10 Nov 2021

How To Become A Quantity Surveyor? Job Role, Salary & Skills

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How To Become A Quantity Surveyor? Job Role, Salary & Skills


For any developing nation, the Infrastructure sector seems to be the driving fuel of its economy. This sector has seen immense growth across the globe, especially in India, and therefore a career in this sector would be a lucrative option – mainly for the engineering aspirants. The infrastructure looks after the construction and maintenance of bridges, dams, tunnels, airports, highways, flyovers, water supply, and sewage systems, roads, and a lot of urban or rural infrastructure development.
As per the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the construction sector including townships, housing, built-up infrastructure, and construction development projects & construction (infrastructure) activities stands at a staggering US$ 26 billion and US$ 24 billion, respectively, between April 2000 and March 2021.
Today, infrastructure development has been the mainstream segment to revive the economy for the Government Of India. Thus, the nation plans to spend around US$ 1.4 trillion on infrastructure during 2019-23 for sustainable development of the nation. The Government has suggested an investment of INR 5,000,000 crore (US$ 750 billion) for railways infrastructure from 2018-30 as well. In such a scenario, where development plans are at their peak, a brilliant ‘Quantity surveyor’ would be the need-of-the-hour. Yes! Quantitative Surveying is in great demand and a certification or graduate programme would definitely help you find the best quantity surveyor jobs in the market.

What Is Quantity Surveying Meaning?
Quantity Surveying Meaning is to manage all the costs associated with the infrastructure and civil engineering projects. As a Quantity Surveyor, your work will be office and site-based and the primary goal is to minimize the expenses.
Who Are Quantity Surveyors?
Quantity surveyors are the professionals who estimate and control costs for large construction projects. Quantity surveyors make sure that structures designed under civil engineering meet legal and quality standards. Quantity surveyors are involved at every stage of a project. Whether they’re working on residential, commercial or industrial projects, clients mostly rely on them to make sure the final outcome will be the value for money. Quantity surveyor responsibilities further span across managing the finances for construction projects/companies and helping create a project at a cost-effective rate. Thus, Quantity surveyors have earned a lot of attention in recent times.
How To Become A Quantity Surveyor In India?
Now that you’ve set your heart on this vastly potential job opportunity, you may wonder how to become the best quantity surveyor. Well! Candidates who wish to become quantity surveyors will first need to acquire professional education and new advanced technical skills. As the job profile is mainly related to the finance and construction field, candidates should be from the civil engineering or architecture discipline. You can take up a graduate or a postgraduate programme in quantitative surveying to achieve requisite skills.
In order to take up the programme, the candidates will need to have a degree in engineering, architecture or planning from a recognized institute or university to pursue this course. Even candidates from a non-engineering background can take up the course with two years of work experience in a construction firm. Isn’t it great?

[Become Quantity Surveyor Certified with Ekeeda's Online Quantity Surveyor Certification Course Today!]
Some Quantity Surveyor Courses In India

  • Graduate programme in construction quantitative surveying

  • Graduate diploma in quantitative surveying

  • Postgraduate programme in quantitative surveying

  • Postgraduate programme in quantitative surveying and contract management

  • Postgraduate diploma in quantitative surveying & contracts management

  • MBA in construction economics and quantitative surveying

You can even complete an undergraduate degree in quantitative surveying or another relevant subject, such as: Construction, Structural engineering, Civil engineering, Maths, Economics and Urban or land studies. Also, if you have relevant experience such as accountancy, you will be able to study part-time to become a quantity surveyor.
What Are The Skills Required To Become A Quantity Surveyor?
Apart from the academic and technical knowledge, candidates should possess some additional skills to be a successful professional in quantity surveying. Some of the skills are:

  • Budgeting Skills

  • Strong Mathematical Skills

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Analytical thinking skills

  • Understanding Of Engineering Science & Technology

  • Knowledge of building and construction

  • Ability to use your initiative.

  • Problem Solving Skills

  • Communication Skills

  • Team Building Skills

  • Organizational and Planning skills

  • Leadership Skills

What Does A Quantity Surveyor Do?
As a quantity surveyor, you will be responsible for helping the firms to estimate costs, quantities & project timelines, and convey this information to clients. You will be liaising with a variety of other teams and helping to keep a project on track.
What Is The Job Role Of A Quantity Surveyor? 
There are a lot of Quantity Surveyor responsibilities and it cannot be measured in a few lines. However, to help you gain a better understanding, the following will be the quantity surveyor job description:

  • Liaising with the clients to identify their needs and requirements

  • Estimate the quantities, costs and time scales for material and labour

  • Prepare tenders and contract documents as per the SOPs

  • Identify and weigh up commercial risks and communicate to the clients

  • Assign work to subcontractors and ensure its delivered on time

  • Valuing completed work, managing budgets and overseeing payments

  • Ensuring projects meet legal and quality standards

  • Ensure that clients get value for their money

  • Advise on the maintenance costs of specific buildings

  • Submitting regular budget reports

  • Following building regulations and health and safety

  • Working at a client’s business, in an office or on a construction site.

Job And Career Opportunities For Quantity Surveyor
Candidates who possess sound knowledge in quantity surveying will find a plethora of quantity surveyor jobs opportunity in the construction field. Since it’s a vastly untapped job segment, quantity surveyors are in high demand with practical experience. Many private and public sectors hire quantity surveyors with a good pay structure.
Most of the Quantity Surveyors are associated with construction companies & property developers. Quantitative surveying is also required by various subcontractor companies, project management companies, construction material supplier companies, insurance firms, etc. 
Once you take a good experience as a quantity surveyor, you can even get an opportunity to become a contractor/chartered QS. One can even specialize in project management, or opt for risk assessment and logistics management.

What Is the Salary Of A Quantity Surveyor?
Quantity Surveyor is an untapped profession and there are a handful of experienced candidates in this profession. Therefore, companies that recruit candidates will offer a high pay structure. The average quantity surveying salary for fresher starts from 3 to 4 lakhs per annum. Also, the salary depends upon his or her educational & professional qualifications and skillsets. The salary scale will vary as per the exposure and opportunity, experience candidates will get and have. Below mentioned is the quantity surveying salaries as per the category and experience. 

  • Newly trained quantity surveyors can earn in a range of 3-5 Lakhs per annum

  • Experience quantity surveyors can earn in the range of INR 7 To 8 Lakhs per annum

  • Senior or chartered quantity surveyors can earn in the range of INR 13-15 Lakhs

Quantity Surveying salaries and hours depend on the location, company and also the overtime you may do. Salaries and career options will also improve with chartered status. You can sky is the limit for candidates who would manage to fly overseas with these professional skills.
At Ekeeda, we have the finest industry experts who will help you acquire technical skills as a Quantity Surveyor and gain an edge over the competition. Polish your skills and be one of the top quantity surveyors with us. Watch and learn from videos anytime, anywhere. What’s more! Get access to PDF notes, mocks, and live lectures to clarify your doubts then and there.
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