Is it hard to be a quantity surveyor?

Quantity surveying has its roots in the 17th and 18th centuries. Quantity surveyors were known as measurers who had the skills to calculate the quantities before the construction work and prepare the bills afterwards.

The quantity surveyor’s role has definitely evolved to another level in the construction sector. It is not merely limited to measurements and preparation of Bill of Quantities (BOQ), rather they need to have expertise in mathematics as there is a lot of documentation involved.

A QS role from the following perspectives:

1.       Pre-contract management role- It includes the feasibility of analysis, cost planning, design economics, value engineering, tendering, procurement, work quantification, cost estimation and contracts.

2.       Post-contract management role- It includes cost budgeting, project cost monitoring, interim valuation and final accounting, reporting, commercial management, contracts management, contractual claims, cost analysis and change management.

There are huge career opportunities in the global construction sector that a quantity surveying graduate can avail. In industry 4.0 the digitalization trend is growing, and a QS needs to adapt to this digital evolution and Utilization of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The industry is adopting 4D and 5D BIM, which is a collaborative approach to delivering the project.

Skills Required

·         Technical- In-depth knowledge of the subject along with application related to pre and post-contract management.

·         Software- As stated above, the construction sector is constantly adapting to technological advancements and thus, an individual must have intermediate or advanced level knowledge of current software being used in the industry such as CostX and MS Project. A quantity surveyor with knowledge of BIM, @Risk, Primavera, Candy CCS, etc. will have a lot of career opportunities to explore.

·         Soft- In addition to technical and software skills, individuals must have soft skills such as time management, communication and presentation skills, negotiation skills, critical thinking, team building qualities, and leadership qualities to name a few.

Career Pathway

Quantity surveyors have lucrative career opportunities in terms of growth and earnings. A quantity surveying graduate would start their career with designations like Asst. QS, Junior QS, Asst. Cost Manager, and Asst. Manager contracts.

They can kick start their career in any construction company, consulting firm or client firm with an average package of INR 4.5 lakhs per annum to INR 6.5 lakhs. Moreover, the international package could range anywhere from INR 10 lakhs to INR 15 lakhs.

The job profile has a plethora of opportunities in the Middle East, Singapore and other parts of the globe.  Your passion and interest can make all the difference. Considering the scope, skills and demand for QS, one can easily say, it is not that hard and with the right guidance and degree, the process would be seamless.

RICS SBE, Amity University: The Best institution for Quantity Surveying

MBA in Construction Economics & Quantity Surveying at RICS SBE prepares you to excel as a professional advisor on cost and commercial matters by enriching your knowledge in the following domains:

·         Quantity Surveying

·         Project Management

·         Data Analytics and decision making

·         Project support and value-added activities - Valuation, Contracts, and commercial management

·         Business Development & Strategy - Techno-commercial aspects

After completing an MBA in CEQS, you can work in domestic and international commercial offices, residential, hotel, hospital, institutional buildings, industrial buildings, roads, highways, bridges, and infrastructure.

RICS SBE is India’s first and only institution to offer dual accredited (RICS & PMI-GAC) degrees. This makes it one of the best institutions for quantity surveying. Accreditation ensures that the education quality is at par with the global standards. This leading institution attracts over 100+ industry leaders for recruitment.

To know more about the best quantity surveying programme in Delhi NCR, visit the website.