Quantity surveying is a professional discipline concerned with managing and controlling the cost of a construction project from inception to completion. The quantity surveyor is responsible for providing financial advice, estimating costs, managing budgets and preparing tender documents, among other tasks.
Quantity surveying involves a range of activities, including:
- Cost estimating: quantity surveyors estimate the cost of the materials, labour and equipment required for a construction project.
- Cost planning: quantity surveyors develop a cost plan that gives a detailed breakdown of the expected costs at each stage of the project.
- Procurement: quantity surveyors advise on procurement routes and manage the procurement of contractors, subcontractors, materials and equipment for the project.
- Cost control: quantity surveyors monitor the project’s actual costs and compare them with the planned costs. They identify and analyse any variances and recommend corrective action to keep the project within budget.
- Contract administration: quantity surveyors help administer the contract between the client and the contractor, supporting delivery on time, to the required quality standards and within budget.
- Risk management: quantity surveyors identify and manage risks that could affect the project’s cost, such as changes in scope, unexpected delays or supply chain disruption.
- Value engineering: quantity surveyors use value engineering techniques to identify opportunities to reduce cost without compromising the project’s quality or function.
Quantity surveying plays a critical role in the success of a construction project by helping to make sure it is completed within budget and to the required quality standards. Quantity surveyors work closely with the other members of the project team, including architects, engineers, contractors and clients, so that the project is delivered on time, within budget and to the desired quality.
