In a nutshell, quantity surveyors manage all costs associated with building and civil engineering projects. Their work is both office and site-based and the primary goal is to minimize expenses (and keep them within the limits of a budget). What is more, they aspire to do it without compromising on the quality of end results or failing to adhere to the building, health, and safety regulations.
Furthermore, they take part in projects and work with contractors/clients right from the start, preparing comprehensive project estimates. Often, they also gather tender and contract documentation, conduct feasibility studies, and undertake risk control. Once the building process starts, quantity surveyors keep close tabs on any variations that may lead to cost fluctuations.
Over the course of the project, key tasks are related to outcome analysis, work evaluation, and progress reports. But, it is not uncommon for surveyors to take on additional responsibilities, such as distributing work to subcontractors, ordering construction materials, and arranging payments. The list of tasks they can handle goes on and depends on the type of the project and employer.
Speaking of which, quantity surveyors are not involved only in large construction projects. Apart from collaboration with commercial businesses, local authorities, consultancies, and property developers, they also offer services to small business owners and residential clients. They can capitalize on various services, such as providing an initial maintenance schedule for Strata managers and conducting a detailed building insurance valuation, which shields against any potential natural disasters.
So, now that we know what they do, why would you hire quantity surveyors? Well, first off, construction is always a costly endeavor; one of the most expensive there is.
Surveyors allow you to avoid risks and pitfalls linked to unreliable back-of-the-envelope calculations and ballpark figures. Accurate cash projections allow you to plan the budget ahead of time and prevent any unpleasant surprises. You are also able to steer away from unnecessary financial hurdles like overpaying for construction materials.
What is more, these professionals are versed in uncovering opportunities to save money – opportunities that fly under the radar of most people. It also helps to receive an estimate on how long the project will take. After all, surveyors closely monitor processes and supply you with reports on the progress made. This significantly reduces the risk of delays and other setbacks.
Lastly, any homeowner or business can decide to outsource some of the tasks that would consume too much time or require special expertise. This is a way to get things off your plate and focus on other business or project aspects that are vital. All in all, reputable surveyors add value to the building process and optimize expenses more often than not.
Having a professional managing your construction project economics is something that should always be on the table. You can choose to do most of the stuff yourself, but what you pay for a surveyor is nothing compared to the wealth of benefits that await down the road. Employing one can rarely do more harm than good.
During a construction project, coming across issues or problems is unavoidable. If you go around and ask owners of different buildings, they will tell you that a million things could go wrong throughout the project period. However, hiring the right people can bring that number of potential problems down so that you can experience smooth sailing when building a commercial space, a residential structure, or any other type of construction that you plan on doing.
One of the many problems that you could and would definitely want to avoid is facing disputes with your builders. Here are a few examples of the problems you could potentially encounter with the team:
1. When the owner of the building does not have enough knowledge on the process of purchasing and choosing what to purchase, they usually leave it up to the builders to make the decision. However, in many cases, this ends in disappointment and spending more money than you should. The builders may make decisions that do not put your interest first.
2. Builders do not make inspections and make a progress report. If no one checks on the quality of work being done and makes sure that the budget is being followed, there could be financial problems. And if the two of you do not work out these issues, the builder could just stop working and leave the project unfinished.
3. Disputes with builders tend to come up if the contract is not specific. If a certain work on a building is not specified on a contract, the builders are not going to do it. You will need a person who knows what needs to be done, a person with a construction background such as a quantity surveyor to review the contract for you.
4. Builders rarely visit the construction site before they begin work. In the event that they find something wrong with the location or if there is an obstruction, they will refuse to do the job and you will be left with financial repercussions.
This is why it is crucial to the success of your project to hire a quantity surveyor since that person has the knowledge and experience when it comes to construction. He will be with you planning the whole thing from the very beginning until the project is completed. Disputing with your builders will get you nowhere, especially if you lack the knowledge and experience. What’s more, it is going to cost you even more money than you had planned on spending.
If you’d like to learn more about how a Quantity Surveyor can help you on your next project, please get in touch.
It is essential to find the right balance between cost, time and quality when undertaking a home building project. When you work with a professional, experienced and ingenious team, you’ll have access to various solutions that will allow you to follow your plans but remain aligned with your budget and timeframe.
On the other hand, when the team in charge of the building project fails to achieve this balance, it can result in a host of problems, from cost overruns to project delays and even safety hazards due to inferior workmanship. You can avoid this high level of stress in your building projects by hiring a reputable quantity surveyor.
A quantity surveyor, also known as a cost engineer, can help take the stress out of your building project through the following ways:
You’ll have an accurate idea of how much the project will cost. Your quantity surveyor allows you to make sufficient preparation for the project by providing you with accurate, up-to-date and relevant cost information based on the project plans. The more understanding you have of the processes involved, the better you can eliminate mistakes and focus your attention and resources on what matters most to you.
You can develop a realistic budget that is aligned with your vision. The quantity surveyor will take the time to sit down with you and acquire a good understanding of your priorities and expectations. Based on your requirements, the quantity surveyor will then develop a feasibility study. A highly skilled quantity surveyor will be able to plot out the most cost-efficient ways to translate your ideas from concept to completion (that’s why they are also called “value engineers”).
You’ll have a systematic way of overseeing your budget. A building project is made up of numerous moving parts that involve a large number of people, regardless of how big or small your property may be. Keeping track of every single expense can be difficult if you’re not armed with the skills and the experience to do it. A quantity surveyor will keep an eye on spending and implement cost control measures to cut additional expenses.
You’ll have someone to resolve changes and disputes in the middle of the project. When something unexpected happens in the middle of a project, it most likely will directly affect the project funds. Thus, quantity surveyors are also tasked to address changes (such as a delay in the timetable or a different route a contractor is suggesting) as they happen. This way, you can be sure to work within your budget without sacrificing your standards and preferences.
You’ll be able to have an objective assessment upon project completion. Unlike your other contractors, the work of a quantity surveyor does not stop once the property has been built. It is also part of their duty to submit a final report that details an itemised tally of all the actual costs incurred.
If you’d like to learn more about how a Quantity Surveyor can help you on your next project, please get in touch.