Role Of A Quantity Surveyor

Support / 25 Oct, 2023

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a professional who specializes in managing the finances of construction projects. They play a crucial role in ensuring that construction projects are cost-effective and delivered within budget. In this blog, we will discuss the various roles of a Quantity Surveyor at work.

Before the start of any construction project, the Quantity Surveyor analyzes the drawing and specifications of the new building that architects or engineers provide. They will refer to the documents and start preparing the bill of quantities (BOQ). The BOQ is a detailed list of all the materials, labor, and other costs required for the construction project. The surveyors calculate the quantity of the material used in the building. Also, they must calculate the accurate work or labor cost.

Quantity surveying relies on technical measurement tools for accurate cost results. For example, building cost historical data to analyze and give early cost advice, budget the benchmarked projects and prepare the life-cycle plan. For this, he/she must have a thorough understanding of building regulations in order to hold on to them and make sure the building project passes.

During the whole construction of the building, surveyors keep an eye on the cost. There may be unexpected internal factors, weather conditions, and other factors impacting the cost. Monitoring the cost and investigating the causes of the deviation is another aspect of the Quantity Surveyor’s role. They must ensure that the construction project stays within budget and that any deviations from the budget are explained and accounted for.

One of the primary roles of a Quantity Surveyor includes calculating the budget based on the consumer’s requirement and preparing an effective budget estimate for each stage of the construction process. They play a key role in managing the finances for construction projects and make them cost-effective. This involves working closely with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure that all costs are accounted for and that there are no surprises during construction.

In addition to managing finances, Quantity Surveyors also play a key role in managing risk. They must identify potential risks associated with a construction project and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. This may involve developing contingency plans for unexpected events or developing risk management plans to ensure that risks are minimized throughout the construction process.

Another important role of a Quantity Surveyor is to manage contracts. They are responsible for drafting contracts, negotiating terms with contractors, and ensuring that all parties adhere to the terms of the contract. They must be familiar with contract law and be able to interpret complex legal documents to ensure that all parties are protected.

Finally, Quantity Surveyors must also be skilled communicators. They must be able to communicate complex financial information to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. This may involve presenting financial reports, explaining budget estimates, or negotiating terms with contractors.

Overall, a Quantity Surveyor plays a crucial role in ensuring that construction projects are delivered within budget. They are responsible for analyzing drawings and specifications, preparing BOQs, calculating labor costs, monitoring costs during construction, preparing effective budget estimates, managing risk, managing contracts, and communicating financial information to stakeholders. By managing finances effectively, they help to make construction projects cost-effective for clients.