What will possess a Quantity Surveyor to perform so well? It’s not just their technical ability –that’s for sure. There are plenty of great Quantity Surveyors out there who simply rock, but there’s something else that sets them apart from the rest. From my own experience, talking to other surveyors (associates and senior-level), and gearing up for my job going forward, I have identified several key skills/traits that top Quantity Surveyors possess. These traits can also help you improve your career in quantity surveying in Melbourne and add value to any company you work for – no matter what size…
A good Quantity Surveyor knows that it’s not just about great Excel software and a wide range of industry-specific office tools. The best Quantity Surveyors put in the effort to make sure they know the fundamentals of the construction process that their spreadsheet models are based on. Quantity Surveyors need problem-solving skills, an understanding of the accounting side, and the ability to communicate clearly across teams from senior stakeholders to site staff.
They work with the team
Being a Quantity surveyor is a team-focused job. Due to the nature of the work and the number of factors that affect success, you can be sure that teamwork is very important. And it goes both ways: not only does teamwork deliver enhanced performance beyond the sheer sum of its members’ single contributions; it also fully relies on the synergy effect of each member working together towards a common goal. This synergy means that all of your team’s efforts produce better results than what they could produce individually.
They go over all data and figures
Every surveyor’s worst nightmare – a misconception about surveying jobs that many individuals hold is what the quantity surveyors should be keeping up with across all projects. If you ask any man (or woman) on the street, they will likely assume that quantities are measured during an inspection after a change or repair has been performed. Unfortunately, this is not really what happens. Quantity Surveyors are involved much earlier than this – sometimes months ahead of a job.
Quantity surveyors are responsible for a lot of data and need to have easy access to this information. They also need to be able to find work easily, which means that they need structures in place that help them stay up-to-date on the latest industry updates. They will also collect a lot of data, too – some of it will need to be interpreted and reports created from it.
They have the ability to sustain the pressure
There are always deadlines to meet in the real estate development business. Whether you’re handling the purchasing of a development site, determining construction costs, or appraising properties after the successful completion of a project, there is always tons of work to be done. A big part of being a good Quantity Surveyor or Associate Quantity Surveyor is learning how to work efficiently and effectively under pressure. To destroy the myth that only geniuses can become QSs.
Dealing with multiple projects on a regular basis can be both hectic and fun. The challenge is having to prioritize your workload and meet strict deadlines on each of them. You’ll also have to actively manage the time you allot to each project and prove your worth by delivering results while working under pressure. But it can be extremely rewarding as well—the pride in finishing something successfully, meeting the expectations of your boss, and keeping the respect of your colleagues are great accomplishments for you and your company.
