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| Quantity Surveyors |
A Quantity Surveyor is the person responsible for assessing what a new building is going to cost and
in some cases for making sure that construction costs and processes are managed as efficiently as
possible.
A QS schedule breaks the construction elements into minute detail and costs out each element.
While a Valuer deals in generalizations, the QS deals in minutiae.
What does a Quantity Surveyor do?
- Prepares Schedules of Quantities of materials, labour and services required in the construction
of building, or engineering works, - Prepares progress and final payments in connection with the head contract or sub-contract,
- Appraises the cost in place of ongoing construction or other structures already erected,
- Prepares detailed specifications if required so to do,
- Acts as arbitrator in cases of dispute in connection with building, or engineering work, if
required so to do, - Advises on cost management, or value management.
Who Employs a Quantity Surveyor?
The majority of QS’s are employed by larger construction companies, engineering companies and
project management companies.
The QS is usually responsible for establishing the costs involved in order to develop an overall budget
for a project.
The final detailed estimate prepared by the QS usually forms a basis on which tenders can be lodged
evaluated.
While Valuer’s generally prepare Progress Reports for residential construction projects, Quantity
Surveyor’s are generally better equipped to provide this service for larger projects. The QS decides
how much of a job should be paid over at a given stage of completeness.
In most construction contracts, the contractor is paid monthly and the Quantity Surveyor can assess the
value the work carried out each month submitting a recommendation for certified payment.
The Quantity Surveyor can also be called on to assess cost effects when changes occur and agree on
variation with contractors.
Following completion of a contract, the Quantity Surveyor prepares a statement of final account,
summarising the cost charges that have occurred and arriving at a final contract sum.
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Innovation + Experience |
| PO BOX 9018, Wellington 6141 | phone: (04) 240-0124 | fax: (04) 232-4414 | email: valuer@ vcnz.co.nz Innovation + Experience |