What Does A Quantity Surveyor Do?

WHAT DOES A QUANTITY SURVEYOR DO?

Published: Dec 08, 2025 - The Quantity Surveyor is responsible for managing project budgets, providing commercial forecasts, and ensuring accurate valuations and payments in line with contract terms. This role involves supporting reporting processes, advising on contractual obligations, and assisting in maximizing the recovery of all contractual entitlements. The surveyor also builds strong relationships with clients and suppliers, and contributes to tender processes in alignment with the company’s strategy.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Quantity Surveyor

1. Quantity Surveyor Tasks

Contract Preparation: Complete and submit PQQs.
Document Analysis: Review contract documents highlighting key requirements, risks and rewards to ensure sufficient information is available to tender accurately.
Subcontract Management: Prepare and issue subcontract enquiries and assess quotes.
Materials Coordination: Prepare and issue materials enquiries and assess quotes in conjunction with the procurement manager.
Client Liaison: Be in charge of liaison with clients.
Project Controls: Ensure contractual project controls are in place.
Budget Assistance: Assist in the preparation of budgets.
Cost Reporting: Responsible for cost and value management reporting.
Valuation Preparation: Prepare monthly valuations.
Variation Management: Prepare and agree on variations.
Subcontract Ordering: Agree and place subcontract package orders.
Account Management: Manage subcontract accounts.

2. Assistant Quantity Surveyor Duties and Roles

Quantity Surveying Support: Support quantity surveying functions for Capital Projects, Cyclical Projects and Facilities Management Services, including pre- and post-contract stages.
Tender Preparation: Assist in the preparation of RFQs and tenders, including the preparation of a pre-tender estimate.
Procurement Support: Support the procurement activities from pre-qualification or expression of interest, bidding, to post-contract administration processes.
Strategy Support: Support procurement, contract, tendering and package strategies to secure the Club’s projects and protect the Club’s best interests.
Market Research: Collect market information for cost data and benchmarking.
Cost Database Management: Set up and maintain a cost database.
Deliverable Review: Review the quality, robustness and accuracy of deliverables produced by stakeholders and consultants to improve the reliability of information.
Document Control: Manage document control and assist in weekly and monthly reports.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely across other functions such as Property, Membership, Finance and other functional departments.
Capability Development: Continuously improve the in-house capability and knowledge for quantity surveying functions.

3. Assistant Quantity Surveyor Roles and Details

Work Valuation: Measure, record and value work unsupervised in accordance with appropriate rules and procedures.
Specification Interpretation: Measure and interpret specifications and drawings.
Estimate Building: Build up estimates from first principles, including net and gross estimates.
BOQ Preparation: Translate measurements from drawings and specifications and prepare Bills of Quantities and Schedules of Rates.
Programme Review: Review weekly, monthly and section programmes of work.
Commercial Planning: Plan commercial activities to meet the requirements of the section programmes.
Cost-Value Collation: Collate cost and value information.
Cost Reconciliation: Prepare cost reconciliation statements.
Procurement Specification: Collect information required to specify procurement requirements.
Subcontract Measurement: Measure works with subcontractors.
Subcontract Agreements: Agree on measurements and valuations with subcontractors.

4. Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Cost Analysis: Undertake cost value analysis for all aspects of the Street Lighting works, including reactive and schemes.
Risk Management: Perform risk, value management and cost control activities.
Change Control: Manage the change control process, capturing, notifying, valuing, and agreeing on compensation events and contractual claims.
Site Measurement: Carry out site measures.
Work Valuation: Value work within various management software and arrange invoices and payment applications to clients, and payments to subcontractors.
Cost Monitoring: Monitor and report forecast against actual costs and value throughout the programme of activities.
Profit Forecasting: Prepare forecasting of profit and loss reports for the management team to review monthly.
Cost Trend Analysis: Analyse cost trends and identify cost savings in support of the contract.

5. Quantity Surveyor Duties

Project Delivery: Ensure projects are delivered on time and in line with health and safety.
Tender Preparation: Prepare tenders and relevant documents.
Management Reporting: Prepare reports for senior management.
Progress Reporting: Report progress of projects.
Issue Resolution: Deal with any issues that arise.
Business Development: Create new business opportunities.
Cost Control: Ensure projects are kept within set costs.
Customer Service: Provide ongoing services to the customer even after completion.
Process Improvement: Review methods of working and implement policies and procedures to improve.
Cost Analysis: Complete cost analysis for the project and maintenance work.

6. Quantity Surveyor Roles and Responsibilities

Best Practice Application: Utilize Jacobs' best practice tools and processes to support project delivery in Quantity Surveying.
Requirement Analysis: Assist in establishing a client's requirements and undertake feasibility studies to ensure the final execution.
Cost Preparation: Prepare and analyze materials, quantities, labor, time and project costings for tenders.
Client Advisory: Advise clients on improvements, strategies, and/or estimated costs.
Tender Documentation: Prepare tender documentation, including bills of quantities and specifications as per design documentation.
Budget Tracking: Track changes to the project and update budgets.
Software Utilization: Utilize software, Microsoft Office Suite, and BIM model (Autodesk Revit Models), to calculate, record, and track estimates.

7. Quantity Surveyor Job Summary

Commercial Reporting: Deliver project commercial reports.
Commercial Administration: Administer and report on project commercial activities.
Target Delivery: Deliver project internal and external commercial targets.
Payment Processing: Process applications for payment.
Subcontract Management: Accountable for subcontract administration and management.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with project stakeholders on commercial matters.

8. Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities

Valuation Preparation: Prepare and submit interim valuations and final accounts.
Variation Valuation: Document and value any additional works or variations to the Contract.
Financial Reporting: Report on the commercial and financial aspects of the project.
Subcontract Procurement: Procure subcontract packages.
Subcontract Payments: Interim payments and settlement of subcontractor final accounts.
Costing Coordination: Liaise with the project team to ensure an accurate costing system is set up and maintained.
Contractual Advisory: Advise the project team on contractual matters.

9. Quantity Surveyor Roles

Variation Management: Monitor and process Variation Orders and Addenda, Final Accounts for Consultants and Contractors.
Report Preparation: Draft and maintain periodic commercial and contractual reports, drafting weekly and monthly reports.
Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate with Package Managers, Consultants and Contractors.
Reporting Support: Prepare monthly and weekly reports.
Contract Performance Reporting: Report on contract administration performance of Consultants and Contractors.

10. Quantity Surveyor General Responsibilities

Tender Management: Handle the tendering process such as measurement, sourcing quotation, quantities taking-off and etc.
Tender Interpretation: Study, understand and interpret the requirements for Tender Submission.
Tender Preparation: Carry out the necessary preparation and arrangement for tender submission.
Project Handling: Handle the project from the award of the contract till completion, including final accounts.
Subcontract Administration: Work scope includes handling and award of sub-contracts, progress claims and etc.

11. Quantity Surveyor Accountabilities

BOQ Preparation: Prepare bill of quantity (BOQ) and measurement based on the tender drawing and specification.
Measurement Comparison: Prepare take-offs from drawings and compare with site measurements.
Tender Documentation: Prepare MEP tender documents, making recommendations on the award of the contract.
Cost Monitoring: Record and monitor site activities and costs being expended on the project.
Work Summary: Prepare and summary of all measured works.
Document Maintenance: Maintain all MEP QS documents.

12. Senior Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities

Team Management: Manage a team of quantity surveyors.
Work Quantification: Quantify construction works at various stages of the project, e.g., tender stage, bill of quantities, valuations, change orders and final account.
Cost Control: Responsible for risk management and cost control.
Financial Reporting: Responsible for the completion of Financial Reports.
Contractor Review: Review and approve selected contractors/suppliers.

13. Graduate Quantity Surveyor Overview

Contract Administration: Get to grips with all aspects of Contract Administration, the mechanisms and procedures that apply to contracts.
Project Practice: Contract practice and immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of a project.
Contract Understanding: Understand the implications and obligations that apply to everyone involved in the contract.
Financial Management: Look after the financial management aspects of the project, such as change procedures, valuations, losses, expenses and final accounts.
Performance Reporting: Prepare and present reports on the performance of a project.
Cost Forecasting: Give effective forecasting of costs, risks and financial implications.
Work Measurement: Carry out measurement and quantification.
Skill Development: Seek out opportunities that strengthen skills and knowledge to prepare for a future with Siemens.

14. Associate Quantity Surveyor Additional Details

Client Leadership: Lead at client-facing meetings, dealing with multi-disciplinary teams and delivery of projects.
Cost Evaluation: Evaluate costs and advise on alternative proposals.
Contract Advisory: Provide advice on contract arrangements and conditions under which the building will be constructed.
Cost Implication Advice: Advise members of the construction and property team on the cost implications of different construction methods, alternative choices of materials and size and quality of the project to ensure that the overall project remains within budget.
Tender Documentation: Tender documents, such as Bills of Quantities.
Quality Compliance: Adhere to the business policies and ensure projects meet quality standards.

15. Quantity Surveyor Job Description

Tender Assessment: Ensure that commercially tendered/jobs are assessed correctly and risks identified.
Subcontract Procurement: Procure subcontractors, ensuring they are in line with Kier procedures.
Cash Flow Management: Ensure cash flow is maximised and chase outstanding invoices with the Client.
Cost Reporting: Run weekly Cost and Plant reports and review with operations, highlighting any variance from Average.
Month-End Support: Assist the Senior QS and Team with month-end reporting.

16. Graduate Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Cost Estimation: Generate Cost Estimates based on project requirements given by the Commercial team.
Cost Tracking: Maintain accurate cost trackers for labour, plant and equipment.
Financial Analysis: Understand and explain fluctuations in financial performance.
Process Compliance: Ensure contract and commercial processes are adhered to.
Process Improvement: Provide innovative solutions and seek continuous improvement in processes.

17. Quantity Surveyor Duties

Cost Reconciliation: Review and reconcile costs on a line-by-line basis based on Final Accounts and confirm validity against the contractual agreements.
Supplier Liaison: Deal with Design and Build Suppliers and liaise with them to quickly resolve any disputed line items on a site-by-site basis.
Quotation Production: Produce site-by-site quotations with reference to existing contractual agreements.
Work Verification: Review documentation, drawings, handover packs, quotes, invoices, etc, to confirm work has been completed.
Cost Reporting: Develop a reporting suite to demonstrate costs saved on an ongoing basis, tracking unit costs, site types, average costs, etc.

18. Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities

Relationship Building: Build strong and collaborative relationships with both client and supplier counterparts.
Commercial Reporting: Contribute to regular and accurate reporting to the Senior Quantity Surveyor and/or Commercial Manager on/for PHR, CVR, Cash Flow, Weekly Updates, etc.
Budget Management: Responsible for the project budget and providing regular commercial forecasts.
Valuation Support: Assist in and carry out valuations for the purpose of initial, interim and final payment applications.
Subcontract Assessment: Assess, monitor and make payments for sub-contractor and supplier accounts in line with the agreed subcontracts and to align with any upstream contractual requirements.
Entitlement Recovery: Work with the Senior Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Manager to maximise the recovery of all contractual entitlements.
Contract Guidance: Understand and provide advice and guidance on the terms of the contract and any conditions precedent therein, not least regarding the times for giving notices and making applications.
Tender Support: Support any tender processes and the Company's strategy.

19. Graduate Quantity Surveyor Duties and Roles

Variation Management: Record, monitor and assist in negotiation and preparation of contractual variations with clients.
Work Measurement: Assist with measuring and valuing work done on site.
Payment Application: Prepare monthly payment applications to be agreed with clients.
Work Scrutiny: Scrutinise the site works completion with the project managers.
Budget Control: Responsible for budget control of projects with Senior Project Managers.
Contract Support: Provide contract support to the site Project Managers.

20. Quantity Surveyor Roles and Responsibilities

Project Support: Support Commercial, Planning, Operations and Finance Teams on the successful management and control of the commercial and contractual elements of projects.
Contract Expertise: Apply experience in NEC, JCT and bespoke forms of contracts.
Value Maximisation: Maximise Earned Value, minimising cost expenditure, minimising work in progress and management of Risk and Opportunity, thus maximising the company's profitability.
Operational Challenge: Support and challenge operations and drive efficiencies.
Valuation Responsibility: Responsible for Valuations for invoicing/applications, picking up and agreeing variation costs, issuing all necessary paperwork, contract agreements, attending pre-let meetings, etc.
Client Management: Responsible for dealing with clients face-to-face, by email, and by telephone, building a good relationship for future work.
Project Coordination: Work with the project team, ensuring deadlines/budgets are met and jobs remain profitable.