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Who is a quantity surveyor and what do they do? – Quantity surveyors are construction professionals who manage the contractual and financial aspects of small and large construction projects. Their services help keep projects on track and within budget.
Learning more about this profession can help you decide if this career is right for you. In this article, we discuss who quantity surveyor is and what they do. Read on.

Who Is A Quantity Surveyor And What Do They Do?

• Quantity surveyors are construction professionals with experience in construction cost and contract management and control. They ensure that the structures built meet the required legal and quality standards. These inspectors are usually involved in every phase of the project.

• Quantity surveyors evaluate and monitor the construction and maintenance costs of buildings and infrastructure such as sports stadiums, tunnels, bridges, universities, housing, hospitals, and roads. This usually includes everything from the feasibility study to the completion of the construction project. Quantitative surveyors may also perform tax amortization, insurance valuations, mediation, and arbitration.

• They communicate with clients, construction workers, and the accounting department of the construction company to ensure that the project does not exceed the allocated budget. Visits construction sites frequently to monitor project progress and ensure construction activities stay within budget.

• Quantitative surveyors are primarily employed in private sector offices with consulting firms or construction companies, or in the public sector with state/territorial government agencies/organizations. When construction begins on a project, quantity surveyors are regularly on-site to monitor construction changes and their impact on cost.

• It is a branch of civil engineering that deals with various activities such as quantity surveying, cost estimation, planning, and control of construction projects. It is important to know how much a project will cost long before it starts, i.e. at the conceptual stage. Cost overruns are the result of poor cost estimation, planning, and control in many construction projects.

The duties of a quantity surveyor include:

1. Submit a material cost estimate.

Quantity surveyors provide cost estimates to clients taking into account the type and quantity of materials required for a construction project, as well as other related costs.

The role of quantity surveyor begins at the beginning of the construction project. They play an important role in the preparation of cost estimates at this stage. Once a project owner has developed a budget, the quantifier helps determine the optimal quantity and cost of materials to be used in construction.

2. Scheduling work

Quantitative researchers also manage projects to ensure that their established budgets are maintained. They interact with clients and contractors to ascertain their requirements. They can provide advice that can help clients choose the best materials for their projects.

3. Development of expense tracking documents

The development of financial, budgetary, and contractual documents is a joint task of quantity surveyors. They can track purchases with receipts or record recent orders by all materials used.

4. Forecasting site visits and future assignments

The ideal quantitative researcher has a keen eye for detail and is always down to earth. They regularly visit construction sites. These visits serve many purposes, such as gaining real insight into project progress, face-to-face interaction with the construction team, and preliminary analysis of business requirements.
An experienced and skilled quantity surveyor can evaluate the performance of the entire team with occasional visits to the property. They can better monitor progress and compare it with actual plans.
Face-to-face interaction with the construction team gives them a strong insight into construction site concerns and issues. After getting all the notes, the surveyor can go back to the drawing board and make further study changes if necessary.

5. Prepare expense tracking documents.

The development of financial, budget, and contract documents is a collaborative effort of quantitative researchers. They can track their purchases with receipts or record the last order for all materials used.

6. Resolution of discrepancies in the company’s financial affairs

These professionals take a deep look at the company’s finances and look for errors that could lead to financial loss. They ensure that consumers get a fair offer at a price that is affordable to them.

7. Project Coordination

They do this by working with clients, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and consultants to determine their expertise and the scope of the project. The quantity researcher coordinates with various parties to generate the best values ​​for each element of the project.

8. Business trip

Surveyors often visit construction sites to ensure that work is being done on schedule and that raw materials are available. They also review the work done and control payments.

9. Reviewing an existing budget

They often review a company’s existing budget to determine whether any changes may improve a company’s finances.

10. Identification of occupational hazards

Quantitative researchers are responsible for weighing market costs and labor fluctuations to determine the business risks of projects. Good analytical skills can help them find innovative solutions to problems.

Some other duties of a quantity surveyor are:

• Advising on the site’s potential, often referred to as “performance”, and calculating what the client can build.
• Provide regular information on the cost of certain elements of the work to pay for the work done so far.
• Divide the project components into work packages, then assign these work packages to specialized young construction companies (called subcontractors) and identify the best offers in the process.
• Treatment of contractual and legal issues.
• Cost management to ensure that the initial budget is not exceeded.
• Manage payments to employees and close final invoices at the end of the job.
• Act as financial advisor and monitor client progress.

Why Is A Quantity Surveyor So Important?

Behind every construction project, big or small, there is a person responsible for determining its cost. A quantity surveyor is a professional in the real estate and construction industry.
Despite the economic crisis, the demand for qualified and experienced quantity surveyors has been high in recent years. The profession is also at the forefront of some of the current issues facing the real estate and construction industries, including the desire for sustainability and green building. Qualifications in quantitative research are recognized worldwide and there are many opportunities to travel abroad.

Is Quantity Surveyor Right For Me?

Being a successful quantity surveyor requires a good knowledge of all construction levels as well as a clear understanding of building codes.
You must be able to work well in a team, which means good communication skills and the ability to negotiate costs effectively are essential for this role. Excellent math and IT skills are also important, as you will be working with numbers for most of your jobs.
Other skills and abilities required of a quantitative researcher include:

• Good organizational skills
• Budget management skills
• Technical mind and working method
• Excellent verbal and written communication

Conclusion

Quantity surveyors are always needed for building construction. The need for quantity surveyors has always been on the high side. We believe this article provides detailed information to you on who is a quantity surveyor and what they do.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

What is the main role of a quantity surveyor?

Known in the industry as a Construction Cost Consultant or Commercial Manager, their role is to keep a close eye on project finances and contractual relationships. They make sure that the financial position of construction projects is accurately reported and controlled effectively.

What qualification do I need to be a quantity surveyor?

To become a quantity surveyor, you will usually need a degree in quantity surveying or commercial management accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), although this isn’t always the case. To study a degree, you will usually need A levels (or equivalent).

What is Quantity Surveying in civil engineering?

Quantity surveying involves cost management, procurement, and contractual issues in the supply chain and marketplace for constructions. They monitor and update initial estimates and contractual obligations as the construction progresses based on additional works and variations.

What are the two types of quantity surveyor?

Quantity surveyors can be categorised into two definite categories, the first one being a client appointed quantity surveyor and the other being a quantity surveyor employed by a construction company.

What is another name for quantity surveyor?

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.

Reference(s)

• indeed.com – What Is a Quantity Surveyor? A Complete Guide
• www.willmotdixon.co.uk.com – The role of a Quantity Surveyor
• measuremanage.com – Duties, Roles, and Responsibilities of A Quantity Surveyor
• www.aiqs.com – What is a Quantity Surveyor?
• reed.co.uk.com – How to become a Quantity Surveyor

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