How can a Trained Quantity Surveyor benefit a project and what is missing if there isn’t one present? The Survey Says..
A properly trained quantity surveyor brings a unique set of skills to the construction industry that can greatly benefit the successful delivery of a project.
An increasing trend that we see day in day out in Construction as the industry strives for tighter budgets and ever-more competitive tender pricing; is a dilution and diversification of staff roles.
In 2021, we conducted a survey, including 100 industry experts, managers and professionals across 25 construction projects over 3 countries. We found some interesting findings when it came to a Quantity Surveyor’s role and how these projects addressed change and cost control.
A staggering 70% of participants shared the opinion that commercial management roles are seldom held by a commercially trained individual with more than 5 years’ experience.
Only 50% of participants had a Quantity Surveying role on site and typically the tasks that a stand alone QS would undertake were diluted between the Engineers, Planners and Contract administrators.
60% had Contract Administrators on site who only dealt with contractual letters and payment claims.
55% expressed that they did not feel totally in control and aware of the matters surrounding their projects
Just 35% felt that they were adequately in control of change on their project
Again, a high 65% of participants indicated an opinion that there was not enough segregation and ownership of the claims and progress procedure and also felt there was at times too much overlap between departments. Specific responses included a tendency for Lawyers to be involved early in the project heading up interim commercial correspondence and conversations and engineers to be participating in the commercial space.
85% felt that communication and structure to the commercial functions of a project on their jobs could be improved and 60% felt that it needed to be improved urgently.
The above study was conducted to investigate how the traditional QS engages and impacts on various construction projects world wide and whilst the sample set was small, it showed link between the presence of a Quantity Surveyor; and the feeling that change and cost performance was being managed with diligence and unity.
One of the key roles of a quantity surveyor is to provide cost estimates and cost control services throughout the construction project. A quantity surveyor is trained to accurately estimate the cost of a construction project based on the design, materials, and labor required. This expertise is critical for ensuring the project stays within budget and for making decisions about value engineering or trade-offs that can impact costs.
However a traditionally trained Quantity Surveyor generally ends up being an individual that wears many hats. The benefits of a commercially astute professional, who also has a sound working legal knowledge to liaise and correspond with stakeholders sits in a unique place. Trained to administer contracts from finances through to letter writing; and practiced in first-principles cost and time estimation and site measurement, having a mixed skillset affords a person or department the benefit of being able to have an overarching view of the project’s health.
In addition to cost control, a quantity surveyor also brings contractual and legal expertise specific to the construction industry. They are trained to understand the various forms of contracts commonly used in construction, such as the JCT and NEC, and are able to advise on the commercial and contractual implications of the contract terms. This knowledge is essential for avoiding disputes and for ensuring that the project is delivered in accordance with the contract requirements.
A properly trained quantity surveyor also has a strong understanding of construction techniques and materials. They are able to advise on the suitability of different materials and systems, and can assist with the selection of contractors and subcontractors. This knowledge is particularly important for ensuring that the project is delivered within budget and to the required quality standards.
One of the key benefits of having a quantity surveyor on a construction project is their ability to identify and mitigate potential cost risks. Quantity surveyors are trained to recognize potential risks, such as cost overruns, and are able to advise on how to manage these risks effectively. This can greatly reduce the likelihood of cost overruns and improve the financial performance of the project.
Quantity surveyors are also skilled negotiators, and are able to secure better deals on behalf of the client. This can include negotiating favorable payment terms, reducing the cost of materials and labor, and improving the overall financial performance of the project.
Finally, a quantity surveyor is able to provide improved project financial management and reporting. They are trained to keep accurate records of all costs incurred during the project and are able to provide regular reports to the client, including cash flow forecasts and cost to completion estimates. This level of financial management is essential for ensuring that the project is delivered on budget and for providing a clear picture of the project’s financial performance to stakeholders.
In conclusion, having a properly trained quantity surveyor on a construction project brings a range of benefits over having a lawyer or engineer simply take up the slack. That is certainly not to say that many individuals in these professions aren’t profficient in tasks that a traditional Quantity Surveyor would undertake - far from it. However in a long, complex project delivery, human nature dictates that anyone involved will take an approach that lies within their skillset.
A strictly legal approach can often create an adversarial relationship. It can lead to decisions made in isolation of the practicalities of conducting and measuring progress on site.
A strictly engineering-oriented approach can result in decisions that may follow the practicalities of complex construction, but may unknowingly fall short of contractual requirements or commercial and legal best-practice and exposure.
A Quantity Surveying presence allows a commercially-led approach to consider the above with constant focus on the commercial outcome; the inputs of which without a doubt need to originate from The Engineering, planning and legal teams (who, with the presence of a Quantity Surveyor should have their time liberated to focus on their area of expertise)
To truly achieve Latham’s stage of “Storming”, a team approach is critical. Part of that requires each party to have an awareness of their remit and others, how their role impacts the role of others. A Quantity Surveyor is often the missing cog that brings a diverse skillset to a project; but also frees resources to focus on their areas of expertise.
A good quantity surveyor needs to know how a project is built but not necessarily the pros and cons of each material or how to undertake complex technical calculations or design. They need to be aware of and understand the implications of the legal mechanisms and theories relevant to minimising exposure on their project, not necessarily the detailed nuances of legal process and relevant case law. Their expertise however lies in being across all facets of progress, contractual change and the costs and relevant mechanisms under the contract.
A trained Quantity Surveyor’s expertise in cost control, contractual and legal matters, construction techniques and materials, risk management, negotiation, and financial management can greatly improve the successful delivery of the project and enhance its overall financial performance.