WHAT IS A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?

A Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a person who has an appropriate tertiary degree and is a member of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS). The type of projects which a QS can work on range from office blocks, schools, hospitals, factories, clubs, stadiums, residential, bridges, railways, oil and mining developments.
The QS is a professional adviser that works for the club focusing on costs, risks and matters relating to cost management. They are truly independent and as such, can provide advice that is in your best interests. They work from the feasibility stage of a project through to completion of the construction period.
At feasibility stage, the QS will use their knowledge of construction methods and costs to advise the most economical way of achieving their requirements by using techniques such as cost planning, estimating, cost analysis, cost-in-use studies and value management to establish a project budget. The QS is also able to advise the most appropriate options for the method of procuring the project subject to the clients’ requirements. This can range from ‘traditional full design and tender’ through to ‘design and construction’ method.
If used correctly, the QS will ensure that the project remains on budget through cost management processes. There are times when club driven revisions or essential additions occur and these are either added or offset by identification of possible savings.  As the construction works are undertaken, the QS will value the works completed and agree the progress payment with the contractor to ensure the club is protected from overpayment. Additionally, if applicable, the QS will value and agree variations required by the club or claimed by the builder.
When construction is complete the QS can advise on realistic insurance replacement costs and produce depreciation schedules of the various project components.
To further protect your club, always ensure that the consultants and builders (If Applicable) who provide advice on the project have the appropriate professional indemnity insurance that covers that specific advice. Eg The QS is not insured to provide design advice and conversely, the architect is not insured to provide cost advice.
In the Clubs NSW Code of Practice (Dec 15), the QS is referred to on Page 21 as an appropriate independent expert. Some of the suggested uses are also noted on Pages 22 and 25. It should be noted that the financiers may tell you which QS to use however we would note that as the club is paying the fees, the club should be able to determine which QS it wants to use.