CEC 214

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE QUANTITY

SURVEYING PROFESSION

 Quantity surveying is universal and is carried out under different names,

such as building economics, cost consultancy, cost economics, project

consultancy, and commercial management. Quantity surveying was

conceived out of the necessity to have a dedicated person to manage

the cost of building.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION CONTD.
 The origin of Quantity Surveying as a profession dates way back in the

17th century during the restoration of London after the Great Fire in 1666.

Before 1666, masons, carpenters and other craftsmen were paid by the

day, but due to the large amount of labor required to reconstruct the

city after the fire, it was decided that each craftsmen be paid for the

quantity of his trades work. This meant that instead of being paid a

wage, the tradesmen were paid for the amount of masonry, carpentry

or any other craft ship contained in the building.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION CONTD.
 In essence one had to study the drawings and measure the quantity of work

of each trade contained in the building and at the same time prepares an

estimate for the total cost of the building. Hence, from that humble

beginning, the Quantity Surveying profession evolved. The profession

advanced during the 19th century with one of the earliest QSs being Sir

Henry Arthur Hunt who was involved in work on the Houses of Parliament.

After the fire in 1834 that destroyed the old Palace of Westminster
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE
QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION CONTD.
 The Quantity Surveying profession was said to have developed in England

at the beginning of the 19th century, although the firm of Henry Cooper

and Sons of Reading was established as early as 1785. Prior to the first

recorded usage of the term "quantity surveyor" in 1859, the terms

"measurer", "custom surveyor" or "surveyor" were used.

EVOLUTION OF QUANTITY SURVEYING IN
NIGERIA

 A quantity surveyor (QS) can be described as a professional working

within the construction industry concerned with construction costs and

contracts. Quantity Surveyors who emphasize the cost discipline often

use the term "Construction Cost Consultant". QSs who operate in the

broader field of project management often adopt other titles such as

"Contracts manager" or "Construction surveyor". Their preferred title, in

countries where the QS profession is less known, is "Contracts engineer".

EVOLUTION OF QUANTITY SURVEYING IN
NIGERIA
 The professional institution with which most English-speaking Quantity

surveyors are affiliated is the UK-based Royal Institution of Chartered

Surveyors (RICS). Those who are qualified members of the RICS are

entitled to use the term "Chartered Quantity Surveyor" or simply

"Chartered Surveyor".
WHAT DOES A Q.S DO?

 The QS usually reports to Project Manager or Project Director and

provides advice in the decision-making process throughout the

management of a project from initial inception to final completion. The

QS handles estimating and cost control, the tendering process and, after

contract award - the commercial interface.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A Q.S?

 QSs are trained in techniques of cost control. They ensure that projects are designed and

constructed in such a manner as to secure value for money, cost certainty and

programme dates. In view of this, quantity surveyors are expected to:

 Be able to carry out estimating and measurement of construction works prior to tender,

 Produce the bill of quantities (BOQ); produce tender documentation and manage the

tender process,

 Clarify and evaluate tenders; and manage the resultant contract through monthly

valuations, variations control, contract administration and assessment of claims.

DUTIES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR

 Quantity surveying is concerned with controlling and managing the construction

projects. Working with quantity surveyors will giv e us an understanding of the technical

aspects of construction over the whole life of a building or facility, accommodate the

requirements of a building to suit the particular circumstances of a project, achieve the

best quality and value within the client’s specifications and understand contracts,

budgets, quantities and measurements. QS is prevalent in many industries (not just

construction) as they are procurement and contract specialists with the ability to

adapt techniques to suit the form of contract or work being undertaken.

DUTIES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR
CONTD.

 The roles that the quantity surveyor performs today have diversified into

industries including petrochemical, manufacturing, automobile, mining,

telecommunication, shipping, transport, and agriculture. Traditionally, a

quantity surveyor (QS) is responsible for the cost and contract management

functions in building projects, including preparation of construction contract

documents, provision of cost advice and construction cost and contract

administration.
DUTIES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR
CONTD.
 The services quantity surveyors perform today depend on the nature of their

organization as well as their position. For instance, quantity surveyors working

for clients will offer different types of service as compared with quantity

surveyors working with a contracting organization. Similarly, quantity

surveyors working with oil and gas differ from quantity surveyors in real estate

development. The training and expertise of the quantity surveyors allows

them to venture into areas including value management, risk management,

arbitration, and project management.

DUTIES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR
CONTD.
 Quantity surveyors are essentially the accountants of the building profession.

Quantity Surveyors are in charge of planning and managing costs for

construction projects from the start of a project to its completion. Quantity

surveyors either work for private practices acting on behalf of clients or for a

contracting firm which carries out construction work. The roles of quantity

surveyor are primarily in connection with providing cost advice to the client

throughout all stages of the project.

 The roles of the quantity surveyors in construction projects can thereby be

separated into different stages of the construction project.

DUTIES OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR
CONTD.