CIDC Delhi Role of Quantity Surveyor As Profit Center S A Reddi Value Engineering Consultant sareddi32@rediffmail.com

Quantity Surveyor A quantity surveyor (QS) is a professional working within the construction industry concerned with Project costs. The profession is one that provides a qualification gained following formal education, specific training and experience that provides a general set of skills that are then applied to a diverse variety of problems.1 Predominantly these relate to costs and contracts on construction projects.

Quantity Surveyor Job description A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures Surveyors seek to minimize the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality Many of these are specified by statutory building regulations, which the surveyor needs to understand and adhere to.

QS Typical Work Activities Preparing tender and contract documents, BOQ Costs analysis, Control Assist in establishing a client’s requirements and undertaking feasibility studies Prepare Analyze costing for tenders Allocating work to subcontractors Advice on contractual claims Progress reports, value completed work Aware of the different contracts in use Understand Health & Safety Regulations Risk and Value Management Advise on procurement strategy; Identify, analyse, develop responses to risks

QS Typical Work Activities A surveyor calculates all related costs so that companies will be well informed about how much each portion of their building will cost and the areas where they can minimize their costs Quantity surveyors goal is to enhance the value of a building in relation to the amount of money spent building it The surveyor looks at the construction process & determine Standards and Regulations to meet minimum statutory building regulations Will also determine areas most important to maintaining the quality of the new building.

QS Work Activities- Options A quantity surveyor can find business from either a contractor or the client, and they also have the option of choosing to work on-site or away in an office. Once chosen, he is involved in the entire building process from start to finish. At the beginning, he will evaluate the property and prepare estimates on the total costs involved in the project He will continue to prepare contractual documents, bills, and other tender documents. He will perform cost analysis, perform a risk and value management assessment of the property, as well as provide insight on cost control and procurement strategies

Entry Requirements for a Quantity Surveyor A first degree will give the best opportunities as a quantity surveyor Accredited institutions like the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the similarly well-known Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) offer many degree programs With such a degree, One will probably be able to secure a better position and earn more money, but may not necessarily need a degree in quantity surveying in order to be successful in this career.

Case: Quantity Surveyor of A Construction Co Mr X, a Matriculate, Started as Administrative Assistant in the QS Dept Diligent Observation, Studies Enabled Rise To The Position OF HOD On Retirement, The Position Was Difficult to Fill He Studied General Conditions of Contract of Each Tender, Made Copious Notes of Strengths and Weaknesses in the Documents Which Enabled Successful Claims Later On!

Case: QS Director In UK Const Co Personal Experience As Head of Foreign Operations, Visited A Leading Construction Co in UK The Managing Director Introduced Fellow Board Members; One Was Director, QS! The MD Clarified That During Lean Periods, It is The QS Director Who Helped Generated Profits Thro Identifying Claims At The Tender Stage

Qualifications You may also be able to enter without any degree at all. You will need to be prepared to work your way through the industry Some businesses may actually fund degree courses related to quantity surveying so that you can get the education necessary to make the most out of this career. if you do have a degree unrelated to quantity surveying you complete further study and the RICS. The RICS is a qualification program designed to give career seekers another route to becoming a quantity surveyor.

Skills Required Methodical and analytical thinking as will as practical and logical reasoning skills Problem solving skills with a creative approach Skill related to mathematics and financial management Concise writing skills to produce reports on complex information * Thorough knowledge and understanding of building and construction codes, regulations, etc have enough hands on, work experience Formal education is important, but being able to demonstrate that you have a relevant understanding of building and construction can go a long way

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Continuing professional development is almost the norm in today's business world. The RICS offers a lifelong learning programme that will allow you to record and mark any professional developments that you have made over the years. Programs designed to promote learning in an open atmosphere, as well as provide a space for private study RICS has also established conferences and events that quantity surveyors can attend to learn more

Quantity Surveyor Functions The QS reports to Project Manager Provides advice in the decision-making throughout the management of a project from initial inception to final completion The QS handles estimating and cost control, the tendering process and, after contract award, the commercial interface QS carries out estimating and measurement of works prior to tender, producing the bill of quantities; produce tender documentation and manage the tender process; clarify and evaluate tenders; and manage the resultant contract through monthly valuations, variations control, contract administration and assessment of claims. .

Quantity Surveyor Functions Some are trained in techniques of cost control. Those who emphasize the cost discipline Are Often Called "Construction Cost Consultant". They ensure that projects are designed and constructed in such as to Get value for money, cost certainty , programme dates Others emphasize contracts management. Trained to draft, interpret and administer complex contracts, those who operate in the broader field of project management often adopt other titles such as "Contracts Manager" or "Construction Surveyor".

Contractor's QS Responsible for performance of operations that mirror those of the owner's QS- the measurement and pricing of construction work, but specifically that actually performed by the contractor as opposed to the construction work described and measured in the construction contract between the owner and the contractor. Such a difference in quantity of work may arise from changes required by an owner, or by an architect or engineer on an owner's behalf. Typically, the settlement of a change

Contractor's QS The role of a contractor's QS will extend further than the day to day running of building projects Will cover sub-contract formation, forecasting of costs and values of the project, cash flow forecasts and the collation of the operation and maintenance manuals of the project This increase in the capacity of the surveying profession has led to an increased demand for qualified personnel

About RICS : RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) coversall aspects of property, construction and associated environmental issues. RICS has 86,000 chartered members (FRICS and MRICS) and 55,000 members in other categories of membership globally. It represents, regulates and promotes the work of these property professionals throughout 146 countries. RICS is governed by a Royal Charter approved by Parliament which requires it to act in the public interest. It is also a professional regulatory body approved by Government

Planning During the planning procedures the QS plays a key role in assessing whether the project is feasible economically The Quantity Surveyor may act in consulting role to engineers and architects, advising them on cost effective methodologies and procedures Professionally trained in building code and by-laws, He ensures the project adheres to local and national regulations Feasibility, both engineering and economical , is a key factor in the planning procedure

Construction While the project is underway , the Quantity Surveyor Ensures the process runs smoothly and within budget limits Conflict can arise and the Quantity Surveyor Steps in to act as a liaison between conflicted members of the construction process Interpersonal relationships Among the construction team keep the project moving Attention to monitoring the costs and economics involved during the construction. Keeping the project running without conflict

Post-Construction After the project is completed, responsibilities and function shift. This objective now is to monitor the building and make sure that operational costs are kept inside the budget. the responsibilities are to make sure the project adheres to local and national tax laws. Insurance claims and cost of replacement are dealt with by the Quantity Surveyor. Accurate estimates of damages and costs of destroyed or damaged goods are also provided.

Responsibilities During Tendering To establish the cost of installation, materials and workmanships and to come out with a well –planned quotation which is beneficial to both the company and the main contractors for each individual project that the company is handling To prepare contracts for projects by stating clearly the terms and conditions, studying and understand the contracts When projects are completed, proceed with claiming of payments from the relevant parties and complete the collection of payments as soon as possible.

Basic Roles And Responsibilities Prepare , submit and collect claims for payment Prepare, submit quotations. Diligently to following up Do awarding of contracts and preparation of contracts related documents Sourcing and purchasing of materials and related products needed for production Perform liaison with engineer and sales department Perform liaison with main contractors, sub contractors and other parties involved the projects Studies other project cases to solve any problems Report Progress Daily to boss without being asked

Monitor Construction Cost As advisers, they estimate and monitor construction costs, from the feasibility stage of a project through to the completion of the construction period After construction they may be involved with tax depreciation schedules, replacement cost estimation for insurance purposes and, if necessary, mediation and arbitration.

Liaison Work Quantity Surveyors work closely with architects, financiers, engineers, contractors, suppliers, project owners, accountants, insurance underwriters, solicitors and Courts Quantity surveyors get their name from the Bill of Quantities,. This is measured from design drawings, to be used by the contractors for tendering and for progress payments, for variations and changes and ultimately for statistics, taxation and valuation.

Advise on Economics Initially quantity surveyors use their knowledge of construction methods and costs to advise on the most economical way They use Cost Planning, Estimating, Cost Analysis, Cost-in-use Studies and Value Engg to establish a project budget During design the QS ensures that the design remains on budget through Cost Management Essential additions offset by identified other savings On completion of design and drawings, the quantity surveyor may prepare a Bill of Quantities, which is issued with the specification, for use by contractors in submitting tenders.

Tenders The contractor's quantity surveyors prepare tenders, and price alternatives Involved in assessing tenders, advise on the type of contract or special clauses in it During construction they fairly value progress payments at regular intervals, value changes to design or quantities which may arise by reference to appropriate Bill of Quantities rates They prepareclaims for progress payments and additional work.

Role On Project Completion On completion the quantity surveyor produces depreciation schedules of project components advises on insurance replacement costs In case of disputes the quantity surveyor is called on as an expert witness, and some quantity surveyors act as arbitrators. Both the contractor's and owner's quantity surveyors will be involved in this They use their skills in refurbishment of old buildings, alterations to existing buildings and insurance replacement estimates

Analytical Mind Quantity surveyors have orderly and analytical minds and prepared to work to very rigid time schedules. As decisions involving large sums of money are often made using information produced by them they must be accurate in all aspects of their work Quantity surveyors work in the private sector with Contractors, in the public sector mainly with the Government Departments/Authorities, financiers, property developers, project managers and universities

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