Company Announcement - South Africa's shrinking economy, coupled with soaring building costs, have made construction cost control more important than ever. "Yet there is an alarming tendency - particularly on major government contracts - to totally omit the Quantity Surveyor from the professional team," cautions Larry Feinberg, executive director of the Association of S.A. Quantity Surveyors.

"This could lead to spiralling costs and a total lack of control on management of what could be multi-million rand projects: economic wastage that South Africa, facing a devastating drought and other major threats to our economy, can now ill afford," he states. "Corruption, sadly, has also become a fact of life in our country, and here also the cost-factoring and expenditure control a QS can provide play essential preventative roles." Feinberg  says although Quantity Surveying is by no means a new profession, there still seems to be surprising ignorance about the vital role a Quantity Surveyor plays in - and can contribute to - building projects. "Too often the inclusion of a QS in a project's professional team is seen as a dispensable, additional cost. However, a competent QS - such as the members of ASAQS - will provide the certainty and control a project needs, while also helping to reduce costs. Major building projects tend to be complex undertakings right from the outset, and can get even more complicated when design changes are introduced - without the client and professional team realising the cost factors involved.

This is when the skills of a QS are particularly essential. He or she will handle any unforeseen procurements and project management revisions so architects and the rest of the professional team can concentrate on their own tasks," Feinberg added.  Bert van den Heever, president of ASAQS, outlined the vital input a QS could bring to a construction project: "A QS manages all costs relating to building, civil engineering and mining projects, from the initial estimates to the final figures. He or she seeks to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while - importantly - still achieving the required standards and quality. Many of these standards are specified by statutory building regulations, which the QS will understand and see that these are adhered to.

"A QS may be employed by either the client or the contractor, working in an office or on site. They should be involved in a project from the start, preparing estimates and costs of the work.When the project is in progress, the QS will keep track of any variations to the contract that may affect costs and create reports to show profitability.The title of the job, in simplified terms, could also be construction cost consultant or commercial manager," Van den Heever explains.

The QS responsibilities vary depending on the project being worked on, but can include:

• Preparing tender and contract documents, including Bills of Quantities with the architect and/or the client;
• Undertaking cost analyses for repair and maintenance project work;
• Assisting in establishing a client's requirements and undertaking feasibility studies;
• Performing risk, value management and cost control;
• Advising on procurement strategy;
• Identifying, analysing and developing responses to commercial risks;
• Preparing and analysing costings for tenders;
• Allocating work to sub-contractors;
• Providing advice on contractual claims;
• Analysing outcomes and writing detailed progress reports;
• Valuing completed work and arranging payments;
• Maintaining awareness of the different building contracts in current use; and
• Understanding the implications of Health, Safety and Environmental regulations.
"In today's business environment, Quantity Surveyors are also expected to provide essential guidance and input regarding sustainable construction, as well as play a far bigger role than ever in post-occupancy matters, such as life cycle costing and facilities management, " he adds.
Other services that can be provided by a Quantity Surveyor with experience and specialised knowledge can include:
• Offering advice on property taxation;
• Assisting clients in locating and accessing additional and alternative sources of funds;
• Enabling clients to initiate construction projects;and
• Advising on the maintenance costs of specific buildings.
Members of ASAQS can be contacted by clicking on the 'member search' button at the top of the home page of the

ASAQS website at www.asaqs.co.za