19/10/2020

What makes a good Quantity Surveyor?

Within the construction industry, Quantity surveyors play a critical role in all construction projects. They are responsible for helping estimate the costs, materials, and project timelines.

The top 7 Skills that we think you need to become a good Quantity Surveyor.

1. Numeracy
Firstly Quantity Surveyors spend a lot of time calculating the cost involved in a project to see if it is affordable before the project starts but also making sure the project is on time and within budget, so numeracy is one that we think is top of the list.

2. Excel and Use of Software
Quantity Surveyors part of their every day to day tasks having to know how to use Excel and can have the ability to use the software to produce accurately. We believe this is an essential skill that they need, so we would say this is second on the list.

3. Building relationships, Project Knowledge
As Quantity Surveyors have to liaise with all different types of people within the construction process, we believe project knowledge of building and construction with project management is a vital skill needed.

4. Eye for detail
Having an eye for detail is vital to ensure nothing’s missed. In addition could be crucial within a project, later having additional costs to factor in.

5. Having a inquisitive mind
Having an inquisitive mind helps to calculate risks and try to think ahead to capture the potential risks before they arise within the project.

6. Negotiating skills
The ability to negotiate is another skill in managing the overall project. This skill will help to save money, and time which will help keep you on track.

7. Patience
Patience is a skill that does not always come naturally to us all. However, having this skill as a good quantity surveyor could be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful project, so we feel it is a top 7 skill for quantity surveyors to have.

We asked Derek Mynott, Managing Director of Mynott Associates; “What makes a good Quantity Surveyor?”

Derek’s reply: “Whilst all quantity surveyor’s must be excellent with numbers, the mathematics behind measuring quantities is not particularly demanding. What makes a good quantity surveyor is someone with a keen eye and an inquisitive mind to detail, a good understanding of design and construction practicalities and the confidence to challenge a design. It is these qualities that ensure bills are accurate which ultimately saves time and costs for clients further down the line.”

Here at Mynott Associates we have our own training academy, so if you would like to find out more click here