What is a quantity surveyor?

A quantity surveyor is a cost engineer or a project controls manager for a construction company. Their primary responsibilities are to estimate construction costs and make sure the project stays within budget. As a quantity surveyor, your job duties include providing this estimate based on the measurements provided in the building blueprints and the materials needed, negotiating contracts to best fit your budget, providing advice on sourcing materials, and preparing documents like the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), Tender Document, and Order of Magnitude. Other aspects of your job include insurance valuation, project management, and dispute resolution. You primarily work in an office, but site visits are a necessary part of the career.