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Q1. Explain with definition and examples what is Quantity Surveyors?
Definition
Quantity surveyors is a person who calculates the amount of materials needed for
buildings work, and how much will cost. Modern quantity surveyors provide services
that cover all aspects of procurement, contractual and project cost management.
They can either work as consulants or they can be employed by a contractor or sub-
contactor.
The main role of Quantity Surveyors is to estimate the building cost. Each building
can be divided into different parts, cost of each part can be estimated by adding cost
of all parts of building together will give contractors an estimated cost for the whole
work. Its been proved in practice that by adding cost of quantities, material used for
project and labour will provide us with the total cost of the project. We must not forget
that the bill provided by quantity surveyor is an estimate and it is prepared before any
work starts to give a contractor estimated cost. Contractor then agrees to do the work
base on the estimated cost that represents the proposed work.

Explainations
Position of Quantity Surveyors came available after builders realised how much work
it requires to do all the measurements and calculations and it would be much more
cost effective for them all to employ one person to do it. As soon as they implement
this in practice architects and employers soon realised the effectiveness of quantity
surveyors.
As weve already learned above the estimated cost of construction work prepared by
quantity surveyor is used for tendering. Each builder can therefore price the work that
needs to be done based on same bill of quantities and this is what gives building
industry a healthy competition.
Every good quantity surveyor must have a good knowledge of building materials and
construction. Surveyor must be very systematic and careful to provide correct
calculations as well as be able to visualise drawings and details. To make sure that
the quantity bill is accurate, surveyors need to be sure of all requirement of
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architects. Arranged bill needs to be clear and easily understood to prevent any
costly misunderstandings.
Effective cost planning will help to ensure that, one realistic estimate or budget is
agreed, everything that follows in accord with it, from the successful contractors
tender to the final project cost. In planning construction costs, maintanance and
running costare borne in mind, thus helping to achieve a project that is cost effective
throughtout its life.

Examples
Typical work activities for Quantitiy Surveyors:
Preparing tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the
architect and/or the client.
Undertaking cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work.
Asisiting in establishing a clients requirements and undertaking feaibility
studies.
Performing risk, value management and cost control.
Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks.
Preparing and analysing costings for tender.
Valuing completed work and aranging payments.
Areas that may be worked on once the surveyor has experience and specialised
knowledge:
Offering advice on property taxation.
Providing post-occupancy advive, facilities management services and life
cycle costing advice.
Assisting clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources
of funds.
Enabling clients to initiate contruction projects.
Advising on the maintanance costs of specific buildings.