Frequently Asked Questions

Quantity Surveyors advise on financial and contractual matters relating to construction projects and provide other support functions concerning the financing and materials required for building projects.

Yes, there is an Annual Subscription Charge to be a CQSA Member.

The subscription is charged in advance and invoiced in December each year, or charged pr-rata upon joining part way through the year.

The Annual Subscription helps to pay the room charge at each meeting and for the Speaker's lunch.  Further details can be obtained upon request from the Hon. Secretary.

No, when joining the CQSA, there is no Joining Fee.

Yes.

We encourage Members to bring along guests, either their clients or guests. 

The Farmer's Club require men to wear a jacket and tie on their premises.

No, attendance at meetings is not mandatory and once you have paid your subscription, you can attend as little or as much as you can manage.

In the first instant please contact the Hon. Secretary by using the Contact Us form here on the website.

Membership is by Invitation and we will require a CV from prospective members in order to support your application for Membership of the CQSA.

A Bill of Quantities (BoQ) is a document commonly used in construction and civil engineering projects. It provides a detailed itemized list of all the materials, components, labor, and other resources required to complete a construction project. The BoQ is typically prepared by a quantity surveyor based on the project's architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, and other relevant documentation.

The purpose of a Bill of Quantities is to:

1. **Provide Cost Estimates:** The BoQ enables the client, contractors, and stakeholders to have a clear understanding of the project's costs. It breaks down the project into measurable and quantifiable components, allowing for accurate cost estimation.

2. **Facilitate Tendering:** The BoQ is an essential part of the tendering process. It allows contractors to price individual items, making it easier for them to submit competitive bids. A detailed BoQ also ensures that all bidders are pricing the same items, promoting fairness in the tender process.

3. **Form the Basis for Contracts:** Once a contractor is selected, the BoQ forms part of the contract documentation. It becomes a reference point against which the actual construction progress and costs are measured.

4. **Aid in Cost Control:** During construction, the BoQ assists in tracking costs and variations. It serves as a benchmark against which the actual expenses can be compared, helping to identify cost overruns or savings.

A typical Bill of Quantities consists of the following components:

1. **Preamble:** An introduction that provides essential information about the project, such as project title, location, reference numbers, and contact details.

2. **Preliminaries:** This section includes costs not directly related to any specific part of the construction, such as site preparation, scaffolding, and temporary works.

3. **Measured Quantities:** A detailed list of all the items and materials required for the project, often organized according to construction trades (e.g., foundations, structural works, electrical, plumbing, etc.). Each item is specified with its quantity, unit of measurement, and sometimes additional descriptions.

4. **Provisional Sums:** When some aspects of the project cannot be accurately determined during the BoQ preparation, provisional sums are included to account for these items.

5. **Prime Cost Sums:** Similar to provisional sums, prime cost sums are used when the exact cost of certain materials or components is unknown at the time of BoQ preparation.

6. **Daywork Schedule:** In some cases, a BoQ may include a daywork schedule, which outlines the costs for labor and materials for unplanned or additional work carried out on a time and materials basis.

By providing a clear breakdown of project costs, a Bill of Quantities plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, aiding in accurate cost estimation, and facilitating effective project cost management throughout the construction process.

Standard Method of Measurement (Construction Industry): In the construction industry, the Standard Method of Measurement (SMM) refers to a set of rules and guidelines used to quantify and describe construction works. These rules help in preparing bills of quantities, cost estimates, and contract documentation. Different countries or regions may have their own specific SMMs tailored to their local construction practices and norms.

For example, in the UK, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) provides a widely recognized SMM called the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) in Building construction work. It offers a structured framework for consistent measurement and cost estimating in construction projects. Equally ICE has a similar document defining standard rules of Measurement in Civil Engineering works, known as CESMM. But there are many different standards across the World and many older documents such as the RICS SMM6 and SMM7 are still in use, particularly in the UK by contractors when setting up sub-contracts and in ‘Builder’s Quants’.