What does a Quantity Surveyor actually do?

I get asked this more than you'd think - even by people in construction.

The short answer: I make sure your building project doesn't cost more than it should.

The longer answer is that a QS sits at the intersection of construction and money. Before you build anything, I tell you what it's going to cost and make sure the contract(s) you are entering into are reasonable.

While you're building it, I track every pound going out the door. And when it's finished, I make sure the final bill is fair.

In practice, that looks like:

Telling you whether your project is affordable before you commit. Measuring every component of a building from drawings and putting a price against it. Managing the tender process so you get competitive prices from the right contractors. Checking monthly valuations so you're not overpaying. Dealing with variations when the design changes (it always changes). Negotiating the final account so the project closes out cleanly.

Think of it this way -- the architect decides what it looks like, the engineer decides how it stands up, and the QS decides what it all costs. 

If you're a developer, contractor, or anyone about to spend money on construction, a good QS will save you far more than they cost.

Questions? Drop them in the comments.