What is the Difference Between a Quantity Surveyor and a Building Surveyor?

Understanding the distinct roles of a quantity surveyor and a building surveyor is crucial for making informed career or hiring decisions in the construction industry. The core difference lies in their primary focus: quantity surveyors manage the financial and contractual aspects of a project from conception to completion, while building surveyors focus on the physical condition, safety, and compliance of existing structures.

What is a Quantity Surveyor and What Do They Do?

A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction industry professional specializing in project costs and contracts. Their expertise is vital for keeping a building project within budget and on schedule. They are typically employed by construction companies, developers, or consultancy firms.

Key responsibilities of a quantity surveyor include:

• Preparing Tender Documents: These documents help clients bid for contracts confidently. They include detailed cost estimates, ensuring the bid is competitive yet financially viable.
• Drawing Up Estimates: A QS creates forecasts for all project costs, including materials, labor, and timelines. This cost planning is essential for clients to assess a project's financial feasibility.
• Preparing Bills of Quantities (BOQ): A bill of quantities is a detailed list of all materials, labor, and services required for a project. Contractors use this document to provide accurate prices, creating a standardized basis for cost control.
• Cost Control and Valuation: The QS checks that contractors' bills match the original estimates and investigates any discrepancies. This ensures the project stays on budget and helps identify areas for process improvement in future projects.

What is a Building Surveyor and What Do They Do?

A building surveyor is an independent expert who inspects, assesses, and advises on the condition of buildings. Their work is primarily concerned with the integrity, safety, and compliance of structures after they are built, though they may be involved in some aspects of new construction to ensure regulatory adherence.

Key responsibilities of a building surveyor include:

• Conducting Building Inspections: They perform detailed assessments to ensure buildings meet health, safety, and regulatory standards. This includes checking structural soundness, fire safety systems, drainage, and electrical installations.
• Identifying Defects and Damage: Building surveyors investigate the causes of issues like cracks or damp. Their reports determine the extent of damage, the cause, and responsibility for repairs, which is often critical for legal disputes or insurance claims.
• Recommending Repairs and Maintenance: They provide expert advice on necessary repairs, renovations, and maintenance strategies to preserve a building's value and ensure the safety of its occupants.
• Resolving Disputes: Building surveyors often act as mediators in disputes between property owners and contractors, using their independent assessment to provide an objective view of workmanship and compliance.

To summarize the key distinctions:

For those navigating the construction industry, recognizing whether you need a professional to manage your budget or to inspect your property is the first step toward a successful outcome. Based on our assessment experience, clarifying these roles upfront prevents costly misunderstandings and ensures the right expertise is applied to the task at hand.