INTRODUCTION TO

QUANTITY SURVEYING

By: Engr. NELSON S. TAPSIRUL

BSCE, MBA, MSCM

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INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITY SURVEYING

WHAT IS QUANTITY SURVEYING?

Quantity surveying deals with providing professional advice on construction costs and
contracts. Quantity Surveyors help to ensure that proposed projects are affordable and
economical, help the client and the design team assess and compare different options,
ensure that costs remain under control as the project progresses. Quantity Surveyor is
the project financial adviser.

Quantity surveyors are also hired by contractors to help with valuation of construction
work for the contractor, help with bidding and project budgeting, submission of bills to
the client.

Other names for quantity surveyor: estimator, cost engineer, project cost controller,
cost planner, cost analyst, cost consultant, cost manager.

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INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITY SURVEYING

TWO TYPES OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS:

1. CONSULTANT OR CLIENT QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Works for the client or owner. The functions of a client quantity surveyor
may include cost planning, value engineering, feasibility studies, cost
benefit analysis, life cycle costing, valuation, and cost estimation.

2. CONTRACTOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Works for the contractor. The roles of a contractor quantity surveyor cover
such other areas as sub-contract formation, forecasting of costs and
values of the project, cash flow forecasts, valuation of construction work,
help with bidding and project budgeting, submission of bills to the client.

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QUANTITY SURVEYOR’S MAIN ROLES

1. Managing the finances for any kind of construction project such a road, a
building, a subdivision project, etc.

2. Working to keep the project on time.

3. Working to keep the project within the budget.

4. Making sure that construction costs and production are managed as efficiently
as possible.

5. Resolving disputes between contracting parties.

6. Preparing insurance replacement estimates for all kinds of construction projects.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:

PROJECT INCEPTION PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION POST-CONSTRUCTION

STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE

Project Initiation Project Planning Project Execution Project Closure

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:

PROJECT INCEPTION PRE-CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION POST-CONSTRUCTION

STAGE STAGE STAGE STAGE

Project Initiation Project Planning Project Execution Project Closure

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

I. Project Inception Stage:

Quantity Surveyors help with feasibility studies for a project. It evaluates

the economic viability of a proposed project by determining the project cost,
affordability, profitability, and other financial aspects of the project.

Inherently, Quantity Surveyors do rough estimate based on preliminary

information with no engineering work completed as input to feasibility study.

If the project is found feasible, the Quantity Surveyor shall make

recommendation to pursue the project. Otherwise, the recommendation shall be to
terminated or modify the project.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

II. Pre-Construction Stage:

 

The quantity surveyor studies the architects’ and engineers’ plans, identifies the
costs involved, and then sets an overall estimated budget for the project. The
quantity surveyor can then plan costs to help the design team stay within the
project budget using practical solutions.

The Quantity Surveyor can also reduce cost by removing unnecessary functions.
This is called value engineering.
 

The final detailed estimate is prepared by the quantity surveyor. This is the basis
for evaluating tenders.
 

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

III. Construction Stage:

 

When construction starts, the quantity surveyor keeps costs on track. The
quantity surveyor can provide cash flow data so the client can arrange the
finances needed for each stage of the project. The quantity surveyor can also
assess cost effects when changes to the project occur, such as delays, and agree
on ‘variation’ with contractors.
 

The quantity surveyor can also provide a bank with a project report and help a
client by preparing draw down certificates for money to be loaned by the bank.
 

Resolving disputes between clients, designers and building contractors is another

role in some projects.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

IV. Post-Construction Stage:

 

When construction is over, the quantity surveyor takes note of lessons

learned for future projects. The quantity surveyor generate the punch list prior
to final payment. Finally, the quantity surveyor makes the statement of final
account and recommends for final payment.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

SUMMARY:

I. Project Inception Stage

Rough Estimate, FS, Recommendation
 

II. Pre-Construction Stage

Identifies the Costs, Estimated Budget, Value Engineering, Detailed Estimate
III. Construction Stage
Keeps Costs on Track, Cash Flow Data, Cost Effects on Changes,
Project Report, Resolving Disputes
 

IV. Post-Construction Stage

  Lessons Learned, Punch List, Statement of Final Account, Final Payment

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QUANTITY SURVEYOR vs ESTIMATOR
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: ESTIMATOR:
I. Project Inception Stage I. Project Inception Stage
Rough Estimate, FS, Recommendation Rough Estimate, FS, Recommendation
   

II. Pre-Construction Stage II. Pre-Construction Stage

Identifies the Costs, Estimated Budget, Identifies the Costs, Estimated Budget,
Value Engineering, Detailed Estimate Value Engineering, Detailed Estimate

III. Construction Stage III. Construction Stage

Keeps Costs on Track, Cash Flow Data, No Involvement
Cost Effects on Changes, Project Report,
Resolving Disputes
   

IV. Post-Construction Stage IV. Post-Construction Stage

  Lessons Learned, Punch List,   No Involvement
Statement of Final Account, Final Payment
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OTHER CONFUSING TERMS:

BILL OF QUANTITIES versus BILL OF MATERIALS

FOOTING: FOOTING:
Concrete (cu.m) Cement (bag), Sand (cu.m), Gravel (cu.m)
Rebar (kg) Rebar (pcs)
Tie Wire (kg) Tie Wire (kg)
Used for Tendering Used for Construction

QUALITY ASSURANCE versus QUALITY CONTROL

To ensure quality To identify & correct defect
Proactive quality process Reactive quality process
During Design During Construction
 

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QUANTITY SURVEYING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Quantity Surveying profession was first introduced in the country by Davis
Langdon in 1982 when it had some contracts for one of the projects of Asian
Development Bank. However, it became widely known as a profession only in the
mid 1990s during the boom of the local construction industry.
 
Davis Langdon was at the forefront for having an excellent record of providing the
highest standards in professional consultancy services.

Along with Davis Langdon, other international QS firms have established their own
offices in the Philippines.

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QUANTITY SURVEYING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Today, not one college or university in the Philippines is offering a course in Quantity
Surveying. In UK, Quantity Surveying is a 4-year course.

Per CHED Memo Order No 92 s. 2017, Quantity Surveying is a compulsory subject in the
revised BSCE curriculum effective academic year 2018-2019.

In 2007, there was an effort to give a QS Training Course through the partnership
between TIP-CCE school and Davis Langdon and Seah Philippines Inc. Unfortunately the
training course did not push through as planned.

The Philippine Institute of Built Environment (PIBE), as posted in their website, offers
Certificate (6-months) and Diploma (2-years) courses for students as pathway into the QS
industry or engineering professionals seeking to broaden their employment and become
Quantity Surveyors.

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QS PROFESSIONAL BODIES

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (RICS)

The world's leading QS professional body for qualifications and standards in land,
property, infrastructure and construction. It is based in United Kingdom with
international membership.

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED QUANTITY SURVEYORS (PICQS)

The all Filipino QS professional body aimed at achieving a chartered status with
internationally recognized QS professional bodies.

And many more…

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