Occupation Details

Education
Most of these occupations require qualifications at NFQ Levels 7 or 8 (Ordinary / Honours Degrees) but some do not.

Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, you may need to complete three - four years of college and work for several years in the career area to be considered qualified.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, computer programmers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and financial analysts.

Although the number of quantity surveyors is too small to report, employers have indicated that they are experiencing difficulty in sourcing these skills. Demand is likely to be limited in volume due to the small size of this occupation.

National Skills Bulletin 2018

Quantity surveyors and construction economists, sometimes known as construction cost consultants, work for either the client or contractor and can be based in an office or on site.

Their role is to manage all costs relating to construction projects from initial design calculations to the final account, seeking to minimise costs and enhance value for money, while achieving the required standards and quality.

Typical tasks for a quantity surveyor or construction economist include:

• Researching and preparing construction budgets for a range of construction and construction related projects
• Planning the costs of each phase of the project to ensure value formoney and also sustainability in terms of the overall project
• Advising both contractors and state agencies on costing related matters for various construction projects
• Advising on choosing contractors and procurement processes
• Administering the costs during the project for both contractor and other related parties, such as the client
• Negotiation and dispute resolution
• Taxation and funding advice

All aspects of the project need to be correctly costed and financially sustainable. If the costings are too restrictive, the project’s overall quality could suffer, if they are too generous, funds could be exhausted before the project is completed, so it’s a question of balance and being realistic about what can be achieved by analysing the timeframe in which it is expected that the project be completed and the available funding for the project.

The quantity surveyor controls the cost by accurate measurement of work combined with their expert knowledge of prices for work, labour, materials and plant required.  
 
Private practice and central and local government quantity surveyors are usually office based and work from a fixed location. They use architect's plans to make an initial estimate of the cost of a project. They then produce a more detailed breakdown of costs and quantities known as the Bill of Quantities. They send this to building contractors so they can work out their bids for the project. Finally, they assess the bids they receive so they and their clients can decide who to give the project to.  
 
Local and central government quantity surveyors also control expenditure on ongoing programmes, making the best use of budgets and balancing maintenance against new construction work. They must make sure that all design decisions are made at the start of the project to ensure good value is obtained for money spent. There are 2 kinds of quantity surveyor - one who carrys out work on behalf of an organisation and one who works for a construction company.  
 
Commercial quantity surveyors are employed by building and civil engineering contractors. They prepare bids for construction work, and make sure that work is completed on time and to the required standard and that the contractor makes a profit. They assess the effect of any changes to the project or disruption in work and discuss it with the client's quantity surveyor.  
 
Commercial quantity surveyors are usually based on construction sites and may need to move around the country for projects.

The following is a list of the most commonly reported tasks and activities for this occupation

The following is a list of the most commonly reported skills used in this occupation.

Although computers are used for complex calculations, you will need a high standard of numeracy. Deskwork includes report writing, which requires a clear, concise style.  
 
Quantity surveyors need to be able to interpret technical drawings and architects' plans. They also need negotiating skills and initiative to make their own decisions. They must have good communication skills and be able to work as part of a team.  
 
They need a wide knowledge of construction law, health and safety issues, building methods and time scales, and the costs of materials.

To gain a professional recognition as a surveyor in Ireland you first need to complete a degree accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Those with degree from other disciplines can still become a surveyor by taking an accredited property degree or postgraduate conversion course. 

Many colleges and universities throughout the country offer courses in surveying. A full list of accredited degrees is available on the SCSI website.

Candidates are advised to check individual institutions for course details.

The next step is to undertake a period of training in employment and complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This is a structured practical training programme, which takes about two years to complete in the workplace, so you will need to be prepared to combine work and study.

The training structure is based on a set of skills known as ‘competences’, which are a mix of technical and professional practice skills along with interpersonal, financial, business and management skills.

Upon successful completion of the APC, you apply to become a member of the SCSI and the RICS.

Status as a chartered surveyor will accelerate career progression and support self-employment in private practice. As this is a globally recognised professional qualification, it will also be recognised if you wish to work overseas.

Last Updated: August, 2016

A detailed description of this occupation can be found on a number of online databases. Follow the link(s) below to access this information:

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Quantity Surveyor - from: N.C.S. [UK]

Quantity surveyor - from: GradIreland