A quantity surveyor is a term that derives from quantity takeoff, which is a process for quantity surveying. Any quantity surveyor worth their salt will have undergone plenty of quantity takeoff training. They also usually have a vast amount of experience in the field.
There are many different aspects to quantity surveying. To put it very simply, a quantity surveyor in the building and construction industry is tasked to estimate the full cost of a construction project. These projects can range from residential dwellings up to large multi-residential and commercial projects.
How Can A Quantity Surveyor Help An Owner Builder?
A quantity surveyor will consider all the specifications that you, as an owner builder provide them with. Such things include if your designs are completed, how much labor it will take to complete the project, and what kind of materials you want to use. They can also help you identify any potential problems or issues that may arise during the construction process.
A quantity surveyor is also very useful for ensuring you are not ripped off with any quotes from construction companies. You will be equipped with all the necessary information to ensure you are getting the right price from your trades.
An owner-builder has the power to make the most of what quantity surveying has to offer. Quantity surveyors can help advise an owner-builder on how they should go about organizing their project. This can include which supplies and equipment they recommend for the project.
Quantity Surveyors Are Sometimes Essential For Funding
In certain situations where you are looking to finance your build via a construction loan, a quantity surveyor can assist with your application. Some banks or financial institutions will request you have a quantity surveyor take-off report. This is because quantity surveyors can provide reports that are very detailed about the costs of building materials and required labor costs.
A quantity surveyor will provide reports on the approximate labour costs and materials required for the build. Banks or financial institutions can then determine if you have enough money to finance your project.
Save Time & Money Using A Quantity Surveyor
Quantity surveyors can save you a lot of time during the building process. They are well versed in quantity surveying. They can advise an owner-builder on how much material needs to be used for their project based on the specifications provided.
For example, a quantity surveyor can help provide advice if your bricks need to be cut or if it will be more economical to buy longer sheets of material. They can also advise an owner-builder on how long it may take for the material to arrive. This all helps ensure your project doesn’t go overtime or cost.
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Visit our article How Much You Can Save Being An Owner Builder to read more.
What Is A Take Off?
A take off is a process where a quantity surveyor, builder or estimator will take the specifications of a particular construction project and provide an exact take off report. This take off report usually consists of all the materials and labour costs you can expect to pay if you were to build the structure yourself.
The take-off specialist uses documentation such as specifications and plans to aid them in calculating an accurate takeoff. In the technological world, we live in today, most professionals have expensive software that calculates material take off’s from digital copies of construction drawings.
Our Conclusion On Quantity Surveyors For Owner Builders
To conclude, quantity surveyors are extremely important for all owner builders. They can help with any issues or problems that occur during your build. This can include identifying potential cost-saving opportunities to find the right trade company to use for your project.
They are essential in helping you finance your project and provide reports that will aid you with gaining funding. The quantity surveyor will provide takeoff reports that include all the necessary material and labor costs you can expect to incur if you were to project yourself. Owner builders can know exactly how much they should be paying for their project.
Save time and money during your build by using quantity surveyors who are well versed in quantity surveying and have local experience in the area that you plan to build.