As a quantity surveyor, your responsibilities focus on helping to estimate costs, material quantities and project timelines. A key part of the role will be to liaise with a range of other teams working on the project, helping it to stay on track.
So, what exactly do quantity surveyors do…
…Before a project starts?
At the start of any project, a quantity surveyor will study drawings and specifications around a new building. These will normally be provided by architects or engineers and often involve Building Information Modelling (BIM) – where data is used to produce a digital representation of an asset across its lifecycle.
This process enables you to calculate the quantity of materials required for the build. Additionally, this data will be used to provide early cost advice, to budget and benchmark the project, and to prepare life cycle cost plans.
…On a day-to-day basis?
A quantity surveyor will typically need to:
- work alongside clients to establish their requirements
- undertake feasibility studies to ensure a proposal will work
- estimate material quantities, costs, labour and time
- prepare tender and contract documents – this can include bills of quantities with the client and architect
- perform risk and value management, and cost control, during a project
- undertake cost analysis for repair and maintenance work
- negotiate contracts and work schedules
- assign work to subcontractors – overseeing their work at all stages
- value completed work and arranging payments
- ensure projects meet legal and quality standards
- make sure clients get value for money on the project
- continually analyse outcomes and write budget reports, and
- advise on contractual claims and disputes.
