Essence of Quantity Surveying: Cost Controlling, Procurement, and Contractual Matters

This article discusses the essence of quantity surveying in cost controlling, procurement, and contractual matters in the construction industry. It explains the reasons and advantages of measuring quantities and preparing bills of quantities. It also explores the role of a quantity surveyor in preliminary cost advice, cost planning, cost management, contracts, and the need for a standard document of measurement like the Australian Standard Method of Measurement (ASMM6).

QS2301 & Associates Pty Limited
1A University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308
Mr. Santos Clawes
1 Elf Street
MERRYWEATHER NSW 2308
Dear sir/madam,
RE: ESSENCE OF QUANTITY SURVEYING
Quantity surveying consist of cost controlling, procurement and contractual matters in the
supply chain and marketplace. They offer guidance on cost effects of the customers’ wants
and other shareholders’ verdicts. They monitor and bring up-to-date initial estimates and
contractual requirements as the building progresses founded on extra works and variations.
Some practices still offer services that are concentrated on structures (the architectural
features), and civil engineering now offers services that comprise heavy engineering, oil and
gas, and construction engineering services Hadley, (2014). Even though the engineering
services is part of structures, it would be out of place to claim that all quantity surveyors have
the essential expertise and understanding to offer expert advice on construction engineering
services as they do for other facets of construction.
Quantity surveyors have experience rich in the changing aspects of costs of building.
Debatably, such degrees are not justified Hadley, (2014). On the other hand, latest studies
display that quantity surveyors have commonly expanded on the nature and range of services
they now offer.
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Reasons and advantages of measuring quantities and preparing bills of quantities
(BOQs)
The key purposes of a bills of quantities are;
 It allows builders bidding for a contract to quote on precisely the same data.
 Aids in likening both the overall budget and separate items openly with other bidders’
offers, consenting a comprehensive assessment of which aspects of attender may offer
good or poor value.
 Support with agreement of the contract budget with the up-and-coming tenderer.
 Offers a basis for the preparation of the final account
 Offers one of the best sources of real time price data, which can be utilized in budget
planning.
 Offers a broad and clear statement of the work to be accomplished.
 When organized in work segments that reflect likely sub-contract packages, bills of
quantities make it stress-free for the builder to acquire prices from sub-builders and is
more likely to consequence in a correct and reasonable price Hadley, (2014).
 It confines the risk component recognized by the builder to the rates he bids in the bill
and thereby results in more precise and reasonable tenders Hadley, (2014).
 Priced bills also offer a valuable source for the assessment of certified stage payments
during the course of a contract.
 It offers an itemized list of the component parts of the structure, with a full
explanation and the capacity of each component, and could form an estimated
checklist for the successful builder in ordering materials and constituents and
evaluating his necessities of labor and other resources, and in scheduling the work.
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 Valued bills also offers a suitable basis for the valuation of variations and
modifications to the final account.
 After being estimated, it offers a good base for the preparation of cost evaluates for
use in the cost scheduling of forthcoming projects.
Preliminary Cost Advice
From the commencement of a new construction project, the quantity surveyor can provide
practical advice on the probable budget of the scheme- however convoluted or uncommon it
may be Hadley, (2014). He can guide on the relative budgets of different layouts, materials,
modules and methods of building.
Cost Planning
Cost planning is a professional method used by the quantity surveyor. It targets to help all
fellows of the design group to decide jointly on the practical and efficient designs for the
development and to keep within the financial plan Willis, (2018). Effective budget planning
will aid to guarantee that, once a convincing appraisal is decided, everything that follows is in
harmony with it, from the successful builder's tender to the final project budget.
Cost Management
The quantity surveyor ought to be able to use all the methods, gears and methods to best
effect and to the benefit of the project in one piece.
Contracts
Quantity surveyors ought to be able to evaluate the customer's wants as well as the designer's
approach and the ecological influence when suggesting alternative procurement techniques.
Quality contract certification remains a non-negotiable part of forthcoming services Willis,
(2018). Even though many new techniques may be utilized in the future, the quantity
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surveyor should unceasingly make sure that contractual knowledge remains part of the
service delivered.
Reasons for a standard document of measurement such as the Australian Standard
Method of Measurement (ASMM6)
 To make sure bills of quantities are modest and short-lived but capture all particularly
necessary work to sufficient detail to assist pricing with ease.
 Aid in itemising tasks in adequate details for it to be possible to differentiate between
the different classes of work, and between works of the same nature executed in
different sites or in any other conditions which may give rise to different
considerations of budget Willis, (2018).
 The ASMM defines:
1) How work is to be divided into separate items in the bills of quantities
2) The information to be given in item description
3) The units in which the quantities against each item are to be expressed
4) How the work is to be measured for the purpose of calculating quantities
Other roles of a quantity surveyor include;
Arbitration
Arbitration is a strict process for solving of disputes, provided for in all the standard forms of
building contract and subcontract, as a substitute to court hearings. The centre of arbitration is
that the parties to a dispute hand-pick a person who maybe a quantity surveyor on whose
verdict they are ready to depend on, and agree to abide by the judgement that is made Willis,
(2018). A number of specialized bodies, comprising the RIBA and RICS, retain panels of
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arbitrators, and will at the request of the parties hire the right person to act as arbitrator.
Every single arbitration, unless the parties express a contrary.
Technical management
Apply all methods for check the final bill with contract bills, scrutinize the records
obtainable, discusses features with relevant staff, and scrutinize the process adopted.
Teaching and Lecturing in Learning Institutions
Quantity surveyors are prepared with the required skills and expertise to teach students in the
particular field of work.
Project management
At the moment quantity surveyor meaningfully involve with project management service
since cost factor is vital important facts for quality, Time and Cost manage Willis, (2018).
Facilities management
This is the new field for quantity surveyor, consist of all construction management services.
Employers' agent
Quantity surveyor ought to act as customer agent according to the RICS professional
regulation and customer protection guide 2000.
Contract Procurement methods and process
Since reason days construction industry use running contract, Design build contract, Building
organization and Build operate and transfer contract procurement techniques for the contract
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procedure Marsden, (2018). Therefore as modern practice of Quantity surveyors starring role
has to alter their traditional role with thorough awareness of these techniques and process.
Research and its distribution
A research on earlier work in the field will aid to establish or confirm facts, recurrence the
outcomes of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support premise, or develop new
theories Whitmore, (2018).
Practice size
Quantity surveyors have work experience in multi-disciplinary practice for several years.
Davies, writing in RICS Business, denotes quantity surveyors as being the key advisers on
construction and development strategies, but that they must continue to reinvent themselves
to stay in this location Lee, (2014). The Quantity Surveyor practices that survived then
looked overseas, especially to the boom in the project.
Value Management
Value Management is a systematic approach and process earlier denoted to as value
engineering, to make sure transfer of a function or product at the lowest budget without
impairment to eminence, performance or steadfastness Lee, (2014). Therefore under new
practice of QS Value management/ engineering is vital procedure correspondingly find out
unnecessary budget on every activity.
Risk analysis
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Identification of probable hazards in advance is a significant and major accountability. The
Quantity Surveyor is able to take required actions to circumvent or curtail the risks by
identifying them early Langdon, (2015). Economic matters, political matters Safety of work,
Weather conditions, etc; also includes in risk controlling under new practice.
Insolvency Services
The quantity surveyor is cost expert, hence in conventional practice, he should support to
perform the insolvency services, such as, bankruptcies and liquidations Hadley, (2014).
Reference
Hadley, G. A. S. (2014). Method of measurement of construction works. Markham, Canadian
Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Langdon, D. (2015). Spon's Asia-Pacific Construction Costs Handbook, Fourth Edition.
Available from: http://proxy.library.carleton.ca/login?url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/
books/9781482266320. (Date of Access: 24th April 2019)
Lee, S. J. (2014). Willis's elements of quantity surveying. London, Granada.
Marsden, P. K. (2018). Basic building measurement. Available from:
http://app.knovel.com/hotlink/toc/id:kpBBME000C/basic-building-measurement. (Date of
Access: 24th April 2019)
Whitmore, E. (2018). Selected works of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. Markham, Canadian
Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Willis, C. J. (2018). Elements of quantity surveying. London, Granada.
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