Have a few questions regarding Quantity Surveyors / Cost Consultants and what they do? Then enroll in QS 101.

1. What is a quantity surveyor?

A quantity surveyor is a professional that specializes in understanding, analyzing and reporting on the costs associated with construction projects. And despite rumors and contrary to the opinion of some, quantity surveying is not just about counting widgets (which is in fact the easy part). In order to provide relevant strategic advice, whether establishing a budget or reviewing a change order, the quantity surveyor must be part estimator, part designer, part engineer, part contractor, part mediator and often part psychic. Relevant advice is not just where we are today or what do the drawings show; it is where we will be in the future. We may not be architects or engineers and we are not claiming to be experts in all things; however, we are quantity surveyors and that makes us the right experts with the right people, knowledge and experience when it comes to construction costs.

2. What does a quantity surveyor do?

A quantity surveyor takes every issue concerning cost, project schedule, and budget into consideration when estimating, planning and reporting cost data.

3. Why is a quantity surveyor needed during the design stage?

In order to allow the client/owner a reliable total construction cost to plan and budget for the project.

4. Why is a quantity surveyor needed during the construction stage?

In order to observe and monitor the costs of the project, to keep the project on cost and budget, and to ensure the most cost effective strategies for any changes to the design.

5. What is a PQS?

A PQS is a Professional Quantity Surveyor, and is a professional designation to be received after years of schooling and internship, and indicates a level of competence and reliability.

6. What is the advantage of using a quantity surveyor?

Using an experienced and skilled quantity surveyor will not only allow you to have an accurate projection of the costs involved in a construction project, but also allow you to have an effective cost strategist on your team to help lower costs with ideas, substitutions and experienced advice.

7. What is the Elemental Format of Cost Estimation?

The elemental format of cost estimation is when the costs of a building during design are broken into a standard set of ‘elements’ by their usage or design, thus enabling greater control over the cost of a facility throughout the design stages. The standardization of the rules of measurement of area and volume is critical to the use of cost data.