Career in Quantity Surveying

C arer in touchst i analyze measurement surveyors come in two flavors. in that respect is the PQS, Private measure Surveyor, who flora in professional pr cropice and the CQS or take awayors Quantity Surveyor, who playacts for a twist affirmer. The Quantity Surveyor is responsible for on the whole the financial, contr existent and legal aspects of a tress throw up. The PQS on the wholeow for provide court formulation advice during the design pose of a get going and and then varan the actual costs against the bud witnesss whilst the propose is universe built. Building experienceile organs are frequently remunerative monthly in instalments on large projects and it is the sum surveyors job to determine a decorous valuation for the spirt that has been bump morosed. In addition the PQS pull up stakes advise the customer on a suitable form of building contract.The affirmers Quantity Surveyor will be elusive in pricing melt down that a contractile organ i s asked to tender for, letting packages of work to specialist subcontractors and valuing and paying for subcontractors work. In the corresponding way that the PQS provides cost readying advice to the knob the CQS provides financial advice to the building contractor.If you destine you are more skilled with figures than floor plans then you might say rough becoming a amount of money surveyor the so c entirelyed economist of the verbalism industry. As a student amount surveyor, poignancy Smart worked on the McAlpine sphere in Huddersfield calculating the reflection costs. Listen to what she has to say ab forth her work by clicking on her link. Hit Back on your browser to return to this page.If you think you are more skilled with figures than floor plans then you might think about becoming a amount surveyor the so called economist of the plait industry. As a student quantity surveyor Ruth Smart worked on McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield calculating the body structure c osts.The major one of this stadium was all of these they are called banana trusses because they are shape equal bananas. The steel work that went into this stadium was in truth expensive. thither is a lot concrete in this building as you john gather in all the seats. The whole structure is concrete. The seats are put on top of concrete.Steps, huge, huge money. The nicer bits are thing like you know the actual pitch, and the lights all these extras that you dont think of which need to be priced. The grade markings, everything we start to take into account everything, signage, big project.I studied quantity surveying at Leeds and years 1 and 2 was spent in the college education, year 3 was spent on state of affairs at McAlpine Stadium and year 4 was my final year again spent in College. It wasnt just text book stuff it was things like learning to build a brick wall. What facial expression was about the actual physical building of buildings.Surveyors who have been educated in Britain are viewed very well all overseas. both months after I graduated I started work out in Johannesburg, South Africa. Which was fantastic lots of exposure. Thr have in at the cloudy end was great rails my own jobs.I became chartered June 2000. Its good in the fact that if you requireed to set up your own practice you have to be chartered to do it for your professional damages insurance. Its good alike because being chartered means you are more qualified and you get a bigger salary. And also if you take a break from your career when you are chartered its easier to get back into your career.Team work in this sort of industry is very important because thither are lots of different severalizeies you have to authorize with and that you have to work with.The design team being architect, quantity surveyor, engineer, contractor must all work together must all give because without each different we couldnt get the job done.I was attracted to the mental synthesis industry bec ause I had never met a woman who worked inwardly locution and it was a challenge to me. I would say to a woman who was a little bit nervous about joining the industry to go for it because I think its worthwhile and shed love it like I do.Quantity appraiseOur team undertakes all types of Quantity Surveying services for a wide-ranging client base and property profile. We squeeze all aspects of a project, from feasibility through to overall redevelopment, consistently applying a number of firm principles. These involve strict financial and risk ascendancy at all times, continuous value engineering and cost-in-use surveyments.Our Servicesfeasibleness and PlanningProvision of an unambiguous statement, setting out each clients brief and objectives.Provision of initial cost advice and an anticipated eject out-turn price. Initial estimates are later highly-developed into detailed cost plans to monitor the ongoing cost of the design development.Identification and control of the proj ects risks, which tin typically include neighbouring issues, access issues, ground conditions and programme restrictions. procuranceRecommendation on the form of contract.The selection of contractors and associated tendering/negotiating processesThe provision of an unambiguous, concise and bump off Agreement between all per centumies, accurately reflecting our clients requirements and the contractors proposal.Appointment of the contractor and production of contract documentation.Construction pecuniary monitoring, including interim payments and variation controlProgramme monitoringContract deed and administrationReal-time reporting on programme and out-turn costs resultManaged possession we can negotiate and agree full, sectional or partial(p) possession of a projectAgreement of final account subsidiary servicesWe supply a range of supplementary services, complementing our an otherwise(prenominal) divisional colleagues by providing specialist cost and time critical analysis to them, where they whitethorn be responsible for the overall service to the client. Such services includeEmployers agent, as identified by the JCT Standard Form of ContractLitigation support for disputes arising within building contractsExpert witness relating to issues of constructionCost-in-use/value engineering for alternative construction solutionsDevelopment monitoring for trey partiesFire insurance valuationsPlanning supervision as recognised by the Health Safety ExecutiveCapital allowance assessments for increased allowances against locoweed taxTax and VAT guidanceQS DescriptionQuantity surveyors posit cost estimates and plans, audit projects, lie with construction costs and administer construction contracts for all levels and types of construction.Quantity surveyors whitethorn perform the following taskstalk to architects, engineers, builders, contractors, suppliers and project ownersstudy architectural and engineering drawings and specificationsprepare a Bill of Quant ities, which lists the respective(prenominal) components required to construct the projectcheck on changes of design to assess the effects on costassess and recommend payment to contractors during constructionprepare monthly cash-flow forecasts for clients and tax depreciation schedulesundertake feasibility studies to incite in decisions about the worth of a project proceedingact as consultants to business and government.Quantity surveyors commonly work in offices. They also visit building situates, clients and other members of construction teams.Personal Requirementsanalytical and consistentable to concentrate for huge periodsgood oral and written conference skillsable to work accurately with figuresable to work as part of a teamable to work independentlyaptitude for on the job(p) with computers.RICSIncreasingly, Chartered Quantity Surveyors are becoming gnarly when they should be at the start of the decision-making process.The role of the quantity surveyor has changed si gnificantly in recent years. There was a time when they tended to be brought in, withal late in the day, to cost someone elses work and ended up being falsely cast in the role of the spoilsport who utter it was all too expensive.Today the skills are largely the same but importantly the percept and understanding have changed. Increasingly, quantity surveyors become involved when they should be at the start of the decision-making process.Whilst the primary role of a quantity surveyor remains to manage costs on building or construction sites, arguably they are just as valuable at providing ideas and creative solutions in the advance(prenominal) stages of the project.Quantity surveyors are particularly skilled at victorious the long view, assessing the options and at providing the client with a full picture on which to confound decisions.Take, for example, a large new housing complex requiring an access route. When all the aesthetics and environmental issues have been assumeed th e decision is whether to go for the shorter more luff option or for the longer one. Superficially the shorter route seems more dinky but detailed examination reveals expensive additional engineering would be required.The full job specification for a quantity surveyor would alone binge this page but typical responsibilities includepreparing cost estimatesmanaging costs on siteadvising on choice of materialsadvising on construction techniquesdealing with planning issues, building regulations, architectsinvolvement in the procurement processproviding cost and contract expertiseThe type of project could range from large residential or offices to motorways, water companies or a sports stadium.Alasdair Thompson is a Divisional Director of Franklin + Andrews, one of the UKs pointing firms of quantity surveyors.With ten years experience Alasdair has a very clear opinion of how quantity surveyors should be used There is no doubt our clients get the best value when they involve us at the outset. I also believe the relationship with the other professionals is much more cooperative and open with everyone listening and taking advice early on.Quantity Surveyor a person who measures and prices building work.In real lifeQuantity surveyors are the accountants of the building profession planning and managing costs of construction projects from start to finish. Quantity surveyors (or QSs as they are known, since its a bit of a mouthful) both work for a private QS practice and act on behalf of clients or for a contracting firm which carries out construction work.This profession is sure enough not all hard hats and wellies. In fact the role of the quantity surveyor has changed so dramatically in recent years that the profession doesnt unceasingly answer to the name of quantity surveying anymoreYou will often see private practices referring to themselves as cost consultants and project managers because of the nature of the work they now handle. Due to the recession, QSs ha ve had to adapt or die and there are now fewer, larger private practices than ever before taking on a broader remit of work.No longer do quantity surveyors just measure and price work, they have a more strategic role. Nowadays the QS is involved at all stages of a project from preparing tenders and planning costs to preparing final bills of quantities essentially, making sure projects are planned and completed to cost and look, on time.UK construction professionals are respected abroad and, partly in response to the depressed home market, many UK firms have developed an international outlook.Best bits Seeing things happen exactly as you said they would.The opportunity to have a career with commercial AND practical elements.No two projects are the same.Worst bits As with all parts of the construction industry, quantity surveying is very recession sensitive.Everyone outside the industry thinks you are an estate agentDont bother if Youre sensitive to jokes about counting nails.You w ant a nine to five career full of textbook projects.Demands proficient and business knowledge. QSs understand the building work in hand and furbish up sure work is done in a commercially executable way.A logical mind with a down-to-earth approach to fuss solving and a personality which is at ease with business executives, site employees and spreadsheets is an advantage.Teamwork Overused word, but in this business you appreciate the clients needs and work with them to give a satisfactory outcome. Also required is the ability to motivate and lead people on site.Flexibility Youll be required to travel to projects all over your patch (a car is often part of your salary package).Qualifications and reproduction Most entrants follow relevant degrees or HNDs and have gained work placements in the process (sandwich courses are popular). To qualify as a chartered quantity surveyor entrants take the APC (assessment of professional qualification) run by The Royal asylum of Chartered Su rveyors (RICS). The APC is all about what you know and how well you can apply it.Areas of workContracting QSPrivate Practice QSContracting QS a lot seen as the muddy boots side of the profession because contracting QSs are usually based in site offices although contrary to popular rumour they do not count bricks all dayThe contracting QS has a calculate for every project and must make sure a project stays within it. To control the purse strings the QS will head work on site in the most efficient manner. talk terms with the site employees, plus employees from subcontracting organisations (smaller organisations brought in to handle particular portions of work).Negotiate with the clients QS over any price changes.Approve payments made to suppliers, employees and subcontractors.Prepare bills of quantity for work in progress and the final accounts.Private QS A private quantity surveyor is employed by a client to advise on their construction costs. Key roles for the private QS include working out the most prehend way to meet clients needs and advising onThe site chosen.Costs of labour, shew and materials.A suitable building contractor.Once the project is up and running the QS monitors costs and negotiates with the contractors QS (agreeing payments and any changes to the original price) to ensure work is carried out to the quality specified and in the time available.Once a project is complete the services of a QS can be retained to ensure a building is managed and maintained efficiently.Quantity Surveyors matter Commercial Services UKNational Commercial Services specialise in the following areasQuantity SurveyorsCareers in ConstructionConstruction ConsultantsConstruction Dispute ResolutionQuantity SurveyingQuantity Surveyors are concerned with financial counselling, measurement and accounting on construction projects. They deal with detail and tend to be highly literate person and numerate and possess computer and IT skills to enable them to fulfil their res ponsibilities. They work on their own or within teams of other QSs or multi-disciplined professionals. They can be employed by Contractors, Subcontractors, Trade Specialists, Architects, Consulting Engineers or other companies or organisations involved in the construction process.Quantity Surveyors are trained professionals. Some will start straight from school, some will study further with a university or higher education degree in the subject. Professional qualifications can be gained through a number of institutions recognized throughout the world, examples being the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Institution of Civil technology Surveyors (Inst.C.E.S.). QSs can work in all levels of the industry, from assistant and trainee through intermediate, project, senior, managing, regional and chief Quantity Surveyor levels to Company Directors.Quantity Surveyors are involved with all financial aspects of construction work and increasingly, in the role of commercia l, legal and contractual specialists. In addition to the prime quantity surveying functions, many QSs have an expertise in the research, preparation, submission and negotiation of contractual claims as a part of the general responsibility for financial control and financial public assistance of contracts.Quantity Surveyors work in building, civil engineering, water, process, M E and other areas of the construction industry. They usually operate in two distinct environments. Pre-contract work involves the preparation of documentation to enable work to be put out to tendering contractors on behalf of the Client. Clients include government bodies, public and private authorities, developers and others seeking to undertake construction projects.Quantity Surveyors working in this area are usually employed by Professional Quantity Surveying Practices, Consulting Engineers, Architects or other companies, practices, professionals or individuals retained by the end user to ensure that what is last built is what he actually requires. He is apt(predicate) to work in conjunction with designers and engineers and other construction professionals.The Quantity Surveyors work includes taking off quantities from drawings prepared by others, analysing, tabulating, formulating the information to facilitate the preparation of bills of quantities, schedule of place or other documentation chosen to enable the works to be measured and valued. In doing this, the Quantity Surveyor follows guidelines set out under different documents which form part of the contract, including the method of measurement, conditions of contract, contract specification and other particulars. He may be involved in the preparation of preambles or other documents forming part of the contract.Once the documentation is prepared, the contract can be let and the work commenced. The quantity surveyor is then concerned with Post-contract work, for either the Employer or his agents, or the Contractor carrying ou t the work. He may work on site or remote from site in his Employers offices.The Quantity Surveyor working on behalf of the Employer may have been involved in the pre-Contract work or he may not. His job is to ensure that the value of work carried out is aright established in accordance with the particular contractual arrangements being used, and to march appropriate payments to the Contractor. This involves taking receipt of the Contractors interim applications for payment usually at fortnightly or monthly intervals, checking the Contractors submissions and calculations and preparing details for certification of payment by the Engineer or the Architect.The principle role of the Quantity Surveyor working for the Contractor is to look after the financial interests of his employer. He will calculate and file the financial value of the work carried out and ensure that the Contractor is paid properly and on time. During the currency of the contract, he will be involved in measurement s on site and from drawings in order to establish the straightforward value of work done in the interim period. This is usually itemised within a bill of quantities or schedule of rates prepared in advance as part of the contract documentation. He will consider variations, modified and additional works and evaluate their value for his interim applications for payment.Concurrently, he will be concluding measurement and evaluation wherever manageable as part of the final measure, to be submitted later as part of the Contractors Final Account. In addition to preparing applications for payment, the site-based Quantity Surveyor is also likely to be involved in internal company reporting so that the Contractors management are kept abreast of the financial status of the project. He is likely to be involved in forecasts and budgets and other reporting systems.Another primaeval role for the modern quantity surveyor working for Contractors, is the procurement, appointment, administration, management and payment of subcontractors. On some projects, the management of subcontract accounts is the Quantity Surveyors chief responsibility. He may also have responsibility for matters such as insurance claims on behalf of the Contractor or third party claims.