Objective of a Quantity Surveyor

A Quantity Surveyor can identify and collate the costs involved in order to develop an overall budget for any project. They can then undertake cost planning which aims to help all members of the design team arrive at practical solutions and stay within the project budget. It is the final detailed estimate prepared by the Quantity Surveyors, in consultation with a project architect, which forms a basis on which subsequent tenders can be evaluated. Schedules of quantities translate the drawing, plans and specifications produced by the design team to enable each contractor to calculate tender prices fairly, on exactly the same basis as the competitors.

Quantity surveying as a career, is both diverse and rewarding. The roles and
responsibilities of quantity surveyors are constantly changing and evolving, as
such, QS are often referred to as Construction Economists or Cost Managers.
The responsibilities of a QS can involve, but not limited to: cost planning, life
cycle cost studies, feasibility analysis, insurance replacement cost valuation,
value management contract administration, procurement advice, due diligence
reports.

An additional role of a QS is to act as an arbitrator. As such, in the case of
construction disputes the QS is often called on as an expert witness.
High in Demand

The demand for a QS is driven by the construction and engineering industries,
as well as, increasingly by the finance and property management sectors. Due
to the ever expanding range of services that the profession can provide, the
need for a QS has been constant. In recent years, we have seen the demand
for qualified and experienced QS increasing.

Quantity Surveyor means a person educated, trained and qualified, and who is particularly and regularly engaged, for the purpose of livelihood, in the following work:

The preparation of Bills and/or Schedules of Quantities of materials, labour and services required in the construction and equipment of building, or engineering works, and;
The preparation and valuation of progress and final payments in connection with any contract or sub-contract, and;
The appraisal of the value of proposed constructions or other structures already erected, and;
The preparation of specifications when required so to do, and;
Acting as arbitrator in cases of dispute in connection with building, or engineering work, when required so to do, and;
To advise from time to time on cost management, or value management.
To carry out such other duties as may properly be those of a Quantity Surveyor.

Quantity Surveyor - Lot of job opportunities waiting all over

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a professional person working within the construction industry. The role of the QS is, in general terms, to manage and control costs within construction projects and may involve the use of a range of management procedures and technical tools to achieve this goal.

A quantity surveyor would play a key part of any building project, managing the costs from the early design plans right through to the building's completion. As a quantity surveyor your main priority is to make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards, and that clients get good value for money.

Typical tasks may include:

GENERAL
Managing costs on a wide variety of new building projects and structures, such as residential developments, sports stadiums, roads and bridges, schools, hospitals, offices and factories;

Providing advice on contractual claims;

Valuing completed work and arranging payments;

Developing knowledge relevant to contract conditions and their applications;

Maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use;

Understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.

Working with consultants

Preparing tender and contract documents (normally as per the FIDIC Conditions of Contract), take of quantity (normally using POMI, Principles of Measurements International) and making Bill of Quantities as per the specification and drawings.

Undertaking costs analysis for repair and maintenance project work;

Preparing early stage budgets and detailed cost plans;

Performing risk and value management and cost control;

Advising on procurement strategy;

Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;

Preparing and analysing costings for tenders;

Establishing and operating cost and financial control systems;

Working with Contractor

Take of quantity and making Bill of Quantities as per the specification and drawings.

Sending the enquiry to the subcontractors for different types of works

Reviewing the quotations and making bid summary.

Allocating work to subcontractors;

Negotiating with the subcontractors ensure budgets are not exceeded;

Making the monthly payments to the subcontractor for the actual work done.

Making monthly valuation for Submitting to client.

Making variation orders for the changes due to the drawing or specification changes.

Re-conciliation of Submitted variation order with Client's Quantity Surveyors.



INSTITUTES of QUANTITY SURVEY

UK & Worldwide .....Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

UK & Worldwide .....Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES

USA & Worldwide... International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC)

Australia ...................Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Canada ......................Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)

China .........................China Engineering Cost Association (CECA)

Hong Kong.................Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)

India ..........................The Institution of Surveyors (INDIA) (ISI)

Ireland...................... Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS)

Jamaica ....................The Jamaican Institute of Quantity Surveyors (JIQS)

Kenya ...................... Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK)

Malaysia ..................The Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM)

New Zealand........... New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

Nigeria..................... The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors{NIQS}

Pacific & Asia...........Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)

Singapore.................Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV)

South Africa........... Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS)

See the wiki article here