Should established QS and project management firms be quaking in their boots at the prospect of a platoon of well dressed property agents muscling in on their patch?

There certainly appears to be an appetite among leading agents QS News has interviewed to gain greater market share in project management.

The move will only add fuel to the fire of a heated jobs market if the agent claims that they pay more (around 10% extra if you’re interested) for staff than construction based businesses do. Those that have decamped also say the work itself can be more varied and have more influence given that agents are further up the food chain in terms of getting involved at an earlier stage.

Whether the work itself is that much more challenging or exciting is arguable. After all, one would presume the agents’ workload is still dominated by private sector work whereas the vast tranche of QS-employed project managers probably have a 50/50 balance between private and public. What is clear is that agents are here to stay.

Such intentions underline the drive among some in the sector for multi-skilling. White Young Green, traditionally an engineering focused consultancy, has hinted its intention to offer cost consulting in the UK. While this is more of a trickle than a flood, QS practices will need to be wary of outsiders as well as rivals henceforth.

Congratulations to the British Council for Offices, whose new design guide for tall building provides some hard facts and informed comment on a topic that can often provoke over-excited debate.

Let’s hope it can put some well-needed perspective on the issue, providing proof of when reaching the clouds can be justified or when the plans are out of context, over-hyped and unnecessary.

Source

QS News