EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES OFFERED BY THE QUANTITY SURVEYOR  

The Quantity Surveyor is a cost and procurement management expert who is concerned with financial probity and achieving value for money in the conceptualisation. planning and execution of Building and Engineering projects and developments. The role is carried out in both new and maintenance/rehabilitation development projects.

EmploymentQuantity Surveyors are employed in the following broad sectors of the Nigerian economy:

(i)  Public Sector i.e. Federal. State. Local Governments and their Parastatals 
(ii)  Private Sector: Banks/Finance/Insurance/Capital Market Institutions; Mining/Petrochemical Industries; Oil and Gas Companies; Multinational Corporations; Building and Engineering Manufacturing Industries; Property Development Companies; Embassies; Small business organisations. Private individuals etc. 
(iii)  Private Consultancy firms/practices 
(iv)  Construction Contracting/subcontracting firms 
(v)  Academic Sector; as lecturers. Works and Engineering Departments etc.
   
Public and Private Sector -Quantity Surveying Departments

Public (Governments. Parastatals etc) and Private Sector organisations are advised to establish Quantity Surveying. Cost and Procurement Management Departments/Divisions/Units which should be headed by Qualified professional and registered Quantity Surveyors and reporting directly to the Chief Executive or Executive Director (Projects) so as to ensure effective cost control. Budgetary monitoring and documentation in the management of projects.

Appointment of a Consultant Quantity Surveyor:

The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors stresses the importance of quantity surveying appointments being made directly by the client so as to ensure independent cost and procurement advice and independence of function on the project.

Clients and Employers are advised to maintain a register of consultants on the basis of Directory of members and Quantity Surveying firms issued by the Institute and update them from time to time. The Institute is able to provide every assistance in this regard. Quantity Surveyors are guided by a code of conduct, which the Institute enforces.

The range of services performed by the Quantity Surveyor appears elsewhere in the brochure and this should be agreed on appointment.

The conditions of the engagement and consultancy services agreement issued by the Institute provides a good basis for the appointment.

Remuneration is based on the Federal Government scale of fees for consultancy services current at the time of appointment as well as the latest guidelines issued by the institute.

The services offered by the Quantity Surveyor include:

A.  Feasibility Studies of Capital Projects 
 i.  Budgetary Planning for annual, rolling, medium and perspective development plans 
 ii.  Capital investment policy advice 
 iii.  Advice on financial plans and procurements 
 iv.  Cash flow forecasts and analysis 
 v.  Profitability studies and Sensitivity analysis 
 vi.  Value analysis and management and cost benefit studies 
 vii.  Life cycle studies and cost-in-use 
 viii.  Time effect on costs and profitability
  
B.  Cost Modelling 
 i.  Cost estimates and budgeting 
 ii.  Cost planning, monitoring, and control to ensure that client's budget is not exceeded 
 iii.  Cost studies and research of construction resources
  
C.  Contract Documentation and procurement 
 i.  Procurement: tendering procedures and contractual arrangements. 
 ii.  Preparation of Bills of Quantities and other documents for obtaining tenders for the purpose of contract administration. 
 iii.  Tender evaluation, analysis and reporting.
  
D.  Contract Administration and Management 
 i.  Preparation of interim valuations 
 ii.  Adjustment and measurement of changes in scope of works 
 iii.  Management of cost implications of contractual issues 
 iv.  Cost control -preparing financial statements, cash flow and final accounts.
  
E.  Monitoring of Capital Projects 
 i.  Programme management 
 ii.  Project Auditing 
 iii.  Monitoring and Evaluation of developments
  
F.  General
Preparation of cost reports, priced Bills of Quantities and appropriate documentation for: 
 i.  Capital allowances and taxation advice 
 ii.  Technical and Contract Auditing 
 iii.  Bank loans and facilities 
 iv.  Capital market finance proposals 
 v.  Planning approvals 
  etc.
  
G.  Project Management
Project Management reinforces client control over the complexities of modern developments. The Project Manager is the client's expert representative responsible for co-ordinating the whole development process to ensure timely completion within budget and performance requirements.
As Quantity Surveyors have been specially trained in economic, financial, management, legal and contractual aspect of construction, they are particularly well qualified for the role of Project Manager.

The following range of services is indicative but should not be considered exhaustive:
 
 i.  Identification of the client's objectives and priorities 
 ii.  Development and preparation of the brief 
 iii.  Prepare an option/feasibility study 
 iv.  Execute a risk analysis exercise 
 v.  Establish the budget and the total project programme 
 vi.   Advise on the design team selection 
 vii.   Establish and manage integrated communication and information systems. 
 viii.   Select the appropriate procurement strategy 
 ix.   Devise the pre-contract control systems and execute a value analysis exercise. 
 x.   Co-ordinate planning permission and other statutory consents. 
 xi.   Conduct tender evaluation and select contractor(s) 
 xii.   Establish the post contract time, cost and quality control and management systems. 
 xiii.   Control, monitor and report through to the project completion, commissioning and occupation. 
 xiv.   Establish a facilities/maintenance management system 
 
As Prime Consultants, Quantity Surveyors perform Project Management and co-ordination roles together with Quantity Surveying services.
   
H.  Facilities Management

Quantity Surveyors by training and expertise in total cost and procurement management are well suited for the management of all activities which are central in maintenance/rehabilitation projects and Facilities Management.
 
 
I.  Other Management- oriented Services 
 i.  Contract management and supervision 
 ii.  Management of capital expenditure programme. 
 iii.  Cost, financial and procurement management services for Built operate and transfer (BOT) developments and projects. 
 iv.  Privatisation and commercialisation studies and management.
  
J.  Direct Labour Projects 
 i.  Preparation of labour and material schedules to determine the quantity of labour and materials required on a particular project. 
 ii.  Supervision of actual purchasing of the materials, using the appropriate inventory modelling techniques. 
 iii.  Cost control during the construction process by ensuring adherence to programme and plans. Time Management. 
 iv.  Co-ordinating and simulating the different activities involved in a direct labour approach to construction contracts.
  
K.  Arbitration & Dispute Management Services 
 i.  Sitting as an arbitrator or an umpire 
 ii.  Preparation of proof of evidence 
 iii.  Preparation of award.
  
L.  Expert Witness 
  Provision of expert opinion in construction disputes.
  
M.  Fire Insurance Assessment 
  Assessment of replacement costs of buildings for insurance purposes by preparation of a priced bill of quantities.
  
N.  Dilapidation 
 i.  Preparing schedules of conditions. 
 ii.  Preparing, measuring and pricing schedules of dilapidations. 
 iii.  Negotiation and settlement of landlord or tenant. 
 iv.  Expert evidence in cases of disputes.
    
 
 
EMPLOYMENT BUREAU
 
 
 NIQS maintains an employment bureau to assist prospective employers and organisations in the recruitment of Quantity Surveyors