Your Right To Know

Quantity surveying is a professional practice within the construction industry that involves managing the costs and financial aspects of a construction project. Quantity surveyors (also known as construction cost consultants) typically work in teams with architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals to provide cost and contractual advice and to manage financial and legal aspects of the project.

Depending on the type of client, the nature of the works is different.

• Calculating costs and accessing risks professionally to keep project development on time.
• Analyzing cost effectiveness of various design scheme such as  general buildings, green building and overall project layout planning.
• Budgeting controls.
• Forecasting cash flow to allow financial planning ahead on time.
• Resolving disputes arises between the related parties.

Looking for professional QS services? Visit our services page to learn how we can help you.

The role of a quantity survey is described in three stages.

Stage I – Investigation, preliminary design and estimates:

This stage provides cost information or data, conducts feasibility and cost studies, and cost estimates, sets cost limits and prepares cost plans in respect of the architectural, civil, structural, electrical and other works undertaken by the other consultants appointed by the client. In addition, it entails revising such studies and estimates and plans whenever necessary in the course of the changes or modification of the preliminary design as may be necessary.

Stage II – Detailed design:

This involves preparing pre-tender estimates; co-ordinating with the client to arrange for the invitation of tenders and receipt of tenders.

Prepare bills of quantities and specifications complete with schedules of internal and external finishes, doors and ironmongery, fitments, sanitary fittings and other schedules deemed necessary for the purpose of inviting tenders and the making of such alterations and modifications there to as may be dictated by changes in design requirements and as may be reasonably requested by the client.

Attend to the tenderers’ queries regarding information contained in the tender documents and issuing corrigendum to the tenderers if so required by the client and then prepare analysis of the tenders received for the project.

Prepare and furnish at an additional cost (lithography charges) of all necessary contract documents relating to tender acceptance. The consultant shall prepare additional contract documents for the administration of the contract.

Render skilled and confidential advice to the client in the evaluation of the tenders received. The consultant shall analyse and compare the tenders received with the approved estimates and current prices in the market and advise the client as to the most suitable tender for acceptance. The client may consider the advice of the consultant and award the tender as it deems fit or reject all tenders received and instruct the consultant to make further amendments to the drawings etc. and invite fresh tenders accordingly.

The consultant shall ensure that the evaluation process shall be in accordance with the client’s procedures.

Stage III – Supervision and contract administration of the works:

Administer the works in progress and ensure that the works carried out by the contractor are in accordance with the specifications or bills of quantities, drawings and all other contract documents.

Value the work carried out each month and recommend to the other relevant consultants the appropriate progress payments for the contractor and where applicable, his sub-contractors.

Provide cost advice, supplying such cost information and prepare such periodic financial statements as are necessary and as and when required by the Client so as to maintain an effective cost control over the construction of the project.

Value variations of the works as and when they arise, and adjust fluctuations in the cost of materials or labour, if so required, in accordance with the terms of the contract between the client and the contractor. Assist in settling disputes or differences which may arise between the client and the contractor. The consultant works with and consults the other designated consultants forming the team for this project and such other consultants as may be appointed by the client from time to time, in the course of discharging his duties for the project.

• Keep yourself out of conflicts
• Save money by getting the balance right
• Work with better firms and contractors
• Achieve higher profit margins for your business
• Made an informed and better decision to purchase a land 

• TIME overruns
• COST overruns
• QUALITY under par
• DISPUTE arises

Preferably at the inception of a scheme. This way, the QS’s advice can be provided on such issues as:

• The costs involved in the project (in terms of meeting the client’s budget)
• The best procurement route to choose according to the client’s requirements.
• The selection of others consultants and contractors.
• More easy to control the project cost before design is firm up.

It is advisable for you to meet us and discuss the appointment before any agreement is reached, unless the services supplied by QS 98 are to be restricted during the process.

1. Selection based on existing knowledge
2. Utilizing existing knowledge of the latter’s past performance and reputation/ or recommendations from others
3. Selection from a panel maintained by a client
4. Selection from an ad hoc list produced by a client
   
   • experience, ability, and reputation of each candidate for equal opportunities
   • their capacity to provide services required by the client

• a document prepared by a qualified and experienced QS
• assist the court, arbitrator, or tribunal in understanding complex technical issues related to construction, property or civil engineering projects
• address the specific issues or questions set out by the client, which may include matters such as the quality of work carried out, the cost of works or damage to property, and any delays or defects
• draw on the expert’s specialist knowledge and experience to provide an impartial and independent assessment of the relevant technical issues
• also provide opinions on matters such as the cause of defects, or the reasonableness of costs

1. Inception & feasibility
QS helps clients to examine the architect and engineers’ plans (external layout), analyze site conditions, feasibility study,  distinguishes the expenses involved, decide the type of development, determine land cost whether profitability, and then sets a general assessed budget plan for each task in the project

2. Design stage
QS also involves the design team and suggests practical solutions for turning the project economical within the project’s allotted budget, i.e. specification of finishes with good quality.

3. Tendering stage
QS advises on tendering and contractual plans considering the client’s needs and other data accessible from the designers. QS also reports on the insurance and liabilities with client’s insurance advisers. The detailed and final tender estimate is prepared by the QS with the project architect.

4. Tender selection & appraisal
QS advises shortlisting bidders and looking into the tender’s financial standing and experiences. QS also advises on errors and negotiates offers—the final review of bid documents and recommendations for the best tender.

5. Construction stage
QS monitors the project’s progress, which will get ready with suggestions and prepare bills for payments to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers as per the agreement prerequisites. Also, QS evaluates expenses impacts when changes are happening in the project, i.e. design alteration, delays, and variations with contractors. Resolve disputes between clients, designers, contractors, subcontractors, and other related parties with projects.

6. Post contraction stage
QS prepares the statements for final accounts, which records the actual expenses that occurred in all areas of the employment in the project. Also, the documents required for the technical auditing are made available.

7. Detailed services
Please check in our service page