Estimating at SPI Piling Ltd
When an enquiry is received by SPI Piling Ltd (preferably via estimating@spi.co.uk) it will first be subject to our review and booking in process. We always endeavour to complete this within a maximum of 1 week.
The enquiry is given a unique reference number and ‘Tender Prep Initial Review’ is undertaken, with a review summary recorded for every enquiry by one of our experienced Engineering staff. The ‘Tender Prep Initial Review’ identifies whether there is sufficient information for the pricing to be undertaken (most notably as relates to the sites underlying geology) and if the Steel Piling works are pre-design by others or require a design and build (D&B) quotation. Where there is doubt over the piling scope requiring of clarification or key information is missing this shall be requested at this stage along with request for site visit if deemed a requirement.
Once this is completed each enquiry, we have received is assigned an individual from either SPI’s Engineering or Operations Team (typically this is on a Monday afternoon) who shall be the ‘Estimator’ for the works, this could be our Engineering Manager Ross MacMillan, a Contracts Manager or other Management Level Staff.
Ross MacMillan heads up our Estimating with Tim Bywater, and Design team at SPI Piling Ltd. As the Engineering Manager, Ross has over 30 Years’ experience in the construction Industry working in Various engineering capacities and having held former directorships in the Civil Engineering Sectors.
It may be found notable that SPI Piling Ltd.’s Tim Bywater is the only individual currently employed with the specific job role of Estimator this despite the large volume of enquiries received on a daily basis. Tim is a BSc Civil Engineer (GMICE) with prior Operational experience and qualification (SMSTS) with excellent geotechnical understanding. It is felt that this is a direct contrast to several of our main competitors who leave much of their pricing to Commercially rather than Engineering trained staff.
Where necessary the Enquiry will also join our Design queue. Dependant on the complexity of the works the ‘Estimator’ may choose to assist the Designer by completing a ‘Tender Stage Design Request Form’ to be considered alongside the Tender Prep ‘Initial Review Summary’.
The result being any quotation provided by SPI Piling Ltd is an ‘Offer’ based on our Specialist Engineering understanding not simply a pricing of the stated minimum requirement without true cognisance of buildability.
The utilisation of Engineering and Operational staff for the tendering process gives us confidence in the methodology and plant selection. These staff have the understanding and experience to make pile drivability assessment from the available geological information which can, along with plant requirements for access, be the determining factor in pile selection (over and above structural design requirements). – In such instances this is made clear in the aforementioned ‘Tender Stage Design Request Form’.
Further by utilising Engineering and Operational staff for our pricing the later ‘Handover’ of secured works from tender to delivery stages is a smooth process within our business. Consistently the decisions made by the Estimating Team during pricing will fairly reflect how the works are later delivered.
As acknowledged above the access and environmental factors of each project can have significant impact on the piling plant selection and having the right individuals involved with the early-stage pricing, has, on countless occasions, meant we have been able to stand by our offer where competitors have not. This often once Bid reviews are undertaken beyond the costing comparison stage and scrutiny is applied by the Main Contractors Engineering and Delivery Team. It will be all too familiar to some that it’s not just the bottom line of a quotation which counts but its reflection of the finial subcontract sum. Our repeat clients know ‘a re-measurable quotation from SPI Piling Ltd is more accurate than a Lump Sum from others’ and although the former is our standard tendering approach it is rare, we will not consider entering Lump Sum form of Subcontract.
Indeed, the level of price breakdown and the detail contained in the clarifications letter content SPI Piling Ltd provide, as standard, is testimony to our true appreciation for the works we are tendering.
By getting the Engineering Understanding and Piling Science right in our ‘Offers’ it allows us to run a smaller Commercial Team than most of our competitors which, through the testimony of those we have worked for, they find less ‘Commercially aggressive’ also.
Having had an unexpectedly positive experience previously with SPI Piling Ltd an increasing number of Main Contractors and Design Houses are now seeking our earlier involvement as part of their early cost setting for Clients, this is an opportunity we relish. Early-stage budget advise from SPI Piling Ltd can assist with helping the client identify how certain phasing of the works can impact the piling costs and aid them with targeting the additional design detail or investigation needed to firm-up the price and/or design. As we appreciate it can often be difficult to convince clients to part with their money for elements of the scheme, they ‘cannot see’ (S.I. works (G.I.R) and the buried foundations (including the Piling) this additional advice from SPI Piling Ltd as a leading Specialist in our field can offer real value in these early stages.
Having had an unexpectedly positive experience previously with SPI Piling Ltd an increasing number of Main Contractors and Design Houses are now seeking our earlier involvement as part of their early cost setting for Clients, this is an opportunity we relish. Early-stage budget advise from SPI Piling Ltd can assist with helping the client identify how certain phasing of the works can impact the piling costs and aid them with targeting the additional design detail or investigation needed to firm-up the price and/or design. As we appreciate it can often be difficult to convince clients to part with their money for elements of the scheme, they ‘cannot see’ (S.I. works (G.I.R) and the buried foundations (including the Piling) this additional advice from SPI Piling Ltd as a leading Specialist in our field can offer real value in these early stages.
Finally, to say SPI Piling Ltd, “Piling Contractor of Choice” prides itself on taking a ‘repeat business’ approach to tendering works. We are prepared to decline works which we would not deliver well or with (total) cost efficiency and will always seek to assist with pointing you in the direction of other Specialist Subcontractors (such as our sister company TriTech Ground Engineering and others which we maintain a good relationship with and that carry a similar ethos to us). We are also not shy to advise where other viable Solutions are a better match, this from our first-class geological understanding. So please don’t hesitate to send us details of your next piling scheme via our website or Estimating@spi.co.uk and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
