A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction industry professional with expert knowledge on construction costs and contracts. Qualified professional quantity surveyors are known as Chartered Surveyors (Members and Fellows of RICS) in the UK and Certified Quantity Surveyors (a designation of AIQS) in Australia and other countries. In some countries such as Canada, South Africa, Kenya and Mauritius, qualified quantity surveyors are known as Professional Quantity Surveyors, a title protected by law.
Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects. They help to ensure that the construction project is completed within its projected budget. Quantity surveyors are also hired by contractors to help with the valuation of construction work for the contractor, help with bidding and project budgeting, and the submission of bills to the client.
Duties
The duties of a quantity surveyor are as follows: Conducting financial feasibility studies for development projects. Cost estimate, cost planning and cost management. Analyzing terms and conditions in the contract. Predicting potential risks in the project and taking precautions to mitigate such. Forecasting the costs of different materials needed for the project. Prepare tender documents, contracts, budgets and other documentation. Take note of changes made and adjusting the budget accordingly. Tender management including preparation of bills of quantities, contract conditions and assembly of tender documents Contract management and contractual advice Valuation of construction work Claims and dispute management Lifecycle costing analysis Reinstatement Cost Assessment for Insurance Purposes.
Professional associations
RICS – The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
AIQS – Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
IQSSL - Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka
ASAQS – Association of South African Quantity Surveyors
BSIJ – Building Surveyors Institute of Japan
CICES - Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
CIQS – Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
CCEA - China Cost Engineering Association
GHIS - Ghana Institute of Surveyors
HKIS – Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
IIQS – Indian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
IQSI – Ikatan Quantity Surveyor Indonesia
IQSK – Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya
JIQS – Jamaican Institute of Quantity Surveyors
NIQS – Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
NZIQS – New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors
PICQS – Philippine Institute of Certified Quantity Surveyors
RISM – The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia
SISV – Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers
SCSI – Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland
SACQSP – South African Council for Quantity Surveying Profession
QSI - Quantity Surveyor International
UNTEC - Union nationale des Économistes de la construction (France)
Qualification
A university degree or diploma alone does not allow one to register as a Quantity Surveyor. Usually, anyone looking to qualify as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Certified Quantity Surveyor or Professional Quantity Surveyor must hold appropriate educational qualifications and work experience, and must pass a professional competence assessment.
The RICS requires an RICS approved degree, several years of practical experience, and passing the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to qualify as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor. Some candidates may be entitled to qualify through extensive experience and reciprocity agreements.
Future of Quantity Surveying
As construction projects become increasingly complex, the demand for skilled quantity surveyors continues to grow. The future of quantity surveying lies in embracing digitalization, automation, and sustainable practices. Quantity surveyors will play a pivotal role in managing costs, optimizing resources, and ensuring the financial success of construction projects.