A quantity surveyor is a construction industry professional who is responsible for estimating costs and maintaining a budget for a construction project. They manage all costs related to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Quantity surveyors are involved at every stage of a project, and they help to ensure that the construction project is completed within its projected budget. They are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects, and they help to ensure that structures meet legal and quality standards.
The job role of a quantity surveyor involves the following duties:
- Advising on the potential of a site and working out what a client can afford to build, often termed ‘feasibility’.
- Managing costs to make sure that the initial budget isn’t exceeded.
- Arranging staff payments and, at the end of a job, settling the final accounts.
- Acting as financial advisors and monitoring progress for the client.
- Analyzing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports.
- Valuing completed work, overseeing bills, and arranging payments.
- Maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use.
- Liaising with a variety of other teams and helping to keep a project on track.
To become a quantity surveyor, you need a minimum of a university degree or diploma in quantity surveying or commercial management accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). There are several routes to becoming a quantity surveyor, including doing a university course, an apprenticeship, or studying part-time while gaining relevant experience. Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry, and potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.
