Quantity Surveyor

About This Role

What is a Quantity Surveyor?

A Quantity Surveyor is the financial and contractual expert of the construction industry. They bridge the gap between engineering, architecture, and finance. Their primary role is to manage project costs, ensure value for money, and mitigate legal and contractual risks to ensure a construction project is completed within budget and without legal disputes.

They work on a wide variety of projects, including residential housing, commercial skyscrapers, hospitals, infrastructure (roads/bridges), and industrial plants.

Key Responsibilities

The role varies depending on whether the QS works for a client (PQS - Private Quantity Surveyor) or a contractor (main builder). However, the core functions span the entire lifecycle of a project:

1. Pre-Contract Phase (Cost Planning & Procurement)

• Cost Estimation & Planning: Producing accurate cost estimates at the design stage. Advising architects and engineers on how design choices impact the budget.
• Value Engineering: Analyzing materials and methods to find cost-effective alternatives without sacrificing quality or performance.
• Tendering: Preparing tender documents, bills of quantities (BOQs), and contract conditions. Analyzing bids from subcontractors and contractors to select the most suitable one.
• Risk Management: Identifying potential financial risks (e.g., fluctuating material prices, ground conditions) before construction begins.

2. Post-Contract Phase (Construction & Delivery)

• Cash Flow Forecasting: Predicting how money will be spent over the life of the project to ensure the client has funds available.
• Valuation of Works: Assessing the percentage of work completed on-site to certify interim payments to the contractor (Monthly Valuations).
• Contract Administration: Managing the contract (often JCT, NEC, or FIDIC) to ensure both parties adhere to legal and commercial terms.
• Variation/Change Management: Evaluating the cost impact of design changes, unforeseen ground conditions, or client requests (Variation Orders).
• Claims & Dispute Resolution: Preparing or defending against claims for extensions of time (EOT) and loss/expense. Resolving disputes before they escalate to litigation.

3. Post-Completion Phase

• Final Account: Settling the final financial account at the end of the project, reconciling all variations, adjustments, and final costs.
• Life Cycle Costing: Advising on the long-term operational and maintenance costs of the building, not just the initial build cost.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Education: A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or Construction Management. Chartered status (e.g., MRICS in the UK/Europe, AIQS in Australia, RICS globally) is highly regarded and often required for senior roles.
• Technical: Deep understanding of construction technology, building regulations, and standard forms of contract (JCT, NEC, FIDIC).
• Software: Proficiency in CostX, Bluebeam, MS Excel, and ERP software (like SAP or Oracle) is essential.
• Soft Skills:
• Numeracy: High level of comfort with data, spreadsheets, and analytics.
• Negotiation: The ability to settle disputes and agree on prices with contractors.
• Legal Acumen: Understanding the legal implications of contract clauses.
• Integrity: Acting as a trusted advisor who handles large sums of money objectively.

Why is the Role Important?

In an industry notorious for tight margins and complex legal disputes, the Quantity Surveyor protects the financial health of a project.

• For a client, they ensure they are not overcharged and that the project delivers maximum value for capital spent.
• For a contractor, they ensure the company makes a profit, manages cash flow to avoid insolvency, and recovers legitimate costs for extra work.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: QAR85,000.00 - QAR120,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person