Introduction of QS

One of the responsibilities for Quantity Surveyor (QS) is preparing Bill of Quantities. This course highlighted to the learners about the components, formats, methods and principles that applied by QS through the measurement skills to obtain quantities of building works.
Course Synopsis

Course Objective (s)
To explain an understanding of Quantity Surveying roles in construction projects.
To demonstrate a knowledge of methods and principles applied for measurement of building works in order to produce accurate Bill of Quantities.
To practice measurement skills adhered with the standard method(s) of measurement and codes for sub-structure of building works.

Course Outline
Introduction
Measurement Techniques
Measurement Task
Specification

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Assessment Methods
Course Work : 50%
Final Examination : 50%
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Main References
a. Building Quantities Explained; 2000, I H Seeley; Longmans.
b. Elements of Quantity Surveying; 2002Willis & Trench ; E & FN Spoon.
c. Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 2; Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM); 2001, ISM.
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TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION OF QUANTITY SURVEYING
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Introduction
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Quantity Surveyor (QS) as known as building economist appointed by building owner which responsible manage cost and contracts for any construction projects.
Technically, QS called estimator, one of the uniqueness skills required is taking off or measurement of quantities in order producing Bill of Quantities.

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QUANTITY SURVEYOR (QS) is a construction professional
QS is qualified and adequately trained to
advise on all aspects of construction
costs, financial and contractual
administration
Advises the client on appropriate contract
arrangement as well as the legal
contract and conditions under which the
building will be constructed.
WHO?

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QS: Acting on behalf of the CLIENT ? Advises the Architect and Engineer on the cost implications such as:
(i) different construction methods
(ii) alternative choice of materials and size
(iii) quality of the project.
To ensure that each element is reconciled with the cost plan allowance ? overall project cost remains within the budget.
An expert on the cost and management of construction projects?
(a)building, (b) civil or (c) heavy engineering

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Whenever any building project is proposed, it is important that the cost involved is known in advance.
These include :
Site preparation cost
Construction
Labour
Material and plant costs
Professional fees, taxes and
other charges
Running and maintenance
costs for the new building.

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QS must be able to assess ?
Implications of changes in design,
Site conditions and working arrangements and
Give the client accurate budget and time estimates.

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WHAT?

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i) ESTIMATION:
ESTIMATION? The process of calculation the quantities of various items of work, and the expenses likely to be incurred.
The estimated cost of a work is a close approximation of its actual cost (by measuring)
Purpose ? to give the owner a reasonably accurate idea of the cost to help him decide whether the work can be undertaken as proposed or needs to be curtailed or abandoned, depending upon the availability of funds and prospective direct and indirect benefits.

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i) ESTIMATION (Cont’d):
Under-estimating ? client getting an unpleasant shock when tenders are opened and drastically modifying or abandoning the work at that stage
Over-estimating ? estimator will lose his client or his job, or in any case his confidence.
This knowledge is used ? construction
of new building with new design
Also based on Estimators’ experienced
& knowledge ? since it based on
architectural drawing

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i) ESTIMATION (Cont’d):
Example: The cost of brickwork in a building would be determined as below:

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i) ESTIMATION(Cont’d):
By using this estimating knowledge, a QS will be able:
Preparation of preliminary cost estimates and cost plans of the development project.
Advise on cost estimates in relation to design development of a project.

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ii) MEASUREMENT:
MEASUREMENT? The process of controlling the construction cost by accurate measurement of the work required
Measurement ? Also known as “ TAKING-OFF”
The quantities are measured from drawings and specifications prepared by architects and engineers ? known as “Bill of Quantities (BQs)
Purpose ? in order to prepare tender @ contract documents

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ii) MEASUREMENT(Cont’d):
By using this measurement knowledge, a QS will be able:
To prepare the Bill of Quantities or Specification document for tendering purposes.

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ii) MEASUREMENT(Cont’d):
BQs are prepared in accordance to:
(a) Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works (SMM 2)
(b) Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement of Civil Engineering Works (CESMM)

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iii) PROCUREMENT:
Generally? PROCUREMENT refer to “The action or process of acquiring or obtaining material, property, or services at the operational level” for example, purchasing, contracting, and negotiating directly with the source of supply”
BUT, the term PROCUREMENT is widely used in different context such as:
(i) Commerce
(ii) Defence
(iii) Construction

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iii) PROCUREMENT (Cont’d):
CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT ? The process of acquiring the construction project
7 main element of the process of construction procurement & may be divided into 2 broad categories:
(a) Pre-Construction Stage (Before the Construction)
Initiation
Funding
Design ? Schematic, Detailed, Specialist
Statutory approval
Tendering ? Open, Selective, Negotiated
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iii) PROCUREMENT (Cont’d):
(b) Construction Stage (During the Construction)
Construction ? involved Management
& physical construction process
Risk allocation
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iii) PROCUREMENT (Cont’d):
There are 2 main types of system of CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT in Malaysia such as:
(a) Traditional system
(b) Design & Build @ Turnkey system
Apart from that there are also a few new
System like Management Based system
( Built, Operate, Transfer) and Innovative
System (PFI, Partnering, Privatisation)

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iv) PAYMENT:
CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT ? The process of paying /transfer of money or goods for the construction works done.
A QS will be able to:
Prepare the Interim valuation of works in progress on site for purposes of interim payments.
Prepare the financial statement of regular intervals during the construction period.
Do a settlement of the final accounts of the project.

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b) Supplementary services may also be provided by the
Professional Quantity Surveyor if required:
Preparation of feasibility studies of a project.
Projection of estimated project or development expenditure and anticipated income cash flows.
Evaluation of contractors registered for prequalification.
Comparative cost studies on the economics of the project during design stage.
Project management of construction project.

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Supplementary services (Cont’d):
Life-cycle costing and studies on economics of alternative design.
Pricing of Bills of Quantities or negotiating and agreeing Schedule of Rates.
Valuation or auditing of contractual claims for arbitrations litigation cases.
Valuation or auditing of insurance claims for fire damaged buildings.
Auditing of contracts and their related budgets and expenditure.
Application of the full scope of quantity surveying services in Turnkey or Privatisation Contracts.

QUANTITY SURVEYING
PROFESSIONAL BODY
HOW?

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BQSM:
The Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia was set up by an Act of Parliament, i.e. Registration of Quantity Surveyors Act 1967, Act 487 (revised 1992).
The Board consists of a President, a Registrar and sixteen (16) members appointed by the Minister of Works, Malaysia.
To keep and maintain a register of quantity surveyors in Malaysia
To keep and maintain a register of firms and bodies corporate practicing as consulting quantity surveyors in Malaysia.
To hear and determine disputes relating to professional conduct or ethics of quantity surveyors.
To determine and regulate the professional conduct
and ethics of the quantity surveying profession
in Malaysia.

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ISM:
The Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM) is the professional institution representing the surveying profession in Malaysia and consists of four main divisions, namely :
- Property Consultancy Valuation Surveying Division
- Geomatic and Land Surveying Division
- Quantity Surveying Division
- Building Surveying Division

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ISM:
Then known as “The Malayan Institution of Surveyors”, and the First Council Meeting of the Institution was held on 14 December 1961.
At the E.G.M held on 19 June, 1966, the name of the Institution was changed to the “Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM)”
To continuously improve the standards of professional practice and ethics
To promote the welfare and professional development of members
To expand by incorporating related disciplines into the profession

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Quantity Surveyors may work in a variety of sectors such as :
Private consultancies
Government agencies
Educational institutions
Construction companies
Property developers
Banks
Financial institutions
Commercial organizations
WHERE?

Ahamad Abdullah, Khairuddin Abdul Rashid, Pengukuran Kuantiti Bangunan (Beserta Contoh Kerja Berdasarkan (SMM2), 2003, Prentice Hall.
Malaysian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 2; Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM); ISM; 2001
Ivor H. Seeley, Building Quantity Explained (3rd Edition), 1979,Southest Asian Reality
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References