ContentsIntroduction
Professional Services
The Project & the Professional Quantity Surveyor
INTRODUCTION
The Quantity Surveyor is a construction professional, he or she is qualified and adequately trained to advise on all aspects of construction costs, financial and contractual administration. He or she is an expert on the cost and management of construction projects, whether building, civil or heavy engineering.
Throughout the world, Quantity Surveyors are working on projects as diverse as housing, commercial property developments, hospitals, mosques, petrochemical plants, highways, dams and airports. There are more than 1000 qualified Quantity Surveyors in Malaysia and a few hundred more in training for the profession
Whenever any building project is proposed, it is important that the cost involved is known in advance. These include site preparation cost, construction, labor, material and plant costs, professional fees, taxes and other charges as well as the likely running and maintenance costs for the new building. The Quantity Surveyor is trained to evaluate these costs and to advise on alternative proposals.
Once the decision is made to build the project, the Quantity Surveyor advises the client on appropriate contract arrangement as well as the legal contract and conditions under which the building will be constructed.
He or she also, acting on behalf of the client advises the architect and engineer on the cost implications. This includes the different construction methods, alternative choice of materials and size and quality of the project. This is also to ensure that each element is reconciled with the cost plan allowance and the overall project cost remains within the budget.
These skills place Quantity Surveyors in a strong position to take a leading managerial role throughout the development of a project. For example, they are able to assess the implications of changes in design, site conditions and working arrangements and give the client accurate budget and time estimates.
Quantity Surveyors may work in a variety of areas vis. private practice, government sectors, educational institutions, construction companies, property developers, banks and financial institutions, industrial companies and other commercial companies. Their professional skills are highly respected and often achieve top managerial status. l back to top l
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The services provided by the Professional Quantity Surveyor can be categorised under the following :
Basic Services
Supplementary Services
Basic Services
The scope of basic service is outlined as follows :
Preparation of preliminary cost estimates and cost plans of the development project.
Advise on cost estimates in relation to design development of a project.
Advise on procurement, tendering and contractual procedures and arrangement.
Preparation of the Bill of Quantities or Specification document for tendering purposes.
Organise the calling of tenders.
Evaluation of tenders received in the form of tender reports.
Preparation and execution of the formal contract.
Interim valuation of works in progress on site for purposes of interim payments.
Preparation of financial statement of regular intervals during the construction period.
Settlement of the final accounts of the project.
Supplementary Services l back to top l
Besides the aforementioned basic services, the following supplementary services may also be provided by the Professional Quantity Surveyor if required :