FACULTY: THE BUILT ENVRONMMENT

DEPARTMENT: CONTSRTUCTION ECONOMICS AND

MANAGEMENT

MODULE: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES

NAME: BRYAN MUTARI

STUDENT NUMBER: N0188210D

LECTURER: MR KHUPE

ASSIGNMENT : INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

Question 1: A prominent quantity surveyor engaged unregistered quantity surveyor
because of his excellence, advice.
Partnership is a business structure in which two or more individuals or entities come together
and pool their resources, skills, and expertise to operate a business. Under a partnership
agreement, partners share profits, losses, and liabilities. There are different types of
partnerships, including general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability
partnerships. In a partnership, partners work together towards a common goal and share the
risks and rewards of the business. Communication, trust, and mutual respect are important in
fostering a successful partnership. Now for a prominent quantity surveyor who has engaged
an unregistered quantity surveyor to be a partner he should consider the following
1. Check the unregistered partner's credentials: While excellence is the reason for the
partnership, it's essential to make sure that the partner has the necessary qualifications and
experience. Verify their educational background, relevant work experience, and other
credentials to ensure that they have the expertise required.
2. Make legal arrangements: The unregistered quantity surveyor may not be licensed to
practice as a quantity surveyor. Therefore, the prominent surveyor must make necessary
arrangements with legal professionals to ensure all aspects of the partnership comply with
relevant laws and regulations.
3. Define the terms of the partnership: Draft a clear partnership agreement, covering the roles
and responsibilities of each partner, the division of profits, and any other necessary terms.
This agreement may also address how to dissolve the partnership in case of any disagreement
or changes in circumstances.
4. Communicate regularly: Establish open and frequent communication channels with the
partner to ensure all aspects of the partnership are functioning smoothly. This includes
providing regular feedback, sharing ideas, and addressing concerns.
5. Reputation and track records: a prominent quantity surveyor must research the unregistered
quantity surveyor’s reputation, track records, and past project to ensure that they have a good
reputation and can deliver quality
Apart from the above mentioned the prominent quantity surveyor should also take note of the
risks that are involved with the engagement which are
1. Inadequate knowledge and experience: An unregistered quantity surveyor may lack the
necessary knowledge and experience required to carry out a project. This could leave the
partner exposed to risk and the project may not be completed to the required standard, leading
to potential legal disputes.
2. Non-compliance with regulations: Quantity surveyors are required to be licensed and
registered with professional bodies in many countries. Engaging an unregistered quantity
surveyor as a partner may lead to non-compliance with statutory regulations and may put the
partner's reputation at risk.
3. Poor quality of work: An unregistered quantity surveyor may not have the appropriate
tools and resources to carry out a project as expected, leading to poor quality workmanship.
4. Liability for errors: If an unregistered quantity surveyor makes a mistake while carrying
out a project, the liability may rest with the partner. This could result in financial losses and
damage to reputation.
5. Limited access to professional indemnity insurance: Professional indemnity insurance is an
essential requirement for all quantity surveyors. However, an unregistered quantity surveyor
may not have access to this insurance, which means that the partner may not be covered in
the event of a claim or dispute.
6. Lack of redress: If a project goes wrong, the partner may not have any recourse to redress
the situation from an unregistered quantity surveyor who does not have a professional body to
report to.
7. Professional Liability: An unregistered quantity surveyor may not have the skills, training,
or experience to provide accurate and reliable quantity surveying services. If their services
result in errors, omissions, or negligence, it could lead to financial losses for the firm and its
clients.
8. Legal Consequences: Engaging an unregistered quantity surveyor can result in legal
consequences if their work is found to be substandard or in violation of the law. They may
not have the proper licenses or permits to practice quantity surveying, which could lead to
legal liabilities for the firm.
9. Reputation Damage: Failing to use a registered quantity surveyor could harm the
company's reputation as choosing to partner with an unregistered practitioner raises
significant concerns about the quality of work and ethics of the company.
10. Professional Ethics: The professional ethics of the firm can be questioned and under
scrutiny when partnering with an unregistered quantity surveyor, compromising the firm's
reputation and the ethical principles that it embraces.
11. Unfair Competition: Firms that engage in unethical practices can gain a competitive
advantage by providing cheaper services than the established businesses that comply with the
law and the industry standards. This can lead to a loss of clients for ethical firms, creating
unfair competition.
However engagement of the unregistered quantity surveyor as partner because of his
excellence also has its ow benefits such as
1. Expertise level: Unregistered quantity surveyors can provide specialized knowledge and
skills that can complement the expertise of a prominent quantity surveyor.
2. Flexibility: Using an unregistered quantity surveyor provides more flexibility in terms of
the scope of the project and the services required. It also allows for a more customized
approach to each project.
3. Broader perspective: Unregistered quantity surveyors may bring new ideas and fresh
perspectives to the project, which can be valuable in finding innovative solutions.
4. Collaboration: Collaborating with an unregistered quantity surveyor can foster a teamwork
environment where knowledge and expertise are shared, leading to better results for the
project.
In conclusion, partnering with an unregistered quantity surveyor brings many ethical risks,
both for the company and its clients, which could potentially lead to legal troubles
undermining the company's reputation, ethics and corporate social responsibility.
REFERENCES
Partnership – advantages and disadvantages | Business Tasmania. 2023. Partnership –
advantages and disadvantages | Business Tasmania. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://www.business.tas.gov.au/manage_a_business/tax/choosing_a_business_structure/
partnership_advantages_and_disadvantages. [Accessed 08 March 2023].

Bennett, J. and Peace, S., 2006. Partnering in the Construction Industry. Routledge.

P., D., 2006. Public Private Partnerships in Construction. Taylor & Francis.

Kaya, K., 2013. ARGE - Construction Partnership in Germany: Legal Issues in Cooperation

of Different Engineering Firms. Anchor Academic Publishing (aap_verlag).