Common questions before engaging SY Strategy Surveying.
Clear answers about service scope, initial documents, fees and the boundaries of commercial QS support.
Who do you support?
We mainly support small and medium contractors, subcontractors and specialist trades, including fit-out, renovation, MEP and small A&A works.
Can you help if my VO submission was rejected or returned?
Yes. We can review the instruction, scope, measurement, rate basis and substantiation gaps, then help organise a clearer submission. Approval is not guaranteed.
Can you prepare the whole payment application?
Depending on the available records and agreed scope, we can review, structure or support the payment application. The exact deliverables are confirmed before work starts.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. We provide commercial QS review and assessment. Legal advice, formal dispute representation and expert-witness services should be obtained separately where required.
What documents should I send first?
Send the available contract, payment applications, VO records, instructions, drawings, assessment comments and relevant correspondence. A preliminary review will identify further information required.
Can you help before contract signing?
Yes. On request, we can review commercial risk areas such as payment, liquidated damages, VO procedures, retention, set-off and administration obligations. This is not legal advice.
Do you guarantee recovery or approval?
No. Outcomes depend on the contract, records, valuation basis, assessment and negotiation. Our role is to improve the structure, clarity and commercial position of the submission.
How are the scope and fee confirmed?
We first review the available records at a preliminary level to identify the issue, urgency and likely information needs. We then issue a quotation defining the proposed service, deliverables and exclusions.
Are meetings and site visits included?
Only when stated in the quotation or service package. Additional meetings, site visits, urgent work and expanded scope may require a separate fee.
Start with the project background and unresolved commercial issue.
Include the project type, your contract role, current payment or VO status, and the records already available.