Role of an Quantity Surveyor

Quantity Surveyor the person who is responsible on estimating the

quantities from the design drawings, and measurement of the quantities in
the site during the project implementation, and preparing the current and
final payments.
The quantity surveyor covers a range of activities which may include cost
planning, value engineering, value management, feasibility studies, cost
benefit analysis, life-cycle costing, tendering, valuation, change control,
dispute resolution, claims management, project management and cost
estimation.

The QS's traditional independent role on the team comprising client,

architect, engineer, project management and contractor has given him a
reputation and appreciation for fairness.

This, combined with his expertise in drafting and interpretation of

contract documents, enables him to settle issues, value the works fairly
and regularly, project final costs, avoid disputes and ensure the effective
progress of a project.

Quantity surveyors control construction costs by accurate measurement of

the work required on a regular basis, the application of expert knowledge
of costs and prices of work, labour, materials and plant required, an
understanding of the implications of design decisions at an early stage to
ensure that good value is obtained for the money to be expended.
The Quantity Surveyor, also known as a Construction Economist, or Cost
Manager, is one of a team of professional advisers to the construction
industry.

As advisers they estimate and monitor construction costs, from the

feasibility stage of a project through to the completion of the
construction period.

At feasibility stage quantity surveyors use their knowledge of construction

methods and costs to advise the owner on the most economical way of
achieving his requirements.

After construction they may be involved with tax depreciation schedules,

replacement cost estimation for insurance purposes and, if necessary,
mediation and arbitration.

Quantity Surveyors work closely with architects, financiers, engineers,

contractors, suppliers, project owners, accountants, insurance
underwriters, solicitors and Courts and with all levels of government
authorities.
During design the quantity surveyor ensures that the design remains on
budget through Cost Management. Essential additions are offset by
identified other savings.

On completion of design and drawings, the quantity surveyor may prepare a

Bill of Quantities, which is issued with the specification, for use by
contractors in submitting tenders. The contractor's quantity
surveyors/estimators generally prepare tenders, and may price
alternatives for consideration.

This is measured from design drawings, to be used by the contractors for

tendering and for progress payments, for variations and changes and
ultimately for statistics, taxation and valuation.

The quantity surveyor is usually involved in assessing tenders and may also
have been asked to advise on the type of contract or special clauses in it.

During construction the quantity surveyors are called on to fairly value

progress payments at regular intervals.

He should also make analysis about the stage of payment the work has
reached and also consider the damages to be deducted.
They will also value changes to design or quantities which may arise by
reference to appropriate Bill of Quantities rates.

The contractor's quantity surveyor/contract administrator will have

prepared claims for progress payments and additional work.

When construction is complete the quantity surveyor can produce

depreciation schedules of the various project components and advise on
realistic insurance replacement costs.

He also details some of work in the form of freehand detail sketches while
doing the measurement of quantities from drawings since such work cannot
be measured without such sketches.

These sketches are later used by architect to complete the detail

drawings for the project.

He is also to check that the contractors entitled payments are not on hold.

He is to carry out reconciliation at site with the physical work to be

reinstate.
In the case of construction disputes the quantity surveyor is often called
on as an expert witness, and some quantity surveyors act as arbitrators.
Both the contractor's and owner's quantity surveyors will be involved in
this.

In addition to new projects, quantity surveyors also use their skills in

refurbishment of old buildings, alterations to existing buildings and
insurance replacement estimates.
Contractor's quantity surveyor

A contractor's QS is responsible for the performance of operations that

mirror those of the owner's QS; i.e., the measurement and pricing of
construction work, but specifically that actually performed by the
contractor (and the contractor's subcontractors) as opposed to the
construction work described and measured in the construction contract
between the owner and the contractor.

Such a difference in quantity of work may arise from changes required by

an owner, or by an architect or engineer on an owner's behalf.

The role of a contractor's QS will extend further than the day to day
running of building projects and will cover such other areas as sub-contract
formation, forecasting of costs and values of the project, cash flow
forecasts and the collation of the operation and maintenance manuals of
the project (O&M manuals).
Total Role Played

Cost planning and commercial management during the entire life cycle of
the project from inception to completion
Value engineering
Risk Management and calculation
Procurement advice and assistance during the tendering procedures
Commercial Management and Contract Administration
Assistance in dispute resolution
Asset Capitalisation
Interim payment assessment
Cost Management process
Claim the extra cost of the design variation
Evaluation of existing building.
Describing the items and preparing BOQ.
Preparation of the cost estimate in BOQ.
Preparation of the list of the site needs (technician / workers)
Preparation of the due payment statements (contractor payments during
the construction)
Preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with
the architect and/or the client.
Undertaking costs analysis for repair and maintenance project work.
Assisting in establishing a client's requirements and undertaking feasibility
studies.
Performing risk and value management and cost control.
Advising on procurement strategy.
Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks.
preparing and analysing costing 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.
REQUIRED SKILL FOR QUANITITY SURVEYOR

Quantity Surveyor the person who is responsible on estimating the

quantities from the design drawings, and measurement of the quantities
in the site during the project implementation, and preparing the current
and final payments.
Ability to understand the drawings details, design drawings, shop
drawings, as built ).
Excellent knowledge of the calculation of the areas and volumes,
knowledge of fees of workers /technicians , rules and law of the
contracts,
In addition to the knowledge of related financial issues/ taxes, banks
transactions, insurances and its implication.
Knowledge of the productivity of the workers and technicians.
enabling clients to initiate construction projects
advising on the maintenance costs of specific buildings

During the preparation of
bidding documents
- Preparation of the BOQ
from the design drawing
Quantity
which part of bidding
documents.Surveying
- Preparation of cost
estimate for items listed in
BOQ
- Review and check the bids
submitted from bidders.
- Preparation of the lists of
the contents of bids
received.
- Sharing in evaluation and
preparation of
recommendation to award
the contract to be
submitted to owner.
During the
implementation :
- Review and checking the
BOQ at the starting of the
work.
- Prepare the engg.
Measurement for the
quantities of the finished
During the works.
preparation of - Prepare lists of the site
bidding amount needs (material, workers,
technicians)
- Preparation of the - Calculate the remuneration
BOQ from the design of the subcontractors,
drawing which part workers, equipmentsetc.
of bidding documents. - Prepare the payment
- Preparation of cost statements
estimate for items - Prepare the detailed reports
listed in BOQ describing the situation of
the items quantities, (plus
or minus the BOQ)
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Construction
Project
Teams

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