Starting a construction cost consultancy firm in early 2008 with very little warning at that time of the recessionary years ahead has turned out to be a very wise move by Managing Director of Modia Consulting, Graham Kavanagh. As it turned out cost advice was a very valuable service during the recession and almost 12 years on, Modia Consulting is a very successful multi-disciplinary chartered construction consultancy firm specialising in construction cost control, procurement and project management and has a diverse range of both public and private clients from all sectors of the economy.
Their sustainable growth has been built upon their reputation to deliver and this has resulted in a high level of repeat business and long term partnerships with repeat clients.
Working with local authorities, housing bodies, private developers, investors, landlords and private clients, Modia Consulting provide a wide range of professional quantity surveying related services associated with the practical aspects of constructing or renovating a property or development site. This includes producing the initial budget estimate, various value engineering exercises, measurement of a bill of quantities, contract advice, issuing of tender documents, post contract cost control and agreement of the final account.
Modia Consulting understand the importance of delivering to budgets from the outset of any project. In a market that has been through significant change over the last decade they focus their team on knowing their market to enhance their knowledge and provide professional advice to the client. “We understand the importance of delivering on time, cost and quality. We treat every project in its own right – one size does not fit all. From the outset we identify the client’s objectives and evaluate the strategic delivery options. This can be for complex programmes of work or for smaller one-off small projects, our methodology reinforcing quality remains the same,” said Graham.
In Modia Consulting they believe that teamwork is the key to success, be it across the project team or within Modia’s in-house team. Within the project team they contribute to the front end knowing that early cost advice significantly benefits the project and prevents redesign or budgetary delays – it can be the making or breaking of a project. They work closely with the other team members to achieve economies in design and function from the outset. In preparing tender documents they have formed good working relationships with design teams to ensure that the information they require to prepare documentation is clearly defined and unambiguous. Within their own team they have effective procedures in place to ensure that no information is lost from task to task or project to project. “We work hard to build our cost knowledge and are constantly researching market movements to ensure that we have our finger on the industry pulse.” The latest example of this is the development of BIM capabilities and the integration of CostX within the firm.
Modia Consulting’s services in cost management include Cost Planning, Quantity Surveying, Programme Commercial Management, Feasibility Appraisals and Value Management.
Project management is also a key area of the business and Graham revealed that through the level of experience that they have obtained over the years, they have the confidence and know-how to complete any project to a very high standard.
“We lead from project inception providing clients with simple yet robust decision-making management information. We cover every sector which allows us to be involved in a vast range of projects and bring experience to bear when required.”
Graham has seen a dramatic change in the role of a quantity surveyor since the recession as he revealed there is a lot more focus on cost now. “Cost is everything now for the client and you can see there has been a massive change in clients’ attitudes towards the financial side of projects since the downturn. All clients want a greater degree of value engineering, cost transparency and cost certainty and in turn the role of the QS probably has taken on a greater significance than it was perhaps given credit for in the past.”
Graham acknowledges that the success of the business is down to a hard working team that give their all on every project to satisfy their clients’ needs. “Our experienced teams have the drive and passion to deliver and share the journey with the client providing the communication, confidence and service that they expect.”
As well as the services mentioned earlier, Modia Consulting also cater for Design and Build Solutions, Dispute Resolution, Estimating, Planning Permissions, Advice and Appeals, Fund Monitoring, Asset Management, Investment Due Diligence, Feasibility Studies, Tender Bid Management, Pre-qualification Solutions, Liquidation Procedures, Bond Negotiations, Project Programming, Cashflow Forecasting, Design Competitions, M&E Cost Management, Defect Remediation Plans and Pyrite Rectification, which proves they offer a turnkey service to their clients.
“We have been involved in many projects right from start to finish and we feel this is very important. There is a great sense of satisfaction when you see a project right through to completion.”
Graham and the team know the importance of developing relationships with their clients and this is something that they have always strived to do.
“We understand the importance of creating meaningful relationships and take time to understand our clients and the opportunities and challenges they face.”
One of the flagship projects that really drove on Modia Consulting was when they were appointed by Harvey Norman Ireland to provide full project management and quantity surveying services for a high-quality retail development at Airton Road Retail Park in Tallaght, Dublin 24. This defunct partially completed retail development was lying idle for years and was transformed into a multi-million euro retail scheme complete with Costa Coffee restaurant and car-parking. Modia Consulting made this happen on time and budget.
Other notable Modia projects include the award nominated Currency Fair office fit-out in Ballsbridge and the Liferay Office fitout in Dublin 2 designed by Fitout of the Year winner Andreas Heil of Innen Design. Other projects in Modia Consulting’s Portfolio include working for clients such as AXA, Bimeda, Country Crest, Noonan’s, Primeline Logistics, PJ Walls Construction, Dunwoody and Dobson, BAM, Merrion Contracting, Keymore and M&P Construction.
“These were massive projects for us to be involved in having been appointed at a very early stage and they certainly helped enhance the reputation of the company. These are high quality, high value and high profile projects and ones that we are very proud of to have been involved in,” concluded Graham.
Contact Details:
Modia Consulting,
DUBLIN
Unit 4-4A Manor Street Business Park
Manor Street
Dublin
D07 HCN1
Tel: 01-8690331
KILKENNY
11 Patrick Street
Kilkenny
R95 VNP4
Tel: 056-7817005
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, October, Vol 5 No 10
