NEC cost and commercial management for utilities, waste and energy programmes
Client-side quantity surveying for programmes let under NEC: reliable pre-tender estimates for evolving scopes, procurement across interdependent packages, and change managed as it happens rather than at the final account.
The commercial function a public-sector or utility client needs on an NEC programme
Infrastructure programmes on operational sites generate change: ground conditions, utility diversions, interfaces between demolition, civils and future construction, and scopes that develop as design information matures. NEC is built to manage that change in real time, which only works if the client side has the commercial capacity to run it. NNODI Group provides that capacity, embedded in your team or on a seconded basis.
- Cost plans, estimates and pre-tender budgets for technically complex, evolving scopes
- Procurement strategy and tender management across interdependent work packages: enabling works, demolition, utility diversions, DNO connections, civils frameworks
- NEC contract administration: early warnings, compensation events, Defined Cost, payment assessments and forecast final cost
- Change control, contingency management and the commercial audit trail public-sector governance expects
- Cost reporting for programme boards, funders and statutory stakeholders
- Interface management between contractors, operators, consultants and statutory undertakers
Authorities, utilities and operators that need client-side commercial control
Public-sector bodies and waste authorities, energy-from-waste and utility operators, distribution network operators and framework contractors that need an experienced NEC commercial manager without building a permanent team.
Independent, accountable and used to scrutiny.
Public money and regulated assets attract audit. Our work follows RICS professional standards, and every estimate, assessment and recommendation is documented so it can be examined later.
London Energy-from-Waste Infrastructure Programme
This experience was gained by NNODI Group’s Managing Director while employed by Rider Levett Bucknall and seconded to the authority. The client’s name is withheld in line with our confidentiality obligations.
Estimate honestly, procure deliberately, notify on time
Estimating. Pre-tender estimates for scopes that are still developing are built from first principles and stated with their assumptions, so decision-makers know what the number rests on and what would move it.
Procurement. Interdependent packages are sequenced and let so that one contractor’s programme is not another’s compensation event. Framework call-offs, minor works and specialist utility packages are set up with consistent commercial terms.
Administration. Early warnings are raised and answered, compensation events are notified, quoted and assessed within the contract timescales, and the forecast final cost is updated with each period, not reconstructed at the end.
Reporting. One consistent set of commercial reports for programme boards, funders and auditors, tracing every movement in cost to a decision.
NEC commercial management: frequently asked questions
What is a compensation event under NEC?
A compensation event is one of the listed events in an NEC contract, such as an instruction changing the Scope, a physical condition an experienced contractor would not have expected, or a client failure, that entitles the contractor to a change in the Prices and, where applicable, the Completion Date. Under NEC4 the contractor must notify an event it believes is a compensation event within eight weeks of becoming aware of it, and the project manager must respond and assess quotations within the contract’s timescales. Missed timescales lose entitlement or default acceptance, which is why the client side needs commercial resource that keeps pace.
How do you estimate work on an operational site where the scope is still developing?
From first principles, package by package, with every assumption stated and a contingency set deliberately rather than as a blanket percentage. Estimates are then reconciled to tender returns and to outturn, so the next estimate is better than the last.
Can you provide a seconded commercial manager?
Yes. Secondment into the client’s team, working to the client’s governance and reporting, is how the London energy-from-waste commission was delivered and remains the model we prefer for programme work.
Do you work on frameworks and minor works?
Yes. Framework call-offs and minor civils packages need the same discipline as major contracts, and often generate more change per pound spent. We set them up with consistent terms and administer them to the same standard.
Which sectors and locations?
Waste, energy-from-waste, utilities, distribution networks and enabling infrastructure, across London and the UK, with international programme experience through our Caribbean hospitality work.
You might also need
Talk to us about your project
Tell us what you are planning and where it is. Scope and fee are agreed before anything starts, and a director replies within one working day. Call 0800 699 0777 or send an enquiry.
Discuss your project →