Introduction to QS

What is the other names of Quantity Surveyor?

Quantity surveyor is also known as commercial manager, construction cost consultant or contract manager. Some would name them as specialist in the financial & contractual aspects of construction projects.

Some country call this as either estimator or value engineer. The responsibility can be slightly different based on the designated post I think. Anyway the main goal would not be much different and we should have known what is the role of QS.

What are roles of a Quantity Surveyor?

1) Translating drawings into detailed quantities;

2) Preparing information on cost of materials, plant & materials;

3) Advising on choice of materials & construction techniques;

4) Preparing tender & contract documents including bills of quantities;

5) Examining tenders & preparing tender reports;

6) Negotiating rates with contractors;

7) Advising owner/ architect on the contractor to be awarded the contract

8) Managing cost on site

9) Valuing work in progress;

10) Preparing the final account on completion of the contract works;

11) The actual roles of a quantity surveyor depends on the type of organisation he is working with.

What are traits of a Quantity Surveyor?

1) A practical person with logical & methodical approach to problem solving;

2) Possessess IT & good numerical skills;

What is a BQ?

1) A document used in a construction project which gives an itemized list of component parts of the building.

2) Fully describes & accurately represents the quantity & quality of the works to be carried out.

3) Prepared by a 'taking-off' process in which the quantities of materials & labour needed in a construction project are measured from the architectural, structural, mechanical & electrical drawings.

4) The quantities can be presented in various styles - Elemental Bill of Quantities, Trade Bills, Operational Bills, etc.

What is purpose of BQ?

1) Facilitates tender analysis (comparison of contractors prices) on equal basis.

2) Provide a basis for valuation of variations as the unit rates for all items are indicated.

3) Assists the successful contractor in ordering materials and assessing his labor requirements for the contract.

4) Provides a good basis for cost analysis which may be used on cost planning work for future projects.

What are types of Bill?

1) Elemental Bill - items grouped according to their position in the building (Substructure, Floors, External Walls, Internal Walls, Roofs, etc)

2) Sectionalized Trade Bill - items grouped according to trade (concreter, bricklayer, tiler, roofer, etc.)

3) Annotated Bill - items with notes against them that give their locations.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Credit to BCAA, Singapore.