INTRODUCTION TO

QUANTITY SURVEYING

By: Engr. NELSON S. TAPSIRUL

BSCE, MBA, MSCM

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INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITY SURVEYING

WHAT IS QUANTITY SURVEYING

Quantity Surveying deals with construction costs and contracts. Quantity

Surveyors help to ensure that the construction project is completed within its
projected budget.

Quantity surveyors are also hired by contractors to help with valuation of

construction work for the contractor, help with bidding and project budgeting,
submission of bills to the client.

Other names for quantity surveyor: estimator, cost engineer, project cost
controller, cost planner, cost analyst, cost consultant, cost manager.
 

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INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITY SURVEYING

CONSULTANT QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Represents the client or owner. The functions of a consultant quantity surveyor
may include cost planning, value engineering, feasibility studies, cost benefit
analysis, life cycle costing, valuation, and cost estimation.

CONTRACTOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR

Represents the contractor. The roles of a contractor quantity surveyor cover
such other areas as sub-contract formation, forecasting of costs and values of
the project, cash flow forecasts, valuation of construction work, help with
bidding and project budgeting, submission of bills to the client.

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QUANTITY SURVEYOR’S MAIN ROLES

1. Managing the finances for any kind of construction project such a road, a
building, a subdivision project, etc.

2. Working to keep the project on time.

3. Working to keep the project within the budget.

4. Making sure that construction costs and production are managed as efficiently
as possible.

5. Resolving disputes between contracting parties.

6. Preparing insurance replacement estimates for all kinds of construction projects.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

I. Project Inception Stage:

Quantity Surveyors can help with feasibility studies for a project. They also do
rough estimate based on measurements of the designer’s or client’s sketches.
 

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

II. Pre-Construction Stage:

 

The quantity surveyor studies the architects’ and engineers’ plans,

identifies the costs involved, and then sets an overall estimated budget for the
project. They may compare the project with others like it. The quantity
surveyor can then plan costs to help the design team stay within the project
budget using practical solutions. This is called value engineering.
 

The final detailed estimate is prepared by the quantity surveyor,

together with a project architect. This is the basis for evaluating tenders.
 

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

III. Construction Stage:

 

When construction starts, the quantity surveyor keeps costs on track. The
quantity surveyor can provide cash flow data so the client can arrange the
finances needed for each stage of the project. The quantity surveyor can also
assess cost effects when changes to the project occur, such as delays, and agree
on ‘variation’ with contractors.
 

The quantity surveyor can also provide a bank with a project report and help a
client by preparing draw down certificates for money to be loaned by the bank.
 

Resolving disputes between clients, designers and building contractors is another

role in some projects.

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QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

IV. Post-Construction Stage:

 

When construction is over, the quantity surveyor adds up the total

cost. The quantity surveyor can prepare a statement of final account, which
records the actual costs for all sections of the job.
 

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 QS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

SUMMARY:

I. Project Inception Stage

Rough Estimate, FS
 

II. Pre-Construction Stage

Identifies the Costs, Estimated Budget, Value Engineering, Detailed Estimate
III. Construction Stage
Keeps Costs on Track, Cash Flow Data, Cost Effects on Changes,
Project Report, Resolving Disputes
 

IV. Post-Construction Stage

  Adds up the Total Cost, Records the Actual Costs, Statement of Final Account

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ESTIMATOR AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF WORKS

SUMMARY:

I. Project Inception Stage

Rough Estimate
 

II. Pre-Construction Stage

Identifies the Costs, Estimated Budget, Value Engineering, Detailed Estimate
III. Construction Stage
No involvement
 

IV. Post-Construction Stage

  No involvement

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SOME CONFUSING TERMS:

BILL OF QUANTITIES versus BILL OF MATERIALS

FOOTING: FOOTING:
Concrete (cu.m) Cement (bag), Sand (cu.m), Gravel (cu.m)
Rebar (kg) Rebar (pcs)
Tie Wire (kg) Tie Wire (kg)
Used for Tendering Used for Construction

QUALITY ASSURANCE versus QUALITY CONTROL

To ensure quality To identify & correct defect
Proactive quality process Reactive quality process
During Design During Construction
 

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QUANTITY SURVEYING IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Quantity Surveying profession was first introduced in the country by Davis
Langdon in 1982 when it had some contracts for one of the projects of Asian
Development Bank. However, it became widely known as a profession only in the
mid 1990s during the boom of the local construction industry.
 
Davis Langdon was at the forefront for having an excellent record of providing the
highest standards in professional consultancy services.

Along with Davis Langdon, other international QS firms have established their own
offices in the Philippines.

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QUANTITY SURVEYING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Today, not one college or university in the Philippines is offering a course in Quantity
Surveying. In United Kingdom, Quantity Surveying is a 4-year course.

In 2007, there was an effort to give a QS Training Course through the partnership
between TIP-CCE school and Davis Langdon and Seah Philippines Inc. Unfortunately the
training course did not push through as planned.

In 2014, Philippine Institute of Built Environment (PIBE), Inc., was established. As posted in
their website, PIBE will initially offer two courses that will give an award of Certificate (6-
months) and Diploma (2-years) for students wanting a fast track pathway into the QS
industry or engineering graduates or professionals seeking to upgrade their professional
experience and become chartered Quantity Surveyors.

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QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSIONAL BODIES

ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (RICS)

The world's leading QS professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property, infrastructure
and construction. It is based in United Kingdom with international membership.

PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED QUANTITY SURVEYORS (PICQS)

The all Filipino QS professional body aimed at achieving a chartered status with internationally recognized
QS professional bodies.

And many more…

*** END OF CHAPTER 1 ***

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