Generally, quantity surveyors are tasked with the calculation as well as management of the costs relating to projects, starting with assisting with the initial estimates to finalizing the overall requirements of the budget. Normally, they work in land management, property as well as construction industries. Quantity surveyors are usually engaged at the start of a project, consulted and brought in to take a look at a planned construction’s feasibility or repair needs, they then subsequently supervise the remaining activities during the capital expenditure phases of the project development.
Quantity surveyors will help you by working with architects, accountants, engineers, building owners, builders, developers, financiers, government, insurance underwriters, loss adjusters, sub contractors as well as solicitors. The extensive knowledge they possess about the costs related to construction allows them to undertake a number of meaningful tasks to assist you with your project.
Before the construction work commences, quantity surveyors can help with the following:
- Preparation of a feasibility study
- Estimation to define the project budgets
- Carry out an analysis to refine the budget as the design documents develop
- Preparation Bill of Quantities so as to help with the tender process and also to carry out a review of Builder’s tender submissions.
During the construction process, quantity surveyors provide the following services:
- They can help provide cost control services
- Carry out an assessment of the builder’s progress claims
- Carry out an assessment of variation and delay claims.
Finally, after completion of the construction project, quantity surveyors can assist with the following:
- Determination of the final project cost
- Preparation the tax depreciation reports for both investors as well as property owners and;
- Preparation Expert Witness reports to assist in the settlement of building disputes.
With all the aforementioned responsibilities of quantity surveyors, you may be tempted to think that they’re only involved in large construction projects, but this is totally wrong. Quantity surveyors are able to offer their services to both residential clients and small business owners, asides from working with local authorities, commercial businesses, consultancies as well as property developers.