A quantity surveyor is a person who estimates and controls costs for large construction projects, ensuring that all legal and quality standards are also met. Quantity surveyors are involved in all aspects of a construction project, whether it be commercial, industrial or residential.
Their tasks will differ depending on the stage of the project they’re involved in. For example, a quantity surveyor could be involved during the design or construction phase of a project. Tasks that a quantity surveyor performs include:
Quantity surveyors can be both, based at their own office or work on-site. Those who work in their own office tend to work typical office hours i.e., 9 to 5, Quantity surveyors who work on-site typically work longer hours and even work night shifts.
Organisations that would typically employ a quantity surveyor include:
The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) is the peak professional standards body for built environment cost professionals. The AIQS has chapters all across Australia, as well as two international branches; one in the UAE and one in Qatar.
The AIQS has 5,000+ members. The job titles for typical members includes: Cost Consultants, Cost Engineers, Cost Estimators, Cost Managers, Project Controllers, Quantity Surveyors, as well as graduates and students.
There are several options you can choose from if you’re interested in becoming a quantity surveyor. They include: