A quantity surveyor is a construction professional responsible for managing the costs and financial aspects of construction projects. They provide cost estimates, manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and ensure projects stay within budget.
FAQ’s
Quantity surveyors assist by offering accurate cost estimates, managing project budgets, identifying cost-saving opportunities, negotiating contracts, and ensuring projects are completed within budget constraints.
Typically, a quantity surveyor holds a degree in quantity surveying, construction management, or a related field. Essential skills include numerical proficiency, analytical abilities, communication skills, and knowledge of construction methods and regulations.
The workflow involves cost estimating, tendering, contract administration, cost control, and final account settlement.
Quantity surveyors use methods such as elemental estimating, cost per unit area, and cost per unit quantity. They consider labor, materials, equipment, overheads, and contingencies.
Factors include project size, complexity, location, design specifications, market conditions, inflation, and regulatory requirements.
They establish budgets, track costs, monitor expenditure, identify cost overruns, negotiate changes, and implement cost-saving measures.
Quantity surveyors advise on procurement strategies, prepare tender documents, evaluate bids, negotiate contracts, and administer contracts to ensure compliance and resolve disputes.
They assess the impact of changes on cost and schedule, negotiate changes, issue variation orders, and update budgets and contracts accordingly.
Quantity surveyors often use software such as CostX, BuildSoft, and Candy for estimating, cost management, and project scheduling.
They stay updated on regulations and standards, incorporate them into project specifications, review designs for compliance, and conduct inspections to ensure construction work meets requirements.
Challenges may include accurately predicting project costs, managing stakeholder expectations, dealing with unexpected changes, and navigating complex contractual issues.
They identify potential risks, assess likelihood and impact, develop risk management plans, and implement strategies to mitigate or transfer risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Trends include the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), sustainable construction practices, digitalization of construction processes, and adoption of cloud-based project management tools.
Quantity surveyors promote sustainable design and construction practices, advise on cost implications of sustainability initiatives, and help clients achieve sustainability goals within budget constraints.