Posted By kevin ryder
the only real way to check a realistic quote is to forget the scale charges, they are like RIBA or RICS scales and meant as a guide.

estimate the time involvement of your tender and see how this relates to an hourly rate. fro a professional you should be looking at around £45-£65 per hour, (this is not wages but all up including overheads etc)

you can safely allow for a site visit to view the environment, this will take travel time and site time, then time for administration and gathering info, probably a day for small jobs to £200k, then you need to allow for services such as site visits and inspections if this is your wish (not generally allowed by competitive quotes) then any attendance at Design meetings and progress meetings that you need, then at least a full day inspecting and collecting safety file info and at least a day for collation of the file. this is a guide based on nominal basic services for a project around 2-300 k value. the type of contract and degree of expertise of client and design team also need reflection as do the style of construction work (refurb or simple new build?)

as with assessments, the CDM service is very site and project specific and there can be no general rules only broad guidelines that need interpretation. if you need help then come back

Posted By kevin ryder
just to remind, the sacle of charges from APS I think was the result of a survey to see what was being charged in the early days, so the result was leading the question.

going back to first principles, establish what the scope of service is that you are seeking (or being offered) then seek a like for like comparison. before accepting make a condition that you need competence checks as in the ACOP appendix, and also get an hourly rate for the CDMC

no magic formula i am afraid ! depends in the end on how much you pay and they charge.