Quantity Surveying is basically centered in construction and the management of the costs and budgets of large projects. From the stage a plan is drawn until the large construction projects has been completed a
Quantity Surveyor(QS) has to be involved in a legal, technical and financial capacity. The major functions of QS are broadly concerned with the control of the cost on construction projects, the management and maintenance of the budget, valuations and any legal matters arising through the course of the project. QS must be required to make sure that any projects remains profitable, effectively run and efficiently maintain.

Now a day’s rabidly growing construction industries all over the world need Quantity Surveyors. In the Middle East most Sri Lankans work as Quantity Surveyors. According to recently published labor market bulletin in the UK, Tenth maximum earning progression is Quantity Surveyor.

In the History of Quantity Surveyor emerged in UK at the beginning of the nineteenth century prior to the first recorded usage of the term “Quantity Surveyor” in 1859, the term “Measurer, custom surveyor were used.

Quantity Surveyors act in liaison with Architects, Consulting Engineers, Contractors, Suppliers, Project Owners, and Accountants, Insurance Underwriters, Solicitors and Courts and with all level of Government Authorities to safeguard the client’s interest. During feasibility stage, during design stage, during construction stage and during completion stage QS has to play a large role in their practice. At feasibility stage Quantity Surveyors use their knowledge of construction methods and costs to advise the owner on the most economical way of achieving his requirements. Quantity surveyors may use techniques such as Cost Planning, Estimating, Cost Analysis, Cost-in-use Studies and Value Management to establish a project budget. During design the Quantity Surveyor ensures that the design remains on budget through Cost Management. Essential additions are offset by identified other savings. On completion of design and drawings, the quantity surveyor may prepare a Bill of Quantities, which is issued with the specification, for use by contractors in submitting tenders. The contractor’s quantity surveyors/estimators generally prepare tenders, and may price alternatives for consideration.

During construction the quantity surveyors are called on to fairly value progress payments at regular intervals. They will also value changes to design or quantities which may arise by reference to appropriate Bill of Quantities rates. The contractor’s quantity surveyor/contract administrator will have prepared claims for progress payments and additional work. When construction is complete the Quantity Surveyor can produce depreciation schedules of the various project components and advise on realistic insurance replacement costs. In the case of construction disputes the quantity surveyor is often called on as an expert witness, and some quantity surveyors act as arbitrators. Both the contractors and owners and quantity surveyors will be involved in this.

In the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka they have started Full Time one year NVQ Level 5 courses (Diploma Level) and one year NVQ Level 6 courses (Advanced Diploma Level) with substantial experience in the construction industry. To follow this NVQ course student can role in following Training Centers in the VTA namely National Centers at Narahenpita, Rathmalana, Galle, Mathara, Rathnapura, Kandy, Kurunagela, and Jaffna. The qualification required to en role these courses are those who have followed G.C.E A/L in any stream in any year.

• Construction technology
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• Estate management

• Estate management
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• Computer-aided design
• Value engineering
• Feasibility studies
• Planning law

• Risk analysis
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