So, what is a Quantity Surveyor?
- Aran Kaila
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Picture this: you're in the city centre watching a skyscraper rise from the ground, each steel beam slotting perfectly into place, workers bustling around like bees in a hive. It’s cool, right? But have you ever wondered who’s behind the scenes, making sure that the hive doesn’t run out of honey—or in this case, money?
Enter the quantity surveyor: a somewhat unsung hero of the construction world. If construction projects were orchestras, architects and engineers might be the star performers, but quantity surveyors are the conductors, ensuring every note is in harmony, the musicians stay on tempo, and the entire performance comes together seamlessly.
The Quantity Surveyor - Decoded
A quantity surveyor (often referred to as a QS) is a person who manages the financial aspects of a construction project. Their job? To manage the costs and contracts of a construction project, while ensuring everything stays on track, on budget, and—most importantly—legally compliant.
Think of them as the Dietitian of a construction project: nutrition planning (budgeting), sourcing ingredients (procurement), monitoring calories (cost management), adjusting the diet (change management), health checks (progress reports) and monitoring allergies & restrictions (risk management).
As you can probably tell from the last paragraph, the role of a QS is widespread and the type of environment you work in can dictate the type of work you do, however, some typical day-to-day activities could include:
Budget Management: As the project progresses, the QS monitors expenditure, ensuring the budget doesn’t spiral out of control. Need to switch from marble to granite? They’ll tell you if it’s financially feasible.
Contract Negotiation: QS professionals are also masters of the fine print. They draft and manage contracts between clients, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, ensuring everyone gets what they’re owed, without nasty surprises.
Risk Assessment: What if a storm delays construction? Or the price of steel doubles overnight? A proactive QS always aims to be a few steps ahead, identifying risks and creating contingency plans to mitigate cost, programme or quality impacts.
Why Should You Care?
Unless you’re planning to build a skyscraper or a house extension, you might wonder why quantity surveyors matter to you. Here’s the thing: they’re the guardians of your money and time in any construction project. Without them, costs can balloon, timelines can slip, and disputes can turn your dream project into a nightmare.
Imagine hiring a QS as buying construction insurance—not the dull kind, but the kind that actively works to make sure you get the best bang for your buck.
The Fun Side of Being a QS
While the job is serious, it’s not all hard hats, excel and calculators. Quantity surveyors often work on exciting projects, from designing luxury resorts in tropical locations to restoring historic landmarks or even working on defence systems against nature. They’re part detective, part negotiator, and part magician—finding creative solutions to complex problems. And let’s not forget the thrill of seeing a project completed and knowing, "I helped make that happen."
Could This Be Your Career Calling?
If you love numbers, enjoy problem-solving, and want a career that mixes office work with site visits, quantity surveying could be of interest. It’s a field where no two days are the same, and the projects you work on will literally shape the world around you.
Plus, QS professionals are in demand globally, meaning your skills could take you from a London skyscraper to a luxury hotel in Tokyo or the world’s next tallest building in Saudi Arabia. With enough experience, you could even specialise in areas like contract dispute, strategic project management or even become the director of your own firm.
Quantity surveyors might not wear capes, but they’re superheroes in the construction world. They ensure projects are built efficiently, economically, and legally. So, the next time you walk past a construction site, give a little nod to the QS. Who knows? They might be the reason that skyscraper doesn’t cost an arm and a leg or the reason it even went ahead in the first place!
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