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. Core Services: Pre-contract Risk Review; Variation Order (VO) Consultancy; Final Account (FA) Consultancy. Additional Consultancy Services: EOT and Loss and Expense Application Support; Monthly Commercial QS Consultancy.
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 review, organisation and recommendations from a commercial QS perspective. Legal advice, formal dispute representation and expert-witness services should be obtained separately where required.
What documents should I send first?
First describe the issue and which contract documents, instructions, drawings, assessment comments and records are available. We will confirm the relevant documents and submission arrangements separately; do not send confidential documents through the enquiry form.
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 agreed scope of services. Additional meetings, site visits, urgent work and expanded scope may require a separate fee.
Do I need a complete contract document package before making an enquiry?
No. First describe the issue and the records available. We will identify any further information required and confirm document-sharing arrangements separately.
Will you communicate directly with my consultant or main contractor?
This depends on the agreed scope and any conflict-of-interest considerations. Initial services normally focus on internal review, record organisation and submission preparation. Any external communication must be expressly included in the quotation and agreed scope.
Can you still help if the project is close to completion?
Yes. We can help organise final account items, reconciliation differences, substantiation gaps and negotiation priorities. Earlier involvement usually makes it easier to preserve records and follow up unresolved items.
Are small projects suitable for your services?
Yes, particularly where payment, VO or final account amounts have a meaningful impact on the contractor's cash flow. The scope is adjusted to the project size, available records and specific issue.
Start with the project background and unresolved commercial issue.
Include the project type, your contract role, the service required and any relevant deadline. Provide confidential documents only after separate arrangements are confirmed.