role
- Monitored changes to the refurbishment and extension works throughout the project
- Identified variations arising from client instructions and new works information
- Calculated the cost of each change against the original scope
- Presented variations clearly for review and agreement
- Maintained accurate commercial records as the works progressed
- Ensured the final account included the full value of the additional work
- Helped the contractor protect its margin and avoid unrecovered scope
Why Variation Management Matters
Construction projects rarely finish with exactly the same scope with which they started. Clients issue new instructions, drawings change and further requirements emerge once work begins.
However, completing additional work does not automatically guarantee payment. Contractors must identify each variation, establish its commercial value and obtain a clear record of the instruction and agreement.
On this project, Oxford Surveying Services maintained that process throughout the works. As a result, the contractor secured £92,185 in additional value rather than allowing changes to become unrecorded scope or unresolved items at final account.
the numbers
| Increase in Job Value: | 55% |
| Additional Value Secured: | £92,185 |
| Total OSS Fee: | 1.5% |
| Additional Profit Generated: | £11,523 |
| Net Gain After OSS Fees: | £7,729 |
For every £1 spent on quantity surveying services, the contractor generated over £3 in additional profit on this project.
Ready to Protect the Full Value of Your Work?
Oxford Surveying Services supports building contractors and subcontractors across Oxfordshire and beyond. We identify, price and manage variations so that additional work translates into secured value at final account.