the plancost team
Our team is full of bright curious minds, inspired to make a positive difference
PlanCost Australia was established in 1999 by Steve Grimes. Since this time, the business has built a highly skilled and experienced team of cost planning consultants lead by Simon Grimes, Managing Director.
Simon Grimes – Managing Director
Simon has been part of the PlanCost team for 18 years, taking the lead 5 years ago as Managing Director. He has been instrumental in PlanCost’s strong growth and the establishment of a highly skilled and experienced team of cost planning consultants. Simon has extensive quantity surveying experience, across a broad range of projects and industries. His skills are uniquely enhanced by his engineering knowledge, which combines excellence in technical knowledge and creative problem solving. This is evidenced in positive project outcomes and the impact of his staff mentorship.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Engineering 2008 (Electronics & Computer Systems) (First Class Honours) – Swinburne University of Technology
Professional Associations:
Affiliate member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Appointed Managing director in 2018
Appointed Director of PlanCost Australia in 2010
Commenced work at PlanCost Australia in 2005
Holly Phillips – Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor
Holly’s substantial base of experience, depth of knowledge and skills is evidenced in the quality of her work and the valuable mentoring she provides our team. Holly has been with PlanCost for 10 years and has a First-Class Honours from RMIT in Construction Management.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – Swinburne University
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) RMIT
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 954
Professional Associations
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Appointed Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor 2023
Joined the PlanCost team in 2013.
Mathew Hinkley – Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor
Mat is a senior member of the PlanCost Australia team, and a high calibre quantity surveying professional, who brings in-depth construction industry experience, technical excellence, and problem-solving flair to his project teams. He has a proven track record of achievement, leading the delivery of superior quantity surveying for high profile government and private sector clients. Mat is valued for his collaborative, client centred approach and his solid leadership ensures the team makes a difference at every stage of project delivery.
Qualifications:
Diploma of Building & Construction 2014 – RMIT
Bachelor of Applied Science 2017 (Construction Mgt) (First Class Honours) – RMIT
Registered Building Practitioner QS-63 940
Professional Associations
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Appointed Senior Associate Quantity Surveyor 2023
Joined the PlanCost team in 2015.
Andrew Lu – Associate Quantity Surveyor
Andrew’s experience and skills, across all aspects of quantity surveying and cost management, are enhanced by his optimistic attitude and problem-solving capabilities. His broad experience in commercial, residential and government sectors make him a valued member of our team.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Honours) 2016-2018 The University of Melbourne
Master of Philosophy 2013 -2016 Capital Normal University, Beijing
Bachelor of Construction Management 2005-2009 Dongbei University of Finance & Economics
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2020
RBB – Melbourne 2019-2020
Slattery Australia 2018-2019
Sudath Abaya – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Sudath has a solution focused approach to his work which, together with his strong commercial skills and technical know-how, makes him a versatile addition to our team. He has broad and extensive experience both in the Victorian construction sector and internationally.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying), 1994-1998 University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Professional Associations:
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
M P Cordia & Associates 2016-2021
Damac properties Pty. Ltd, Dubai, U.A.E 2011-2016
Ryan Niu – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Ryan brings over thirteen years’ experience to his project teams, drawing on experience gained in project management, cost & contract management, as well as quantity surveying. He brings strong attention to detail, goal focus and creative thinking to his project work.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Mngt. 2018 – The University of Melbourne
Advanced Diploma, Language Interpretation and Translation
Bachelor of Environmental Engineering 2004 – Hohai University China
Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2021
Mitchell Brandtman 2019-2020
China Overseas Property Group 2010-2015
Patrick Louey – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Patrick brings to our team valuable experience, having contributed to projects across a broad range of sectors, including specialist care facilities, education, public infrastructure, sporting facilities, civil, and commercial and residential developments. Patrick’s commitment is reflected in his active involvement in the AIQS Victorian Chapter Council & Victorian YQS Committee.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management – Honours), RMIT University
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
Prowse Quantity Surveyors 2018-2021
Danni Li – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Danni is a talented quantity surveyor with four years of cost planning and contract administration experience. Her technical skills reflect her solid academic foundations and are enhanced by her strong analytical and numerical skills and proactive problem-solving abilities. Her bright mind, and willingness to take on challenges, enables her to make a difference to all her projects.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2019 – University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Math and Economics 2016 – Boston University
Certified Translator English to Chinese 2017- National Accreditation Authority
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2020
Milane Mahendrarajah – Senior Quantity Surveyor
Milane has extensive end-to-end quantity surveying experience, including many high-profile, large-scale projects. Her strong understanding of construction methodology and professional commitment to efficiently and effectively her projects make her a valuable addition to our team.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Quantity Surveying) – 2014 University of Salford, Great Manchester, UK
Professional Associations:
Certified Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Grand Central Contracting Company 2018 – 2020
GTCC, Drake & Scull International PJSC 2017 – 2018
Bhatia General Contracting LLC 2015 – 2017
Q Serve (PVT)LTD. 2013 – 2015
Kris Liu – Quantity Surveyor
Kris brings to our team extensive estimating experience in the residential and specialist building materials sectors, which is built on strong academic foundations. He is a cooperative, problem solver, with high attention to detail which is enhanced by his passion for the construction industry.
Qualifications:
Master of Engineering (Civil and structural),2017, University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Environment, 2015, University of Melbourne
Building and Construction Certificate IV 2016, Ashley Institute TAFE
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
USG Boral Australia 2020-2022
8CON Construction 201-2019
Akhilesh Goorwappa – Quantity Surveyor
Since joining our team, Akhilesh has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects. His bright mind and professional approach are evident in the quality of his work and the valued role in the projects he contributes to.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Construction Management & Economics (2021) • Holmesglen Institute
Peter Grundy Scholarship Recipient (2020) • Holmesglen Institute
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2021
John Holland Virtual internship Program 2020
Tirth Bhavsar – Quantity Surveyor
Tirth has completed a Master of Construction Management, building on his skills and experience in civil engineering and estimating. He has worked on more than 50 projects with PlanCost and has strongly contributed to these teams, with his strong technical skills and professional approach.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management (Professional), 2021 Deakin University
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, 2019, Gujarat Technological University, India
Professional Associations:
Member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
Professional Experience:
Joined PlanCost team in 2022
Staircase Constructions – Estimator 2021-2022
Safal Group – 2019-2020
Ray Gao – Quantity Surveyor
Ray has completed a Master of Construction Management (Quantity Surveying), and Bachelor of Environments (Architecture) and has strong demonstrated skills in project coordination, and cost estimation. He has contributed to over 30 projects since joining Plancost, rapidly building on his strong skills and capabilities.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction Management 2020 – Deakin University
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2022
Harshil Gorasia – Quantity Surveyor
Harshil has recently joined PlanCost and has rapidly built on his strong estimating and project coordination skills, having worked on a broad range of projects with us and is already a valued contributor to our team.
Qualifications:
Master of Construction & Infrastructure Management 2021 – Swinburne University of Technology
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2023
Ronny Chong – Quantity Surveyor
Rony is a recent recruit, bringing to Plancost excellent skills and experience across a broad range of construction projects.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) (Honours) 2021, RMIT
Professional Experience:
Joined the PlanCost team in 2024
Prowse Quantity Surveyors 2021-2023
…and keeping things running smoothly are our
Office Managers:
Katrina Jack
Julie Jobson