GUIDE: 12 Problems of Procurement (and how to solve them)

Are you hiring a quantity surveyor? Here's how to make them more efficient

By ProcurePro, updated 21 Mar 2025
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Hiring a quantity surveyor (QS) — known as a contract administrator (CA) in Australia and New Zealand — is about more than simply filling a role. It’s about ensuring projects stay on budget, managing risks, and upholding contractual integrity. To learn more about how to manage procurement risks effectively, check out the 10 common risks of construction procurement.

However, finding the right QS can be challenging. The top candidates are often in high demand, meaning delays in hiring can disrupt procurement processes, slow down timelines, and negatively impact your margins.

Once you’ve hired a QS, ensuring they work efficiently is crucial. If they are bogged down with outdated tools, chasing subcontractors, or drowning in administrative tasks, they’ll be less focused on what matters most — protecting your bottom line.

This guide covers how to hire the right QS, which qualifications to look for, and how to empower them with the best tools and processes for the job.

What is a quantity surveyor?

The question every QS is sick of hearing. If you ask a QS, they'll probably say something like: "I manage all the financial aspects of a construction project whilst winding everybody up".

In reality, they're what makes the business of building actually work.

A QS (or CA) plays a vital role in managing the financial and contractual aspects of a construction project. They control costs, assess financial risks, and ensure that subcontractor agreements align with the project’s budget and scope. For more information on managing contracts, check out breaking down complex contracts.

Typical qualifications

In the UK and Ireland, QSs are often RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) accredited. In Australia and New Zealand, AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) and NZIQS (New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors) are the main professional bodies.

Most QSs have a degree in quantity surveying, construction management, or civil engineering. Senior roles typically require chartered status such as MRICS, FAIQS, or MNZIQS.

Key responsibilities

A QS steers the financials and contract management of a project. Their key responsibilities include:

  • Cost estimation: Creating budgets, forecasts, and cost plans
  • Tender evaluation: Comparing subcontractor bids and negotiating terms
  • Scope creation: Defining trade packages to avoid overlaps or omissions
  • Payment management: Assessing claims, verifying invoices, and managing payments
  • Financial reporting: Tracking costs, forecasting cash flow, and identifying risks

Hiring the right QS is just the start. To make them even more effective, ensure they have the right environment and tools. Learn how procurement automation can make their work more efficient.

Why do you need a quantity surveyor?

Without a QS, cost overruns, contract disputes, and payment issues can quickly escalate. Budgets slip, variations go unchecked, and subcontractors may inflate their quotes, increasing unnecessary costs. To understand strategies that help reduce procurement costs, read 3 key strategies for procurement savings in 2025.

The construction industry is full of unpredictability. Material prices fluctuate, labour shortages delay projects, and subcontractor insolvencies lead to costly gaps. A QS ensures accurate pricing, secures competitive terms, and helps mitigate risks. For more insights on how a QS helps in navigating these challenges, visit Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Disputes over scope or payments are common. A QS ensures contract terms are enforced, claims are verified, and documentation is maintained. This oversight prevents small issues from escalating into costly legal battles.

Even smaller projects benefit from a QS. Without proper scope management, you risk overpaying or facing payment disputes. A QS ensures pricing is accurate, contracts are clear, and risks are minimised.

Five steps for hiring a great quantity surveyor

A QS does more than just crunch numbers; they oversee the financial health of your projects. Hiring the wrong person can lead to missed cost savings, disputes, and spiraling budgets. Here’s how to hire the right one.

1. Define project needs

Not all QS roles are the same. The requirements for a large infrastructure project will differ from those for a high-end residential build.

  • Budget expectations: Do you need full cost management or just procurement support?
  • Project timelines: Is this a permanent hire or a temporary contract?
  • Contract expertise: Does your project require experience with NEC4, JCT D&B, or bespoke contracts?

Clarifying these needs will help you avoid wasting time on irrelevant candidates.

2. Create a clear job post

Vague job descriptions attract vague candidates. Be specific:

  • Qualifications: Do you need RICS, AIQS, or NZIQS accreditation?
  • Experience: Have they worked on projects of similar scale and complexity?
  • Procurement scope: Will they handle tendering, cost planning, or reporting?
  • Software skills: Are tools like ProcurePro, CostX, or CATO required?

A well-defined job description ensures you attract the right talent.

3. Shortlist and reference-check

A strong CV is not enough. Past performance on similar projects is key.

  • Project alignment: Have they worked on projects of similar size and scope?
  • Risk management: How do they handle cost overruns, insolvencies, or disputes?
  • Reliability: Do references confirm their expertise in negotiation, forecasting, and budgeting?

A quick reference check can provide deeper insight than an interview.

4. Interview for technical and cultural fit

QSs need technical skills, but they also need to thrive in high-pressure environments.

  • Scenario-based questions: "A subcontractor files a £500,000 variation — how do you assess it?"
  • Problem-solving: "A project is delayed — what’s your first move?"
  • Commercial awareness: "How do you maintain margins while keeping subcontractors engaged?"

Their answers will reveal if they have the right mindset for your projects.

5. Negotiate contract terms

Once you find your QS, ensure the contract details are clear to prevent misunderstandings.

  • Pay structure: Full-time, freelance, or contract-based?
  • Performance incentives: Will they be rewarded for procurement savings or efficiency gains?
  • Notice period: What if they leave midway through a project?
  • Salary negotiations: From our very own QS-turned-procurement-sensei, James Metcalfe: "If your QS isn't negotiating their salary, what makes you think they'll negotiate for your company?"

Clear terms protect both parties from day one.

Salary benchmarks for the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand

Salaries for QSs vary based on experience, accreditation, and the scale of the project.

  • United Kingdom: London typically offers higher salaries, particularly for NEC4 or JCT experts.
  • Ireland: Dublin pays premium rates for those experienced with the Capital Works Management Framework.
  • Australia: Sydney and Melbourne are key markets, especially for commercial builds involving AS 4000.
  • New Zealand: Auckland and Wellington lead in salary expectations, particularly for those familiar with NZS 3910.

Freelance QSs charge day rates, especially those specialising in dispute resolution or expert witness work.

Practical ways to boost efficiency

Hiring the right QS is important, but providing them with the right tools is crucial for maximising their impact. If your QS is bogged down with manual tasks, they can’t focus on controlling costs or mitigating risks.

Investing in modern procurement systems, like ProcurePro, streamlines workflows, improves collaboration, and boosts overall efficiency. ProcurePro also offers training and certification for QSs, ensuring they’re equipped to manage procurement with cutting-edge tools.

Real-time procurement tracking

Your QS shouldn’t be spending time chasing emails or waiting for updates. With real-time tracking, issues are flagged immediately, so they can be resolved before becoming problems.

  • Live updates on package status
  • Automated sign-offs
  • Instant alerts for delays

"We've now got data in one, clear, concise portal. It's up-to-date. It's accurate." — Kori Construction Managing Director, Jordan Connachie, on ProcurePro.

Automated tender comparisons

Manually entering data into spreadsheets is slow and error-prone. Automation standardises pricing and flags discrepancies instantly, saving time and reducing errors.

  • Standardised pricing formats
  • Automatic discrepancy detection
  • Rapid recommendations

Automation gives your QS more time to negotiate the best deals.

Faster contract creation

Contract delays can derail your project timeline. Pre-approved templates, auto-generated scopes, and integrated e-signatures speed up the process and reduce bottlenecks.

  • Pre-approved templates
  • Auto-generated pricing and terms
  • Instant e-signatures and storage

Faster execution keeps your project on track.

See how ProcurePro can make your QS more efficient

The right technology can transform your QS’s performance. At ProcurePro, we offer a platform that simplifies procurement, enhances efficiency, and reduces risks. Plus, we offer certifications for QSs who are trained in modern procurement systems, ensuring they’re equipped with the skills to drive your projects forward.

Book a demo today to see how ProcurePro can help your team work smarter, not harder.

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