Summary

As indicated in the centre of the vantage project cycle diagram, the cost to the client for the entire package is 6.5 %. Other than the fact that most, if not all projects performed in the domestic and residential sectors grossly exceed budgets, there is nowhere else in the country that a customer could obtain this volume of protection advice and assistance for such a reasonable percentage of the project value.

Vantage is currently the only turnkey solution of its kind in South Africa, designed specifically for consumer protection in the fraud riddled arena of small to medium building additions and home improvements.

1. Assistance with planning approval if required

• Although 1 Call and Vantage can assist with the provision of a draftsman or architect, these services are not included in the cost of  the consumer protection package.
• We can however get involved in following up with the municipality to assess permission dates or advise of required changes and compliances where required.
• Usually the draftsman or architect would perform this function; we merely offer a back up service.

2. Provision of multiple panel accredited contractors

• For the past five years, 1 Call has managed a database of hundreds of contractors that are actively on the panel of many insurers and commercial property companies.
• They have also completed an accreditation assessment which includes:
  • credit and bank ratings
  • multiple recent consumer and trade references
  • ongoing assessments for every network project undertaken
• The Vantage contractor group for the Western Cape has been specifically selected from the 1 Call database.
• They have all proven themselves to be consistently professional over an extended period of time and have impeccable 1 Call service records.

3. Comprehensive insurance cover included

• All 1 Call and Vantage service providers are insured with a contractor all risk policy including but not restricted to:
  • Physical loss or damage to material that forms part of the project caused by a number of events including, fire, lightening, water, storm, wind, hail, theft and malicious damage.
  • The materials are also insured whilst in transit to the site or being securely stored offsite.
  • The cover also allows for damage that may be caused to surrounding property adjacent to the project site.
  • Public liability cover of R5, 000,000.00 (five million rand).

4. Calculate bill of quantities – ensuring no materials are overlooked

• A bill of quantities (BOQ) is a document produced by submitting data into a software programme, in conjunction with a detailed plan and drawing.
• It is utilized for accurate project costings in the home improvement and construction industry.
• If the drawings are accurate and no deviations from plan are requested the BOQ will accurately include and cost all materials and labor required to complete your project.
• This avoids the pitfall of overlooked and financially unaccounted for tasks.
• This function is included in the cycle and will be performed by your appointed Vantage quantity surveyor.

5. Quantity surveyor – quotation scrutiny

• Subsequent to the ‘provision of multiple panel approved contractors’ (section 2), the quotations will be received relatively quickly after the contractors have site visited.
• The speed of delivery varies dependant on the size and specifications of the project.  Two days to two weeks is a fair gauge of the extremes.
• The quotations are submitted to the 1 Call operation centre for initial evaluation to ensure ‘apples against apples’ are quoted for.
• This is a very important function, as projects can vary in price considerably due to contrasting interpretation of the customer’s desired result.
• Your appointed quantity surveyor will be notified of any potential discrepancies in order to rectify and clear up any misunderstandings prior to commencement of your project.
• Although the QS does not want to influence your decision regarding contractor choice, you may at this stage request a meeting or telephonic advice if you are uncertain of any aspects.

6. Contract creation, including penalties and progress payments

• Once you, the customer, have made a decision based on the quotes provided, the quantity surveyor will visit you at home or on site to assist in advising both parties of his recommendations for the content.
• This will include proposed start and completion dates, penalty clauses for slow progress, and agreed progress payments, subject to QS approval etc.
• The QS will provide both parties with his preferred industry approved contract format to ensure that terms laid out are clear, understood and adhered to.
• This meeting is further designed to ensure that both parties fully understand what the expected processes and results are and will be signing to such effect.

7. Contracts signed / project funds deposited into the trust account

• Once the contract has been signed between the customer and the contractor, a power of attorney is issued by the client to Herold Gie to manage and control the progress payments on behalf of the client.
• The client will then deposit the full project value into the H G trust account which will be opened in the clients’ name and be interest bearing at the currently specified rate.
• The reason for this components inclusion in the cycle is two fold:
  • The contractor, no matter how convincing, cannot persuade any client to part with more funds than the QS has periodically approved.
  • The contractor recognises the integral intent of the client to pay in full once the project is completed to satisfaction.

8. Discount negotiations and purchase of materials

• To further financially protect the clients, the 1 Call ASAP operation centre will receive the funds from Herold Gie (as prescribed by the contract and the QS progress reports), to purchase all materials required for the project.
• This creates a bulk buying scenario, resulting in significant discounts from reputable suppliers without compromising material quality.

9. QS site visits / contractor’ draws issued upon approval

• This function is not new or exclusive to the Vantage consumer protection service.
• It is utilized every day by quantity surveyors all over the world including South Africa. It is an exceptionally professional procedure to ensure projects are completed on time, up to standard and that quality regulated materials are consumed.
• It also prevents delays with regard to roof inspections or slab engineer reports etc. that are necessary on various projects.
• These type of requirements are on the QS’s schedule and as such are organised timeously preventing any site delays.
• The difference being; these services are currently only offered or required on new builds or large industrial / commercial sites where the financial institutions funds may be at risk.
• Vantage has merely taken this component, simplified it and made it available for consumers to protect their interests, which until now seem to have been at the bottom of the authorities’ priority list.
• A contractor draw is simply only issued by Herold Gie under direct instruction from the QS  (in the form of a payment certificate)who has evaluated the site and warrants that materials and labour consumed to date are up to sufficient volumes and standards to continue.
• If anything is not in order, the contractor will be instructed to make right prior to another inspection/ fund authorisation visit.
• The quantity surveyor as with Herold Gie attorneys both have substantial professional indemnity insurance in place covering the client in the event of misconduct or misappropriation

10. Snag list preparation and adjudication to completion

• As a site reaches completion, it becomes necessary to create a snag list.
• This is usually produced by the customer who logs everything that they are not happy with, skew wall plugs, marked paintwork, mortar mess on existing paving, etc.
• With Vantage, the list will still be compiled by the client, but with the QS’s assistance, so nothing remains overlooked.
• At this stage, both the client and the contractor will agree and sign the snag list and an estimated completion time and date will be specified.
• The QS will schedule his last / final visit for that agreed date, and if he discovers that the list has not been completed to satisfaction, he will either:
  • Allow the client to e-mail or fax signed confirmation of completion at a later date.
  • Assess the value of the remaining tasks and authorise final payment to the contractor, less the funds required to complete the snag list with a comfortable margin as agreed by all parties.
• 1 Call ASAP will then provide a fresh finishing team to complete the minor tasks to speed the process to satisfaction.

11. Revised valuation certificates issued

• This is only usually required if the project has been financed, or the clients intent is to sell.
• It does however provide peace of mind that before and after valuations reflect that your improvement project has increased valuation beyond its cost.
• It also ensures you are not over-capitalizing your property in comparison to its location or amenities.

12. Eight percent of project value retained for 90 days pending possible settlement defects

• Included in the Vantage standard contract as drawn up by the quantity surveyor, provision has been made to retain 8% of the project funds in the Herold Gie trust account which is at such time  transferred into the name of the contractor and becomes interest bearing on their behalf.
• These funds may be utilized by Vantage in the event that settlement or other faults become apparent within the 90 day period.
• This precaution in no way affects the customer’s rights to any claims against any extended or standard guarantees as offered by the contractor and set out in the original contract.
• This final component of the Vantage package ensures (subject to QS site visit) a speedy and efficient response to any genuine problems becoming apparent after the first three months of completion.