Chemicals

Quantity surveying and claims support for chemical facility construction and associated civil and installation packages.

Commercial challenges and how we approach them

Chemical facilities combine process equipment with structures, containment, buildings and services. Package interfaces can extend from equipment foundations to pipework and utilities. New works or upgrades need a clear construction scope and agreed completion requirements. New facilities, equipment installations and upgrades are stages of the same construction market; the package account should identify which plant areas and interfaces are included.

Safety-review actions after package award

The Challenge

A hazard-review action can change an instrument or valve, along with the pipework, controls and layout around it. The consequences may reach packages already in fabrication.

Our approach

We trace the authorised action against the design and scope bought. Additional items, cancelled orders and consequential work are reconciled as one change, while the technical specialists determine the safety requirement. This makes the cost visible without treating every later review action as automatically outside the original design obligation.

Materials, welds and inspection requirements

The Challenge

Process pipework and vessels may need specific materials, traceability and testing. A revised duty or specification can change procurement and fabrication, while non-compliant work creates a different commercial issue.

Our approach

We compare the specified material and inspection requirements with the revision and test records, separating a new duty from rectification of non-compliant supply.

Tie-ins within an operating chemical plant

The Challenge

The tie-in team cannot proceed until the operating plant is released. Late isolation or cleaning can leave prefabricated work and specialist crews waiting for the same short shutdown.

Our approach

We compare the priced isolation and readiness assumptions with actual releases. Additional attendance and resequencing are assessed by cause, with costs already included in live-plant working removed.

Packaged equipment and common utilities

The Challenge

Process skids may depend on cooling, steam, power and control systems supplied by others. Missing connections or unavailable utilities can prevent system testing despite completed equipment installation.

Our approach

We check the utility and control connections at the package limits and identify the commissioning attendance included by each supplier. Actual readiness records then support the assessment of missing scope or extra visits.

System completion and controlled start-up

The Challenge

Pressure tests, loop checks and documented readiness may need to precede process introduction. Unclear milestones can lead to disagreement over whether construction completion, testing or operation triggers payment.

Our approach

We establish whether the payment trigger is installation, a tested system or another defined stage. The required loop checks, pressure tests and documentation are matched to that trigger. This gives a clearer basis for reviewing withheld sums and additional tests than a general statement that the plant is almost finished.