Quantity Surveying development and significance of the quantity Essay

Quantity Surveying development and significance of the quantity surveyor's professional role in relation to changes in construction procurement practice and reg - Essay Example Quantity Surveyors are employed predominantly on major building and construction projects as consultants to the owner, in both the public and private sectors. They may also work as academics in the building and construction disciplines and in financial institutions, with developers and as project managers (Willis and Ashworth 46). Quantity Surveyors work closely with architects, financiers, engineers, contractors, suppliers, project owners, accountants, insurance underwriters, solicitors and Courts and with all levels of government authorities. At feasibility stage quantity surveyors use their knowledge of construction methods and costs to advise the owner on the most economical way of achieving his requirements. Quantity surveyors may use techniques such as Cost Planning, Estimating, Cost Analysis, Cost-in-use Studies and Value Management to establish a project budget (Boyd and Kerr 34). During design, the quantity surveyor ensures that the design remains on budget through Cost Management. Essential additions are offset by other identified savings. On completion of design and drawings, the quantity surveyor may prepare a Bill of Quantities, which is issued with the specification, for use by contractors in submitting tenders. The contractor’s quantity surveyors generally prepare tenders, and may price alternatives for consideration. The quantity surveyor is usually involved in assessing tenders and may also be asked to advise on the type of contract or special clauses in it. During construction the quantity surveyors are called on to fairly value progress payments at regular intervals. They will also value changes to design or quantities which may arise by reference to appropriate Bill of Quantities rates. The contractor’s quantity surveyor/contract administrator will prepare claims for progress payments and additional work. When construction is complete the quantity surveyor can produce depreciation schedules of the various