Functions of a Quantity Surveyor in Industry

Hello Quantity Surveyor, here are the some of the functions of a quantity surveyor/ responsibilities of a quantity surveyor in different contract stage. As a student or professional in quantity surveying sector you should fully aware with these functions and you must practice these functions properly. At the end of this article you can share with your friends or other professionals.


Client’s or Consultant’s Quantity Surveyor performs a variety of functions at different stages as listed below;

functions of a quantity surveyor in industry

At pre contract stage

• Preparation of approximate estimates of costs at the design stage and giving advice to the design team on alternative materials & types of construction and also the financial aspects of contracts.

• Cost planning at the design stage to ensure that the client gets the best value for his money.

• Taking out quantities from drawings and preparation of bills of quantities.

• Preparation of tender documents and calling for tenders.

• Tender evaluations and preparation of tender reports.

• Negotiations with contractors on negotiated contracts.

• Giving advice on the best form of contract for a specific project.

Post Contract Duties

• Preparation of schedules of “Rate of Spend” during the construction period & advising on payments to the contractors giving dates and amounts.

• Preparation of interim payment certificates and recommending for payments.

• Valuing variations and advising on the financial effect on them.

• Advising on the financial and contractual aspects of contractor’s claims.

• Preparation of cost analyses and giving cost information at all stages of the contract.

After Construction

• Preparation of final accounts and agreeing the totals with the contractor’s Quantity Surveyor.

• Preparation of bills of quantities for contracts based on drawings and specifications.

• Preparation of interim statements for payments.

• Collection of information of the various operations and under which conditions they occurred. Which can be used for future estimates.

• Preparation of lists of materials for projects in hand using bills of quantities or working drawings.

• Assisting the contract manager to prepare construction programme , progress chart etc.

• Making application to the architect for conformation of verbal instructions given at site.

• Preparation and agreeing on domestic sub- contractor’s account.

• Assisting the contract manager to control the costs of the project.

Contractor’s Quantity Surveyor Duties

Contractor’s Quantity Surveyor Duties

The duties of a Contractor’s Quantity Surveyor differ from that of a client’s / consultant’s quantity surveyor and are given below.

At pre contract stage

• Preparing details for complete the tender documents

• Complete the tender documents

• Arranging the bonds , insurances etc

Assisting the contract manager to prepare construction programme , cash flow etc

Post Contract Duties

• Preparation of sub contractor’s bills

• Valuation of variations & extra works

• Preparation of bills of quantities for contracts based on drawings and specifications.

• Preparation of interim statements for payments.

• Collection of information of the various operations and under which conditions they occurred. Which can be used for future estimates.

• Preparation of lists of materials for projects in hand using bills of quantities or working drawings.

• Assisting the contract manager to prepare construction programme , progress chart etc.

• Making application to the architect for conformation of verbal instructions given at site.

• Preparation and agreeing on domestic sub- contractor’s account.

• Assisting the contract manager to control the costs of the project.

• Post-contract cost control and final account.

• Quantity Surveyor should provide and price bills of quantities,

• Prepare cost analysis, advise on financial implications, advise on use of areas and provide measurement of areas,

• Provide advice on contractual matters.

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