Quantity Surveyor/Estimator

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) plays a vital role in the construction industry, managing all aspects related to the costs and contracts of building projects. Their primary goal is to ensure that projects are completed within budget and comply with quality and legal standards.

1. Cost Estimation and Budgeting

Prepare initial cost estimates for projects.
Develop detailed project budgets.
Forecast costs and monitor expenditures throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Tendering and Procurement

Prepare tender documents, bills of quantities (BOQs), and contract documentation.
Evaluate contractor and supplier bids.
Advise on procurement strategies and selection of contractors.
3. Contract Management

Draft and manage construction contracts.
Monitor compliance with contract conditions.
Handle contract variations, claims, and disputes.
4. Cost Control and Reporting

Track project costs against the budget.
Identify cost-saving opportunities.
Produce regular cost reports for stakeholders.
5. Valuation of Work and Payments

Assess completed work and recommend interim and final payments to contractors.
Conduct site visits to verify progress and quality.
Prepare valuations for interim and final accounts.
6. Risk Management

Identify potential financial and legal risks.
Implement strategies to mitigate risks.
Ensure adequate insurance and legal coverage is in place.
7. Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with local building regulations, standards, and safety codes.
Liaise with legal teams and government authorities when required.
8. Project Coordination

Collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, and clients.
Participate in project meetings and provide financial insights.
Support project planning and scheduling.
Work Experience

Experience is key, especially since formal QS roles may not always be clearly defined in local job titles. Typical entry points:

Site Engineer or Cost Engineer
Estimator or Project Engineer
Planning Engineer
From here, engineers or architects can specialize in cost control, contracts, and eventually transition into Quantity Surveyor or Cost Engineer positions.

5. Skills and Software Proficiency

MS Excel (advanced) – Essential
AutoCAD – Useful for take-offs
Bluebeam Revu or Planswift – Common QS software
Primavera P6 / MS Project – For scheduling knowledge
CostX or similar – Used by some international firms
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Day shift
Work Location: In person