Quantity Surveying

[donnie85]

So last month started my new role as a QS for a decent sized construction company in Manchester (career change so new to me). Enjoying it alot so far although my projects haven't started yet. When they do I'll be on site mainly day to day as well as studying.

So far I've been doing the material measurements, some payments. Wondered if there are any tips for me going forward as a QS from peoples experiences? Want to try and gain as much construction knowledge as possible also to get a better understanding of what I'm talking about.

[-BFG-]

Ask plenty of questions, speak with the lads doing the work to get an understanding oh what’s required to do the jobs your pricing.

Ask questions - by the time you’ve tried to understand/figure it out yourself, you could’ve asked someone and got an answer in a fraction of the time.

[redexstyle]

I'm not a QS but I'm an estimator in highways and civils.

Best way I found while learning is to be on sites and asking questions. Become best mates with the site agents.

I'd sometimes be on site watching kerb removal and installation and just making notes of what the processes are and then asking questions.

Whenever I've done handovers to QS's, I've run them through and shown them what's been included in the price of a job so that way they know when compensation events need to be raised.

[StoutBench]

Always thought this sounded like an interesting career. What did you switch from?

[GT03ROB]

redexstyle said:

I'm not a QS but I'm an estimator in highways and civils.

Best way I found while learning is to be on sites and asking questions. Become best mates with the site agents.

I'd sometimes be on site watching kerb removal and installation and just making notes of what the processes are and then asking questions.

Whenever I've done handovers to QS's, I've run them through and shown them what's been included in the price of a job so that way they know when compensation events need to be raised.

This is good advice learn what’s actually being done; learn the mentality of the guys doing the work.

Learn about contracts; how they work; the risks; the opportunities.

[redexstyle]

StoutBench said:

Always thought this sounded like an interesting career. What did you switch from?

I know this isn't aimed at me but thought I'd weigh in.

My background was accounting & finance. Was training to be a management accountant but found it so boring.

Love working with numbers and had an opportunity to be a trainee estimator and then worked my way up whilst tasting different sectors.

[StoutBench]

redexstyle said:

StoutBench said:

Always thought this sounded like an interesting career. What did you switch from?

I know this isn't aimed at me but thought I'd weigh in.

My background was accounting & finance. Was training to be a management accountant but found it so boring.

Love working with numbers and had an opportunity to be a trainee estimator and then worked my way up whilst tasting different sectors.

Appreciate the information

[tleefox]

redexstyle said:

Whenever I've done handovers to QS's, I've run them through and shown them what's been included in the price of a job so that way they know when compensation events need to be raised.

Only relevant under NEC.

[iphonedyou]

tleefox said:

Only relevant under NEC.

I suspect you know that the gist of his comment applies regardless, though; e.g. just replace 'compensation event' with 'relevant event' or 'relevant matter' where using JCT. Redex's point being that any QS new to a job should have a good handle on variation requirements in order they're not leaving money on the table.

[smithyithy]

Kier, by any chance?

I'm an assistant engineer working in highways design, but I recently started a quantity surveying degree (technically done as an apprenticeship) through my employer...

I do cost estimating and take-offs as part of the design process already, but we have full-time QSs who do the full estimating for projects, liaise with our contractors, compensation events, contracts etc, so I'm looking to specialise and move into that side more.

OP, I'd say it's worth looking into professional qualifications too, most employers will pay towards a membership (RICS for example) which can be really good for your career progression, my line manager for example has just completed his chartership with ICE..

I'm probably as new to it as you really so would love to hear from any experience members

[mcg_]

Be as personable and as reasonable as you can be, and build relationships. It'll be a lot easier if people like you.

[Bungleaio]

Make sure you don’t get your contractor calculator that only has + and x buttons mixed up with your client side calculator that only has - and ÷.

Welcome to the industry I’m a BS.