I am a Female Civil Engineer and Cannot Work at Construction Site, How Can I make Career in Construction Industry?

Quantity Surveyor: A Career in Construction Without Being on Site

The role of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a balance between the technical elements of construction and the commercial management of a project. A QS is responsible for ensuring that construction projects are completed on budget, on time, and meet the required standards of quality. Let’s explore more in detail how this career fits perfectly for female engineers like yourself and why learning quantity surveying skills is essential.

What Exactly Does a Quantity Surveyor Do?

1. Cost Planning and Management: As a QS, your main responsibility is to ensure that the financial side of the construction project is efficiently managed. You start by preparing detailed cost estimates at the beginning of the project, which involves calculating the quantity of materials, labour, and any additional resources required. This is done with precision, ensuring that the project stays within the client's budget.

   • Example: In a city like Chennai, where construction projects are expanding rapidly, being a QS on a large office building project involves preparing initial cost estimates and ensuring that costs don’t escalate as the project progresses. You’ll be tasked with tracking costs for materials like steel and concrete while making sure the budget remains intact.

2. Tendering and Contract Management: Tendering is an integral part of the QS role. You’ll prepare tender documents, which are essentially bids for work, ensuring that all costs, specifications, and deadlines are clearly defined. Once the tender is approved, you’ll also be responsible for overseeing contract management, ensuring that all contractual obligations are met by the contractors and subcontractors.

   • Example: Let’s say you're managing a residential complex project in Hyderabad. You'll be in charge of preparing the tender for different phases of construction, such as masonry work and electrical fittings. You’ll also ensure that subcontractors meet their deadlines and that any variations in the contract are managed without additional costs to the client.

3. Procurement and Supplier Management: Another key part of a QS’s job is procurement—the process of selecting suppliers and contractors to provide the materials and services needed for the project. You’ll compare prices, ensure quality standards are met, and choose the best options that align with the project budget.

   • Example: For a large infrastructure project in Bangalore, such as a new highway, you’ll negotiate with suppliers of concrete and steel, ensuring they provide high-quality materials at competitive rates. This also involves evaluating the risks of cost fluctuations and planning accordingly.

4. Risk Management: Every project has potential risks—such as rising material costs, labour shortages, or unforeseen delays. As a QS, it’s your job to assess these risks and build strategies to mitigate them. This not only protects the financial aspects of the project but also ensures smoother project execution.

   • Example: Working on a government project in Ahmedabad, you might identify the risk of monsoon delays affecting the construction timeline. In response, you’ll create a risk management plan, including contingency budgeting to cover potential delays and additional work.

5. Valuations and Payments: Throughout the construction process, you’ll need to conduct regular valuations to determine how much work has been completed and ensure that contractors are paid accordingly. This ensures the project is financially on track and that the cash flow remains stable.

   • Example: For a shopping mall project in Pune, you’ll regularly evaluate how much work has been completed at different stages, ensuring contractors are paid for the progress they’ve made, all while monitoring the overall project budget.

Why Quantity Surveying is an Ideal Career for Female Civil Engineers

1. No Need for On-Site Presence: Quantity surveying offers a more office-based or remote-friendly career option. You can manage most of your work from your computer, using software to calculate costs, monitor contracts, and oversee the financial aspects of projects. This means you don’t need to be on-site regularly, making it ideal if you prefer a more controlled environment.

   • Example: If you’re working on a smart city project in Kolkata, you can prepare budgets, analyse risks, and manage tenders all from an office environment, with minimal on-site visits required.

2. Technical Knowledge with Commercial Insight: The role of a QS allows you to apply the technical skills you’ve gained as a civil engineer, but also introduces you to the commercial side of construction. It’s a unique opportunity to learn how to manage costs, negotiate contracts, and make strategic decisions that directly affect the profitability of the project.

   • Example: On a metro project in Lucknow, you can leverage your engineering knowledge to ensure the right materials are being used while simultaneously negotiating with suppliers to get the best deal on those materials.

3. Growing Demand in Urban and Infrastructure Projects: Cities like Delhi, Surat, Bhopal, and Coimbatore are seeing rapid growth in infrastructure projects, residential developments, and commercial constructions. With this expansion comes a significant demand for quantity surveyors who can handle large-scale projects and manage costs effectively.

   • Example: If you’re overseeing a large housing project in Thiruvananthapuram, you’ll be responsible for cost planning across various contractors and suppliers to ensure the project’s financial success.

4. Long-Term Career Growth: Quantity surveying offers plenty of room for career advancement. With experience and further certifications, you can move into senior roles such as Commercial Manager, Contracts Manager, or even start your own consultancy. This kind of progression allows for leadership roles that combine your technical and commercial expertise.

   • Example: Over time, you could lead projects in Jaipur or Ranchi where you oversee both the quantity surveying and project management aspects of large-scale government or private ventures.

How Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Institute Can Help You

Bhadani’s Quantity Surveying Institute offers well-structured online courses that are perfect for professionals like you who want to transition into quantity surveying or strengthen their existing skills. These online courses are particularly ideal because they give you flexibility in learning from anywhere, be it Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, or smaller cities like Guwahati or Raipur.

Suggested Online Courses for You:

1. Level 1 - Foundation in Quantity Surveying: This course introduces you to the basics of quantity surveying, covering topics such as cost management, basic contracts, and introductory tendering skills. It’s ideal if you’re starting your QS journey.

   • Example: In a small commercial building project in Amritsar, you’ll use these foundational skills to handle the initial cost estimation and draft the first set of contracts.

2. Level 2 - Intermediate Quantity Surveying: After the basics, Level 2 delves deeper into project valuation, risk management, and procurement strategies. This will give you more control over the tendering process and help you manage complex projects.

   • Example: If you’re involved in an industrial project in Vadodara, Level 2 will give you the expertise to manage contractor payments, conduct risk assessments, and handle the procurement of materials.

3. Level 3 - Advanced Commercial Management: This course is designed for professionals ready to take on senior roles. It focuses on advanced contract law, financial management, and international tendering standards. It’s essential if you’re aiming for leadership positions in quantity surveying.

   • Example: You could be managing a high-rise office project in Patna, where your advanced skills in commercial management help you oversee every financial detail, from start to finish.

4. Level 4 - International Standards and Certifications: Level 4 prepares you for international certifications like RICS, which will open doors for you in the global construction market, particularly in regions like the Middle East or Europe. This course also covers international contract types like FIDIC.

   • Example: If you plan to expand your career to the Gulf, completing Level 4 ensures you’re equipped to handle international tendering processes and work on major projects in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Why Bhadani’s Online Learning is Perfect for You

1. Study from Anywhere:
   With Bhadani’s, you can take these courses from anywhere in India—whether you’re in Mysore, Kochi, or Jodhpur—at your convenience. This flexibility allows you to continue working while upgrading your skills.

2. Industry-Relevant Curriculum:
   The curriculum is designed to meet the demands of the construction industry, making sure you gain practical skills that are immediately applicable. Whether you’re managing projects in Nagpur or Ludhiana, the skills you learn will make a real impact.

3. Career Support:
   Bhadani’s also offers career support, helping you network with industry professionals and connecting you with job opportunities. With the construction industry booming across cities like Pune, Indore, and Chandigarh, this support is invaluable in finding the right career opportunities.

For female civil engineers like yourself, quantity surveying is an ideal career that combines your technical expertise with commercial and managerial skills, all while keeping you away from on-site work. With the booming construction industry in India’s major cities—Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and beyond—there are countless opportunities for qualified quantity surveyors.

By enrolling in Bhadani’s online courses, you’ll not only gain the skills you need to excel in this field but also position yourself for long-term success in an ever-growing industry. Whether you’re looking to manage residential projects in Kolkata or large infrastructure developments in Ahmedabad, quantity surveying offers you a fulfilling and strategic career path.

Sat Oct 12, 2024