Quantity surveyors are highly qualified members of a profession that play an indispensable role in building, construction and allied industries, including mining. They are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects.
Quantity surveyors perform a wide variety of tasks throughout the complete life cycle of a construction project. They give advice on cost and contractual matters and prepare contract documents. They work with architects and consulting engineers to ensure that their client’s interests are safeguarded. As professional advisors they give advice to property developers and investors in fixed property. They also assist with the valuation of property for insurance purposes.
Quantity surveyors can also be described as ‘building economists’. The quantity surveyor acts mainly in the area of cost (particularly cost to the client) and is a member of a professional team which may include architects, engineers, and electrical and mechanical engineers, all of whom are appointed to advise their client on various aspects of a particular building project.
Quantity surveyors’ training and experience enable them to offer the following services:
Quantity surveyors may spend a great deal of time on building sites, checking on things being delivered and being constructed. Their offices are sometimes on site, although in most instances their offices are in buildings similar to those that might house architects or civil engineers, for example.
Key skills are commitment, excellent verbal and written language skills, independence, able to work as part of a team and strong numerical and IT skills.