Profession quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyors have under their helm complete management of the cost involved in building and construction projects from the inception of the project until the delivery. They strive for an efficient use of the resources whilst keeping an eye on quality, quality standards, and client's requirements.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Building construction principles

  The component elements and principles of building construction such as types of wall construction and foundations, defects in walls and roofs and ways to address such defects.

• Building codes

  The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

• Urban planning law

  Investments and urban development agreements. Legislative developments regarding construction in terms of environmental, sustainability, social and financial matters.

• Cost management

  The process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.

• Construction industry

  The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

Skills

• Manage budgets

  Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

• Finish project within budget

  Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.

• Prepare construction documents

  Draft, update and archive documents concerning the planning and implementation of construction or renovation projects including information about security systems and accounting documentation.

• Calculate needs for construction supplies

  Take measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.

• Control of expenses

  Monitoring and maintaining effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.

• Communicate with construction crews

  Exchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any changes in the schedule or procedures.

• Manage contracts

  Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.

• Advise on construction materials

  Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.

• Identify customer objectives

  Identify individual motives resulting in short, medium and long term fitness goals.

• Order construction supplies

  Order required materials for the construction project, taking care to purchase the most suitable material for a good price.

• Oversee construction project

  Make sure that the construction project is carried out in compliance with the building permit, the execution plans, the performance and design specifications, and the relevant regulations.

• Keep records of work progress

  Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

• Perform cost accounting activities

  Execute the cost related activities and operations within the accounting activities such as standard cost development, average pricing analysis, margin and cost ratio analysis, inventory control, and variance analysis. Report the results to management and advise on possible courses of action to control and reduce the costs.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB