What does a Quantity Surveyor do?

The Quantity Surveyor role means taking care of finances and contractual relationships before, during, and after a construction project. Their task is to minimize the cost of the project and increase the value for the money. Also, they have to make sure that the project meets all legal regulations and quality conditions and requirements.

What are the main responsibilities and tasks of a quantity surveyor?

A Quantity Surveyor should be introduced to a project right from the start of the planning process. Quantity Surveyors can have several different roles during the lifetime of a project.

The definition of quantity surveyors might be vague, but there is a set of tasks they perform.  What does a quantity surveyor do?

• Cost Estimation and Expense Management

• Negotiation and Project Coordination

• Site Visits and Projections of Future Tasks

• Advising on a range of Legal and Contractual Issues

• Preparation of important Report Documents such as Feasibility Reports, Expense Reports, Valuation Reports, etc.

How to become a quantity surveyor?

To obtain a Quantity Surveyor role in Australia and to work in this field, you are required to have graduate qualifications in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management. There are three different ways to become a Quantity Surveyor.

Full-time Study

It usually takes 3 to 4 years to complete these studies and get Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Project Management. The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors offers accredited courses as well.

This is the fastest way to become a qualified Quantity Surveyor. During the courses, you will receive mostly theoretical knowledge. Some full-time courses require the students to complete a year of practical work experience. Usually, it is in the third or final year of studies.

Part-time Top-Up Course

If you already have a degree that is related to the world of construction, you may do an additional course and gain your certification this way. Here is a list of the most relevant degrees that you can do a part-time degree top-up on course to become a Quantity Surveyor:

• Surveying
• Construction
• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering

Some employers will be ready to fund these part-time courses as well.

No qualifications

It is possible to become a Quantity Surveyor even though you do not possess a previous qualification. This is, however, the longest way of obtaining knowledge. It is based on gaining lifelong job experience while working.

A great disadvantage of this method is that no formal qualifications are achieved.

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Angelo Antidormi

Managing Director at Property & Building Assessments Pty Ltd

Angelo Antidormi, Managing Director with over thirty years of experience in the building and construction industry, leads the team of experts at Property & Building Assessments Pty Ltd, providing professional construction advice and value-adding solutions to clients in areas of dispute, estimation, cost planning, and project management.

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