How to become a Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors prepare cost estimates and plans, audit projects, manage costs and administer contracts, for all levels and types of construction.
Personal requirements for a Quantity Surveyor
- Analytical and logical
- Able to concentrate for long periods
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Able to work accurately with figures
- Able to work independently or as part of a team
- Aptitude for working with computers
Education & Training for a Quantity Surveyor
To become a quantity surveyor you usually have to study quantity surveying or construction management at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Applicants may also be required to attend an interview. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Duties & Tasks of a Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors:
- Liaise with architects, engineers, builders, contractors, suppliers and project owners
- Study architectural and engineering drawings and specifications
- Prepare a 'Bill of Quantities' that lists the individual components required to construct a project
- Review any changes to a design plan to assess the effects on cost
- Assess and recommend payment to contractors during construction
- Prepare monthly cash-flow forecasts for clients and tax depreciation schedules
- Perform feasibility studies to assist with decisions about the worth of a project proceeding
- Serve as a consultant to business and government.
Tasks
- Monitors changes to designs, assesses effects on cost, and measures, values and negotiates variations to designs.
- Studies architectural and engineering drawings and specifications to estimate total costs, and prepare detailed cost plans and estimates as tools to assist in budgetary control.
Working conditions for a Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors usually work in offices. They also visit building sites, clients and other members of construction teams.
Employment Opportunities for a Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors work with architects, building contractors, developers, engineers and project managers. They can work as individual consultants or as part of a small or medium-sized firm. Some work as academics in universities. Some may find employment in government agencies. Those in the building industry usually work on larger-scale projects such as office complexes, high-density residential projects, hotels, factories and hospitals. Job prospects can fluctuate depending on the level of building activity. With experience, progress to managerial positions in the construction industry is possible.
Specializations
Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors prepare cost estimates and plans, audit projects, manage costs and administer contracts, for all levels and types of construction.
Average age
37
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
25% female
Average full-time
43 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
87%
Employment Size
3,500
Employment by state
ACT: 2.0%
NSW: 32.6%
NT: 2.0%
QLD: 22.6%
SA: 4.5%
TAS: 0.4%
VIC: 20.4%
WA: 15.5%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.8%
20-24: 7.7%
25-34: 29.9%
35-44: 24.8%
45-54: 18.1%
55-59: 6.8%
60-64: 5.7%
65 and Over: 6.3%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 10.5%
Bachelor degree: 63.6%
Certificate III/IV: 5.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 11.4%
Year 10 and below: 0.9%
Year 11: 0.1%
Year 12: 8.2%
