A quantity surveying course teaches you to measure a project from its drawings, price it, and manage its cost through to the final account. It suits civil engineers, site engineers and estimators who want commercial roles.
Measurement
Taking off quantities for concrete, steel, blockwork, finishes and services according to a standard method.
Bills of quantities and rates
Organising quantities into a BOQ and building up rates from labour, material, plant and overheads.
Tendering
Preparing and comparing tenders, and understanding the conditions of contract. FIDIC contracts training goes deeper on this.
Post-contract work
Interim valuations, variations, claims and final accounts. This is the day-to-day work of a site QS.
Software
Excel throughout, with tools such as CostX for on-screen take-off.
Start with quantity surveying or the combined QS and estimation course. MEP staff should look at MEP estimation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical or electrical engineer become a QS?
Yes, usually as an MEP quantity surveyor.
Is quantity surveying desk-based?
Mostly, with regular site visits to measure and verify work.
Do I need to know AutoCAD?
Reading drawings is essential. Basic AutoCAD helps with measurement.