Colum Smith Quantity Surveyors Ltd is a professional quantity surveying practice which acts on behalf of a wide range of clients in both the private and public sectors.
Established in 2018 in Stradone, Co. Cavan by Colum Smith, the practice continues to go from strength to strength by offering an unrivalled service. Through collaboration and effective communication with clients such as architects, engineers, contractors and individuals, Colum Smith Quantity Surveyors strives to deliver exceptional projects on time and within budget.
With two decades of experience in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, Colum has worked on and managed many residential projects, including one-off houses, commercial, educational, leisure, healthcare, civil engineering and pharmaceutical projects ranging in all sizes and values. He worked for P Elliott & Sons Ltd, O’Byrne Jenkins Chartered Quantity Surveyors & Project Managers and SIAC Construction Ltd before going out on his own.
Colum holds a Degree in Construction Economics and Management (2:1 Hons), a Certificate in Construction Technology (Upper Merit) and a Certificate in Buildings Maintenance (Distinction).
“My family background was a plant hire and quarry business that developed into a civil engineering company called P&S Civil Works,” he explains.
“My father Sean was my inspiration as he was an entrepreneur who started the business. I saw how successful it became and this ignited a fire in me to go out and start my own business. He always said, ‘try and work for yourself, it will have its challenges but the reward is greater’, so in 2018 I made the leap and never looked back.
“I started small with only a handful of clients, but now have a portfolio of over 20 contractors, architects, engineers and developers along with individuals who are building, extending or refurbishing their private residence. No job is too big or too small.”
Colum’s business concentrates on three core areas: 1. PQS services (architects, engineers and developers); 2. contractor services (building contractors, civil engineering contractors and electrical contractors); and 3. individuals who are building, extending or refurbishing their private residence.
On the PQS side, he prepares cost analysis based on the architectural and engineering / structural drawings; preliminary cost advice, including cost engineering; prepares cost plans to enable design teams to produce practical designs for construction projects, which involves liaising with architects, engineers and subcontractors; feasibility studies; procurement strategy; advice and assistance during the tendering procedures; preparation of tender and contact documents, including bills of quantities; detailed take-off software usage for detailed estimating procedures; contract administration; contractual advice; negotiations of contracts; and complete valuation and final accounts recommendations.
For contractors, Colum uses estimating take-off software for detailed measurement procedures of drawings and to compile cost plans and tender returns; provide contractual advice and commercial management throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from inception to post-completion; evaluate tenders from contractors and subcontractors and, where appropriate, negotiate with the contractors; monitor and keep track of project progress, including measurement and valuation in the work during the contract for agreement of interim payments and the final accounts.
When dealing with individuals, Colum can calculate initial costs from planning drawings (budget stage) through to (tender stage) construction drawings and follow on to manage post-construction; evaluate tenders from contractors and subcontractors and, where appropriate, negotiate with the contractors; preparation of tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities; detailed estimating procedures; and complete valuation and final accounts recommendations.
Colum has a number of projects on his books at the moment, including a large country manor-style home, EV charging point civil works rollout for An Post, Applegreen and many others, an industrial unit extension for KORE Insulation in Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan, the conversion of an old print works into a community arts space in Kells for Meath County Council to name but a few. He is also working on a number of school, healthcare and housing projects.
The affable quantity surveyor believes that communication is key to a successful business.
“It may be a cliché, but I believe everything around you could crumble if your communication skills are inadequate,” he says.
“Building relationships and, at all times showing respect, is incredibly important to securing repeat business and trust. Avoiding taking on too much work and learning to say ‘no’ is also important because this is where mistakes are made, so take on what you can control and manage it in an efficient way, prioritise, avoid multitasking if possible and keep things organised.
“Nothing leaves my office without it being to the highest standard possible. I always put myself in my client’s shoes and imagine what they would expect. This motivates me to aim for higher standards and greater success.
He continues: “When you’re a self-employed person, time is always against us. How you manage that time is vital – family life and work life have to be kept apart. I receive great support from my wife Alison and two boys Danny and Dylan. They keep me motivated, so I count my blessings every day.”
Colum enjoys an excellent working relationship with all his clients. Among those he collaborates closely with are Michael Fitzpatrick Architects in Butlersbridge, Alan Traynor Consulting Engineers in Belturbet and a core selection of experienced contractors.
“When you’re dealing directly with your clients, you form a bond with them and that leads to repeat business. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support and anyone else who has helped and supported me over the last six years,” he concludes.
Colum Smith Quantity Surveyors Ltd
6 Drumole,
Tullyco,
Cootehill,
Co. Cavan,
H16 AE89.
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.columsmithgs.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July 2024, Vol 10 No 7
Colum Smith Quantity Surveyors
