What is Quantity Surveying (QS) ?

What is Quantity Surveying (QS) ?

Quantity Surveying is the process of estimating and managing costs in construction projects. It includes taking off quantities from drawings, preparing BOQ, doing rate analysis, and controlling project costs.

Key Skills Required for Civil Engineers

• Reading structural and architectural drawings

• Quantity take-off and BOQ preparation

• Rate analysis and costing techniques

• Bar bending schedule preparation

• Material reconciliation and procurement planning

• Labour and machinery productivity analysis

• Tendering and contract management

• Cost control and cash flow management

How to Start a Career in Quantity Surveying

Civil engineers can start by learning basic estimation and BOQ preparation. Gaining practical knowledge through training helps in getting jobs as junior quantity surveyor, estimator, or billing engineer. With experience, one can move to senior roles like contracts manager or project manager.

Important Estimation Techniques

• Concrete Estimation: Calculate volume of concrete for slab, beam, column, and foundation.

• Steel Estimation: Use D²/162 formula for steel quantity calculation.

• Brickwork and Plaster Estimation: Calculate quantity based on wall area and thickness.

• Formwork Estimation: Measure contact area of concrete with shuttering.

• Painting and Flooring Estimation: Calculate surface area with wastage allowance.

Billing and Contract Management

Billing Engineering involves preparing running account bills, final bills, and handling deviations and extra items. Good knowledge of contracts, FIDIC, and negotiation techniques is important for commercial roles in construction.

MEP Estimation

MEP works include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and firefighting systems. Accurate estimation of these systems is critical for high-rise buildings and commercial projects.

Real Estate and Property Management

Civil engineers can also work in real estate as property managers, valuation experts, or facility managers. Knowledge of RERA, stamp duty, and property valuation is useful in this field.

Career Growth Path

Civil engineers can start as site engineers and move to estimation, billing, planning, and project management roles. Specialized skills in quantity surveying and contracts management help in getting better salary packages.

20 Important FAQs

1. What is quantity surveying? Quantity surveying is the process of estimating quantities, costs, and managing expenses in construction projects.

2. Why is quantity surveying important for civil engineers? It helps in accurate cost planning, budgeting, and commercial management of projects.

3. How to become a quantity surveyor in India? Complete a quantity surveying course, learn practical estimation, and gain experience in BOQ and rate analysis.

4. What is the salary of a quantity surveyor in India? The average salary ranges from ₹4 to 12 lakhs per annum depending on experience.

5. What is BOQ in construction? BOQ is Bill of Quantities, a document that lists quantities and rates of all items in a project.

6. How to prepare BOQ for a building project? Take quantities from drawings, apply standard methods of measurement, and prepare detailed BOQ.

7. What is rate analysis in civil engineering? Rate analysis is the process of calculating unit rates by adding material, labour, and overhead costs.

8. How to calculate quantity of concrete in slab, beam and column? Multiply length, width, and depth of the member to get volume of concrete.

9. How to calculate steel quantity in RCC structures? Use the formula (D²/162) × Length for steel weight calculation.

10. What is Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)? BBS is a detailed list showing cutting length, bending shape, and number of reinforcement bars.

11. How to prepare Bar Bending Schedule? Take quantities from drawings and prepare BBS for footing, beam, slab, column, and staircase.

12. What is thumb rule in civil engineering estimation? Thumb rules are approximate methods used for quick estimation of quantities and costs.

13. How to estimate brickwork quantity? Calculate length × height × thickness of wall minus openings.

14. How to estimate plastering quantity? Calculate surface area × thickness of plaster.

15. How to estimate painting quantity? Calculate surface area and add percentage for wastage.

16. How to do material reconciliation in construction? Compare actual material used with estimated quantity to control wastage.

17. What is S-Curve in construction? S-Curve shows cumulative progress and cost over the project duration.

18. What is MIS in construction projects? MIS is Management Information System used for reporting project progress.

19. What is PEB in construction? PEB stands for Pre-Engineered Building, a factory-made steel structure.

20. How to estimate Mivan shuttering quantity? Calculate area of walls, slabs, and columns to determine formwork requirement.

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