David Baker

David Baker Road to $10mill - Owner of RapidQS Global

18/06/2026

Wellington Council's $600K Website: Transparency or Waste?

If public money is being spent, the public should be able to see exactly how it's being spent. That's why questions are being asked about Wellington City Council's reported $600,000 library website—and whether taxpayers are getting value for money.

More real job costs: [email protected]

18/06/2026

Hawke's Bay Bridge: $16M Cost Controversy Explained

If a private-sector quantity surveyor can produce a detailed breakdown showing a bridge should cost around $2.8 million, why are taxpayers being told the bill is closer to $16 million? The bigger question is why no one seems willing to investigate the gap—or challenge the numbers.

More real job costs: [email protected]

18/06/2026

Accountability Under Construction: Builder Launches New Transparency Hub

After witnessing firsthand how council fees and delays were making it harder for families to build and for builders to stay afloat, David Baker decided to take action.

His new platform gives New Zealanders a simple way to ask questions and track whether councils provide answers.

More real job costs: [email protected]

18/06/2026

Cost of Living Crisis: Is Money Being Wasted?

People are working harder than ever, but rising housing costs, insurance, and everyday expenses are making it harder to get ahead.

The real issue isn't inflation—it's watching millions of dollars being wasted while ordinary taxpayers are expected to carry the burden.

More real job costs: [email protected]

17/06/2026

Extension Economics: Why Location Changes Everything

A rear extension may add valuable space to your home, but the cost per square metre can vary significantly depending on where and how you build. Recent tenders show the gap between standard extensions and bespoke residential projects is wider than many homeowners expect.

More real job costs: [email protected]

17/06/2026

Shocking QS Quotes: We're Too Cheap?!

We thought our £750 fee for a comprehensive BOQ report was on the higher side until a client received competing quotes of £1,500 and £4,500 for the same scope of work.

The experience highlighted just how important it is to compare both cost and value when selecting professional construction services.

More real job costs: [email protected]

17/06/2026

Don't Wait for Defects to Appear—Choose Quality Now

Construction disputes can quickly become more expensive than the issue you're trying to solve. A recent case reminded me that investing in quality workmanship and using market data to validate costs can save both money and stress in the long run.

More real job costs: [email protected]

16/06/2026

Mapping Costs for Electrical Fire Safety and Appliances

Every project needs the right level of flexibility built into the numbers. After reviewing electrical fire provisions, appliance allowances, and internal alteration risks, we adjusted the contingency to ensure the estimate remains both competitive and practical.

More real job costs: [email protected]

16/06/2026

Small Height Changes, Significant Cost Impacts

Cost savings don't always come from major design changes. Sometimes, a detailed review of scaffolding, temporary works, and hire allowances is all it takes to uncover efficiencies and produce a sharper, more accurate estimate.

More real job costs: [email protected]

16/06/2026

When Speed Meets Strong Branding

Sometimes it's the small details that help win work. From adding the client's logo to creating a clean, branded PDF, we turned everything around quickly so they could confidently present their proposal the very next day.

More real job costs: [email protected]

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