BHD Limited — Quantity Surveying, Cost Consultancy, Project Controls & Architectural Design
BHD Limited believes every contractor and SME deserves the same commercial discipline that protects billion-pound infrastructure programmes. Based in Wolverhampton and Telford, we serve clients across the wider West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire — and work with clients anywhere, remotely or on site. Our founder has lived and worked on projects all over the world, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Guinea, Gibraltar, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands. Founded by Nick Garvey MCIOB, MCaSA, FQSi — a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, Member of the Controls and Skills Authority and Fellow of Quantity Surveyors International — we provide quantity surveying, cost consultancy, project controls, NEC and JCT contract training, and architectural design and planning services. Read our frequently asked questions or get in touch for a free cost health-check.
We administer contracts under the NEC and JCT forms, and prepare every drawing and application in line with the UK Planning Portal and current UK Government planning permission guidance.
Quantity Surveying & Cost Consultancy
We give contractors and SMEs a firm grip on cost without the overhead of a full-time QS. Our services include:
Cost Estimating & Bid Support
Tender take-offs, pricing, qualifications and commercial review — so you bid with confidence and the risk sits where it should.
Cost Reporting
Committed, spent and forecast-to-complete reporting, scaled to the size of the job — turning surprises into decisions while there is still time to act.
Valuations, Payment Applications & Final Accounts
Applications and valuations prepared and certified on time, variations priced when memories are fresh, and final accounts that assemble themselves from figures already agreed.
Contract Administration (NEC & JCT)
Instructions recorded, notices served within their time limits, early warnings and compensation events managed properly, and records kept as the job progresses — the paper trail that protects your cash flow and your position if a dispute arises.
NEC4 & Defence Commercial Management
Our commercial management practice is built on direct experience running NEC4 Option A and Option C contracts on major UK infrastructure programmes — including commercial leadership on a £443m Ministry of Defence infrastructure programme (Vehicle Storage & Support Programme) for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and senior commercial roles across MOD planned works and integrated facilities management contracts for Amey and Arcus FM. We bring that same rigour to Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors, subcontractors and SMEs working under NEC3 and NEC4 contracts — whether on defence, public sector or private capital works — who need commercial capability without carrying a full-time senior commercial manager.
Compensation Events & Early Warnings
Notified within contract time limits, quotations prepared and assessed correctly, and records kept so your entitlement is never lost to a missed deadline or a weak submission.
Option A & Option C Pain/Gain Management
Target cost mechanics, defined cost assessment, and pain/gain share calculations managed properly — protecting your margin at every valuation and at final account.
Final Price Adjustment & Final Account Assurance
Cost assurance and challenge processes that stand up to client scrutiny, drawing on experience delivering a £9m forecast outturn reduction on a live MOD programme.
Risk & Contingency Management (QCRA/QSRA)
Structured risk identification, quantification and reporting — freeing contingency for productive use rather than letting it sit unmanaged.
Defence & MOD Supply Chain Commercial Support
Direct experience across DIO, Army and DE&S stakeholder environments, and MOD planned works and framework contracts (SFA, Scape) — useful grounding if you're bidding into or delivering under defence infrastructure frameworks and need someone who already speaks the language of your client.
Project Controls
Project controls is the discipline of tracking cost and programme together so problems are caught early rather than discovered at the end. We set up and run right-sized project controls for SME contracts — baseline budgets and programmes, change control, forecasting and honest reporting — enough control to protect the margin without drowning a small job in process.
NEC & JCT Contract Training
Plain-English contract training for site and commercial teams: early warnings, compensation events, notices, valuations, extensions of time and final accounts — delivered around real project scenarios so the lessons stick.
Architectural Design & Planning Services
Alongside our commercial services, we offer architectural design and planning for residential and commercial clients throughout Wolverhampton, Telford, the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire.
Architectural Design
From initial feasibility and concept through to full planning-ready CAD drawings — single-storey and two-storey extensions, internal reconfigurations, and garden rooms, with floor plans and elevations produced in CAD.
Planning Consultancy
Pre-application advice, householder and full planning applications, Design and Access Statements, permitted development advice and Lawful Development Certificate applications.
Loft Conversions
Dormer, hip-to-gable and Velux loft conversions, with all drawings required for both planning applications and building regulations approval.
House Extensions
Single-storey and two-storey house extensions. Many single-storey rear extensions fall within permitted development rights — we always recommend a Lawful Development Certificate for legal protection.
Commercial Design
Architectural design for commercial extensions, alterations, office fit-outs and retail developments across the West Midlands.
Change of Use Applications
Drawings and supporting documents for change of use applications — office to residential, retail to restaurant, house to HMO and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you cover?
We are based in Wolverhampton and Telford, serving clients across the wider West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Shropshire — but we work with clients anywhere. Our founder and director, Nick Garvey, has lived and worked on projects all over the world, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Guinea, Gibraltar, Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands. With today’s technology we can work remotely as well as on site, so distance is never a barrier.
Do you offer quantity surveying and cost consultancy services?
Yes. Alongside our architectural design work, BHD Limited provides quantity surveying, cost consultancy and project controls services for contractors and SMEs — including cost estimating, cost reporting, contract administration, NEC contract advice, valuations, final accounts, and bid support.
Do you only work with defence contractors?
No — the same NEC3/NEC4 discipline applies to any contractor or SME running compensation events, target cost contracts or public sector frameworks. Defence and MOD experience is a specialism, not a restriction.
What's the difference between your NEC4 & Defence service and your general QS service?
Our core QS and cost consultancy service covers estimating, valuations and cost reporting for any contract form. Our NEC4 & Defence Commercial Management service is aimed specifically at contractors managing compensation events, Option A/C mechanisms, or MOD/defence framework requirements — where contract-specific mechanics and client-side expectations matter more.
What is project controls and do I need it on a small contract?
Project controls is the discipline of tracking cost and programme together so problems are caught early rather than discovered at the end. Not every job needs a full project controls function — we scale reporting to the size of the job and will tell you honestly whether it's warranted.
Do I need planning permission for a house extension?
It depends on the size and position of the extension. Many single-storey rear extensions fall under permitted development rights. Two-storey extensions, side extensions near boundaries, and properties in conservation areas usually require planning permission. You can check the latest rules on the Planning Portal extensions guide.
What is a Lawful Development Certificate?
A formal document from your local planning authority confirming your proposed works are lawful and do not require planning permission — useful legal protection and valuable when selling.
How long does it take to receive my drawings?
Typically 5 to 10 working days from receipt of a complete survey submission and deposit payment.
Are amendments to drawings included?
Yes, one round of amendments is included with every project at no extra cost.
What qualifications does your team have?
BHD Limited is led by Nick Garvey, Director and Founder, MCIOB, MCaSA, FQSi — a Chartered Construction Manager, Member of the Controls and Skills Authority and Fellow of Quantity Surveyors International, with over 25 years' commercial and cost management experience on construction and infrastructure projects.
Blog
Insights on construction costs, contracts, project controls and planning.
- What is a Compensation Event and Why Missing the Time Bar Costs You Money — NEC notification time limits and why a missed deadline can wipe out entitlement.
- Option A vs Option C: Which NEC4 Pricing Mechanism Suits Your Contract — how the two most common NEC4 main options allocate risk.
- What Tier 2/3 Contractors Need to Know Before Bidding on MOD Frameworks — client-side expectations on defence infrastructure frameworks.
- Five Things That Blow a Construction Budget on Small Contracts — the common causes of cost overrun on SME-scale jobs and how a QS catches them early.
- NEC or JCT: Which Contract Should You Use, and Why You Need Someone to Administer It — choosing between NEC and JCT, and why proper administration protects your cash flow.
- NEC Contracts Explained for Contractors — early warnings, compensation events, and what to do when a job changes shape.
- Why Cost Reporting Matters Even on a Six-Week Job — how a simple cost report saves arguments at final account stage.
- Why You Should Get a Lawful Development Certificate Before Starting Your Extension — legal protection, mortgage lenders, and why architectural plans are essential.
- Planning Application Drawing & Document Checklist — the complete list of drawings and documents needed for a domestic planning application.
- UK Planning Application Timeframes — how long householder and full planning applications take from submission to decision.
- Permitted Development Rights Explained — what you can build without planning permission.
- Guide to Loft Conversions — dormer, hip-to-gable, and Velux loft conversions.
- Tips for Successful HMO Conversions — planning permissions, licensing, and professional expertise.
Get in touch to discuss your project — whether that's a cost and commercial health-check on a live contract, project controls support, or a set of drawings for planning. We offer free initial advice.
Email: info@bhd-limited.co.uk
Phone: 0333 4049333
Address: 4-5 Victoria Square, I11, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LD