A Quantity Surveyor is an individual who oversees many parts of the construction operation˳ Traditionally this role has been performed by a highly trained person with extensive knowledge in the operational procedures involved with construction or project management˳ This position often acts as an independent contractor and is a trusted and respected source for professional consultation˳ The roles of the Quantity Surveyor are diverse and vital to the project life cycle˳
Project life cycle
Quantity surveyors are a key member of the construction team; frequently involved from the initial planning stages to the end of construction and beyond˳ Fiscal, legal and engineering aspects are all managed by this position
Planning
During the planning procedures this individual plays a key role in assessing whether the project is feasible from an economic standpoint˳ The Quantity Surveyor may act in consulting role to engineers and architects, advising them on cost effective methodologies and procedures˳ Professionally trained in building code and by-laws, the surveyor will ensure that the project adheres to local and national regulations˳ Feasibility, both from an engineering and economical standpoint, is a key factor in the planning procedure˳
Construction
While the project is underway and all the teams of engineers and construction personnel are in operation, the Quantity Surveyor plays a pivotal role in making sure the process runs smoothly and within budget limits˳ Dispute conflict can arise during these times and the Quantity Surveyor, if need be, can step in to act as a liaison between conflicted members of the construction process˳ Good interpersonal relationships between all members of the construction team keep the project moving forward˳ Close attention is also kept to monitoring the costs and economics involved during the construction process˳ Keeping the project running without conflict and economically sound are valuable services provided by this role˳
Post-Construction
After the project has been completed, the responsibilities and function shift˳ This objective now is to monitor the building and make sure that operational costs are kept inside the budget˳ During this time, the responsibilities are to make sure the project adheres to local and national tax laws˳ Insurance is another aspect of the project˳ Insurance claims and cost of replacement are dealt with by the Quantity Surveyor˳ Valuable and accurate estimates of damages and costs of destroyed or damaged goods are also provided˳
Other Roles/Responsibilities
This role is not limited to overseeing the financial and engineering aspects of the project˳ Contractors benefit from the estimates of cost-effective purchasing plans˳ Organizing tenders and compiling purchase reports are crucial in optimizing spending during a project˳ During purchasing research, this individual may also provide alternative purchasing plans˳ The balance between cost and quality is important for any construction process˳
Contract drafting and interpretation is a valuable role that this position can provide˳ With a professional knowledge of legal documents, consultation to companies, contractors, or any involved in the construction process can be provided˳
The diverse and essential roles provided by the Quantity Surveyor allow for any aspect of the construction or development process to run smoothly˳ By keeping the project within legal, economical, and structural limits, this position is crucial for any project˳
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