Quantity Surveyor

Roles and responsibilities

An Intern in Quantity Surveying typically works under the guidance of experienced quantity surveyors or project managers in construction, engineering, or infrastructure projects. Quantity surveying is a critical discipline in construction, focused on managing and controlling costs for construction projects. As an intern, you'll gain hands-on experience in cost estimation, project budgeting, contract management, and procurement processes while learning about the financial and legal aspects of construction projects.

Key Responsibilities of an Intern in Quantity Surveying:

1. Cost Estimation and Budgeting

• Assist in Preparing Estimates: Supporting senior quantity surveyors in preparing cost estimates for construction projects, including material, labor, and overhead costs.
• Cost Planning: Helping to establish a project budget based on initial designs or plans, and ensuring that the costs remain within budget during project execution.
• Bill of Quantities (BoQ): Assisting in the preparation and measurement of the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), which is a detailed list of materials, labor, and services required for the project.
• Takeoff Measurements: Performing quantity takeoffs from project drawings and specifications to calculate the materials and resources needed.

2. Tendering and Procurement

• Tender Documentation: Assisting in the preparation of tender documents, which include scope of work, BoQs, and contract terms for bidding by contractors and subcontractors.
• Bid Evaluation: Supporting the evaluation of bids from contractors and suppliers, comparing costs, qualifications, and timelines to ensure competitiveness and value for money.
• Supplier and Subcontractor Management: Helping to manage relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, including the preparation of purchase orders, and tracking deliveries and payments.

3. Cost Control and Monitoring

• Cost Tracking: Assisting in tracking project costs throughout the construction phase, ensuring that spending aligns with the budget and reporting any discrepancies.
• Change Orders: Supporting the process of managing change orders, where scope changes, variations, or unforeseen issues increase project costs. This involves evaluating the impact of changes on the project budget.
• Variance Analysis: Helping to identify cost variances between the planned budget and actual costs, and working with senior quantity surveyors to recommend corrective actions.

4. Contract Management

• Contract Administration: Assisting with the administration of construction contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions, and tracking progress against contract milestones.
• Documentation: Supporting the preparation and management of contractual documentation, such as agreements, correspondence, and payment certificates.
• Dispute Resolution: Assisting in the resolution of disputes related to contract terms, payment issues, or project scope between contractors, clients, and suppliers.

Desired candidate profile

1. Numerical and Analytical Skills

• Strong ability to work with numbers, analyze data, and manage budgets and costs. Quantity surveyors must be able to perform calculations and solve mathematical problems related to construction costs.

2. Attention to Detail

• Precision and accuracy are essential in measuring quantities, preparing cost estimates, and checking project invoices or variations. A small error in quantities or cost estimates can lead to significant project cost discrepancies.

3. Communication Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, discussing project details with contractors, suppliers, and clients, and assisting in the resolution of issues.
• Ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders, including contractors, clients, and suppliers, to ensure smooth project delivery.

4. Organizational Skills

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, particularly when supporting large-scale construction projects.
• Experience with project management tools and document management systems is a plus.

5. Knowledge of Construction Processes

• Basic understanding of construction methods, materials, and processes, along with an awareness of building codes, regulations, and industry standards.

6. Software Proficiency

• Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software and quantity surveying software is often required. Tools like CostX, Buildsoft, Excel, or Procore are commonly used in the industry.
• Experience with spreadsheets and data management tools is essential for cost estimation, tracking, and reporting.

7. Time Management

• The ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively is essential, particularly when working on multiple aspects of a project simultaneously.

8. Teamwork and Collaboration

• Ability to work within a team, collaborating with other engineers, architects, contractors, and clients to ensure the success of a project.

9. Problem-Solving

• Strong ability to address and resolve issues that arise during a project, such as cost overruns, changes in project scope, or discrepancies in contracts or bids.