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Quantity Surveyors

- Quantity surveyors advise on budgets and financial matters and establish contractual arrangements for Australian construction projects.
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Learn about Quantity Surveyors

Quantity surveyors (QS) are necessary for any major construction or development project. These professionals liaise with architects, engineers, land surveyors and contractors, with the goal of protecting the client's financial interests. ArchiPro features the most experienced quantity surveyors in Australia so that you can be assured that your project remains within budget and that all of your contractual arrangements are sound.

Preparing a budget

The quantity surveyor will first study the plans of the architects and engineers, then they will identify all costs involved, finalising an overall estimated budget for the project, down to the smallest details.

Quantity takeoff services

Quantity takeoff refers to estimating materials that need to be purchased for the construction project, an essential part of any budget.

Evaluate the proposed contractors

A professional QS in Australia will assess the contractors you are considering for the job and evaluate their suitability, as well as examine their insurance options.

Draw up financial documents and contracts

The QS is also responsible for negotiating contracts to ensure that the project remains within its budgetary constraints.

The advantages of hiring a skilled quantity surveyor

Hiring a skilled quantity surveyor in Australia is essential to making sure your project remains within its budget and that you don’t experience any unexpected costs. Watertight contracts, a well-researched budget, and knowledge of insurance are key to project success. A skilled quantity surveyor will also establish good communication with other project individuals, like architects and other building consultants. Whether you are on a tight budget or not, an experienced and skilled quantity surveyor will repay their value back significantly, saving you money in the short and long term.

How to choose the best quantity surveyor for your project in Australia?

Choosing the best quantity surveyor is usually determined by the kind of work you are undertaking  – quantity surveyors are required for a vast range of construction projects and can come with varying areas of expertise. Some quantity surveyors are experienced with large commercial or industrial contracts and budgets, while others may deal with smaller projects. We recommend securing a quantity surveyor who has worked on projects that resemble your own.

Important questions to ask your quantity surveyor include:

  • How long have you been a quantity surveyor in Australia?
  • Which trades do you provide construction cost management services for?
  • Do you have experience working on a project of this kind and of this scale?
  • Do you outsource any of your work?
  • Do you foresee any issues with our proposed budgetary constraints?
  • How will you notify me if there are going to be any alterations to our budget?

FAQs

Who do quantity surveyors work with?

In Australia, quantity surveyors work with a large range of professionals, such as property developers, construction companies, builders, subcontractors, building surveyors, and suppliers. They need to have a broad understanding of all aspects of the industry in order to create effective estimates.

Do I need a quantity surveyor for my extension?

It depends on the scale of the extension. It is not necessary to use a QS for all projects. Large-scale projects cost more and are more complex, so using a QS makes sense, but if an extension is relatively simple and requires a limited amount of materials and contractors then you may not need one.

What is the role of quantity surveyors in sustainable construction?

At the early stage of a construction project, a QS creates a list of all materials that will be used. At this point, the surveyor can choose sustainable materials to be used in the project.

What is the difference between estimating and quantity surveying?

An estimator estimates the cost of a project during tendering, whereas the QS is responsible for providing up-to-date bills of quantity, checking quantities against the actual raw materials, and providing data regarding the evolving costs of a project  This role usually continues during the construction phase of a project.