Quantity Surveyor: Roles and Responsibilities

Quantity Surveyor Role

• The primary role of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) is estimating and managing construction costs.
• A QS manages the financial and contractual aspects of a construction project.

Historical Context

• The Industrial Revolution significantly influenced the evolution of Quantity Surveying.
• Quantity Surveying evolved significantly during the Industrial Revolution as construction projects became more complex.
• The need for cost management and estimation led to the formalization of the profession.
• A key milestone in the evolution of Quantity Surveying during the 20th century was the expansion of QS roles to global markets and industries.
• The emergence of "measurers" in England was an early stage in the development of quantity surveying.

Responsibilities

• Key responsibilities of a Quantity Surveyor include cost estimation, budgeting, and dispute resolution.
• Not a key function of a Quantity Surveyor: structural engineering calculations
• Involvement in all stages of a construction project.
• Cost estimation helps determine the feasibility of a project.
• Cost estimation allows Quantity Surveyors to predict the total cost of a construction project at its early stages.
• Budgeting ensures project expenses remain within financial limits.
• Measurement ensures precise cost estimation, material planning, and project execution.
• Measurement helps determine the exact quantities of materials, labor, and equipment needed for a project.
• Measurement is essential for cost estimation in construction, as it ensures accurate quantities and prevents financial mismanagement.
• Financial reporting keeps stakeholders informed about project costs ensuring transparency.
• Contract administration involves evaluating bids based on cost, quality, and timelines.
• Value engineering optimizes project design to enhance value without increasing costs.
• Value engineering enhances project design by identifying cost-effective solutions that maintain quality while balancing cost, efficiency, and environmental impact without compromising project functionality.
• Contract management includes preparing and evaluating tender documents for project bids, ensuring the selection of competent contractors and advising on contract terms and conditions to ensure transparency and legal compliance.
• Dispute resolution involves facilitating negotiations or arbitration processes.
• Responsibilities of QS professionals in dispute resolution: facilitating negotiations or arbitration processes.
• Preparing Bills of Quantities (BOQs), measurement of work on-site, and cost estimation are all steps in applying the SMM to a construction project.
• Why is an accurate take-off essential for project management? It ensures precise material and labor estimates, prevents cost overruns, and improves project scheduling.

Professional Bodies

• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is headquartered in London.
• RICS was established in 1868 to standardize practices and ensure professionalism.
• RICS regulates the Quantity Surveying profession by setting ethical and professional standards and ensures quality control through accreditation, training, and guidelines.
• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is also related to Quantity Surveying, providing industry insights, training programs, and legal frameworks
• The Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) is responsible for Quantity Surveying in Canada.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) also contributes by providing industry insights, training programs, and legal frameworks.
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) was established in 1868 to regulate the Quantity Surveying profession.
• The formation of RICS, a key milestone, standardized practices in the field.

Measurement Standards

• The Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) is a key measurement standard used in Quantity Surveying.
• Quantity Surveying measurement is the foundation of Quantity Surveying, as it ensures precise cost.
• Measurement systems contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of construction projects.
• Accurate measurement enhances efficiency in procurement, budgeting, and contract management, ultimately improving project outcomes and reducing financial risks.
• The New Rules of Measurement (NRM) standardizes measurement for construction projects.

Key Documents

• Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is essential for tracking construction costs and variations.
• Take-off contributes to the preparation of a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) by listing detailed material and labor quantities required for construction.

Costing Concepts

• "Life cycle costing" means calculating the total cost of a project over its lifetime.

Measurement Importance and Application

• The purpose of measurement in construction is to establish accurate quantities of materials, labor, and resources.
• Measurement is important for cost estimation, contractual agreements, and progress monitoring.
• Not a reason measurement is important in construction: Increasing project complexity
• Measurement contributes to resource management by ensuring materials and labor are used efficiently.
• Measurement provides transparency in project pricing, ensuring contractors and clients agree on costs, and establishes accountability by clearly defining the scope of work and required quantities.
• Project monitoring ensures that the actual work aligns with the initial measurement and cost estimates, helps track progress, and keeps the project within budget.

Measurement Tools

• Calipers are used for precise measurement of small components in construction.
• Tools used for measurement in construction: Tape measure, Laser distance measure, Theodolite/Total station
• Tape measure: Used for basic linear measurements.
• Laser distance measurer: Provides accurate measurements of large areas or distances quickly.
• Theodolite/Total station: Used for precise land surveying and advanced construction measurements.

Standard Method of Measurement (SMM)

• The purpose of the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) is to provide consistent guidelines for measuring construction work.
• A key feature of the SMM: Describing measurement units for various construction elements.
• Two key features of the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM): describing measurement units for different construction elements, ensuring uniformity and including detailed instructions on how to measure each type of construction work.
• SMM7 is widely used in the UK for building projects.
• CESMM is primarily used for civil engineering works like roads and bridges.
• The first SMM was introduced in the early 20th century to create uniformity, with the UK’s RICS playing a key role in its development while other countries later introduced their own versions.
• The Standard Method of Measurement contributes to efficiency in construction by streamlining the preparation of Bills of Quantities (BOQs), ensuring consistency in measurement, reducing disputes between contractors and clients, and saves time by providing standardized guidelines.

Measurement Evolution

• Before standardized methods, contractors used different measurement systems, leading to inconsistencies and disputes.
• How has the Standard Method of Measurement evolved over time? Before, contractors used different measurement systems. The first SMM was introduced in the early 20th century to create uniformity.
• What is the difference between SMM7 and CESMM? SMM7 is used for building construction projects, detailing measurements for structures, finishes, and services, and CESMM is used for civil engineering projects, such as roads and bridges, focusing on infrastructure-related measurements.

Measurement Processes

• In measuring a concrete slab first measure the length, width, and depth of the slab.
• Key steps in measuring a wall for construction:
• Measure the length of the wall.
• Measure the height from floor to ceiling.
• Determine the wall thickness.
• Calculate the area (length × height).
• If reinforced concrete is used, calculate the volume (length × height × thickness).
• Estimate the number of blocks needed based on standard sizes.
• Describe the process of measuring flooring for a construction project:
• Measure the length and width of the room.
• Multiply length by width to determine the total floor area.
• Account for waste (usually 10%) for cutting and fitting errors.
• If tiles are used, divide the total floor area by the area of one tile to calculate the number of tiles needed.

General Take-Off Knowledge

• The purpose of take-off techniques in construction is to extract quantities from drawings for cost estimation and resource planning.

Manual Take-Off

• The steps involved in manual take-off: Reviewing drawings, measuring dimensions, applying measurement rules, calculating quantities, and recording data.
• Tools commonly used in manual take-off: Scale ruler, calculator, take-off sheets
• Advantages of manual take-off: Low cost, simple to use.
• Disadvantages of manual take-off: Time-consuming, prone to human error, less efficient for large projects

Digital Take-Off (2D)

• Digital take-off differs from manual take-off of It uses software to extract quantities instead of physical measuring tools
• The process of performing a digital take-off: Import digital drawings, set the scale, measure and extract quantities using software, and generate take-off reports. Advantages of using digital take-off software: Increases accuracy and efficiency, reduces time spent on calculations and minimizes human error
• Potential challenges of digital take-off: Requires training, software costs, and potential compatibility issues with other platforms.

3D/BIM Take-Off

• BIM take-off extracts quantities from a 3D model using BIM software, allowing for real-time updates and improved accuracy.
• BIM technology improves the accuracy of quantity take-offs It provides real-time updates and detailed component data.
• Benefits of using BIM software for take-offs: High accuracy, real-time updates, integration with cost estimation, and efficient project planning.
• Software platforms commonly used for 3D/BIM take-offs: Revit, Navisworks, ArchiCAD.

Tools & Technologies

• Examples of software used for digital take-offs: PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, Stack, WinQS.
• How does Bluebeam Revu assist in the take-off process? It allows measurement and markup of PDF drawings
• Cloud-based tools, such as Procore, allow real-time collaboration, data sharing, and integration with project management tools
• PlanSwift improves the accuracy of quantity take-offs. It allows quick measurements from digital drawings.

Benefits & Challenges

• Technology improves the accuracy and efficiency of take-offs by automating measurements, reduces errors, speeds up the process, and ensures real-time updates.
• The major challenges faced when using take-off software: High initial costs and training requirements.
• Software compatibility is an important consideration in digital take-offs and Ensures smooth integration with other project management and cost estimation tools.
• Real-time updates in BIM take-off benefit cost estimation because they allow immediate adjustments when designs change.

Explore the role of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) in construction, focusing on cost estimation and financial management. Learn about the historical evolution of the profession, influenced by the Industrial Revolution. Discover the responsibilities such as budgeting, dispute resolution, and contract management.