Aim
The aim of our QS Department is to work closely with the Contractor's QS, monitoring all the financial aspects of the contract, which will lead to: -

a.	A scaffold package price that is closer to the end result.
b.	A closer and understanding relationship between contractor and scaffold contractor.
c.	Tighter control by site management of variations carried out.
d.	More awareness by trade contractors that they will be liable for scaffold carried out on their behalf - scaffold request system.
e.	Early warning of sub-contractor liabilities.
f.	A satisfactory final account to all parties.

 

With use of e-mail, we can send all valuations and breakdown to sites in their formulated context to enable further sorting and analysis for valuations, contra charges and financial monitoring.
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Valuation of variations is always a major bone of contention. Does the work relate back to the original estimate, should it be valued at a schedule of rates or should it be carried out on a Daywork basis? We know what return we require on a man carrying out variations to include all labour erecting, adapting, dismantling, transport, consumables and hire of scaffold materials. As long as the rate per man is realistic, all variations could be based on the time taken only. This would be easier to monitor by your Manager than trying to remember a measurement of scaffold and the erect date, as well as the dismantle date. Offsetting contra charges against the various trades would be just the same, in that they can be valued in accordance with responsibilities noted on site instructions and scaffold request forms.
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How our account is laid out: -

a.	Measured works (original quotation).
b.	Breakdowns of measured works claimed on a progressive basis e.g. 1000m claimed to date out of a total of 2000m.
c.	Priced variations.
d.	Guardrail schedule.
e.	Daily variations account arising on instruction for immediate action and related to a schedule of rates.
f.	Grand summary of all of the above.
g.	Final account projection. This has the facility for the contractor to predict final dismantling dates to project hire and variations forward.

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Measured works are presented showing the following information: -

 

a.	The quotation and item number.
b.	Heading/description of the scaffold.
c.	Value of the item and the hire period quoted.
d.	The split, generally 2/3 erection and 1/3 dismantle. Adaptions are generally shown separately.
e.	Date erected and dismantled.
f.	The amount claimed on the current valuation.
g.	The further hire commencement date and any further hire if applicable.
h.	On hire dates begin with the signature on a handover certificate. We would suggest that a dismantle instruction be issued by you at the appropriate time. This would end all arguments and disputes as to when the scaffold came down. It would also focus the mind if the instruction was issued, but not quite ready, as to who is responsible and therefore who should be charged.

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a.	The Contractor should specify one member of the management team to look after the scaffolding package on site. If more personnel are involved, this can lead to confliction and duplication of scaffolding in areas e.g. scaffolds being dismantled earlier than necessary and then being re-erected.
b.	The trade contractors should issue a Scaffold Request Form to the Main Contractor's scaffold coordinator to instruct daily variations. These should state whether they are to be paid for by Trade contactor, Main Contractor or trade to be contra-charged. This information can then be passed onto the Surveyor.
c.	The instruction needs to clearly identify the work that is to be carried out; who the work was for e.g. trade or company and the reason the work was carried out. If all this information is on the instruction, the variation account can be detailed accordingly.
d.	Each variation is attributed either to a sub-contractor, an Architects Instruction, the Main Contractor or to site safety.
e.	When the item of scaffold is finished with, it is dismantled and recorded on our daily work sheets. We re-iterate that at this point a scaffold dismantle request or instruction should be issued with the date clearly stated.
f.	Once the variation has been established, it is charged in the scaffold account using one of the methods described in item 12. The item is then priced using the schedule of rates with the information listed under the following headings: -

i. Location gridline and floor level.

ii. Description of the scaffold e.g. independent, tower, etc.

iii. Reason/trade e.g. for bricklayer.

iv. Site instruction and work sheet numbers.

v. Dimensions.

vi. Dates erected and dismantled.

vii. Quantities and rates.

viii. Split for labour and materials totals.

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Additional information – Sorting/Final Account:-

a.	The daily variation account will be able to be coded for each trade. This will enable data sorting throughout the contract to establish the liability for scaffold against each trade.
b.	Final account projection – each monthly valuation can be sent including a projected final account, which compares against the works to date. This is shown under the following headings:-

i. Quoted value.

ii. Anglewest claimed to date.

iii. Further hire to date.

iv. Final account (sum of 1 & 3).

v. Daily variations and guardrails are shown as to date figures or projected forward each month, based on the current amount claimed.

vi. Summary comparing actual to date against projected.

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