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Quantity surveyor: Job description and activities

Job description

A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality. Many of these are specified by statutory building regulations, which the surveyor needs to understand and adhere to.

A quantity surveyor may work for either the client or the contractor, working in an office or on site. The title of the job may also be referred to as a construction cost consultant or commercial manager.

Typical work activities

Typical tasks may include:

• managing costs on a wide variety of new building projects and structures, such as residential developments, sports stadiums, roads and bridges, schools, hospitals, offices and factories;
• undertaking costs analysis for repair and maintenance project work;
• assisting in establishing a client’s requirements and undertaking feasibility studies;
• performing risk and value management and cost control;
• advising on procurement strategy;
• preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities;
• identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;
• preparing and analysing costings for tenders;
• allocating work to subcontractors;
• providing advice on contractual claims;
• analysing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports;
• valuing completed work and arranging payments;
• maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use;
• understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.

Areas requiring more specialised knowledge include:

• offering advice on property taxation;
• providing post-occupancy advice, facilities management services and life cycle costing advice;
• assisting clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources of funds;
• enabling clients to initiate construction projects;
• advising on the maintenance costs of specific buildings.

AGCAS

Written by Ruth Livermore, The University of Birmingham

Last updated:

May 2008

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