Quantity surveyors control construction project costs using professional skills acquired through training and practice. They estimate costs, monitor expenses, and enforce standards, and can work for contractors and homeowners. Membership in a professional organization is recommended for career advancement.
A quantity surveyor is a construction professional who controls the costs of a construction project, using a variety of professional skills acquired through training and practice. Quantity surveyors originated in the United Kingdom, where they may be called Chartered Quantity Surveyors if they belong to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and can also be found in Canada and many other regions of the world. This profession emerged in the 19th century when construction projects began to employ professionals to estimate, control and handle costs.
Quantity inspectors can be involved with a project from the day a project idea is developed to the final step once the project is completed. They are involved in the cost estimating process, using their knowledge of the industry and similar projects to determine how much a project should cost. A quantity surveyor may work for the owner contracting the project, showing their typical costs, or for a contractor, helping a contractor prepare a bid. The quantity inspector helps keep the costs reasonable and fair because he or she is familiar with the industry standard.
Once a project is underway, a quantity inspector monitors costs, keeping the project on track, and helps keep the project financially organized. Quantity inspectors can work for contractors and homeowners alike, providing services that are designed to minimize costs while ensuring the project is of high quality. They are also concerned with enforcing standards, from the basic building code to specific recommendations from professional organizations that may exceed the building code.
Quantity inspectors can also be involved after a project is completed, with issues such as repairs and renovations. Extensive knowledge of a project during the construction phase can be helpful to a quantity inspector when making estimates about repairs and other issues, and quantity inspectors can also be consulted on topics such as property tax, insurance, and other costs that may be associated with a construction project. Consulting services on issues such as property taxes are not offered by all quantity inspectors.
This type of work can be attractive to people who are good with numbers, patient and adept at processing a lot of information. People can become quantitative inspectors through several routes, including formal education and practical experience as contractors and estimators. Membership in a professional organization is highly recommended for individuals who wish to advance in this field, as membership has several advantages, including access to private job listings, continuing education opportunities, and regulatory compliance.
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