I having just read Gus Alexander’s article “A Waste of Energy” (28 October), and it’s had a fundamental effect on my view of the way we go about construction in the UK.

Having been a quantity surveyor for 30 years, I formed the opinion that the industry had become far too specialised, with QSs, architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, lift engineers, estimators, buyers and so on all involved in the process.

Wouldn’t life be simpler, I thought, for the client and all those involved if we had, say, just three qualifications: engineers, architects and construction staff? Less co-ordination would be needed and therefore fewer mistakes would be made.

However, having read Gus’ view on how tenders should be dealt with, I have come to believe that the specialisations should continue for some time yet.

I certainly would not consider writing an article on design and so am not sure what was in Gus’ mind when he decided to produce an article about tender analysis.

Postscript

Frank A Perry

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