Introduction
Quantity surveying largely deals with managing and controlling various aspects of construction. It gives an understanding of the technical elements of construction over the life cycle of a facility or building, a necessary project controls tool to achieve the value and best quality within the client’s specifications.
Egyptian Civilization was one of the first to utilize dedicated experts to conduct cost and estimation for their remarkable structures. Construction technology has completely changed the roles of professional experts and the scope of various construction project management jobs following the unprecedented development of project control systems.
A deep understanding of the potential outcomes of project design decisions at early stages is important to obtain good value for the resources to be expended. So far as the traditional approach is concerned, quantity surveying is about contracts and controlling construction costs through accurate measurement of the work required. Construction engineering, contracting operations, and project management are typical areas for quantity surveying.
Quantity surveying covers a considerable number of construction activities such as tendering, value management, change control, cost estimation, and claims management. It supports the design process by implementing systematic cost criteria focused on maintaining a reasonable economic relationship among cost, utility, and quality which thus helps managers achieve the client’s requirements within the agreed budget and time.
The Role of quantity surveying
Large construction projects are complex in nature involving a series of legal obligations and contracts. It is widely acknowledged that surveyors play a critical role in the contract administration and other areas directly or indirectly related to project management. Considering all the stakeholders: owners, contractors, architects and engineers, quantity surveyors have an independent role to play. Interpretation and drafting of contract documents are valuable when it comes to ensuring the effective progress of a project.
Contractors are supposed to complete the work in accordance with time and date mentioned in the contracts. However, many projects go through delays, unsatisfactory outcomes and financial complications due to lack of attention paid to the evaluation of the variation orders. Variations are important to determine the time and closing cost of projects.
From pre-construction phase to post construction, quantity surveyors have a vivid and wide role to play. In the pre-construction phase, quantity surveyors examine plans prepared by engineers and designers, distinguish the expenses involved, and then define a general assessed budget plan for each task in the project. In the design phase, quantity surveyors come up with practical solutions and help the design team.
Changing face of the construction industry
Considering the rapidly changing dynamics of the construction industry, it is important that present specialists and future experts adopt a proactive approach to drive change rather than focusing on improvements. The quantity surveying profession has witnessed a fast change from confronting extinction in the past to an integral part of construction project management. Quantity surveying as a profession is rapidly growing and quantity surveyors are now considered important players in the construction industry.
Who we are
As a comprehensive project controls company, SPS has been providing advanced quantity surveying expertise using high-end software and project controls tools. We utilize an automated approach for data collection and processing to ensure your project is progressing according to the set plans. Please visit our website for more information!