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Useful experience for quantity surveyors includes:

• any building industry work such as labouring on construction sites
• work involving calculations and accounting.

Quantity surveyors may do some or all of the following:

• study architects' and engineers' building plans
• prepare a schedule of quantities used in the tendering process (measuring and estimating material and labour costs)
• prepare reports before and during building projects showing costs
• visit building sites to monitor progress
• act as an arbitrator in disputes between clients and building contractors
• offer services in value management (comparing a building's cost to similar buildings).

Building and infrastructure boom drives demand for quantity surveyors

Demand for quantity surveyors is strong due to:

• a shortage of workers, especially those with practical experience
• meaning more building work
• building work needed to upgrade leaky homes and earthquake-prone buildings.

Quantity surveyors on skill shortage list

There are not enough trained quantity surveyors to meet demand. As a result, quantity surveyor appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled quantity surveyors from overseas to work in New Zealand.

However, like many building jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for quantity surveyors.

According to the Census, 3,348 quantity surveyors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Most quantity surveyors work for property developers and construction companies. They may also work for:

• building or subcontractor companies
• professional quantity surveying companies
• project management companies
• construction materials suppliers
• insurance companies.

New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

0800 469 477 - office@nziqs.co.nz - www.nziqs.co.nz

Quantity surveyors may move into senior roles, strategic management, or start their own consultancy business.

They may specialise in a number of roles, including:

Consultant/Professional Quantity Surveyor

Consultant or professional quantity surveyors work for a client who is commissioning building. They provide financial advice and estimation services for setting up building contracts, and consult with the contract quantity surveyor. They may also be involved in mediation and arbitration between parties about building contracts.

Contract Quantity Surveyor

Contract quantity surveyors work for a building company, and estimate a building's construction costs, manage the building contracts and monitor construction progress. They are often based on-site, and look after sub-contractors and work with the consultant or professional quantity surveyor throughout the project.

Sub-Contractor Quantity Surveyor

Sub-contractor quantity surveyors do the same work as contract quantity surveyors, but on a smaller scale. They only work with one trade (for example, timber, aluminium or window companies), rather than contract quantity surveyors who co-ordinate with all the trades.

Quantity surveyors need to be:

• good at planning and organising
• ethical and honest
• enquiring and able to think creatively
• able to work well under pressure.