Becoming a professional quantity surveyor as a civil engineer in India is an excellent career path, especially for those who want to expand their expertise beyond traditional civil engineering roles and move into a more technical and commercial domain. Quantity surveying is a highly sought-after profession, both in India and abroad, particularly in regions like the Gulf countries, where large-scale infrastructure projects require skilled professionals to manage costs and contracts efficiently.
If you're a civil engineer based in one of India's many bustling cities—such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Nagpur, Bhopal, Patna, Surat, Vadodara, Indore, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, Ranchi, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Amritsar, Agra, Vishakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Mysore, Kochi, and Jodhpur—you may be wondering how you can transition into quantity surveying and what role an institute like Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Training Institute can play in your journey.
How Civil Engineers Can Become Professional Quantity Surveyors
Civil engineers already possess a strong foundation in construction, project management, and structural knowledge. However, transitioning to a quantity surveyor role requires additional skills and qualifications in areas like cost estimation, procurement, contract management, and financial planning. Here’s how you, as a civil engineer, can make the shift:
1. Acquiring Relevant Skills
While civil engineers are well-versed in the technical aspects of construction, quantity surveying requires an understanding of the commercial side as well. As a quantity surveyor, you'll be expected to:
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for projects.
- Manage contracts and ensure that projects adhere to budgetary constraints.
- Oversee procurement processes and manage relationships with suppliers and contractors.
- Handle cost reporting and risk management throughout the project lifecycle.
These skills are often outside the realm of traditional civil engineering education, which is why additional training is essential.
2. Pursuing Professional Certifications
To stand out as a professional quantity surveyor, obtaining certifications that are recognised internationally is crucial. These certifications, such as those offered by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), make you more competitive, especially if you're looking to work abroad. Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Institute offers courses that prepare you for these certifications.
3. Understanding International Standards
Quantity surveying is not only about managing costs; it’s about adhering to international standards like FIDIC contracts (which are used globally, especially in the Middle East). Knowing these standards is key to becoming a successful quantity surveyor, and institutes like Bhadani’s ensure you are trained in these international practices.
Role of a Quantity Surveyor
The role of a quantity surveyor is indeed a techno-commercial profile, meaning it involves both technical knowledge and commercial acumen. Here's a detailed breakdown of what a quantity surveyor does:
1. Cost Estimation and Budget Management
One of the primary responsibilities of a quantity surveyor is to estimate the costs involved in a construction project. This includes everything from the initial materials and labour costs to ongoing expenses throughout the project. For example, if a major infrastructure project is being planned in Mumbai, it would be the quantity surveyor's job to ensure that the project stays within the allocated budget, avoiding any cost overruns.
2. Contract Management
Quantity surveyors play a crucial role in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts with suppliers and contractors. In cities like Delhi and Hyderabad, where large infrastructure projects are common, the ability to manage contracts effectively ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget.
3. Procurement
Procurement is another vital aspect of quantity surveying. Whether you're working on a new metro line in Chennai or an industrial complex in Ahmedabad, procurement involves securing the best prices for materials, equipment, and labour without compromising on quality.
4. Risk Management
Quantity surveyors also assess the risks involved in a project. For instance, in cities like Kolkata and Jaipur, where monsoons and other weather conditions can cause project delays, it’s important for the quantity surveyor to include risk management strategies in their cost planning.
5. Client Communication
A quantity surveyor often acts as a bridge between the client, contractors, and engineers. Whether it's a commercial project in Pune or a residential development in Bangalore, the quantity surveyor must ensure that all parties are aligned in terms of costs, timelines, and expectations.
How Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Training Institute Can Help
Bhadani’s Institute is an excellent choice for civil engineers looking to make the leap into quantity surveying. Their courses are structured into five levels, each designed to progressively build your expertise in the field. Here's how each level can help:
Syllabus From Level 1 to 5 :-
Quantity Surveying & Estimation and Costing ,QA and QCLevel 1 - Duration :- 30 Days
- Understanding the Role of BHADANI'S Construction Management Training and Role of Construction Managers in the Construction Industry
- Artificial Intelligence Introduction (**New**)
- Quality Control and Quality Assurance Techniques used (Basics)
- Construction Methodologies of Civil Works and How it works in Construction Industry
- Construction Activities Identification Analysis and Report Generation
- Making Project Chartered and Feasible Reports
- Project Risk Analysis and Action Reports
- Understanding and Reading the Structural and Architectural Drawings
- Quantity Take off From the Drawings Like PCC , RCC , Reinforcement , Shuttering Etc.
- Quantity Take off From the Architectural Drawings (Like Brickwork, Plaster Painting Putty Work Etc.)
- Faster Take off Methodologies from Drawings of Civil
- Analysis of All Kinds of Civil Drawings with Proper Presentation in Excel Formats
- Management Information System (MIS) Generation and Preparation in Proper Formats as per IS Standards
- Estimation of All Kinds of CIVIL , INTERIOR, BRIDGE, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, CANAL, CULVERTS, DRAINS, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING , RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS TRAINING
- Estimation Technique During Design Phase
- Estimation Technique During Pre-Construction Phase
- Estimation Technique During Post-Construction Phase
- Calculator Making of Concrete Steel, Brickwork, Plaster Painting Etc.
- Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) Estimation
- Costing Techniques of All Kinds of CIVIL , INTERIOR, BRIDGE, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, CANAL, CULVERTS, DRAINS, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING , RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS TRAINING
- Costing Techniques- Risk Based Costing
- Costing Techniques - Parametric Costing
- Costing Techniques - Machinery Transport Management and Costing
- Costing Techniques - Scope Estimation and Cost Analysis
- Costing Techniques - Artificial Intelligence (**New**)
- Costing Techniques - Consulting Part and Software Usage Part for the Construction Project
- S-Curve Reporting
- Labour Deployment Planning As per Budget
- Labour Economics and Productivity Analysis
- Labour Output Analysis as per IS Code, Schedule of Rates and As per BHADANI'S New Technique
- Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and Management
- Machinery Output Analysis as per Market Standards
- Profit and Loss Analysis in Labour and Machinery Deployed at Construction Site
- Daily Work Report (DWR) Preparation as per Quantity Surveyor Standards
- Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) of All RCC Structures Like Footing Beams Slabs, Columns , Raft , Footing, Staircase Etc.
- Bill of Quantity (BOQ) Take off (Material and Preparation)
- Rate Analysis of All Kinds of Civil Works
- Material Reconciliation Techniques from Contractor and Client's Side
- Material Procurement Strategies as per the techniques used in Quantity Surveying
- FREE LANCE Quantity Surveying with Hands on Practice
After Completing Level 1 ~ You can Apply for the Position of Junior Quantity Surveyor , Estimator, Cost Engineer, BBS Engineer , Document Controller Etc. for the Projects of Building, Roads, Highways and Bridges
Billing EngineeringLevel 2 Duration :- 15 Days
- Understanding the Role of BHADANI'S Billing Engineer / Invoice Engineering in the Construction Management and Industry of India and World
- Billing Engineering Tasks at Site Office and Understanding the Role in Head office with the Client Coordiation
- Account Basics requirement for Billing Engineer
- Construction Billing Procedures From Client Side as well as Contractor Side
- Interim Payment Certification (IPC) from Client Sides as well as Contractor Side
- RA Bill Making - Client Billing - Subcontracting
- Billing with GST and Without GST - hands of Expertise
- CPWD and Corporations and PSU's Techniques of Billing
- Invoice Generation Through ERP
- Claim and Dispute Settlement Procedures and all required techniques in Billing and MIS Generation for the same
- Material Engineering Bills for Both Client Side as well as Contractor's Side
- Third Party Contractor Billing
- Joint Venture Companies / Contractor Billing
- Petty/ Vendor Billing
- Preliminary Billing - Post Construction Billing
- InterAlia Billing , International Billing Challan Generation
- Claim Management Procedures used by Invoice Engineers
- Claim of Price Variations as per Norms of Govt. of INDIA
- Claim of Quantity Variations as per the Norms of Govt. of INDIA
- Mode of Measurement as per IS Codes with Nomenclatures
- Claim of Extra Item Analysis of All Kinds of Civil Works During the Site Execution as well as Post Contracting Period
- Vendor Vs. Client Bill Reconciliation
After Completing Level 1 and 2 ~ You can Apply for the Position of Billing Engineer / Invoice Engineer , Technical Invoice Expert Junior Quantity Surveyor , Estimator, Cost Engineer, BBS Engineer , Document Controller Etc. for the Projects of Building, Roads, Highways and Bridges
Tendering and Construction Contracts Management (Contract Engineering)LEVEL 3 & 4:- DURATION :- 30 DAYS
- Tendering Documents Preparation
- Tendering Documents Submission Guidelines
- Tender Review Reports Generation (T.R.R) for the Contractors as well as Consultants
- Technical Bidding As per Government Laws and as per BHADANI'S Technique
- Financial Bidding As per Government Laws and as per BHADANI'S Technique
- Statutory Documents Preparation Techniques for the Tender
- Purchasing and Negotiation Techniques used by Clients and as well as Contractor's Side
- Pre-Bid Meeting Strategy Building and Coordination with Client
- Finding Deviations and Clarify with the Client
- Tender Hunting
- Reverse Auctioning Strategy Building and Pressurizing client for the tender
- Pooling Technique to use effectively for the Tender to get Maximize Benefits
- Evaluation Strategy - Bidding Strategy - Relationship Building
- Indemnify the Tender with the Use of Effective Monitoring of the Tender
- Entering Into Contracts - Strategy Building Approach - Scientific Approach
- Construction Contracts Documents Formulation and Preparation
- Procedures in Contract Management - Pre - Construction and Post Construction Phase
- Clearing , Forwarding and Transport
- Transport Management
- Interpretation of Contracts and Contract Terms
- Cost Overrun and Time Overrun - Strategy Building Approach
- Indian Laws for Construction Contract Management
- FIDIC International Laws (EPC Turnkey Projects)
- Work Order Preparation ( Like Alstom Siemens Etc.)
- Live Project Training for Procurement and Negotiation Techniques
After Completing Level 1 to 4 ~ You can Apply for the Position of Tendering Engineer, Contracts Engineer, Business Development Manager/ Executive, Contract Executive, Construction Contract Manager, Billing Engineer / Invoice Engineer , Technical Invoice Expert Junior Quantity Surveyor , Estimator, Cost Engineer, BBS Engineer , Document Controller Etc. for the Projects of Building, Roads, Highways and Bridges
PROJECTS MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING ENGINEERINGLevel 5 Duration :- 25 Days- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Approach
- Strategical Thinking and Risk Analysis
- Project Planning - Master Plan Generation
- Project Management Procedures Used for Construction Industry by Big MNC's and Construction Companies of India and World
- Role of Project Manager in Construction Industry
- Project Budget Preparation with all factors analysis in Hand
- Actual Situation Comparison with Budget Amount
- Progress Monitoring with the Key Indicators Strategy
- MS Project - Scheduling and Primavera P6 Software
- Project Coordination Techniques with Accounts , HR , Purchase and Procurement Departments with easy solutions
- Management Information Generation
- Modern Building Construction Trends Execution Plan & Strategy Building
- Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) for speedy progress of work
- Quality Assurance with Total Quality Control Planning
- Site (Field) Management Techniques used by Project Managers at Site
- Management of Emergencies in High Rise Buildings
- Self Inspection for Quality Construction at Site
- Cost and Time Controlling Strategies used for Construction Projects
- Cash Flow Monitoring - Budget Vs Actual Comparison
- Green Sheet Report - Profit and Loss Determination for Construction Projects
- SWOT Analysis for Construction Project
- JIT Implementation in any Construction Project
- Earned Value Management (EVM) in Construction Project
After Completing Level 1 to Level 5 ~ You can Apply for the Position of Planning Engineer, Project Manager, General Manager, Incharge, Tendering Engineer, Business Development Manager/ Executive, Contract Executive, Construction Contract Manager, Billing Engineer / Invoice Engineer , Technical Invoice Expert Junior Quantity Surveyor , Estimator, Cost Engineer, BBS Engineer , Document Controller Etc. for the Projects of Building, Roads, Highways and Bridges
Level 1: Foundation in Quantity Surveying
This level is aimed at those new to the field and provides a strong foundation in basic quantity surveying principles. As a civil engineer from Surat or Vadodara, this level would teach you the basics of cost estimation, contract management, and the roles and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor. You’ll also get introduced to tools like AutoCAD and BIM, which are essential in modern quantity surveying.
Level 2: Intermediate Skills
Once you’ve mastered the basics, the second level focuses on enhancing your knowledge in cost management, procurement, and financial reporting. If you’re based in Ludhiana or Chandigarh, this is where you’ll start learning more advanced techniques for managing large-scale projects. For instance, you’ll learn how to apply cost-control measures to keep a project on budget, whether it's a new housing complex or a highway project.
Level 3: Advanced Commercial Management
At this level, the course shifts to advanced topics like contract law and commercial management. For civil engineers in cities like Lucknow or Kanpur, this is particularly valuable, as you’ll learn how to handle complex contract negotiations and manage commercial relationships effectively. You’ll also dive deeper into FIDIC contract principles, which are essential if you want to work on international projects, particularly in the Middle East.
Level 4: International Standards and Certifications
This level prepares you for international work. If you’re from Thiruvananthapuram or Coimbatore and you’re looking to work in the Gulf or other international markets, Bhadani’s ensures you’re well-versed in standards like RICS and FIDIC, giving you the qualifications needed to be competitive in these regions.
Level 5: Professional Competency
The final level is all about making you a complete professional quantity surveyor. By now, you’ll have developed the skills to manage complex projects in cities like Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, or even internationally. You’ll also receive help with interview preparation, CV building, and placement assistance, which is especially useful if you’re looking to secure a job abroad or with top firms in India.
Is Quantity Surveying a Techno-Commercial Role?
Yes, quantity surveying is a techno-commercial role. As a quantity surveyor, you're not only involved in the technical aspects of construction, such as measurements and material estimates, but you also play a key role in the commercial side. You’ll be responsible for negotiating contracts, managing finances, and ensuring that projects stay on budget. In cities like Raipur and Ranchi, where new projects are booming, quantity surveyors are essential for balancing technical and commercial interests.
For civil engineers in India, whether you’re in a metro city like Delhi or a growing hub like Jodhpur, becoming a professional quantity surveyor can open up new career opportunities both locally and internationally. With the right training, such as that offered by Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Training Institute, you can develop the technical and commercial skills needed to succeed in this field. From mastering cost estimation and contract management to obtaining international certifications like RICS, Bhadani’s Level 1 to 5 courses provide a clear path to becoming a professional quantity surveyor.
In this techno-commercial role, you’ll not only have the chance to work on exciting projects but also play a crucial role in managing the financial and contractual aspects that make those projects successful. Whether your goal is to work in cities like Mumbai, Pune, or Hyderabad, or to seek international opportunities in the Gulf, Bhadani’s can help you achieve your professional aspirations.
Sat Oct 12, 2024