Quantity Surveyors: Roles and Responsbilities

The role of a Quantity Surveyor is to take 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.

Responsibilities 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 duties of a quantity surveyor include:

• 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 Documents such as Feasibility Reports, Expense Reports, Valuation Reports, etc.

Requirements to Become a Quantity Surveyor

To work as a Quantity Surveyor in Australia, 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.