A quantity surveyor is a professional who provides advice on construction costs, from initial feasibility studies through to the final costing of a project. They are involved in every stage of a construction project, from advising on the best way to measure and price a job, through to preparing bills of quantities and advising on tenders, contracts, payment certifications and valuations. In addition, quantity surveyors often play an important role in dispute resolution, helping to agree on fair and reasonable prices for work that has been carried out. As such, they play a vital role in ensuring that a construction projects will be completed on time and within budget.

One of a Quantity Surveyors (QS) roles in the pre-handover process is to accurately measure the construction projects works and produce a Bill of Quantities (BoQs). The BoQs breaks down the whole projects scope of works into separate items, with an estimated quantity and cost for each item which is invaluable throughout any project. The BoQs are used by the contractor to price their tender submissions. Once the tenders are received, the QS will review and compare the submissions to ensure they are compliant with the Employer’s Requirements (ERs) as stipulated in the contract. If the tenders are non-compliant, the QS will negotiate with the contractors to bring their tenders into line with the ERs. Once the tenders comply with the ERs, the QS will recommend which contractor is most suitable for the project based on their background checks, price and ability to deliver the works.

In any construction project, it is essential to have a clear and legally binding contract in place. This JCT or Joint Contracts Tribunal document will outline the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved, as well as the terms of the project. A quantity surveyor will prepare these contracts, in conjunction with Bills of Quantities and measured drawings. JCT contracts are commonly used in construction projects, and can help to protect the interests of all parties involved. By working with a quantity surveyor, you can be confident that your contract is watertight and that your project is protected.

A quantity surveyor will monitor payments made towards a contractor based on the JCT fixed price contract until practical completion. Bills of Quantities (BoQs) will be used as a control mechanism and will trigger interim payments towards the job. Once the job is completed, final accounts can be agreed between the parties and any necessary adjustments made to the BoQs. This process ensures that both the client and contractor are kept up to date with progress and that everyone is aware of how much money has been spent at each stage. Ultimately, this helps to avoid any disputes or misunderstandings further down the line, but! At the same time protects our clients from loosing funds on the job from start to finish.