Cuesko

In addition to vertical build expertise, Cuesko has a specialised civil and infrastructure team focused on providing cost management services for road, rail, 3 waters, subdivision and infrastructure projects.

Core values that underly Cuesko’s cost management services include;

• Adding value through their involvement
• Focus on what is best for the project
• No surprises cost reporting
• Independent but an integrated approach
• Open and frank dialogue and advice
• Transparency and openness
• Integrity and professionalism

Cuesko operates from offices in Auckland, Whangarei and Tauranga to service nationwide. With a combined team of approximately 30, Cuesko has the capacity, experience, and expertise to undertake the largest of projects while still allowing clients direct access to the Directors so that they can always be assured of receiving personal attention and optimum service.

Since its inception, Cuesko has delivered high-quality Quantity Surveying Services on over 1000 projects.  A large proportion of their work is for repeat clients which is a testament to the quality of service they provide.

• Cuesko is committed to providing accurate advice that will enable their clients to make informed decisions and establish effective commercial strategies and management.
• Their aim is to establish long term relationships with their clients through a focused and detailed approach to project delivery, whilst never losing sight of the “big picture”.
• Cuesko will be proactive in their approach and advice, providing risk recognition and practical cost solutions to support their client's desired outcomes in terms of budget, time, quality and aesthetics.
• With the best interests of the client and the project at the heart of their business, Cuesko will act independently to challenge wherever and whenever needed. They will remain “independent but integrated”.
• Cuesko will endeavour to ensure a “no surprise” culture using the established principles of “cause and effect” to demonstrate the true costs of change. This will be based on the lessons they have learned in the successful delivery of major projects throughout New Zealand and the world.

Feasibility study – ensuring the viability of your project

A feasibility study from Cuesko gives you accurate foundations on which to build. A robust and independent feasibility analysis is in many cases the only way to secure funding. Equally importantly feasibility studies show you early where you have opportunities to value engineer for vastly improved outcomes.

Feasibility study – an independent and expert feasibility analysis

A feasibility study isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the expert understanding of the market – tools and materials, planning and consents, design specifications, tender processes, as well as understanding supplier and subcontractor appointments.

Early involvement with Cuesko gives you the information and the insights you need from independent feasibility analysis. Their focus is to deliver you all the information you need based on their considerable expertise to help your team realise your project’s optimal commercial outcome.

Concept estimates – thorough feasibility studies on ‘cause and effect’

Post feasibility analysis, Cuesko can produce even more in-depth reports including concept estimates detailing the ‘cause and effect’ of your options for quality, time, and cost. Small changes at design levels can deliver significant savings. Their ability to provide you with quantified outcomes relating to different decisions gives you the inside track on ensuring successful construction that will deliver the right return.

Concept estimates are tailored to your project’s requirements and can encompass everything from design and site reviews to feasibility analysis of different specifications, suppliers, subcontractors, and tendering processes, along with compliance and permitting advice.

Feasibility studies – detailed feasibility study services

• Cost estimation at an early stage.
• Revenue calculation.
• Cash flow forecasting.
• Funding requirements and costs.
• Evaluation of local authority consent costs and levies.
• Design Costs.
• Total project outturn cost.
• Analysis of return on investment from lease or sale.
• Lifecycle, Capex, and Opex calculations.

Pre and post tendering estimates for project profitability

Effective tendering depends on the quality of tender documentation, contract conditions, and engagement with the most appropriate contractors. They advise on all aspects of the process and if need be, can administer the entire process to ensure the desired outcome. Their experience in construction tendering assures you of the best advice and most commercially advantageous outcome.

Tender documentation analysis – expert services and support

Tender documentation determines the success or failure of a tender. As design definition increases, so does the cost surety in our estimates; through their in-depth understanding of construction methodologies, site specific elements and risks, materials costs, production rates, etc. whilst always maintaining a view on value engineering opportunities and your desired project outcome.

In fixing the pre tendering budget, Cuesko provides an effective benchmark for the tender process. Their expert tender documentation and analysis helps you achieve accurate real-time costings – where savings can be achieved, and how specific tools and methods will mitigate risks. That puts you in the best position for a successful project, from the outset.

TOC validation – a robust assessment of total overall cost

TOC (Total Outturn Cost) contracts are becoming increasingly common for infrastructure projects. Setting target costs and TOC validation are critical elements that Cuesko’s infrastructure specialists can provide to ensure a successful project. Risk and reward sharing make the overall return on a project even more dependent on the detail. And it’s that detail that Cuesko reliably provides.

Their TOC validation and tendering services ensure that you have all the information you need from which to make the most informed decision. They tailor their services to your project’s requirements and show you the ‘cause and effect’ of different decisions in their delivery to the overall picture. And that’s a picture on which you can robustly depend.

Tendering and estimating services

• Cost estimation at all stages of a project (concept through to pre-tender)
• Feasibility studies
• Estimate peer reviews
• Parallel estimates
• TOC validations
• Procurement and contract advice
• Tender documentation
• Tender evaluation/analysis
• Value engineering

Building life cycle cost analysis – measuring sustainability

Building life cycle analysis, specifically building life cycle cost analysis is a growing requirement. As technology delivers improvements, clients need to understand the long-term sustainability of their construction projects. As expert quantity surveyors, we’re the very people to provide long-term sustainability data from which to plan.

Building life cycle cost analysis – understanding overall cost Building life cost analysis deals with understanding the overall cost of design and regulatory compliance and provides opportunities to value engineers through more informed decision making. Measuring the ‘cause and effect’ of design and compliance costs and forecasting those effects, gives clients a clearer understanding of the overall cost of a building over its life cycle.

We provide clients with detailed building life cycle cost analysis, to ensure the project sustainably returns the value for money with no hidden surprises. Our analysis allows you to consider initial costs against future costs to ensure the best value from your project over time.

Building life cycle analysis – understanding the full life cycle

Building life cycle analysis incorporates four aspects of sustainability; environmental, economic, social and cultural - a more complex analysis but one which is increasingly in demand. As regulators increasingly look to minimise future costs across all spectrums; robust building life cycle analysis can help get projects more support than they may otherwise garner.

Only through effective measurement can you be sure of the future cost implications of your build.

That’s where we can offer genuine and up-front value; working with Cuesko is an investment in the cost savings of the future. We tailor our services to each client and project ensuring robust and independent assessment every step of the way.

Building life cycle cost analysis services

• Cost estimation at all stages of a project (concept through to pre-tender)
• Procurement and contract advice
• Value engineering
• Lifecycle, Capex and Opex calculations
• Stakeholder cost allocations
• Cost to complete / outturn cost forecasts
• Project cash flows
• Cost audits
• Sustainability cost advice
• Depreciation schedules
• Asset allocations

Procurement strategy & procurement management

As quantity surveyors, Cuesko provides timely and strategic procurement advice and procurement management services. Understanding the contractual implications (costs and benefits) of alternative procurement strategies is an essential part of project planning and delivery. They ensure you’re making the right investment.

Procurement strategy – getting the best return

Early involvement with Cuesko ensures your procurement strategy delivers the best possible return for your project. Their ability to forecast the relative cost benefits gives you an independent and robust foundation for your build.

Cuesko's experience and expertise give you insight into how strategic procurement can advance your construction goals – from the form of contract, through to building life cycle costing analysis. It’s the detail that underpins informed decision-making, ensuring the sustainability of your project from the outset and over time.

Procurement management – managing your ongoing return

Their procurement management services ensure you pay what you need when you need to; including through establishing the most appropriate form of contract to financial progress certifications and robust project cash flow forecasting. Ensuring you have the procurement strategy in place to support your build in the best possible way gives both you and your funders, peace of mind.

Cuesko's procurement management services are designed to give you the optimum return on your investment and put you in the driving seat for the duration of your project. Knowing what you need to expect and quantifying those options gives you infinitely more control, and far fewer unwanted or unwarranted build variations.

Procurement strategy and management services

• Estimating for specific procurement strategies
• Estimate peer reviews
• Parallel estimates
• TOC validations
• Contractor selection
• Contractor engagement
• Tender documentation
• Tender evaluation/analysis
• Precondition certification for funders
• Advice on form of contract, fixed lump sum, design and construct, CMP, TOC or other
• Cost to complete / outturn cost forecasts
• Project cash flows
• Cost audits

Construction cost management & value engineering

Value engineering depends on accurate quantity surveying and value analysis; assessing the value of design in relation to costs and benefits in both form and function, to ensure the most cost-effective, desirable outcome for you. Their experience in construction cost management has provided significantly better outcomes across a range of construction projects

Value engineering – through effective quantity surveying

Detailed analysis of costs, allows them to understand exactly where savings can be made, in the build and as importantly, over the lifetime of the building. They support effective construction project management in finding significant savings through more effective procurement strategies,  programming, construction methodologies, and price negotiation.  Furthermore, their ability to accurately measure and forecast means you can see the value engineering consequences of multiple approaches and then compare them to inform your decision.

Working with Cuesko gives you more ammunition to negotiate and a powerful means to deliver the above-expected outcomes.

Specialist construction cost management

Value management is a whole project approach from concept design through construction. Throughout your construction project life cycle, robust cost surveying helps keep you on track and shows you where you can improve return, save costs, or both. To support your construction cost management, they are able to provide accurate, quantifiable numbers to your options, assess and analyse risks and recommend appropriate allowances to protect you against unplanned eventualities.

With Cuesko as part of your team, you will have the information you need to more effectively inform your construction project management every step of the way. And ensure both you and your stakeholders will have the peace of mind you need.

Value engineering and construction cost management services

• Procurement and contract advice
• Tender evaluation/analysis
• Life cycle cost analysis
• Design assessment
• Value analysis
• Risk analysis
• Risk evaluation
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Time/programme cost analysis
• Payment recommendations under NZS3910 or NZS3915 and other standard forms of contract including NEC3, FIDIC etc.
• Stakeholder cost allocations
• Cost to complete/outturn cost forecasts
• Project cash flows
• Cost audits
• Processing, evaluation and recommendations on variations, extension of time claims, delay  and disruption costs, acceleration costs etc… under different forms of contract
• Contractual advice
• Sustainability cost advice

Risk management, risk assessment & risk mitigation

Effective risk management planning requires robust risk assessment and effective risk mitigation. As part of your construction team, they are able to quantify your risks in terms of effect, likelihood, and cost and provide the strategies by which to mitigate those risks. Their vast experience enables us to provide insight and advice including in relation to risks arising from the unknown, intangible, and unforeseen.

Risk assessment – for risk mitigation

Understanding your risks requires more than risk identification. They conduct a wide array of risk assessments including; risk analysis to determine the effect, risk appraisal to determine likelihood, risk evaluation to determine the cost, and the development of a risk mitigation strategy.

With this level of detail, you have the means to identify and manage the factors that most increase your risk. Their expert guidance means once the risks have been analysed and evaluated their ‘crystal ball’ software calculates your risk allowances to the 5th percentile, mean, and 95th percentile risk levels or to any user-definable level to suit your project.

Risk management – for quality outcomes

When it comes to risk management, every project faces risks that can have a significant impact on the outcome. The ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, eliminate, control, and value risks in project feasibilities and budgets, is essential for managing and achieving favourable outcomes. Cuesko has the experience, knowledge, and expertise to provide the best possible advice.

Their approach to risk assessment is to find solutions before problems become a reality. They regularly participate or instigate workshops to engage all stakeholders and project participants – ensuring risk management is a whole of the project process. Cuesko provides you with the real data you need to factor into your decision-making process, preserving the integrity of your project for every stakeholder.

Risk management and risk mitigation services

• Risk-based estimating
• Risk workshops
• Risk identification
• Risk analysis
• Crystal ball valuation 5th percentile, 95th percentile, and mean risk
• Feasibility studies
• Procurement and contract advice
• Value engineering