Quantity surveyor

Are you ready to take control of project costs and ensure construction success? As a (construction) quantity surveyor, you'll be the key figure in managing expenses for building and civil engineering projects from start to finish. Your expertise in estimating, cost control, and adherence to legal and quality standards will be crucial in delivering exceptional results for residential, commercial, and industrial ventures.

Quantity surveyors manage costs for building and civil engineering projects, from inception to completion. They estimate expenses, ensure legal compliance and quality standards, and work on residential, commercial, or industrial projects. Their role involves minimising costs, tracking contract variations, and preparing reports. They collaborate with architects, engineers, and builders to prepare cost estimates, audit projects, and manage contracts.

Quantity surveyors play a crucial role in construction projects, responsible for estimating costs, quantities, and project timelines, ensuring the smooth progress of ventures and providing valuable insights to clients. This multifaceted job involves liaising with clients and various teams, managing budgets, and adhering to legal and quality standards. Here are the primary duties of a quantity surveyor:

• Liaising with clients to identify project requirements and feasibility studies.
• Estimating quantities, costs, and timeframes for materials and labour.
• Preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities.
• Identifying and evaluating commercial risks associated with the project.
• Assigning work to subcontractors and overseeing their progress throughout construction.
• Valuing completed work, managing budgets, and processing payments.
• Collaborating with other construction professionals to deliver successful projects.
• Reviewing structural drawings, specifications, and assessing changes in construction plans.
• Conducting financial forecasts to guide decision-making.
• Advising on maintenance costs for specific buildings.
• Providing regular budget reports and adhering to building regulations and health and safety guidelines.
• Working at the client's location, in an office, or on-site.

For aspiring quantity surveyors, there are several pathways to consider. One option is to pursue an undergraduate degree in quantity surveying or a related field like construction, structural engineering, civil engineering, maths, geography, economics, or urban and land studies. 

Alternatively, if you already possess an unrelated first degree, you can opt for a postgraduate conversion course accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). These educational routes will provide the necessary qualifications to embark on a successful career in quantity surveying. 

Skills required for a successful quantity surveyor include strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal abilities, numerical and data analysis skills, problem-solving capabilities, IT proficiency, project management expertise, resilience under pressure, commercial awareness, attention to detail, and knowledge of building and construction technology, materials, and legal matters.