What does a quantity surveyor do?
Quantity surveyor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real quantity surveyor resumes:
- Prepare shop drawings using AutoCAD software.
- Update contract BOQ base on contractors approve shop drawings to submit update BOQ and expect cost of completion.
- Base: UK, UAE, Trinidad
- Assist in the preparation of tenders for new contracts including pre-contract measurements and pricing.
- Follow and maintain the drawing set using AutoCAD and release them to supervisors for assign tasks.
- Check the quantities in BOQ during site handover for the contractor and match them with the implemented quantities at the site.
- Perform accurate leveling using Leica digital level.
- Perform high accuracy level loops using Leica digital levels.
- Adjust and operate surveying instruments such as prisms, theodolites, and electronicdistance-measuring equipment.
- Collaborate with other departments in conducting research for improving company's overall pre-contract and post-contract administration process
- Used a topcon transit and data collector with the SMI program.
- Provide photogrammetric mapping and topography.
- Develop new data from photogrammetric records.
Quantity surveyor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Quantity Surveyors are proficient in Construction Projects, QS, and Cost Estimates. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Quantity Surveyors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Construction Projects, 18%
Participated in different building construction projects, land administration tasks and preparation of construction project documents as a quantity surveyor.
- QS, 12%
Maintain the correspondences for contractual delay events and inform to the Sr.QS for prepare the Claim & Extension of Time.
- Cost Estimates, 6%
Produced mechanical cost estimates using drawings and contracted unit rates.
- Contractual Claims, 6%
Build up rates, Contractual claims & Day works
- Cost Analysis, 6%
Train or guide Junior Engineers on the field of Quantity Surveying like Estimating, Cost Derivation and Cost Analysis.2.
- Cost Control, 6%
Lead and develop the site project controls team and oversight across the cost control activities for Hope Downs 4 site.
Most quantity surveyors use their skills in "construction projects," "qs," and "cost estimates" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential quantity surveyor responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a quantity surveyor to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what quantity surveyors do because "surveyors must provide clear instructions to team members, clients, and government officials." Additionally, a quantity surveyor resume shows how quantity surveyors use communication skills: "demonstrated strong communication and customer service skills in both english and spanish. "
Detail oriented. Many quantity surveyor duties rely on detail oriented. "surveyors must work with precision and accuracy because they produce legally binding documents.," so a quantity surveyor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways quantity surveyor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "prepare structural specifications, plans, construction drawings and details. "
Physical stamina. This is an important skill for quantity surveyors to perform their duties. For an example of how quantity surveyor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "surveyors traditionally work outdoors, often in rugged terrain." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor: "assisted the survey party chief with local physical and construction surveys. ".
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what quantity surveyors do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to quantity surveyor responsibilities because "surveyors must figure out discrepancies between documents showing property lines and current conditions on the land." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical quantity surveyor tasks: "project cost management, cost estimating, claims and dispute resolutions. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a quantity surveyor to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what quantity surveyors relies on this skill, since "surveyors must be able to effectively plan their time and their team members’ time on the job." How this skill relates to quantity surveyor duties can be seen in an example from a quantity surveyor resume snippet: "supervised gis and land surveying works which enabled the department to meet all tight deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most quantity surveyors are:
- Turner & Townsend4 quantity surveyors jobs
- KBR3 quantity surveyors jobs
- AECOM2 quantity surveyors jobs
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Compare different quantity surveyors
Quantity surveyor vs. Surveyor instrument assistant
A party chief is a management position responsible for leading and guiding a program and providing leadership for its success. To fill this role, you will manage the program and provide overall technical expertise. Party chiefs should able to assess and identify risks and offer remedies and must be highly proficient in the program area. You will collaborate with partners to ensure program success, recruit experts for the program, and supervise its implementation.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, quantity surveyor responsibilities require skills like "qs," "invoice," "cost estimates," and "contractual claims." Meanwhile a typical surveyor instrument assistant has skills in areas such as "gps," "survey data," "construction sites," and "boundary surveys." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Surveyor instrument assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than quantity surveyors. In fact, surveyor instrument assistants are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Quantity surveyor vs. Party chief
Survey party chiefs are individuals distinguished from an engineering technician class. The chiefs supervise land surveys, plan, and assess the proposed field survey projects. They gather field data using the necessary equipment. Their job involves managing equipment logistics, travel-related budgets, and recruiting local staff. They perform work on several highway projects like fills and cuts, bridgework, and centerline layouts. Also, they execute data analysis and offer recommendations for the expansion of military bases and to achieve runway capabilities.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, quantity surveyor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "qs," "invoice," "cost estimates," and "contractual claims." Meanwhile, a party chief has duties that require skills in areas such as "topographic surveys," "boundary surveys," "data collection," and "construction layout." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Party chiefs tend to reach similar levels of education than quantity surveyors. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Quantity surveyor vs. Survey superintendent
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a quantity surveyor is likely to be skilled in "construction projects," "qs," "invoice," and "cost estimates," while a typical survey superintendent is skilled in "survey crews," "project layout," "gps machine," and "txdot."
When it comes to education, survey superintendents tend to earn similar degree levels compared to quantity surveyors. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Quantity surveyor vs. Survey party chief
Types of quantity surveyor
Updated January 8, 2025
