Role Of The Quantity Surveyor in Construction

Role Of The Quantity Surveyor in social organization1.1 Background to the StudyA suitable origination team is in every(prenominal) weighty(p) for any new expression exteriorise according to Lee (2008127). The mensuration surveyor jackpot be a very worthy addition to the in xt team for the guest, giving expert advice on annunciationual and pecuniary matters. The measurement surveyor ordain have the clients interest as his number one antecedency and his operate can be of great cherish to any psyche considering constructing a new building. correspond to Bowles Le Roux (19921) any person considering building or investing in social organization shows affects expert advice from a amount surveyor. No matter the size or complexity of a hold, the neb surveyor provides valuable advice through with(predicate) the various stages of the project. The Guide for Quantity examine Appointments (2006) states that any client who is considering building any structure of an y size, changing an existing structure or investing in locution projects no matter how simple or complex, inevitably the expert advice of a paid measurement surveyor for establishing budgets, cash flows, court planning, court precaution and obtaining pry for money. social organisation projects differ from for each one other and every project has its own uncomparable challenges. social structure projects argon not standard products which have been designed and aggregated manufactured in a controlled environment. There is a lack of a relatively stable market price. This is out-of-pocket to monthly payments which atomic number 18 make as the turn tail proceeds, before the project rivales completion. As a go away of technological, fiscal and sparing influences the methods adopted for construction sprain atomic number 18 change and complex and the expert advice of a step surveyor should be obtained before the conk of any project planning. This is the principal( prenominal) evidences why there is a need for the run of a total surveyor. (Bowles Le Roux, 19922)The ordinary member of the worldwide public has brusk knowledge or reckon in the construction industry. However economically active item-by-items who can be seen as possible clients for residential construction projects be often reluctant to utilize the work of a master copy metre surveyor.According to Lee (2008123), a effectiveness pitfall for the first-time homeowner is to utilize the function of a non-reputable contractile organ who is not affiliated to the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). Members of the public public who ar not regardd in the construction industry can be subjected to un-ethical praxiss and this whitethorn lead to their development. Due to the many problems ca utilize by these un-ethical and non-reputable avowers to the homeowners and other seat craftals, the southern African government passed legislation in 2001 known as t he Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act. The intention of this Act is to guard homeowners against non-reputable contractors who build to nonstandard quality and then refuse to be held responsible. (Lee, 2008123)One factor which may deter people from using the go of a measuring stick surveyor is the c one timernal honorariums. According to look through by Cruywagen and Snyman (2005) captain cadence analyse function can be rendered as affordable in conspiracy Africa. The research shows that, due to the rivalrousness of the market, it has become the norm for sum surveyors to get down maestro fees.Cruywagen and Snyman (2005), state that there is a distinct relationship amidst the profitability for the amount surveyor and the value of a project. This squiffys residential projects are not profitable as compared to big industrial developments, shopping centers and so forth This may be the reason for the lack of marketing in the residential sector and why the genera l public is not aware of the mensuration survey profession.The purpose of this ingest is to identify and understand the special(prenominal) social function of the master key quantity surveyor in the construction industry and to explain the satisfying effect a quantity surveyor can have on a construction project.1.2 Problem StatementThe general public who is not complicated in the construction industry is unaware of the quantity analyse profession and the functions the quantity surveyor per attain and this lack of knowledge can lead to their exploitation if a quantity surveyor is not convolute.1.3 HypothesisFor the purpose of this written report the hobby hypotheses are unbending outThe general public is unaware of the quantity canvas profession and the services the profession provide.Fees associated with the quantity surveyor may trammel homeowners who are looking to complete a project with as little investment as possible, not realizing that the quantity surveyor can save you a substantial amount of money by providing you with expert advice on pecuniary and contractual matters.1.4 ObjectivesThis study has four primal objectives. The objectives are toOutline the specific share of the quantity surveyor.Realize the major effect a quantity surveyor can have on a building project s likewisel the general public aware of the quantity surveying profession and the functions the quantity surveyor performs.To learn why the general public is reluctant to use the services of a quantity surveyor.1.5 MethodologyA qualitative research antenna was follow for the purpose of this study. The research worker has conducted a comprehensive review of germane(predicate) books on the precedeic. The focus has been on the quantity surveying profession and the services it provide.Personal interviews have been conducted with master quantity surveyors. To understand the broader double members of the general public who recently became homeowners (of newly constructed buildings) was asked to complete a questionnaire. prudence has been given to whether or not the services of a quantity surveyor was utilise and if not, why?1.6 DelimitationsThe research is limited to the residential construction industry. The focus of the research is on the services of a master quantity surveyor and not that of the contractors quantity surveyor. Members of the general public who was approached with questionnaires was limited to those who were recently involved with the construction of a residential building.1.7 AssumptionsThe researcher assumed that all data unruffled are entire and all interviews and questionnaires conducted were answered truthfully.CHAPTER TWOTHE QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION2.1 put togetheringIn this chapter all the literature on the related topic collected by the researcher pass on be reviewed. This review allow for hold literature on the history of the quantity surveyor, the contractors quantity surveyor, competencies of a profession al quantity surveyor, fees of the professional quantity surveyor, estimating and constitute advice as well as the use of a broadsheet of quantities. The core focus however go away be to outline the specific functions of the professional quantity surveyor.2.2 History of the quantity surveyorAccording to the Association of southeast African Quantity Surveyors (2010), the quantity surveying profession started with the turn of the nineteenth century. The first recorded use of the name Quantity surveyor was in 1859. Before then the terms measurer, Custom surveyor or surveyor were used.At that time it was custom for the surveyor to work for the master builders, measuring the faultless work and often submitting biased concluding accounts to the building owners. As a result of this way it became the norm for building owners to enter into a contract and invite biddings before any work commenced. According to Bowles Le Roux (19924), this gave leap to competition and builders tender ing realized that they were spending an immense amount of time and swither measuring and calculating to arrive at a tender figure. In addition there was the added danger that the builders interpreted the interior designers drawings unlikely which would lead to faulty pricing and result in the tenders not being calculated on an uniform tush.The builders realized that a surveyor could be employed to act as an unbiased person to measure the quantities on their behalf. This insured that the builders tendered on the very(prenominal) basis whilst sharing the greet for the surveyor. Building owners were afraid of unethical practice between the builders and the surveyor and realized it would be to their personal advantage to appoint and level the quantity surveyor. This is how the independent professional quantity surveyor gained adviser status.In southerly Africa the title quantity surveyor is reserved under the Quantity Surveyors Act of 1970 for the repair use by those who had ac quired the obligatory qualifications and experience stipulated under the Act. Furthermore, those persons mustiness archives with the southeast African Council for Quantity Surveyors before they can act as consultants to the general public (ASAQS, 2010)2.3 Contractors quantity surveyorThe main difference between a professional quantity surveyor and a contractors quantity surveyor is that the latter is employed by the construction company and not by the client. Dent (19707) states that a contractor who undertakes big projects will need a quantity surveying staff. The contractors surveyor will represent the contractor and the contractors interest will be the main priority.According to Cornick and Osbon (1994108), the contractors quantity surveyor spends comparatively the identical amount of time on cost planning, feasibility studies and tender appraisal as the professional quantity surveyor and significantly more on post-contract services but significantly less on preparing tende r documentation. Project cost control is one function that requires embody efficiency by both surveyors, the contractors quantity surveyor on behalf of the contractor and the professional quantity surveyor on behalf of the client.Cornick and Osbon (1994109) identified seven main functions for the contractors quantity surveyor namelyValuation of work consummate for payment from client and payment to subcontractor. endeavor of change due to variation from client or designer.Preliminaries allocation.Subcontractor accounts to agree tender and actual costs.Financial reporting for quarterly account forecasts.Cost report for plant and material use by company.Cost accounting for trade union movement use by the company.Clients expectations of project cost control will join on as the clients and their cost advisers become more complex. The clients will be expecting the cost of their buildings to be reduced to match their budget. Therefore contractors quantity surveyor must pass on to im proving their cost controlling and accounting capabilities for the construction companies that they work for.2.4 The professional quantity surveyorAccording to Bowles Le Roux (19923) the quantity surveyor is a professional consultant appointed by the client who wishes to invest in property development. It is the quantity surveyors responsibility to advise the client, architect and engineer on all financial and contractual matters from the pre-tender stage right through to the completion of the project.For the quantity surveyor to master this role he must develop a comprehensive rationality of the various construction methods and have a transparent understanding of the divergent forms of contract and sub-contract agreements available in the construction industry. The quantity surveyor must be capable of advising on the cost of pick construction methods and costs of opposite materials. An analytical approach must be adopted in finding beneficial solutions in the interest of the client.The Guide for Quantity canvas Appointments (2006) states that a professional quantity surveyor will draw on extensive cost information obtained from client databases and experience from other projects for effective budget setting. It is the quantity surveyors ongoing implementation of financial discipline in the battle regions of budget setting, alternative design option costing, cash flow predictions, final cost forecasting, focusing of variations including potential areas of dispute and timeous final account settlement, and so on that allows the maximum value for money requirement to be achieved.2.4.1 Standard quantity surveying servicesAccording to A Guide for Quantity Surveying Appointments (2006) the standard services that can be provided by a professional quantity surveyor areFinancial viability studies and the initial budget planning prior to the dilateed design to establish whether the project is feasible in terms of the clients financial budgetPreliminary cost studies and comparing alternative designs and materials in terms of in operation(p) and maintenance costsMonitoring the design as it evolves to ensure it waistband within clients budgetPreparing tender documentation for pricing by contractors and advising on contractual arrangementsEvaluating the submitted tenders and reporting on the suitability thereofNegotiating the contract sums with the individual contractorsPreparing cash flow predictionsPreparing cost reports at regular intervalsValuing construction work in progressPreparing the final account thus deter excavation the final costSettlement of the final costs with the contractor and sub-contractors.Additional specialist services that many quantity surveyors are experienced in providing areActing as project managerActing as article of belief agentConsulting on property developmentValuation of buildings for insurance purposes and so onActing as an expert witnessAdvising on the settlement of disputes through mediation and arb itration.Facilitating with fast track construction projectsProviding services for projects in engineering, mining and petro-chemical industries.It is recomm cease to employ the quantity surveyors full services as a professional consultant rather than in a technical/measurement role in order to utilize the quantity surveyors expertise to the best advantage.2.4.2 Competencies of the professional quantity surveyorCompetencies can be delimitate as the ability a person should have in a given occupational area subject to external and internal factors like organization size, type, and age (Barret, 1992). (Holmes Joyce, 1993) defined competence as a description of an action, a mode of behavior or burden that a person should be able to demonstrate, or the ability to transfer skills and knowledge to new situations within the occupational area.In the construction industry the quantity surveyor can be seen as the economic expert and cost accountant, whose services facilitate the client to ob tain the maximum value for the clients investment. There are three aspects which reflect value for a client in the construction industry, namely cost, time and quantity. Quantity surveyors add value to the construction project performance by using the tolerate competencies. It is wherefore in-chief(postnominal) for an assessment of the quantity surveyors competencies in order to highlight the keep relevance of their services in the construction industry (Nkado Meyer, 2001483).The Royal formation of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) set out the competencies required by professional quantity surveyors in three categories, namely radical -, core and optional competencies. circuit card 1 below presents the competencies in three categories. Under the structure of the RICS the basic competencies are present in all construction professions, the core competencies in the first place for quantity surveyors and the optional competencies are required for specialization in a specific field. turn off 1 Competencies set out by the RICS (Nkado Meyer, 2001484).A Study conducted by Nkado and Meyer (2001484) identified 23 defined competencies which apply to quantity surveyors in southernmost Africa. A questionnaire was sent to randomly selected members of the ASAQS of a dissimilar demographic background. The questionnaire listed the 23 competencies in alphabetical order.The respondents were asked to rate the importance of the competencies for a career as a professional quantity surveyor in South Africa at present, the importance in the future and the level of evidence of each competency in the quantity surveying profession. Rating worked on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not important and 5 being very important. The researchers ensured the respondents anonymity to attain an honest response. add-in 2 Competencies ratings (Nkado Meyer, 2001487).Table 2 shows the ratings which have been converted to percentages for effective interpretation. It is arouse to note that three of the traditional core competencies are rated in the top vanadium competencies required by quantity surveyors in South Africa at present, the three being procurement and financial management, economics of construction and construction contract practice. The results showed that management orientated competencies were rated of higher importance for future services while the highest importance for current services were technically orientated.The five close to important competencies required by quantity surveyors in South Africa at present areComputer literacy and information technology procurance and financial managementEconomics of constructionConstruction contract practiceMeasurement.The five nearly important competencies required by quantity surveyors in South Africa in the future areComputer literacy and information technologyProcurement and financial managementEconomics of constructionProject managementMarketing.Competencies utilized by quantity surveyors with grea audition e fficiency in South Africa areMeasurementProcurement and financial managementProfessional practiceConstruction contract practiceEconomics of construction.It is evident that management orientated competencies will grow in importance and will replace the traditional technically orientated competencies as the core competencies of the quantity surveyor (Nkado Meyer,2001490).2.4.3 Professional quantity surveying feesThe fees constituted by professional quantity surveyors are proportionate with the work done for the client and according to A Guide for Quantity Surveying Appointments 2006 there are 5 options availableA time chargeA percentage fee based on a obligation recommended by The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (see Table 3)An agreed percentage of the contract valueA lump-sum fee any other fee arranged between the quantity surveyor and the client.2.4.3.1 Time ChargesThe followers recommended hourly time charges for the private sector were approved by T he South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession with effect from 1 January 2010 (SACQSP, 2010). (All pass judgment are exclusive of VAT.)Not exceeding 5 long time experience R 700-00Exceeding 5 years and not exceeding 10 years experience R 1 250-00Exceeding 10 years experience R 1 750-00Specialist work R 2 190-002.4.3.2 Percentage feesBy using table 3 a basic fee will be determined and multiplied by the abstract percentage (Table 4, 5 6). The basic fee shall be calculated on the value for fee purposes (see table 3).Table 3 Basic fee (SACQSP, 2010)Table 4 Appropriate percentages for building work (SACQSP, 2010)Table 5 Appropriate percentages for engineering work (SACQSP, 2010)Table 6. Appropriate percentages for management services (SACQSP, 2010)Once the primary charge (table 3) is established, the amount is multiplied by the appropriate percentage. In addition to this there will be a marginal rate which would be added to the primary charge. The gross amount will be payable to the quantity surveyor as the professional fees.2.5 Estimating and cost adviceAibinu and Pasco (20081258) states Pre-tender cost idea (or early stage cost estimation) is the forecasting of the cost of a project during the planning and design stage.Research done by Trost and Oberlender (2003) identified 11 factors that play a role in the precision of musical themes of which the 5 most important areProcess designEstimator team experience and cost informationTime spent on preparation of auspicateSite requirementsThe current labour and bidding climate.According to Bennett, Morrison and Stevens (1981) estimating is the main function of cost planning services provided by the quantity surveyor. They conclude that cost planning is un sure-fire without decent estimating. Morrison (198457) states that quantity surveyors have developed different methods for estimating to deal with the large variety of projects and designs. These different methods differ in detail with some estima tes being very thorough, for instance a priced commit of quantities. another(prenominal) may be very simple and only entail a simple lump sum estimate. All other factors being equal, the estimates trueness will increase as the detail and time spent in preparing the estimate increases.2.5.1 Clients pictureThe client, architect (design team) and the quantity surveyor are the most important members in the in the project briefing process. According to research done (Bowen, Pearl, Nkado Edwards, n.d.) it is vital to have an efficient client brief if the client is to reach his objectives with regard to the time, cost and quality of the project.In ample briefing of the design team by the client can lead to major frustration and unhappiness for the client. The brief procedure is the process where the client explains and spells out the objectives and requirements of a project (Bowen et al., n.d.). Bowen (1993) states that The purpose of this stage is for the clients to communicate to th e design team and specialist consultants their needs and objectives in initiating the project.For the client to be satisfied, the design of the building must execute the clients needs with regards to the technical aspects and quality standards. In addition to this the project must be sinless within the budget and on time (Seymour Louw, 1990). In order to achieve this, a enlarge and complete client brief is necessary to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible.2.5.2 Feasibility studiesafter the briefing process, the quantity surveyor will do a feasibility study. The outcome of the feasibility study helps the client to conciliate whether to go ahead with the project. A feasibility study is conducted to ascertain whether a project idea is economically viable (Hofstrand Clause, n.d.). It is the quantity surveyors responsibility to make recommendations to the client on the viability of the project and give professional advice on any alternatives.The feasibility study involves ec onomical and technical investigations that allow the client to decide whether to proceed with the project (Association of South African Quantity Surveyors, 2010). According to Hofstrand Clause (n.d.) a feasibility studyIdentifies alternatives.Identifies reasons not to proceed.Indicate new opportunities.Gives quality information for better ratiocination making.Assist in acquiring funding from banks and other investors.2.6 Use of tiptop of quantitiesAfter the quantity surveyor completes the elemental estimate the client will decide whether the project will go ahead or not. This decision is more often than not based on whether the estimate is within the clients budget or not. If the estimate is within budget the client should instruct the architect to prepare detailed working drawings for construction. The quantity surveyor can start with the preparation of the explanation of quantities once he has received these drawings (Bowles Le Roux, 1992).Davis, Love and Baccarini (200999) states that the distinction of quantities has 2 main uses and these can be categorized under pre-contract and post-contract stage. In the pre-contract stage the bill of quantities aid contractors to prepare their tenders. In the post-contract stage the bill of quantities assists the quantity surveyor and the contractor in the valuation of the work in progress and work completed for payment purposes.The bill of quantities is mainly used for tendering purposes. It enables contractors to prepare tenders using the same information which will lead to more accurate tender sums. The bill of quantities allow for a common basis on which the tenders can be compared. This brings about a competitive market (Kodikara, Thorpe McCaffer, 1993261).According to Bowles and Le Roux (1992) the bill of quantities describes the nature of the building. It is a document which lists all the items that need to be completed for the construction of the building. These items required for the completion of the building is measured from drawings and specifications received from the architect and engineers. The total cost for the project will be the sum of all the individual items added together. When these items are priced there must be an allowance for the carrying out of each item as well as a true-to-life(prenominal) profit margin.The information in the bill of quantities can be assort into three fundamental categories namely preliminaries, preambles and bills. The preliminaries of a contract entail all requirements of the project which do not have a direct touch on the construction works.The preliminaries of a contract may include wellness and safety requirements, access to and from site, accommodation for workforce, insurances required etc. Preambles define the standards of craft and materials to be used. The bills contain the measured items needed to complete the works and comprises of the description, units and quantities (Kodikara et al., 1993261).The bill of quantities, deta iled construction drawings, engineering drawings and specifications will be issued to building contractors. These documents form part of the tender documentation. The tender documents enable contractors to submit a competitive tender for a project and aid them in determining an accurate price for the completion of the building. A practical time limit is set for the contractors to price the bill. All tenders should be handed in before the undertake closing date.According to Davis et al. (2009103), the bill of quantities has various advantages to the parties involved in a projectPre-contract stageselective informationbase It provides a cost database for future estimatingFee calculation It provides a conclusive basis for the calculation of professional feesAsset management It provide data for asset management of finished building, insurance, maintenance schedules etc.Taxation Provide basis for precise preparation of depreciation schedules as part of the asset management plan.Post -contract stageAccurate progress payments It becomes a basis from which the interim payments can be evaluated. This insures work is done at a reasonable price and gives the contractor and client peace of learning ability that the contractor is not paid too much or too little for work completed.Pricing of contract instructions It provides a basis for the valuation of variations to the project.Risk management Prices from the contractor in the bill of quantities can be compared with current market related prices.According to Davis et al. (2009103), the major disadvantages of the bill of quantities are that the preparation is time consuming and it tends to increase cost.2.7 ConclusionIt is get from the above that the quantity surveyor can be a very valuable addition to the clients professional team. Quantity surveyors in South Africa are competent professionals. From the inception stage of a project, right through to the final payment, the quantity surveyor will give expert advice o n financial and contractual matters. The successful completion of a project can never be guaranteed due to the many uncontrollable factors in the construction industry. However having the services of a quantity surveyor at your disposal will greatly improve the chances of finish a project successfully and within budget.CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY3.1 DataIn this chapter the data collection methods and the analysis of the data is explained. For the purpose of this study a qualitative research methodology was followed in order to test the hypotheses put forward. The research was conducted by way of a comprehensive literature review and collecting data through interviews and questionnaires. The research problem is mainly that the general public is unaware of the quantity surveying profession thusly data relating to the services that the quantity surveyor offer and the profession in general were required.3.2 Collection of dataBooks and journals on the related topic from local and world(pr enominal) sources were used for the collection of data. All the data was collected before the field work started and was done over a two month period. Furthermore, primary data was collected through personal interviews and questionnaires.Interviews were conducted with quantity surveyors. The interviews were informal but due to the researchers relative lack of experience in conducting interviews the questions were well prepared. Questionnaires were used to obtain the necessary data from members of the general public who were recently involved in the construction of a residential building. The questionnaires consisted out of open ended questions and were administered in person. To maximize to accuracy of the response the questions were short and in translucent language (Leedy Ormrod, 2005190).To insure the validity of the research an honest response is required. For this reason the names of individuals and the quantity surveying company approached for the research will be held confi dential.3.3 Data analysisThe qualitative data was organized, summarized and analyzed by the researcher in order to reach a conclusion and make recommendations. It should be noted that the sample is very small, but for the purpose of this study it is sufficient for the researcher to understand the problem at hand and reach a conclusion.CHAPTER FOURFINDINGS AND ANALYSIS4.1 IntroductionPrimary data was collected through interviews and questionnaires as explained in the previous chapter. Ten individuals who were recently involved in a residential project were approached to complete the questionnaire. This chapter will discus the findings of the questionnaire and will incorporate the data collected from interviews with quantity surveyors.4.1.1 Awareness of the quantity surveying professionFigure 4.1 Indicate the awareness of the quantity surveying profession.It was found that the large majority of the respondents were aware of the profession. However this does not necessarily mean they u nderstand what the profession entails. An interesting observation was that the respondent, who was not aware of the quantity surveying profession, was the only respondent under 30 years of age.4.1.2 thought of the quantity surveyorThe question was what the understanding of quantity surveyors was by the respondents. Three of the ten respondents had reas