QUANTITY SURVEYOR

A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to
the final figures.
Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required
standards and quality. Many of these are specified by statutory building regulations, which the surveyor needs to
understand and adhere to.
A quantity surveyor may work for either the client or the contractor, working in an office or on site. They are involved
in a project from the start, preparing estimates and costs of the work.
When the project is in progress, quantity surveyors keep track of any variations to the contract that may affect costs
and create reports to show profitability.
The title of the job may also be referred to as a construction cost consultant or commercial manager.
Typical work activities
Responsibilities vary depending on the nature and stage of the project being worked on, but can include:

preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or the client;

undertaking cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work;

assisting in establishing a client's requirements and undertaking feasibility studies;

performing risk, value management and cost control;

advising on procurement strategy;

identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;

preparing and analysing costings for tenders;

allocating work to subcontractors;

providing advice on contractual claims;

analysing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports;

valuing completed work and arranging payments;

maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use;

understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.

Areas that may be worked on once the surveyor has experience and specialised knowledge include:

offering advice on property taxation;

providing post-occupancy advice, facilities management services and life cycle costing advice;

assisting clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources of funds;

enabling clients to initiate construction projects;

advising on the maintenance costs of specific buildings.

QUANTITY SURVEYOR

The quantity surveyor is the person responsible for figuring out just what a construction project is going to
cost. They have other roles too, especially making sure that construction costs and production are
managed as efficiently as possible.
Quantity surveyors have this title because they prepare a schedule of quantities estimates of the
material and labour costs that contractors tenders can be measured against. (However, contractors
are not selected for cost alone.) The schedule is also called a cost estimate.
Other names for people employed with quantity surveying qualifications include estimator, cost engineer,
cost manager, cost analyst, project coordinator, project cost controller and cost planner.
Quantity surveyors main roles are:

managing the finances for any kind of construction project, whether its a house, a
high-rise, a bridge, or a tunnel

working to keep the project on time

working to keep the project within the budget

making sure that construction costs and production are managed as efficiently as
possible

resolving disputes between contracting parties.

houses.

preparing insurance replacement estimates for all kinds of buildings, including

Insuring your house

Before the project, the quantity surveyors calculate a budget based on their client's requirements. They
prepare detailed estimates to ensure the budget is sufficient for each stage of construction.
Their main task is to find out what a construction project will cost, including materials, labour, and
services.

Before construction starts

Quantity surveyors can help with feasibility studies for a project. They can roughly estimate whats
involved in the project, based on measurements of the designers or clients sketches.
The quantity surveyor studies the architects and engineers plans, identifies the costs involved, and then
sets an overall estimated budget for the project. They may compare the project with others like it.
The quantity surveyor can then plan costs to help the design team stay within the project budget using
practical solutions. This is called value engineering.
The final detailed estimate is prepared by the quantity surveyor, together with a project architect. This is
the basis for evaluating tenders.

When construction starts, the quantity surveyor keeps costs on track

Once the building starts, the quantity surveyor can provide cash flow data so the client can arrange the
finances needed for each stage of the project.
The quantity surveyor can also assess cost effects when changes to the project occur, such as delays,
and agree on variation with contractors.
The quantity surveyor can provide a bank with a project report and help a client by preparing draw down
certificates for money to be loaned by the bank.
Resolving disputes between clients, designers and building contractors is another role in some projects.

When construction is over, the quantity surveyor adds up the total cost
The quantity surveyor can prepare a statement of final account, which records the actual
costs for all sections of the job.