roles of a quantity surveyor

1. ESB330: MEASUREMENT STUDIO
SURNAME : KALUBA
NAMES : LUKWESA JEREMIAH
SIN : 18131163
PROGRAMME : C.E.M
ASSIGNMENT : ROLES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR
LECTURER : MR SIMUSHI SITWALA

2. CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
2. DIVISION STAGES OF QUANTITY SURVEYING........................................................... 2
2.1 Pre-Contract Stage............................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Post Contract Stage .......................................................................................................... 2
2.3 QUANTITY SURVEYORS AT CONSULTANCIES .................................................... 2
2.3.1 Role of the Client-Side or End User’s Quantity Surveyor (Consultant Surveyor)... 3
2.3.2 Conducting a feasibility proposal ............................................................................. 4
2.3.3 Value engineering..................................................................................................... 4
2.3.4 Cost-Benefit Analysis ............................................................................................... 4
2.3.5 Life Cycle Costing.................................................................................................... 4
2.3.6 Project Commercial Management............................................................................. 5
3. QUANTITY SURVEYORS UNDER CONTRACTORS...................................................... 5
3.1 Role of the Quantity Surveyor under a Contractor .......................................................... 6
3.1.1 Estimator................................................................................................................... 6
3.1.2 Contract Administration............................................................................................ 6
4. IMPORTANCE OF THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SECTORS....................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 Private sector.................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 Public sector..................................................................................................................... 8
4.2.1 Importance of a Quantity Surveyor in Infrastructure Projects.................................. 9
4.2.2 The Key Role of Quantity Surveyors for Public Sector Organisations. ................... 9
5. CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................... 10
6. REFERENCES

3. 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Luke 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the
cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? Therefore, what is quantity surveying? Who
is a quantity surveyor? It can be characterized as, a profession which guarantees that the assets of
the construction business are used to the best point of interest of society, by suggesting the most
economical monetary administration for undertakings and an expense consultancy service to
client, builder and planner amid the entire construction process. The Quantity Surveyor (QS),
otherwise called a Construction Economist or Cost Manager, is one among a group of expert
counsellors to the construction industry. As consultants, they gauge and screen construction costs,
from the practicality/feasibility phase of a venture through the completion of the development
period. After development they may be included with tax deterioration plans, swap cost estimation
for protection purposes and, if essential, arbitration and mediation (Yeshwanth, 2017). Quantity
Surveying is concerned with controlling and managing the costs of construction projects (Balerdi,
2008). Quantity surveying involves cost management, procurement and contractual issues in the
supply chain and marketplace. They provide advice on cost implications of the clients’
requirements and other stakeholders’ decisions. They monitor and update initial estimates and
contractual obligations as the construction progresses based on additional works and variations
(Olanrewaju and Anahve, 2015).
Previously the duties of a quantity surveyor were limited to preparing bills of quantities and
measuring the work in progress. Quantity surveyors were engaged by the client to give an initial
estimate of the cost of the works. Upon completion of the design, they would again get involved
in assessing project cost and preparing the bills of quantities. As the industry developed there was
a need for cost planning during the design and quantity surveyors’ role evolved into cost planning.
Therefore, Quantity surveyors are involved in most of the professional organisations in the
construction industry including consultancies, contractors, developers, subcontractors. They can
be involved in both public or private sector organisations and their work spans various sectors and
subsectors within the industry such as buildings, infrastructure, railways, utilities, transport etc.
(Surveying and Management, 1997).

4. 2
2. DIVISION STAGES OF QUANTITY SURVEYING
The Role of QS in engineering projects is generally divided into two stages: pre-contract and post-
contract stage.
2.1 Pre-Contract Stage
In the pre contract stage, the role of QS is limited. In the consultant side, QS is often employed as
consultant or sub consultant to prepare estimate and tender documents. Moreover, QS have to rely
heavily on engineers’ information in handling work duties and project cost management (including
comparing the tenders and advising on the selection of the tenderer). When working with the
contractor, QS is an employee of the contractor company and will be involved in the project cost
control matter, including the budget review and cash flow planning in the pre contract stage(Lau,
2013).
2.2 Post Contract Stage
In the post contract stage, the present QS consultancy is mainly about project cost and contract
management including administering interim payments, assessment of claims and variation orders,
preparation of final account and final account settlement. For the contractor QS, he has to monitor
the performance of the sub-contractor s for payment and changes in variation order (Lau, 2013).
2.3 QUANTITY SURVEYORS AT CONSULTANCIES
A client for their expertise, including cost management, usually employs consultants (private
practices). Quantity surveyors working for a private practice consultancy are known in the industry
as private quantity surveyors (PQS) and their role could be classed under a number of different job
titles: cost consultant or cost manager, for example;
A PQS gets involved at an early stage of the project and is consulted on costs at every stage, from
initial design through to the completion. Their duties involve being responsible for the validation
and monitoring of costs. Initial tasks for a PQS involve advising on procurement, producing initial
cost plans and hiring contractors. Once the project is up and running, the PQS will liaise with the
contractor’s QS to verify and authorise monthly payments and to approve any changes to the
original price. They tend to be largely office based, typically getting out on site about once a week.

5. 3
A PQS would typically start as an assistant cost manager, progress to senior cost manager (after
gaining chartership) and then work their way up to associate director and director (Target Jobs,
2021).
Their role covers a range of activities, which may include cost planning, value management,
feasibility studies, cost benefit analysis, lifecycle costing, tendering, valuation, dispute resolution
and cost estimating.
The QS’s traditional independent role on the team comprising client, architect, engineer, QS has
given him a reputation and appreciation for fairness. However, it is common for the QS to come
under pressure from the Employer/Client to act in a more partisan manner, and the Specialist
Subcontractor would do well not to take it for granted that the QS will act fairly and objectively.
Traditionally, quantity surveyors exercised control over construction costs by accurate
measurement of the work required, the application of expert knowledge of costs and prices of
work, labour, materials and plant required. This enabled them to have an understanding of the
implications of design decisions at an early stage and to advise the Employer/Client accordingly.
The technique of measuring quantities from drawings, sketches and specifications prepared by
designers, principally architects and engineers, in order to prepare tender/contract documents, is
known in the industry as taking off (Subbie, 2021).
2.3.1 Role of the Client-Side or End User’s Quantity Surveyor (Consultant
Surveyor)
This can also be known as well as a consultant quantity surveyor or a professional quantity
surveyor but, in this role, the QS would be working for the end-user or the client.
For example, they would be working for the homeowner, the builder owner, or maybe the
government. The person or company that is going to be using the end project that is being built.
During this role the quantity surveyor would usually have some following tasks (Manage, 2020).

6. 4
2.3.2 Conducting a feasibility proposal
This means that their role would be to make sure a project is financially viable to pursue. This may
be done by finding out land costs, potential sale costs once completed building costs and maybe
building permits as well.
The role during this part of the project would also involve engaging designers to draw concept
designs to show what potentially can be built. The drawings can be used to prepare a budget price
on the job to again check its likelihood of success in the future (Manage, 2020).
2.3.3 Value engineering
This is required throughout a project to test the value that a client will receive at the end of a project
against the cost. Value engineering is a role that the QS will play in finding alternative products
that match the quality required by the client which are more cost-effective.
As an example, a new type of glass window may be available on the market, which the designers
are not aware of that matches the project requirements, and is cheaper overall.
The role there would be to inform the client and designers of the potential to value engineer the
windows to save on cost but not compromise on quality (Manage, 2020).
2.3.4 Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost benefit analysis looks at the cost versus the benefits of certain things in a project. The role of
the QS would be to work out the difference between two options to work out which one is the best.
It is a systematic approach to working out the advantages and disadvantages of an option.
2.3.5 Life Cycle Costing
Life cycle costing looks at all the costs of a project from the land acquisition, the building, the
maintenance, and everything else right through until the demolition of the project.
The life cycle costing is an important role of the quantity surveyor in construction as it looks at all
the materials and building methods to make sure, they can stand the test of time.
As an example, if the building life expectancy is 50 years then the structure must be designed,
built, and maintained to last that long. Products or materials that cannot last that long will have to

7. 5
either removed or replaced during the life cycle of the building, which has a cost attached to it
(Manage, 2020).
2.3.6 Project Commercial Management
If a project were live then the client’s QS would be required to manage the contracts for the work.
This contract generally would be between the client and the builder. Terms of the contract such as
payment items, variation clauses, and insurance clauses, would all need to be actioned during the
project and it would the quantity surveyor’s role to make sure these items are actioned correctly.
A client’s quantity surveyor would usually spend most of their time in an office sitting at a desk.
Occasional site visits would be required for progress claims and variations for settlement between
the parties. The role would usually entail wearing a suit and tie to work and working with other
professionals during the day (Manage, 2020).
3. QUANTITY SURVEYORS UNDER CONTRACTORS
A contractor's QS is responsible for the performance of operations that mirror those of the owner's
QS; i.e., the measurement and pricing of construction work, but specifically that actually
performed by the contractor (and the contractor's subcontractors) as opposed to the construction
work described and measured in the construction contract between the owner and the contractor.
The role of a contractor’s QS will extend further than the day to day running of building projects
and will cover such other areas as sub-contract formation, forecasting of costs and values of the
project, cash flow forecasts and the collation of the operation and maintenance manuals of the
project (Abdulla, 2018).
A Contractor’s QS is responsible for the performance of operations similar to those of the PQS;
i.e., the measurement and pricing of construction work, but specifically that actually performed by
the Contractor (and the Contractor’s Subcontractors). The role of a Contractor’s QS will extend to
such other areas as Subcontract formation, dealing with all matters relating to costs and values of
the project including payment and cash flow forecasts. The QS usually reports to Project Manager
or Project Director and provides advice throughout the management of a project from initial
inception to completion. The Streetwise Subcontractor should not expect any degree of impartiality

8. 6
or fairness from the Contractor’s surveyor. The Contractor’s Surveyor is there to make money for
the Contractor (Subbie, 2021).
3.1 Role of the Quantity Surveyor under a Contractor
A QS works under the main contractor company in both construction and post-construction stages.
A contractor quantity surveyor does many works aside cost estimation. He does estimation,
administration, planning, project management and regular checking of the projects
(ConstructionTuts, 2021).
3.1.1 Estimator
It is worth understanding the difference between an estimating service provided to a client as
advice and the estimating process required by a contractor to secure work. The PQS provides a
cost planning service for a client in the capacity as consultant. In this capacity, an estimate of
probable cost to construct a project for budgeting purposes is issued to a client, possibly in the
absence of a design or with only sketch proposals, which is monitored whilst the design is
developed. It is a cost management role to advise the client’s team of cost forecasts until the design
and documentation are suitable to invite tenders from main contractors. A main contractor’s
estimator may be a quantity surveyor who prepares a cost estimate based upon the tender
documentation. Once the cost estimate is complete, a sum is added to cover business overheads
and profit, which converts the estimate into a tender and an offer to carry out the works. Ideally,
the PQS’s final estimate of probable cost should be similar to the tender prices received. If there
is a discrepancy between the advice given by the PQS and tenders received for the works, it has
nothing to do with the main contractor’s estimator and is a matter for the client and client’s team
(Towey, 2012).
3.1.2 Contract Administration
Contract administration refers to post-contract activity and deals with commercial and contractual
matters, procurement and price management of live construction projects. Within the UK, quantity
surveyors are engaged as contract administrators by a PQS practice, main contractors and
enormous subcontractors, each responsible to their respective project manager or team leader.

9. 7
Incumbents, who are usually employed full time to administer one or variety of concurrent
schemes (depending on their size and complexity), usually go under the title of quantity surveyor
or contract administrator. In Australia and variety of other countries outside the UK, the title
quantity surveyor is employed solely with regard to the PQS and individuals closing commercial
activities on live projects for a contractor or subcontractor are noted as contract administrators.
One main reason for the excellence is that the British tradition of including a bill of quantities as
a contractual document in some procurement routes, which warrants its inclusion in quantity
surveying and building degree courses. The final view taken in some countries outside the UK is
that a project bill of quantities is not a contractual document and, if available, is for reference only.
Therefore, the consensus by some is that the skill of measurement and bill of quantities production
is particular to the PQS. It is therefore considered an integral a part of a quantity surveying degree
course and included to a lesser extent in construction management degree courses (Towey, 2012).
4. IMPORTANCE OF THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SECTORS
In both public and private sectors, the quantity surveyors are the important consultants for
employers. Traditionally, the distinctive different between private and public sectors was that in
private sector the main emphasis was on profits while in public sector it was on ensuing the
accountability of public finance. However, over recent years the aims of both sectors come together
which are competing against each other for wok, and their business as well as profits (Allan
Ashworth, 2013). Quantity surveyors can work with developers, clients, consultants and
contractors presently, the quantity surveyor involvement in the engineering contract provisions. In
effect, similar to that of a building contract. A quantity surveyor can be fully involved in
engineering projects from inception stages including conceptual design, detailed design, tender
preparation and assessment, contract administration, valuation of claims and variation and
preparation of final account etc.
Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organisational structures required for the operation
of a society. Infrastructure projects are therefore referred as construction projects covering building
works, civil engineering works, mechanical and facilities services. Measurement for building
projects is very detailed precise specific and is measured by trades whereas civil engineering jobs

10. 8
are measured by items due to different classification in the measurement rules similarly
measurement of mechanical engineering works comprise of pipework and equipment items
(SCHARTICLES, 2017).
4.1 Private sector
The main concern of quantity surveyor in private sector is finding capital and offices, ensuring a
flow of work and avoiding losses. Hence, quantity surveyors have to demonstrate a detailed
expertise in terms of funding and economics and the financial consequences on particular type of
construction projects (Allan Ashworth, 2013).
4.2 Public sector
The key clients of public sector are mostly government organisations. The public service of the
quantity surveyors includes employment in government departments and agencies (Department of
the Environment, Department of Transport, Department of education, Department of Health,
Property Holdings, Defence Works Services and the Lord Chancellor’s Department), local
authorities and some statutory bodies. Quantity surveyors deal with the control of projects in a
wide range size from very large to small minor works, as well as maintenance and repair
programmes. The surveyor’s main responsibility is that of controlling the public money and
monitoring the way that it is being spent (Allan Ashworth, 2013).
The public sector deals with the public fund and governmental budget, secondly, mostly the public
sector projects are the public vital needs such as hospitals, roads and schools; and finally, the public
sector projects are often large scale ones and associated with the intensive capital and budget.
Therefore, the quantity surveyors can play an important role with their knowledge and skills. It is
unlikely that a project can be successful without effective reasoned advices and efficient
consultancies of a quantity surveyor during the whole lifecycle of the project. The quantity
surveyor influences on each stage of the public sector projects with his relevant core and extended
competencies.

11. 9
4.2.1 Importance of a Quantity Surveyor in Infrastructure Projects
The cost significant activities in Engineering/Infrastructure projects are different from that of a
Building project and are such that the importance of the Quantity Surveying function becomes
even more vital within these sorts of projects. Cost overrun is not an uncommon phenomenon in
construction projects and in particular with Civil Engineering and Infrastructure project. With long
delays commonplace in these projects the Commercial Management function becomes even more
important to construction companies to ensure they are profitable. So yes, Quantity Surveyors play
a very important role in Infrastructure projects and are vital in ensuring company profitability
(Cole, 2013).
4.2.2 The Key Role of Quantity Surveyors for Public Sector Organisations.
Quantity surveyors working on the design stage of a project can significantly influence project
costs by analysing the various construction options available. For government and council projects,
quantity surveyors enhance public value for money. For the building and construction sector as a
whole, they effectively ensure that statutory building regulations are adhered to, thereby improving
both quality and safety.
Both the location and the hours of work vary according to the nature of the work. Quantity
surveyors who work for consultancies, smaller private practices and local government offices will
tend to be office-based and perhaps work between 8.30am and 5.30pm. Some late and weekend
work might crop up when the workload is high and deadlines are looming (Totaljobs, 2021).
Local and Central Government Quantity Surveyors also control spending for ongoing
programmes, making the best use of budgets and balancing maintenance against new construction
work (Cymru and Wales, no date).
Therefore, the roles for quantity surveyors on major infrastructure works vary and are quite broad
by nature. During the project feasibility, planning and tendering phases quantity surveyors
typically perform more ‘traditional’ measurement, cost planning, project estimating, feasibility
studies, cost benchmarking, cost audits and tender evaluations. Services such as the preparation of
procurement advice, cost benefit analysis, value management, risk and contingency development
are also prevalent service offerings. Large scale engineering projects are often delivered under
procurement models such as PPP’s and D&C’s which most definitely benefit from having a

12. 10
quantity surveyor assist with managing project cost control throughout the design development
process (Scene, 2019). A way of example the Quantity Surveyor (QS) will provide all necessary
assistance to the road construction team with respect to all financial aspects and contractual matters
in the project. He/she will participate in the review and approval of interim payments, the
variations and other financial matters. He will analyse and evaluate all claims made by the
contractor (Machineyard, 2021).
5. CONCLUSION
Most professional organisations in the construction industry involve quantity surveyors in
consultancies, contractors, developers and subcontractors. Their work span involves different
sectors and subsectors in the industry, which include building infrastructure in both public and
private sectors. In this regard, a quantity surveyor may work under a consultancy or a contractor.
Private practice consultancies are known as Private Quantity Surveyors in industry. Therefore,
from initial design stages through to completion, the PQS gets involved at an early stage and is
consulted on costs at every stage. At pre-contract stage a QS prepares estimates and tender
documents if employed as a consultant, on the consultant side. Moreover, engineer’s information
is heavily relied on by QS’s in handling work duties and project cost management. On the other
hand, assessment of claims and variation orders, project cost and contract management including
administering interim payments, preparation of final account and final account settlement is
involved in the post contract stage for the QS consultancy, hence a contractor’s QS monitors
performance of sub-contractors for changes in variation order and payment. Lastly, in both public
and private sectors, the quantity surveyors are the important consultants for employers. The key
clients of public sector are mostly government organisations. The surveyor’s main responsibility
is that of controlling the public money and monitoring the way that it is being spent. The public
sector deals with the public fund and governmental budget.

13. 6. REFERENCES
Allan Ashworth, K. H. C. H., 2013. Willis's Practice and Procedure for the Quantity Surveyor.
13th ed. Chichester: Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Towey, D., 2012. Construction Quantity Surveying a Practical Guide for the Contractor's QS.
1st ed. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, limited.
Abdulla, A. (2018) (1) Difference between being a Consultancy Quantity Surveyor and a
Contractor Quantity Surveyor…and why it matters | LinkedIn, 2018. Available at:
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2021).
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Infrastructure - SchArticles.com, 2017. Available at: http://www.scharticles.com/an-
investigation-on-the-professional-role-of-quantity-surveyor-in-infrastructure/ (Accessed: 29
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surveying/326497-applications-tip-for-quantity-surveyors-know-how (Accessed: 25 January
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Yeshwanth, B. (2017) ‘Modern quantity surveying-a complete package adding values to
projects’, Yeshwanth Babu Reddy, Australia, (March), p. 3. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23580.08325.