What is the role of a Quantity Surveyor and the main responsibilities?

The role of a Quantity Surveyor is to keep a close eye on project finances and contractual relationships. They make sure that the financial position of construction projects is accurately reported and controlled effectively. They manage the contractual relationships between the various parties involved in any particular building project.

The Quantity Surveyor’s main responsibilities include the following:

  • Advising on the potential of a site and working out what a client can afford to build, often termed ‘feasibility’.
  • Presenting detailed information on the cost of particular elements of work on a periodic basis to enable payment for those works carried out to date. This process is known as ‘valuations’.
  • Organising the division of a project into its component work packages, then awarding these work packages to smaller, more specialised construction companies (known as subcontractors) and, in that process, finding out who offers the best deal.
  • Dealing with contractual and legal matters.
  • Managing costs to make sure that the initial budget isn’t exceeded.
  • Arranging staff payments and, at the end of a job, settling the final accounts.
  • Acting as financial advisor and monitoring progress for the client.

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