Job Descriptions - Definitions - Career Fields: Building surveyor

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Building Surveyor

WHAT IS A BUILDING SURVEYING?
Building surveying and quantity surveying are the fields of study which involve and highlight all cost factors in a building project. Building surveying is closely related to quantity surveying. The subject quantity surveying forms and integral part of both fields of study, but building surveyor’s scope of application is not as wide as that of the professional quantity surveyor.
Before the commencement of a building project, an estimate must be made by the professional quantity surveyor, to determine the probable cost of the building and to find out whether the available funds are sufficient to complete the proposed project.

If it is decided to proceed with the project, the professional quantity surveyor will prepare a complete list of quantities of all items necessary to complete the proposed project. These bills of quantities are then made available to all interested contractors to enable them to prepare their tenders.

At the stage the building surveyor becomes involved. He can, as estimator, analyse the bills of quantities and price all relevant cost items such as material, labour, and plant. He thus arrives at a tender amount which the building contractor, with whom he is employed, will submit as the offer for which the contractor is prepared to complete the building project.

WHAT DOES A BUILDING SURVEYOR DO?

He/She is usually employed by building contractors. His measuring or surveying is used for various tasks. He measures the work that has been completed to ascertain the value for monthly valuations and with this information he can do costing to determine whether the firm is making a profit or not. The information that he gathers can also be used for tendering purposes for future work, where he often must take lead. With the aid of the quantity surveyor’s bill of quantities and the architect’s drawings, the building surveyor will determine exact quantities of material and labour, which are required for the project. The building surveyor usually works indoors, but the nature of his tasks often require him to take measurements on site. He has a sound knowledge of building materials and practice. The building surveyor can also be employed with a quantity surveyor where he will assist him.

QUALITIES OF THE BUILDING SURVEYOR

This career requires accuracy and preseverance, as well as the ability to visualise building work that still has to be done. A strong aptitude for and interest in figures are essential, but the calculations are mainly of an arithmetical and not mathematical nature. A basic knowlage of accounting is necessaty. Above all, his building construction knowledge must be very well developed. He must be able to express himself clearley and anambiguously. Management ability will also be handy.


Career Fields


Building & Construction
Financial and Banking      
 
 



 
 

Courtesy: CareerExpo

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