OUR SERVICES

Our Role as Independent Cost Advisors

• As an independent ~ No project management, design, or contracting arms, founder led consultancy, MRMC QS provides objective advice free from conflicts of interest.
• Clients work directly with senior Quantity Surveyors with Direct involvement of experienced professionals who apply local market insight alongside international standards to support informed, defensible decisions.
• Our advice is commercially realistic, transparent, and tailored to each unique project’s objectives.
• Transparent Reporting ~ Clear assumptions, risks, and recommendations

Understanding Construction Costs in Vietnam

Construction costs in Vietnam are influenced by a wide range of factors beyond headline rates or cost per metre square ($/m2) benchmarks. At MRMC Quantity Surveyors, we provide informed, independent cost advice that helps clients understand why costs move, where risks sit, and how decisions made early in a project affect final outcomes.

This page provides high-level cost insight intended to support early discussions and decision-making. Project-specific advice is always provided through direct engagement with our senior consultants.

How We Advise on Cost

MRMC QS does not publish generic cost tables or live rates. Instead, we focus on prudent cost advice, grounded in current market knowledge, project experience, and international best practice.

Our cost advisory approach considers:

• Scope definition and design maturity
• Procurement strategy and packaging
• Program duration and sequencing
• Market conditions and escalation risk
• Site constraints and logistics
• Specification level and quality benchmarks
• Contract strategy and risk allocation

Understanding these cost drivers is critical to achieving cost certainty.

Key Cost Drivers in the Vietnam Market

Whilst every project is unique, common cost drivers in Vietnam include:

• Design development ~ incomplete or evolving designs are a major source of cost growth
• Procurement strategy ~ early contractor involvement versus traditional tendering
• Program pressure ~ acceleration premiums and labour inefficiencies
• Labour availability ~ particularly for specialist trades
• Imported materials and equipment ~ exposure to currency and supply-chain risk
• Regulatory and compliance requirements ~ approvals, fire, and statutory changes
• Site conditions ~ ground risk, access constraints, and brownfield complexity

Early identification and management of these factors is essential.

Indicative Cost Guidance (High-Level Only)

For feasibility stage discussions, MRMC QS may provide broad, indicative cost ranges by sector to assist with early option testing. These are not estimates and should not be relied upon for budgeting or procurement.

Indicative guidance is:

• Sector level only
• Provided as wide cost bands
• Date specific and market sensitivity
• Subject to clear assumptions and exclusions

Formal cost plans are always developed through structured engagement and defined scope.

Common Cost Planning Pitfalls

In our experience, avoidable cost issues often arise from:

• Fixing budgets before defining scope
• Relying on outdated benchmark data
• Underestimating program related costs
• Treating value engineering as late-stage cost cutting
• Selecting contractors based solely on lowest tender price

Effective cost management requires a proactive approach, not a reactive approach.

Speak With a Senior QS

If you are planning a new development or reviewing an existing project, we would be pleased to discuss cost, risk, and procurement considerations at a high level.

Request a confidential, no-obligation discussion with senior personnel at MRMC QS.

Important Notice

The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional advice for any specific project. Project costs vary significantly depending on scope, specification, program, procurement strategy, and market conditions. Formal cost advice is provided only under agreed appointment.