What is Quantity Surveying?
Quantity surveying is concerned with the cost factor in building and engineering contracts,
from the first estimate to the final accounts for the project.
What Services does a Quantity Surveyor provide?
1. CONTRACT SERVICES
The services that can be provided by a Qualified Quantity Surveyor vary depending on the
stage of any Building or Engineering project:
- Liaise with client and other consultants to determine client's initial requirements and assist
in subsequent development of the full brief.
- Advise on the selection of other consultants that would be required for the project, if not already appointed.
- Advise on the cost implications of all matters pertaining to the proposed project and whether the proposal is
likely to be within the client's budget or, if required, assist in establishing an initial budget.
- Liaise with other interested parties, e.g. financial institutions.
- Advise client on any specific considerations such as time constraints, method of implementation and quality.
- Advise on the feasibility of construction options, e.g. refurbish or rebuild.
- Prepare and develop preliminary cost plan.
- Monitor and advise on cost implications during detailed design stage.
- Advise on the cost implications of design alternatives.
- Maintain and develop cost plans and prepare reports on cost at regular intervals.
- Advise on suitable tendering and contractual arrangements taking into account the
client's priorities and the level of information available from other members of the design team.
- Advise on the suitability of any proposed standard or other forms of building contract.
- Advise on insurance and bonds requirement for due performance and other purposes.
- Advise on any proposed amendment to standard forms of contract or draft special
forms to meet particular requirements which may include liising with client's legal advisors.
- Advise on prospective tenderers and recommend suitable contractors for consideration by the client.
- Prepare tender documentation, e.g. Bills of Quantities, schedules and specifications, for main
contract and specialist sub-contracts.
- Check tender submissions for accuracy, levels of pricing, competitiveness, etc.
- Negotiate tenders with a selected contractor and/or sub-contractors.
- Advise on errors and qualifications in tenders and negotiate thereon.
- Prepare report on tenders in consultation with other members of the
design team, recommend the most suitable contractor for consideration by the client.
- Prepare projected cash flow requirements over contract period including any
forecast of fluctuation in the cost of labour and materials.
- Prepare appropriate contract documentation for signing by the parties.
- Advise on the implementation of pre-purchasing or pre-ordering arrangements.
- Prepare recommendations for interim payments to contractor, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Advise on the cost implications of proposed variations (additions or omissions) and
where applicable negotiate a reasonable price with the contractor for such works.
- Advise on the financial implications of extension of the contract period,
consequences of acceleration or disruption of the construction programme.
- Calculate the employer's entitlement to liquidated and ascertained damages.
- Assess the financial implications of fluctuation in the cost of labour and
material or other matters directly relating to the project.
- Assess the financial implications of fluctuation in the cost of labour and
material or other matters directly relating to the project.
- Prepare interim cost reports indicating the financial
implications of all matters that have affected or will affect
the works including providing an indication of the projected completion cost.
Prepare and negotiate the settlement of the final account to include:
- Assessment of claims for direct loss and expense and negotiating settlement with contractor.
- Re-measurement of works as executed where provisional or approximate bills of quantities were used.
- Measurement and evaluation of authorized variations.
- Re-measurement of provisional sections of works which were not sufficiently designed and measured at the time of tender.
2. GENERAL AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES
- General advice on building economics, market conditions, inflation and other matters affecting the construction industry.
- Advice on other services
- In connection with the termination of a contractor?s employment;
- Arising from the appointment of a receiver; or
- Arising from liquidation by the main contractor or a subcontractor
- Advice and other services in connection with arbitration and litigation related to projects.
- Advice to clients in connection with small construction projects.
- Adjudication in disputes between employer and contractor, contractor and subcontractor and between employer and project team.
- Preparation of estimates of the cost to reinstate buildings and structures damaged by fire or other perils for insurance purposes including negotiating claims and settlement.
- Preparation of estimates of construction costs for insurance purposes.
- Act on behalf of funding institutions or other third parties in connection with construction works proposed or in progress,
- Project management, i.e. selection, management and coordination of resources necessary for the procurement of a construction project from inception to completion.
At what stage should I consult a Quantity Surveyor?
The Quantity Surveyor usually enters the picture at the very inception of a project, giving help and
guidance to the building owner as to the likely cost of proposals under consideration and how they might
be made more economical while serving the desired ends.
How do I determine if a Quantity Surveyor is properly qualified?
Our register of
members provides a listing of those professionals that have been vetted by the Institute.
This list is however not exhaustive and does not capture every individual who is currently practising as a
Quantity Surveyor.
Is there any body that governs the behaviour of Quantity Surveyors?
The Institute comprises members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, many of whom have played key
roles as Arbitrators in the settlement of disputes within the Building and Construction Industry.
What is quantity surveying?
Quantity surveying is concerned with the cost factor in building and engineering contracts, from the
first estimate to the final accounts for the project.
What education/training does a Quantity Surveyor have?
The Quantity Surveyor is equipped to undertake this work by education and training in building economics,
construction law and administration, the measurement of building and civil engineering works, and knowledge
of market prices in the industry.
At what stage of the project is a Quantity Surveyor brought in?
The Quantity Surveyor usually enters the picture at the very inception of a project, giving help and guidance
to the building owner as to the likely cost of proposals under consideration and how they might be made more
economical while serving the desired ends.
How can I find a qualified Quantity Surveyor?
We have prepared a detailed list for you. Please take a look at our register of
members.