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Why use a QS (Quantity Surveyor) ?











1. 15 – 20 % Savings on project.

If you build a house for R 2,000,000 you can save up to R 300,000 - 400,000 by using a QS. If you do not use a bill of quantities you cannot have competitive quoting on the same standard of products for installation. Cost price items such as light fittings, sanitary fittings, bbq’s/braai, etc. can vary a lot with price & quality and I saved the client R 100,000 on one project. If there is any variations, you can quote them according to the bill of quantities. No bill of quantities means the contractor can ask you whatever price he wants. How will you know that he is not overcharging you?

2. Project finish on time.

If there are scope changes (you need to build and extra bathroom) that does not fall on the critical path (the longest time it takes to complete the project) you don’t have to pay for extra overhead costs.The extra costs have a 10-15 % effect of the total project cost and impact on your adjusted contract price. Is there a proper contract in place that protects you against excessive management fees?

3. Project within budget.

Most contractors make their profit from claims when the client changes the scope of work or did not specify from the start what the specification (what type of light fitings, sanitary fittings, etc. ) should be.

4. Hassle free Final Account.

The QS handles all aspects of the project on behalf of the client and report progress consistently. I had a case where the contractor phoned the client daily to get his money, but he wasn’t due the money due to bad workmanship.

5. Ensure good quality products are installed.

Do you know what quality products are going to be installed on your fixed price contract ?

6. Cashflow control

Do you know if you are not paying the builder too much money during the project? Will he walk away before he is finished because he has made enough profit and finishing the project will just cost him more? What happens to your defect liability period? The next contractor will charge you more to fix the faults that you have paid for already to the original contractor.

7. A good QS does not cost you money they make you money

A QS’s professional fees would cost you +- 5 % vs. 15 – 20 % that a project can cost you extra. It gives you a net effect saving of 10 – 15 % at the end of the day. Protecting you against excessive claims, time delays and quality changes in products.
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