Introduction to Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveyor is a valuable professional that is trained in estimating, controlling and handling all costs related to construction projects. They are well versed in the industry and are experts in all aspects related to construction projects. They are the considered the “Go-To” guys because they are actively involved in the construction project from the inception of the idea to the final walk through of the finished project. They are able to counsel the project director, owner and contractor on costs and budgets to keep the pricing, as well as the time frames, reasonable for all parties involved. The Quantity Surveyor keeps the project functioning on budget at all times and within the deadlines. They ensure all work is completed within the building standards and ensure all building aspects follow the proper building codes to keep in compliance with the various governing organizations.
In addition to the Quantity Surveyor being well educated about the various building standards and codes, they are also experts on property taxes, insurance costs, workers compensation and other Human Resource related subjects. A great Quantity Surveyor is one that works well with large and small groups of people. The professional is exceptional with numbers, convoluted calculations, read blueprints and calculate geometric shapes. This person is also very thorough, pays attention to detail and is a quick problem solver. They are always available and they are skilled at remembering and reciting large amounts of data and laws at any given moment. They are trustworthy, honest and have good communication as well as presentation skills.
The type of training to become a Quantity Surveyor, requires at least two years of technical engineering or surveying training. The degrees that could lead up to a career as a Quantity Surveyor can include a degree in Building Management or a degree in Construction and Design Management. Both of these are excellent choices to begin pursuing a career as a Quantity Surveyor because skills necessary make a successful Quantity Surveyor are all addressed in these degrees. Outside of the United States are a few universities that actually offer a Quantity Surveyor degree. Some of these schools are: Nottingham Trent University (UK), Dublin University of Technology (Ireland), Northumbria University (UK), Liverpool JMU (UK).
Nottingham Trent University – One year full time program within the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment which courses include: Property and Construction Economics, Construction/Investment and Planning, Real Estate Management and Investment, Valuation Appraisal
Dublin University of Technology – Two year program courses that include: Construction Technology, Quantity Surveying Practice, Building Measurement, Construction Economics, Project Management, Advanced Measurement or Project Cost and Finance, Construction Law, Development Project, Commercial Surveying or Professional Practice.
Northumbria University – Two year program within the School of the Built Environment and courses: Constructional Environmental and Structural Technologies, Introduction to Law for the Built Environment, Measurement and Coordinated Project Information, Quantitative Methods of Surveyors, Site Surveying and Engineering, Business in the Built Environment.
Year 2: Civil Engineering Measurement and Technology, Development and Construction Law, Construction Economics, Measurement & Technology, Contract Administration, Construction Management and Procurement.
Liverpool JMU – Three year full time program in which some courses are: Building Quantification, Construction Technology and Services, Economics of the Built Environment, Applied Construction Mathematics,
Year 2: Construction Law, Economics of Design, Construction and Development, Building Quantification, Building Productions, Principles of Procurement, Statistical Methods in the Built Environment
Year 3: Building Contracts, Construction Procurement Strategies, Design Economics, Health and Safety Management, Integrative Projects, Managing Resources. Information Management Systems, Construction Technology Projects, Cost and Financial Control.
Although there are only a few schools that offers a Quantity Surveyor degree, these few institutions offer some online courses to those seeking degrees in this field. Having an education in this field opens many doors to not just a career as a Quantity Surveyor but also to other fields as well. This degree field covers a wide array of business skills necessary to be successful in Management, Construction, Accounting and other fields as well.
Because this professionals in this field are highly sought after, most students have job offers in this field before they graduate. However, just having a degree in this field does not mean instant qualification. The educational program includes hands on project management experience before the student graduates as well as other various types of real projects the student will work on before graduating. This makes the student more prepared upon graduating to deal with real problems and securing real solutions. The Quantity Surveyor is expected to also be actively involved in a variety of professional organizations within this field as a member. The successful Quantity Surveyor is well respected and thought of as an authority in the industry. Therefore, the education of the Quantity Surveyor is a crucial determining factor in how successful this person will be.
Quantity Surveyor Training
A quantity surveyor is a job field in the building and construction industry. The primary purpose of this profession is to discern contracts, costs for construction projects, and the over all feasibility of a project within a budget. In practice the methods employed during their professional tasks include a wide variety of activities. Some of these activities include cost planning, life-cycle projected cost evaluation, dispute resolution, value management, and general efficiency related actions. The main purpose of this profession is to find exactly what needs to be spent and when to maximize the efficiency of a project in both the short and long term.
Training Once the prerequisite degrees are obtained the job is learned via active apprentice programs or via temporary intern-ship. Some individuals will obtain their degree while working at this job. Either way once the would-be quantity surveyor has acquired their RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) degree they will need to work and train for the next two years so that they can pass the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
After completion of this process the individual is allowed to add the letters MRICS after their name. This denotes a mastery in their craft. Most individuals in this profession will continue on with CPD (continuing professional development) activities so that they will be able to add on additional skills.
Education Required The primary entrance requirements for this profession include taking a degree program. The typical degrees accepted for this job are directly in the field of quantity surveying or a closely related subject if no nearby quantity surveying courses are available at the individual's financial level. However, this course work must be performed via an accredited Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors related program. The possibility of studying for relevant postgraduate conversion courses exists after a degree is taken in a different subject. The only real method of becoming chartered in this day and age is via the main professional institute previously mentioned. Membership in the RICS is mandatory to become qualified in this field legally.
The qualifications for completing an RICS-accredited degree course generally include three A levels or a BTEC national that is relevant. Five GCSEs or the equivalent are also vital to this educational endeavor. Along with the education, it is required that the aspirant must also achieve a diploma in construction, building environment, and environmental land-based studies. This will vary to some small degree in regards to individual educational institutions, however. Some might require everything mentioned, while others require specific versions of any of these educational requirements.
Individual aspirants that prefer to take a first degree that is not accredited by the RICS may do so. Later postgraduate conversion courses do exist. This can be beneficial in the long run as it will show a greater overall level of education that might allow for an easier time gaining employment in this field. Typical, and useful, first degree subjects for this profession include mathematics course, economics, physical sciences, and of course geography. Interested parties that desire to become quantity surveyors and have relevant BTEC Higher Nation Diplomas or Certification can improve their education with continued study in an RICS accreditation program.
Typical Tools of the Trade This profession is primarily performed indoors. However, many quantity surveyors will also visit a particular project site to inspect certain materials and ask questions from the construction workers. This is to help them understand how a particular material is performing as well as current construction techniques. If the quantity surveyor can find any method of cutting costs while actively improving the project's capacity then they have performed their job.
The typical tools of a quantity surveyor include a tape measure, a computer, a hard hat, a hammer. A quantity surveyor is a generalist that needs to know a solid amount about a lot of subjects in construction.
On the Job Training Some individuals prefer a more hands-on approach to learning. In this regard many can find local businesses and trade schools that offer advanced apprenticeship programs in surveying. The educational courses can be taken while the individual interns in such a manner. This allows for both a pay check and improved learning. Youth apprenticeships also exist in some locations for individuals for teenagers.
Types of Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveyors are the knowledge banks that dictate the building code adherence, the layout of construction sites, the equipment used for construction sites and ensure all time lines are met and remain within budget. They measure and estimate costs, recalculate costs, determine the types of materials that should be used, create and deliver recommendations to the Senior Staff and other staff members.
They also partner with the other contractors on deadlines and code adherence; project owners on specifications; the accountants on the tax and budget adherence; governmental agents on the building codes and adherence. Because a Quantity Surveyor is trained in a wide variety of skills, most Quantity Surveyors choose to receive specialized training in one or more of those skill. The result of that specialized training is the emergence of several different types of Quantity Surveyors. Listed below are some of the various types of Quantity Surveyors:
1. Contractor's Quantity Surveyor – Responsibility includes subcontractor formations and calculations of all related costs of the project. The professional is also responsible for keeping the project within budget at all times and creation of reports that each member must adhere to throughout the project.
2. Senior Quantity Surveyor – This title is the most needed type of Quantity Surveyor. This professional is expected to take ownership and responsibility for the teams supported and reports daily to the lead partner. This person supports the senior staff within several teams and is responsible for building and developing successful relationships quickly.
3. Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Quantity Surveyor – Manages the financial performance and maintenance contracts related to all Mechanical and Electrical work. The Surveyor creates contracts for large governmental clients mainly. This type of surveyor is extensively knowledgeable in maintenance projects and commercial projects.
4. Project Quantity Surveyor – Provides project estimates, tender appraisals, prepares bills of quantities, finalizes projects and writes project reviews. The professional partners with other members of the team to ensure all aspects of the project are reviewed and changed if necessary to remain in compliance.
In addition to the variety of Quantity Surveyors available, there are different types of job positions for these professionals. A few of the job positions are entitled: Senior Cost Estimator, International Surveyor, Logistics Specialist, Land Surveyor, Cost Engineer, Structural Engineer, Estimating Engineer, Civil Engineer, Estimator and Construction Estimator. The job opportunities are in abundance for these highly qualified professionals. Many of the jobs available to a Quantity Surveyor are located within governmental construction sites, office buildings, schools, bridges, factories, hospitals, academics and apartment complexes. Essentially anywhere that any type of building exists or construction exists a Quantity Surveyor would be needed. Job opportunities will always be available for a Quantity Surveyor within large construction firms, architecture firms, law firms, governmental agencies and construction advisory firms. These are only a few of the many places where available job opportunities may exist for qualified Quantity Surveyors. This profession has been proven to be a valuable asset to any project or firm that needs projects to be overseen and buildings to be in compliance with all codes. A Quantity Surveyor has been proven to be of utmost importance to a wide variety of companies and agencies world wide. They are in dire need of Quantity Surveyors greatly in the United States and in other countries around the world. Their skills are highly valuable and the more well rounded they are in their chosen field, the more they will be needed. They are advisers and are well diversified in a variety of laws as well as construction aspects. A degree in this field can prove most valuable because of the many different paths one could pursue a career in. Obtaining an accredited degree and the necessary professional certifications in this field will certainly make the successful professional virtually indispensable.
