Role

Quantity surveyors (sometimes referred to as cost consultants or commercial managers) provide expert
advice on construction costs. They help to ensure that proposed projects are affordable and offer
good value for money, helping the client and the design team assess and compare different options, and
then track variations, ensuring that costs remain under control as the project progresses. Quantity
surveyors can specialise in a specific aspect of construction costs, or in a particular type of construction.
Tasks will vary depending on the nature of the project, but they might include:
Helping determine the client's requirements and undertaking feasibility studies.
Benchmarking requirements against similar projects.
Assessing and comparing options.
Helping define the project budget.
Checking developing designs against the project budget.
Assessing value for money.
Checking designs meet legal and quality standards.
Undertaking risk management and value management exercises.
Preparing cost plans, estimates and cash flow projections.
Advising on procurement strategy.
Advising on packaging.
Preparing bills of quantities.
Preparing tender pricing documents.
Collating and issuing tender documentation.
Assessing tenders.
Estimating the cost of variations.
Preparing valuation statements for interim certificates.
Assisting with the valuation of claims.
Preparing regular cost reports, including out-turn cost and cash flow.
Completing the final account.
Specialist activities might include:
Allocating work to subcontractors (if working for the contractor).
Advising on tax issues.
Advising on facilities management.
Life cycle costing.
Obtaining funding.
Advising on repairs and maintenance costs.
Advising on specialist construction works and building types.