History of Quantity Surveying

A client has to a certain sum of money to the contractor for building a structure according to their demands. But how do we calculate this amount? This is where quantity surveying comes into play. The exact quantities of materials, workers, machinery, etc. required for the building process must be calculated at the outset of the project to estimate the potential cost of a civil engineering project. Quantity surveying is the process of estimating the quantity of supplies and other additional services required to complete the task. But when did the profession of a quantity surveyor come into being? What is the history of quantity surveying? How did it evolve throughout the years? What were the phases it went through? Who were the important individuals and firms that contributed to its growth and evolution?

We must have answers to all these questions. Come on! Let us embark on a journey to learn more about the history of quantity surveying.

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What is Quantity Surveying?

In the construction industry, the word “quantity surveying” refers to a set of procedures used to measure civil works, create specifications, and estimate costs for individual services or the project as a whole. The use of conventional measurement techniques to determine the quantity of different components in a building project, to undertake a valuation, and to verify payments is known as quantity surveying.

History of Quantity Surveying

Beginning with the earliest civilisations and continuing through the most complex construction projects of today, the field of quantity surveying has developed in sync with the construction industry. We’ll take a close look at the history of quantity surveying in this article, revealing how earlier approaches have influenced more recent methods that are essential to the management of building projects today.

History of Quantity Surveying in Ancient and Medieval World

The initial stages of quantity surveying can be found in the ancient civilizations themselves. These techniques came into being because even then the people needed to access the number of materials, capital and workforce that is required for a construction process. From the Egyptian pyramid builders to the Roman architectural marvels, all of them required some primitive form of quantity surveying for the efficient allocation of resources.

The building of the Great Pyramid of Giza required quite a sophisticated resource management system for the measurement and management of raw materials and workforce. They needed this system to calculate the enormous number of stones and other building materials required. These professionals were called ‘measurers of royal works’ and can be considered to be proto-quantity surveyors. The Bible also mentions taking the cost estimate before building a tower. The primitive yet effective methods followed by these workers formed the foundation of modern quantity surveying methods. All these show the necessity for accurate estimates before beginning a construction project.

History of Quantity Surveying in the West

Kirkham claims that the history of the quantity surveying profession begins with the reconstruction of London following the great fire of 1666. Masons, carpenters, and other craftsmen were paid daily before that, according to Seeley (1996). As a result, there was no need to estimate the amount of work completed because payments were not determined by it. The Town Council of Edinburgh, Scotland appointed John Ogstoun as the “good town’s ordinary measurer” on April 25, 1688. This appointment is considered to be the starting point of the modern quantity surveying profession. In Ireland, surveying as a profession was first mentioned in 1750.

A “True Bill of Materials Required for the Improvement at the Barrack of Horse at Trim” was signed by Irish clergyman and architectural writer John Payne, vicar of Castlerickard in County Meath. In this, he refers to himself as “a full bill made by me John Payne, Clerk and Surveyor of Quantities.” A meeting of Scottish quantity surveyors in 1802 resulted in the creation of the first measurement technique. When Sir Charles Barry’s new Houses of Parliament in Great Britain became the first public contract to be fully measured and tendered using Bills of Quantities of amounts for money-related matters in 1836, it became a new age profession. The first mention of the word “quantity surveyor” dates back to 1859.

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The Measurers

Building owners began by planning and constructing their homes. However, the rich people began employing and contracting other people to create and construct things for them. Originally, these designing and building contractors were master builders and architects. These would use “measurers” to create cost estimates and build resource requirements for them so they could work more easily and enhance decision-making. After the work was designed and completed, the contractor would hire measurers to measure and value it. Then, on behalf of the numerous workers, the contractor would negotiate prices with the building owner and the architect.

In the nineteenth century, a system for completing works was developed that involved using the principal contractor. This entailed several bidders presenting their offers to the employer for consideration to choose an appropriate contractor to carry out the work. The bidders would independently hire “measurers” and create cost estimates to submit with their bids. The outcome was a wide range of proposals, making it challenging for the employer to compare them. Afterwards, it was decided that each bidder would hire a single measurer to prepare their bids, after which they would each set their prices. As a result, the field of quantity surveying became established as a separate profession.

Henry Cooper and Sons of Reading

The firm Henry Cooper and Sons of Reading was established in the year 1785. This first quantity surveying practice was established in the world. It was established in English.

History of Quantity Surveying After the Industrial Revolution

The time after the Industrial Revolution was an era of drastic changes for the construction sector. so naturally, the quantitative surveying practises also underwent drastic changes during this time. With industrialisation, construction projects became more complex and the sector grew on a large scale. So, there was a need for more efficient cost estimation methods. Thus, the Bill of Quantities was introduced during the 19^th century. This was an innovative method that revolutionised how cost estimation and management was done. A vital component of construction contracts, bills of quantities give stakeholders clarity and consistency by providing in-depth cost breakdowns for labour, materials, and other components. This method is still widely used today.

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History of Quantity Surveying in the 20^th Century

The profession of quantity surveying became formalized in the 20th century. Establishing standards and offering accreditation were the goals of professional organizations such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Quantity surveying education programs grew more widely. Numerous regions of the world experienced an unparalleled surge in construction activity following World War II. For large-scale construction projects, quantity surveyors played a crucial role in managing contracts, resources, and costs.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

On June 15, 1868, 49 surveyors met at the Westminster Palace Hotel in London, England, to form the Institution of Surveyors, which later became RICS. Chartered as The Surveyors’ Institution, the RICS was granted a royal charter on August 26, 1881. A method for assigning the work to the principal contractor for completion arose in the late 1800s. This entailed several bidders presenting their offers to the employer for consideration to choose an appropriate contractor to carry out the work. Along with the CIOB, CIBSE, IstructE, and RIBA, the RICS joined the founding members of the Building Industry Council in 1988, which is now known as the Construction Industry Council.

Standard Method of Measurement

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) introduced the Standard Method of Measurement in 1922. “The practice of the leading quantity surveyors in London” served as its foundation. It was an effort to standardize the methods used by quantity surveyors to estimate and measure building projects.

Modern Quantity Surveying

Building projects are becoming more globally integrated in the twenty-first century. These days, quantity surveyors handle contracts internationally, work on projects all over the world, and navigate a variety of regulatory frameworks.

As the business has evolved, quantity surveyors’ roles have grown and diversified from their modest beginnings as primarily measurers. They now play a crucial role as consultants and project cost managers, with duties that go beyond simple calculations to include risk analysis, control of costs, and contractual counsel. With the introduction of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a digital depiction of a facility’s functional and physical attributes, the twenty-first century brought with it new issues. Construction processes have been completely changed by BIM, which now makes it possible for better simulation, analysis, and control to occur before real construction starts. Additionally, BIM has made it necessary to adhere to global standards and prioritize sustainability, all of which require professionals to have a wider range of skills and be more flexible.

Introduction Of Computer

Stricter cost planning became necessary by the 1950s as a result of increasingly complicated projects. Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty created the first commercial computer-aided machining (CAM) program in 1957 with Pronto. As a doctoral candidate at MIT, Ivan Sutherland presented his thesis in January 1963 under the title “Sketchpad: a man-machine graphical communication system,” which detailed his work in developing what is now acknowledged as one of the first interactive computer-aided design systems. By 1982, the program had been improved to 2D.

CAS Berlin created technology in 1993 that made it possible to create an interactive 3D model with valued measurements for every component of the design. All parties involved in the Irish construction sector accepted to use of the Agreed Rules of Measurement, which were published in Ireland in 1994. Charles River program, which was established in 1997, later changed the name of its program to Revit Technology Corporation in 2000, and Autodesk purchased it in 2002. The program enables users to create 3D models of buildings, their structures, and their parts. It also lets users add 2D drafting elements to the models and get building data from the models’ databases.

Introduction of Sustainability and Green Construction

The most recent development in the construction sector is sustainability. Aspects related to construction that might directly or indirectly affect the environment are now addressed. The function of quantity surveyors has grown as environmental responsibility and sustainability have become more important in the construction industry. Their current assignment is to assess the financial effects of using sustainable building materials and techniques. Sustainability has become the building industry’s top priority in recent years. Sustainability has become a primary concern due to a rise in environmental awareness, stricter laws, and the desire to lessen buildings’ carbon footprints. Because of this, developers, contractors, engineers, and architects are constantly looking for methods to incorporate sustainable construction techniques into their projects.

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What are the Duties of a Quantity Surveyor?

The duties of a Quantity surveyor are listed below.

• creating budgets and cost estimates for construction projects
• examining and negotiating supplier and contractor agreements
• carrying out feasibility studies to assess the viability of the project
• Controlling project expenses, including personnel, supplies, and machinery
• advising customers on ways to cut costs and substitute materials
• putting together and sending progress reports to stakeholders and clients
• Keeping an eye on and managing project schedules
• Recognizing and controlling project risks
• drafting the documentation for tenders and assessing them
• Ensuring adherence to safety rules and construction standards

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What are The Skills Required to Become a Quantity Surveyor?

A quantity surveyor needs some skills to be successful in this field. Some of them are listed below.

• strong aptitude for analysis and problem-solving
• outstanding negotiating and communication abilities
• A keen eye for detail the capacity to function efficiently under duress and fulfill deadlines
• proficiency in software applications like AutoCAD and Excel
• a solid grasp of safety guidelines and construction restrictions
• the capacity to oversee several tasks at once
• Excellent planning and time-management abilities
• Capacity to operate both individually and as a team
• Strong budgeting and money management abilities

What are the Qualifications Required by a Quantity Surveyor?

A quantity surveyor should have a degree in engineering or a similar discipline. Then they have to specialise in Quantity Surveying. This could be done by joining for a master’s degree or by joining a certification course. Among all the online quantity surveying courses available on the internet, the Quantity Surveying course provided by the Entri app is one of the Best. Check out the quantity surveying online course provided by the Entri app.

What is the Purpose of Quantity Surveying?

The following are the goals of quantity surveying and bill of quantities preparation: • To help the client acquire a precise estimate of the amount of work and the necessary budget.

• To support precise tender preparation by offering consistent quantity measurement.
• To provide accurate work a checklist
• To help with payment certification
• To help with payment certification
• To provide an accurate checklist of completed work
• To provide information about the necessary variation work amounts.

History of Quantity Surveying: Conclusion

When we analyse the profession of Quantity Surveying, we can see that it is a field that has to adapt and evolve continuously to match the growth of the construction industry and the innovations happening in it. Accurate measurements are an essential contributing factor to the success of a construction project. This is a premise that remains unchanged from ancient times in which civilizations built architectural marvels to modern construction taking the help of computer-aided tools to achieve their goals. The history and evolution of quantity surveying as a profession denotes that it will continue to grow and adapt to accommodate modern demands like integration of technology, the importance of sustainability and green construction guidelines and global collaborations. However the construction industry changes and whatever innovations are introduced in it, quantity surveying will still be necessary to estimate as well as to control costs.

The popularity of the latest standardised measurement techniques, extensive use of best practices as well and efficient operations made many things like cross-border collaboration which were previously thought to be impossible, possible. Quantity surveyors use the present day’s cutting-edge technologies to hold up their end of the bargain and hence uphold the wonderful legacy that has been left in the previous phases of the quantity surveying profession. The construction project of the present day is very complex. This will make it necessary for the quantity surveyors to take up duties that previously might not have been in their job profile. They will even have to assume responsibilities and work in fields such as project management, strategic consulting, and conflict settlement. Entri Elevate Quantity Surveyor training course equips aspiring quantity surveyors to achieve this.

History of Quantity Surveying FAQs

1. Is Quantity Surveying a good career choice?

Working in Quantity Surveying is a fantastic job since it provides great career options, decent pay, and the opportunity to work on interesting and difficult projects.

2. How much does a quantity surveyor make in India?

In India, a quantity surveyor’s annual compensation might vary from INR 3 lakh to INR 15 lakh based on their industry, experience, and certifications.

3. What tasks does a junior quantity surveyor have to complete?

A junior quantity surveyor’s assignments and responsibilities include creating cost estimates, supporting more experienced surveyors, evaluating and negotiating contracts, controlling project expenses, creating progress reports, and making sure rules and safety standards are followed.

4. Why is quality Surveying important?

Quality surveying (QS) is crucial for project cost management, project profitability, and cost-saving strategies. It also guarantees adherence to rules and safety requirements.

5. What part does a quantity surveyor play in the procurement process?

A quantity surveyor’s responsibilities in a procurement process include locating and choosing contractors and suppliers, creating tender documents, assessing bids, negotiating contracts, and making sure that rules and guidelines about procurement are followed.