This Privacy Policy explains how QS Services NZ Ltd collects, uses, stores and protects personal information submitted through our website, contact forms, file uploads, email enquiries and related online services. We are based in New Zealand and aim to handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and applicable New Zealand privacy principles.

1.1 Information we may collect

• Your name, company name, email address and phone number.
• Project location, client type, project stage and service required.
• Drawings, specifications, scopes of work, quotes, photos, reports, tender documents and other project information uploaded or sent to us.
• Messages, enquiries, instructions and communications with QS Services NZ Ltd.
• Website usage information such as device type, browser, IP address, pages visited and analytics data, where analytics tools are used.

1.2 How we use information

• Respond to enquiries and provide customer support.
• Review project information and advise what QS support may be suitable.
• Prepare estimates, take-offs, BOQs, SOQs, quote reviews, QS reports, claims, variations or other agreed services.
• Communicate with you about your project, deadlines, fees, scope and next steps.
• Improve our website, tools, calculators, resources and services.
• Maintain business records, invoices, project files and compliance records.
• Protect our business, clients, systems and legal position.

1.3 Project documents and confidential information

Project documents sent to us may contain commercially sensitive or confidential information. We treat project information with care and use it for the purpose of assessing your enquiry, preparing agreed work, communicating with you and maintaining business records.

You should only upload or send documents that you are authorised to provide to us. If documents include third-party confidential information, you are responsible for ensuring you have permission to share that information with QS Services NZ Ltd.

1.4 Sharing information

We do not sell personal information. We may share information where reasonably required with:

• Our team members, consultants, advisers or subcontractors who assist us to provide services.
• Cloud storage, email, website hosting, accounting, security or business software providers.
• Suppliers, subcontractors or project partners where you have asked us to seek pricing or coordinate information on your behalf.
• Banks, lenders, consultants, contractors or project stakeholders where you have authorised us to prepare or issue reports or project information.
• Professional advisers, insurers, regulators, dispute resolution providers or legal authorities where required or permitted by law.

1.5 Security and storage

We take reasonable steps to protect personal and project information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. No online system is completely secure, so you should avoid sending highly sensitive information unless it is necessary for the service requested.

Information may be stored in cloud-based systems used by QS Services NZ Ltd. Some service providers may store or process information outside New Zealand. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to use reputable providers and manage information responsibly.

1.6 Retention

We keep personal and project information for as long as reasonably required for the purpose it was collected, for business records, legal requirements, insurance, professional obligations, dispute resolution and legitimate business purposes. When no longer required, information may be deleted, archived or anonymised.

1.7 Access and correction

You may request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you by contacting admin@qsservicesnz.co.nz. We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request.

1.8 Cookies and analytics

Our website may use cookies, analytics tools or similar technology to understand website traffic, improve user experience and measure marketing performance. You can usually disable cookies in your browser settings, although some website features may not work as intended.

1.9 Privacy breaches

If we become aware of a privacy breach, we will assess the situation and take reasonable steps to contain, investigate and respond to it. Where required by New Zealand privacy law, we will notify affected people and/or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

1.10 Contact

For privacy questions or requests, contact QS Services NZ Ltd — admin@qsservicesnz.co.nz, 021 962 133.

These Terms of Use apply to use of the QS Services NZ Ltd website, online calculators, resources, downloads, contact forms and related website content. By using the website, you agree to these terms.

2.1 Website content

Website content is provided for general information only. It is intended to help users understand QS Services NZ Ltd, our services, common construction cost issues and general project considerations. It is not a substitute for project-specific quantity surveying advice.

2.2 No formal engagement unless agreed

Submitting an enquiry, uploading documents or using the website does not automatically create a consultant-client relationship. Any formal engagement with QS Services NZ Ltd will be subject to written agreement on scope, fees, timing and terms.

2.3 User submissions and uploads

When you submit information or upload documents, you confirm that the information is accurate to the best of your knowledge, that you are authorised to provide it, that it does not infringe any third-party rights or confidentiality obligations, and that QS Services NZ Ltd may use it to respond to your enquiry and provide any agreed services.

2.4 Acceptable use

You must not use the website to upload unlawful, harmful, malicious, misleading, offensive or unauthorised material. You must not attempt to interfere with website security, access restricted systems, scrape content at scale, or misuse forms or upload functions.

2.5 Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, website content, branding, layouts, text, resources, calculators, guides and documents are owned by QS Services NZ Ltd or used with permission. You may download or print resources for your own internal project use, but you must not reproduce, sell, republish or commercially exploit website content without written permission.

2.6 Third-party links and tools

The website may include links to third-party websites, software, tools, resources or suppliers. QS Services NZ Ltd is not responsible for third-party content, availability, security, accuracy or terms.

2.7 Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, QS Services NZ Ltd is not liable for loss, damage, cost or claim arising from use of the website, general information, calculators, guides, downloads or third-party links. Nothing in these terms limits any rights that cannot legally be excluded under New Zealand law.

2.8 Changes to the website and terms

We may update the website, content, calculators, services or these Terms of Use at any time. Continued use of the website after updates indicates acceptance of the updated terms.

2.9 Governing law

These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any dispute relating to the website or these terms is subject to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

Terms of engagement — website summary

This is a website-friendly summary of the terms that may apply when QS Services NZ Ltd is engaged to provide professional services. It is a guide only. The final scope, fees and terms for any project should be confirmed in a written proposal, quote, email or signed Terms of Engagement.

Services

QS Services NZ Ltd may provide estimating, cost planning, quantity take-offs, BOQ/SOQ preparation, tender support, supplier quote coordination, claims, variations, final accounts, bank/lender QS reports, quote reviews, methodology review, SSSP review and ongoing QS support.

Scope and assumptions

Our services will be based on the information provided and the agreed scope. Any assumptions, exclusions, qualifications or limitations should be recorded in the proposal, report, estimate, schedule, quote or related communication. If information is incomplete, unclear or later changes, additional work, revised pricing or updated reporting may be required.

Client responsibilities

The client is responsible for providing accurate, complete and timely information, including drawings, specifications, scopes, quotes, reports, site details, lender requirements, programme information and project instructions. The client should nominate a main point of contact and respond promptly to requests for clarification or approval.

Fees and payment

Fees may be charged as a fixed fee, hourly rate, stage-based fee or other agreed basis. Unless stated otherwise, fees are exclusive of GST and disbursements. Payment terms should be confirmed in the project-specific proposal or invoice terms. Disbursements, travel, printing, specialist software outputs or third-party consultant costs may be charged where agreed or required.

Variations to scope

Additional work outside the agreed scope may be treated as a variation and may attract additional fees. This may include revised drawings, scope changes, additional reports, extra meetings, urgent turnaround, additional site visits, lender template changes or rework caused by incomplete information.

Timeframes

Timeframes depend on workload, urgency, project complexity and receipt of required information. Express turnaround may be available by agreement and may be subject to priority charges.

Confidentiality

QS Services NZ Ltd will treat client and project information as confidential and will not disclose it except where required to provide the agreed services, where authorised by the client, or where required or permitted by law.

Professional indemnity insurance

QS Services NZ Ltd intends to maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance for its services. Evidence of insurance can be provided upon request where applicable. Specific cover limits should be confirmed in the project engagement documents.

Limitation of liability

Any limitation of liability should be confirmed in the project-specific Terms of Engagement. To the maximum extent permitted by law, QS Services NZ Ltd is not liable for indirect, consequential, special or loss-of-profit claims arising from services or website use.

Intellectual property

Documents, templates, schedules, reports, estimates, calculators, resources and other materials prepared by QS Services NZ Ltd remain our intellectual property unless otherwise agreed. Subject to payment of all amounts due, the client may use project-specific deliverables for the purpose for which they were prepared.

Third-party reliance

No third party may rely on our reports, estimates, schedules or advice unless QS Services NZ Ltd has provided written consent. Unauthorised third-party reliance is excluded to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Termination

Either party may terminate an engagement in accordance with the agreed Terms of Engagement. The client remains responsible for fees and reimbursable expenses for work completed up to termination.

Disputes

If a dispute arises, the parties should first try to resolve it through discussion and negotiation. If the matter cannot be resolved, mediation or another agreed dispute resolution process may be used before court proceedings, unless urgent relief is required.

Priority of project-specific terms

If there is any inconsistency between this website summary and a signed or written project-specific proposal, quote, scope, email agreement or Terms of Engagement, the project-specific agreement should take priority.

The information on this website is provided by QS Services NZ Ltd for general guidance only. While we aim to provide useful and practical information, website content must not be relied on as formal quantity surveying advice, a final estimate, a quote, a certification, an engineering opinion, a valuation, a legal opinion, financial advice, or a guarantee of project cost.

3.1 General information only

Construction costs can vary significantly depending on drawings, specifications, site conditions, access, ground conditions, supplier pricing, subcontractor pricing, labour, plant, waste, methodology, programme, market conditions and project-specific risks. Any general rates, ranges, examples, guides or commentary on the website are indicative only and may not apply to your project.

3.2 Project-specific review required

For accurate pricing, reporting, tender support, quote review, SOQ/BOQ preparation or other commercial advice, QS Services NZ Ltd must review the relevant project information and agree the scope of service in writing.

3.3 No engineering, design or building certification

QS Services NZ Ltd provides quantity surveying, estimating and commercial support. Unless specifically agreed in writing, we do not provide engineering design, architectural design, building surveying, legal advice, financial advice, valuation advice, insurance advice, building consent approval or code compliance certification.

3.4 No guarantee of outcomes

QS Services NZ Ltd does not guarantee that any estimate, report, tender, claim, variation, SOQ, BOQ, cost plan, bank report or advice will result in tender success, funding approval, bank acceptance, reduced cost, contractor agreement, council approval or any specific commercial outcome.

3.5 Errors and availability

We aim to keep website information accurate and current, but errors, omissions or outdated information may occur. We may change, remove or update content without notice.

3.6 Reliance

You should obtain project-specific advice before making decisions based on website content. If you rely on general website information without obtaining project-specific advice, you do so at your own risk.

Calculator disclaimer

The calculators and tools on this website are designed to help users understand basic quantities, rough material volumes and general pricing concepts. They are guides only and are not formal quantity surveying advice.

Indicative outputs only

Calculator outputs are based on the information entered by the user and simplified formulas. Results may be incomplete, inaccurate or unsuitable for your project if inputs are wrong, assumptions are unsuitable, or site-specific issues apply.

Exclusions

Unless expressly stated, calculator outputs do not include all costs required to complete construction work. Depending on the tool and project, additional allowances may be needed for:

• Labour, plant, supervision, temporary works and site establishment.
• Excavation, disposal, cartage, access constraints, dewatering and ground conditions.
• Concrete pump, boxing, reinforcing, placing, finishing, saw cutting and curing.
• Pipe supply, fittings, testing, compaction testing, reinstatement and traffic management.
• Waste, laps, overlaps, breakages, supplier minimums and delivery costs.
• Design, engineering, consent, inspections and compliance requirements.
• Margins, overheads, GST, contingency and project-specific risks.

No quote or contract price

Calculator results are not a quote, offer, contract price, estimate for reliance, professional report or construction cost certification. They should not be used for tender submission, bank funding, contract agreement or construction decisions without project-specific review.

User responsibility

You are responsible for checking dimensions, quantities, units, rates, assumptions and outputs. If in doubt, seek professional advice before relying on any calculation.

Bank QS report disclaimer

Based on information provided

Any QS report, cost review, progress review, drawdown support or cost-to-complete assessment will be based on the information provided to QS Services NZ Ltd and the scope agreed for the report.

No guarantee of lender acceptance or funding

QS Services NZ Ltd does not guarantee that any bank, lender, insurer, funder or third party will accept a report, approve funding, release drawdowns, approve claims or rely on the information provided. Each lender may have its own requirements, formats, conditions and review process.

Not a valuation or building inspection

Unless expressly agreed in writing, a QS report is not a property valuation, market valuation, structural inspection, building survey, engineering certification, code compliance certificate, defects report, insurance valuation or guarantee of workmanship.

Site visits and progress assessments

Where site visits are included, progress assessments are typically visual and limited to the scope agreed. Hidden work, defective work, design compliance, structural adequacy, workmanship quality and code compliance may not be assessed unless specifically included and within our expertise.

Reliance by third parties

No third party may rely on a report, estimate, cost review or progress assessment unless QS Services NZ Ltd has given prior written consent. We accept no duty of care, responsibility or liability to any unauthorised third party.

Reporting scope

Report requirements should be confirmed before work begins. If a lender has a required template, scope, inspection process or reporting standard, the client must provide those requirements before the report is prepared.