Mep Quantity Surveyor Meaning
Roxine Denison
A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction industry professional with expert knowledge on construction costs and contracts. Qualified professional quantity surveyors are known as Chartered Surveyors (Members and Fellows of RICS) in the UK and Certified Quantity Surveyors (a designation of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) in Australia and other countries. In some countries such as Canada, South Africa, Kenya and Mauritius, qualified quantity surveyors are known as Professional Quantity Surveyors, a title protected by law.[1][2][3]
Quantity surveyors are responsible for managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects. They help to ensure that the construction project is completed within its projected budget. Quantity surveyors are also hired by contractors to help with the valuation of construction work for the contractor, help with bidding and project budgeting, and the submission of bills to the client.
A university degree or diploma alone does not allow one to register as a Quantity Surveyor. Usually, anyone looking to qualify as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, Certified Quantity Surveyor or Professional Quantity Surveyor must hold appropriate educational qualifications and work experience, and must pass a professional competence assessment.
The RICS requires an RICS approved degree, several years of practical experience, and passing the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to qualify as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor. Some candidates may be entitled to qualify through extensive experience and reciprocity agreements.[4]
As construction projects become increasingly complex, the demand for skilled quantity surveyors continues to grow. The future of quantity surveying lies in embracing digitalization, automation, and sustainable practices. Quantity surveyors will play a pivotal role in managing costs, optimizing resources, and ensuring the financial success of construction projects.[5]
There are several routes to becoming a quantity surveyor. You can gain the qualifications you need by doing a university course or an apprenticeship. If you already have relevant experience you may be able to apply directly to an employer or train on the job. You should explore the options to find out which is the right one for you.
If you already hold an unrelated first degree you could complete a postgraduate conversion course. This should be accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
You could gain a postgraduate surveying qualification via a graduate trainee scheme with a construction or surveying company. The University College of Estate Management offers postgraduate distance learning courses.
An apprenticeship with a construction firm is a good way into the industry. Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you will be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.
Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a quantity surveyor. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.
As a quantity surveyor you will be responsible for helping to estimate costs, quantities, and project timelines and providing this information to clients. You will be liasing with a variety of other teams and helping to keep a project on track.
With time, you could become a senior quantity surveyor, project manager, contracts or commercial manager. Many surveyors specialise in one area such as planning, contracts, mechanical or electrical projects, or risk assessments.
This scheme equipped me with in-depth industry experience, Associate membership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a RICS-accredited degree with London South Bank University, enabling me to pursue chartered membership with the RICS. These were excellent stepping stones towards securing my current role.There are lots of other routes into quantity surveying too. You can join the profession without A-Levels as a Level 3 apprentice with GCSE's or as a graduate (QS or non-related).
In a consultancy where people in particular are an asset, being personable, enthusiastic and having great interpersonal skills are as vital as having the technical skills to influence projects from inception to completion. For a Cost Manager, five of these necessary skills include:
I aspire to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor as a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and further my academic studies by undertaking an MSc specialising in Construction Law.
Gaining MRICS status is dependent on route of entry to the RICS (full time degree / part time degree / experienced route). As an indicator, the average UK salary of a MRICS chartered surveyor is quoted as being in the region of 60,000*
LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.
16. Earned value analysis: A technique used by quantity surveyors to assess the progress and performance of a construction project by comparing the budgeted cost of work performed to the actual cost.
24. Project management: The discipline of planning, organizing, and controlling resources to achieve specific objectives within the constraints of time, budget, and quality for a construction project.
26. Variation analysis: The examination of differences between the estimated costs and the actual costs incurred during a construction project, with a focus on identifying and explaining discrepancies.
32. Procurement strategy: The planned approach and methodology used by quantity surveyors to procure the necessary resources for a construction project, considering factors such as time, cost, and risk.
37. Dispute resolution: The process of resolving conflicts and disagreements that may arise between parties involved in a construction project, often facilitated by a quantity surveyor or other professionals.
40. Whole-life costing: A method of evaluating and considering the total costs associated with a construction project over its entire life cycle, including design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
44. Cost reporting: The regular preparation and presentation of financial reports by quantity surveyors to communicate the current status, progress, and financial performance of a construction project.
47. Insurance valuation: The assessment and determination of the reinstatement or replacement value of a construction project for insurance purposes, taking into account construction costs and market conditions.
48. Dilapidations: The assessment and estimation of the repairs and maintenance required to restore a property to its original condition, often performed by a quantity surveyor during lease agreements.
51. Preliminaries: The costs and allowances in a construction project that are not directly related to specific materials or work items, including site supervision, temporary works, site facilities, and general administration.
52. Construction contracts: Legally binding agreements that define the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of parties involved in a construction project, including the client, contractor, and quantity surveyor.
54. Forensic quantity surveying: The application of quantity surveying expertise in the investigation, analysis, and resolution of disputes, claims, or legal issues related to construction projects.
57. Whole-life value: The assessment of a construction project's value over its entire life cycle, considering not only its initial costs but also its operational, maintenance, and disposal costs, as well as benefits.
58. Risk assessment: The process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating potential risks and uncertainties that may affect the successful completion of a construction project and its associated costs.
60. Cash flow statement: A financial statement that presents the inflow and outflow of cash within a construction project over a specified period, providing insights into liquidity and financial health.
63. Feasibility assessment: An evaluation conducted by a quantity surveyor to determine the economic viability and potential risks of a construction project, considering factors such as costs, benefits, and market conditions.
67. Construction economics: The application of economic principles and theories to analyze and understand the financial aspects of construction projects, including supply and demand, pricing, and investment decisions.
68. Life cycle assessment: The evaluation of the environmental impact of a construction project throughout its life cycle, considering factors such as energy consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions.
69. Cost Benchmarking: The process of comparing the costs and performance of a construction project to industry benchmarks or similar projects to identify areas of improvement or potential cost savings.
73. Arbitration: A method of dispute resolution in which parties involved in a construction project submit their case to an arbitrator or a panel for a binding decision, often used as an alternative to litigation.
75. Cash flow projection: A forward-looking estimation of the anticipated inflows and outflows of cash within a construction project over a specified period, used for planning and budgeting purposes.
76. Soft costs: Non-physical costs associated with a construction project that are not directly attributable to materials or labor, such as professional fees, permits, surveys, and marketing expenses.
78. Due diligence: The comprehensive and systematic investigation conducted by a quantity surveyor to assess the financial, legal, and technical aspects of a construction project before making decisions or recommendations.
c80f0f1006