Benjamin Revel

I joined Life Less Ordinary in October 2022 as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor before being promoted to Quantity Surveyor on completion of my degree.

Life Less Ordinary has provided the opportunity to gain a wealth of experience in Quantity Surveying. A small commercial team and several projects under construction meant that from the day I joined I was working on multiple projects, at different stages of their life cycle. I have worked on the following projects during my time at Life Less Ordinary:

- Vale House, Reigate - 41 units. This project was under construction when I joined with some minor procurement outstanding. I oversaw the existing contracts, and managed subcontractors through to final account.

Roebuck House, Reigate - 27 units. My role was as project Quantity Surveyor from inception through to completion in March 2024. I was solely responsible for procurement, reporting, buying, and management of subcontracts right through to final account.

Collins House, Gerrard's Cross - 36 units. Currently working as the project Quantity Surveyor again, overseeing all commercial aspects on the project. Collins House is due to complete in September 2024.

I joined Inland Homes to work on the last three phases of a challenging 357 unit Housing Association development in Ashford, Staines. This position was my first experience of Quantity Surveying and I count myself fortunate to have been a part of it. During my time at Inland Homes I was exposed to:

- Management of subcontractor accounts; including accurately valuing measured works and variations for interim payments, issuing payment notices and internal reporting of subcontractor accounts for forecasting.

- The procurement process; including reviewing drawings and specifications to produce packages of works for issue to subcontractors. Produce subcontractor comparisons from returned quotations to ensure compliance and maximise value then issue proposals for review and sign off.

- Preparing and submitting client valuations; including measuring and submitting valuations to the client for payment on a monthly basis.

- Internal reporting: Including monthly cost report, subcontractor liabilities, forecast final accounts with the aim of identifying future problems.

- Preparing final accounts: Preparing final accounts with subcontractors that accurately reflect the work carried out. Issuing final account statements for signing and retention release.

Working as a self-employed sole trader presented me with many opportunities, key among these was the chance to work in several different roles and alongside many different trades over the years ranging from groundwork's to constructing roofs.

Away from the practical side I also had to regularly manage clients expectations, business cashflow and budgets as well as personal finances and tax returns.

My time as a sole-trader taught me that there was a lot more to construction than just the practical skills, and I learned the value of proper planning and financial management first hand.