In the construction industry, a quantity surveyor is often regarded as part architect, part engineer, part contractor, part lawyer, and part accountant. Therefore, quantity surveying is the process of supplying accurate values of expected project costs, estimating task duration timeframes, and providing maximum profits for all the stakeholders of a project.
Quantity surveyors basically manage construction projects. They analyse all the granular details of every single project and then come up with an exact cost estimate, or at the very least, a measurement that is within range of the exact cost of the entire project. Efficient quantity surveyors understand that they must be able to gather project specific data and store it in a manner that allows for quick reference. This is only one of many tasks that a quantity surveyor must juggle. To make things easier, many of them now use some of the best quantity surveying software in the market.
Often referred to as a project estimator, a quantity surveyor has a pretty good understanding of all the elements of a construction project. With the best quantity surveying software in the market now using BIM features, 2D and 3D takeoff and customizable report writers, it is unsurprising that many quantity surveyors have switched to software applications rather than the traditional methods. With only a few clicks, they can now provide electronic takeoffs that automatically extract quantities and measure areas, lengths and counts in no time.
The very task of takeoff is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone parts of project cost estimating. Traditionally, manual quantity takeoffs were performed from paper drawings. This was cumbersome and took a lot of time to execute. Quantity surveyors now use 3D BIM models for direct collection of quantities and measurements during project cost estimation. Using BIM tools for quantity surveying guarantees consistent information because new changes or measurements are automatically updated into the schedules.
The best quantity surveying software quickens this process and provide more accurate takeoffs even with sophisticated assemblies. They efficiently transfer takeoff data into the most popular estimating software used by contractors all over the world. Users can expect their tender values to be closer to their estimates, greater budget and value accountability, reduced possibility of addendum bills of quantities, early identification of high-cost elements, and an improved building quality and performance.
Other benefits of using quantity surveying software include the ability to start the takeoff process right from the image or blueprint file type using simple, point-click powerful tools. This minimizes the time required for measurements using tools that allow measurement reproductions. The best quantity surveying software also come with features that allow selective copying of measurements from one drawing to another. They essentially convert all surveying and quantity data of the construction project like drawing files, photocopies of plans, measurements, etc., into one versatile, easy to use ‘electronic’ file that is readily available.
Quantity surveyors ensure effective cost planning so that once a realistic project cost estimate has been agreed between the stakeholders, everything that follows is in line with it, that is, from the tender to the final project costs. Constant monitoring of the process helps to mitigate the risk of project overruns which can now be spotted well in advance and prompt action taken. Other than providing budget estimating and cost estimating, quantity surveyors can also assist architects with comparative costs for alternative construction assemblies or finishings.
The ultimate job of the quantity surveyor is to make profits for the stakeholder. Costly errors and poor workmanship can jeopardize the outcomes of the project. As a quantity surveyor, making costly mistakes and not paying attention to details can mean losing your job or your clients. Quantity surveying software significantly improves productivity and helps to measure, describe and price quantities with as little duplication of effort as possible. Therefore, using the best quantity surveying software in the market is a no-brainer.
Quantity surveying software such as Cubit Pro give quantity surveyors complete control over the project costs. They first allow users to import BIM models directly into the software and then takeoff quantities from those diagrams and prepare bills of quantities, all in one user-friendly interface. With Cubit Pro, quantity surveyors can even perform their quantity takeoffs inside their estimates, that is, from PDF, CAD, or other image files.
There has been talk of quantity surveyors playing crucial roles in trying to prevent corruption in the construction industry. While other members of the team on a construction project, such as engineers and architects, can also look at the costs of a project, only a quantity surveyor is specially trained to analyse the costs of such a project. Quantity surveyors can quickly identify if a budget is overcast and also establish the reasons behind it.
While the best quantity surveying software has improved the overall efficiency of quantity surveyors and their role in a construction project, their expertise is still required within projects. A software program can now also come up with a bill of quantities, but what it can’t do is to analyse whether or not it is viable to build a shopping mall in a particular precinct.
Takeoff and estimating software work to determine and even manage the costs of a construction project throughout its lifecycle. But only a quantity surveyor can provide, say, viability studies and make different recommendations. Some of those recommendations could be based on sustainability or green building practices where the economics might dictate that the client initially spends a little more on the project for instance, but save more money in the long run. Software might have taken over some of the domains where quantity surveyors ruled in the past, but their role is still absolutely critical.
The role of safeguarding the interests of the client, for instance, still lies with the quantity surveyor. An architect usually has a dream and since he is creative, he’ll put it down on paper. It will almost always be a beautiful creation or a piece of art. Using quantity surveying software, the quantity surveyor will ensure the blueprint fits into the client’s budget and that the necessary adjustments will not be too far off from the architect’s original creation.
