Making the move to Queenstown to head up our new operation is Elliot Smith. He’s been racking up a variety of experience and carving his way through a wide range of projects with enthusiasm and skill.
Elliot started studying to be a quantity surveyor in 2014 while working for an interior fitout subcontractor. When gaining his diploma of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, and wanting a new challenge, he joined White Associates in 2016. Since then he has become a valued team member, working across pre- and post-contract disciplines on numerous projects, and latterly moving into estimating while sharing time between both teams.
In terms of his post-contract QS work, he has worked on Christchurch Men’s Prison Management Unit ($22m), Marist Primary School new classroom development ($2.5m), a $16.5m residential renovation, and AMP’s $75m Bayfair mall expansion. He has also worked on the $35m Rapid Deployment of Prison Enhancements project for the Department of Corrections across Canterbury, in QS and procurement roles.
His pre-contract estimating and cost planning work has included the $30m manufacturing laboratory for Douglas Pharmaceuticals, and the $15m Saints apartments residential development in Auckland. He has also taken on bank funding work, joining our teams working on the projects in Cromwell and Jack’s Point.
Saying that he is enormously excited about the challenge of starting work in Queenstown, he says that it is a huge motivation to work in a new place on new projects, and to see the value that he and the team can add.
“Adding value the whole way through projects is what I’m after, working as a team alongside the consultants and main contractor to collaborate and come to a position that best suits the client through value management. Being on the ground in Queenstown 24/7 means we will be able to do so much more, and be more effective, by being face to face with clients and consultants.
“Having the support of a 28-person team in Auckland to assist me – to provide input and advice, plus skills and resource – gives me confidence. I can call upon any of them to assist, as we have a great management team that is keen to help. It is exciting times for the firm, and for me personally.”