VISIONARIES

E V JOHNSON NEIL

FAIQS, LLM, FRICS, FCIARB, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, EBEN JOHNSON CONSULTANTS, DUBAI, UAE

Recognition For Quantity Surveyors

Needless to mention, quantity surveyors are key players in the modern construction industry, providing expert advice to the client in cost and commercial management, contract administration, dispute resolution, etc., right from the feasibility stage through to the completion of a construction project.

Although quantity surveyors are pivotal, it is indeed a question of whether they receive the due recognition they deserve in markets like India and the Middle East, as they are perceived as only basic measurement takers. Moreover, a significant number of quantity surveyors who work here generally do not have relevant undergraduate qualifications in quantity surveying or professional memberships, despite years of industry experience.

Quantity surveyors’ effective contribution to the industry will offer them a level playing field to climb corporate ladders and secure strategic positions. The higher the skill set of a quantity surveyor, the greater the benefits to the employer, and certainly this will keep the professional engaged to the fullest extent with comprehensive responsibilities.

To achieve that, quantity surveyors need to enhance their qualifications and obtain professional memberships, in addition to developing their communication and interpersonal skills. They have to learn BIM and other software to use it appropriately. They have to also set higher professional and ethical standards to set themselves apart from other professionals.

Unless the quantity surveyors focus on the above factors, obtaining due recognition will be highly challenging in this tough environment.