QUANTITY SURVEYING AND CONSTRUCTION ECONOMICS

By Steven S Mwalango –  Art in Tanzania internship

Quantity Surveying refers to a profession that manages all aspects of the contractual and financial side of various construction projects. Construction projects are categorised into two fields: Building Construction Projects and Civil Construction Projects. Building construction projects encompass the development of different building structures, including residential buildings, office buildings, retail developments, schools, hospitals, and other types of buildings. Civil construction projects involve the construction of various civil works, including roads, dams, bridges, sewerage systems, and mining works.

Quantity surveyors and construction economists are sometimes known as construction cost estimators. Quantity surveyors can work on either the consultancy side (client’s side) or the contractor’s side and can operate in both office and site-based work. Their role is to manage all costs related to construction projects, from initial design calculations (preliminary work estimations) to the final account (completion of the project), seeking to minimise costs and enhance value for money while achieving the required standards and quality.

The most essential considerations in any construction project are cost, quality and time. These factors are fundamental to the success of any construction-related project, from project initiation to job completion. All aspects of the project must be accurately costed and financially sustainable. If the cost of a construction project is not strictly considered during the preliminary stage (before starting the project), then the project’s overall quality and completion time may suffer as well.  If they are too generous, funds could be exhausted before the project is completed. Therefore, it is a question of balance and being realistic about what can be achieved, considering the timeframe within which the project is expected to be completed, given the available cost, quality, and time constraints in a construction project.

Beneath are various fundamental roles for a quantity surveyor in the success of any construction-related project, from project initiation to project completion.

Such typical roles for a quantity surveyor or construction economist include:

• Conducting research and preparing construction budgets for a range of construction and construction-related projects.
• Planning the costs of each phase of the project to ensure value for money as well as sustainability in terms of the overall project.
  
• Advising both contractors and state agencies on costing-related matters for various construction projects.

• Advising on choosing contractors and procurement processes.

• Administering the costs during the project for both the contractor and other related parties, such as the client.