Building Quantity Surveying Course

Lesson 1 • The Quantity Surveyor's Role

Defines the QS profession, its duties, and its position within project teams. Grounds all subsequent technical learning in professional context.

Lesson 2 • Professional Ethics and Standards

Covers ethical obligations, professional conduct, and industry standards governing QS practice. Establishes the integrity framework for all professional work.

Lesson 3 • Construction Materials and Methods

Surveys common building materials, systems, and construction methods. Enables accurate identification of work items during measurement.

Lesson 4 • Construction Drawings and Specifications

Introduces reading and interpreting technical drawings and project specifications. Essential for accurate measurement and cost planning.

Lesson 1 • Finishes and Fit-Out Measurement

Addresses measurement of internal and external finishes, fixtures, and fittings. Completes the full building envelope take-off process.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical and Electrical Measurement

Introduces measurement approaches for building services installations. Enables QS professionals to quantify MEP works accurately.

Lesson 3 • Substructure Measurement

Applies measurement rules to excavation, foundations, and below-ground works. Builds competency in quantifying the most variable project element.

Lesson 4 • Superstructure Measurement

Covers measurement of structural frames, floors, walls, and roofs. Connects drawing interpretation skills to systematic quantity production.

Lesson 1 • Structure and Purpose of the BQ

Explains the function, format, and components of a bill of quantities. Establishes the document's role in tendering and contract administration.

Lesson 2 • Pricing and Rate Analysis

Introduces how contractors price BQ items and how rates are built up. Enables QS professionals to assess and challenge submitted rates.

Lesson 3 • Preliminaries and General Items

Covers the pricing of site establishment, management, and general obligations. Preliminaries often represent a significant portion of project cost.

Lesson 4 • BQ Review and Quality Control

Establishes processes for checking BQ accuracy, completeness, and compliance. Reduces errors before documents are issued for tender.

Lesson 1 • Approximate Estimating Techniques

Covers order-of-magnitude and parametric estimating methods for early design stages. Provides rapid cost guidance before detailed drawings exist.

Lesson 2 • Cost Checks and Design Economics

Applies cost checking at each design stage to maintain budget alignment. Connects design decisions to cost consequences for client advice.

Lesson 3 • Elemental Cost Analysis

Teaches the elemental breakdown of building costs and use of cost analysis data. Enables benchmarking and early-stage cost planning.

Lesson 4 • Cost Planning Fundamentals

Introduces the purpose, stages, and outputs of cost planning throughout design. Links cost control to project viability and client objectives.

Lesson 1 • Procurement Strategy Selection

Analyses procurement routes and their suitability for different project types. Enables QS professionals to advise clients on optimal delivery methods.

Lesson 2 • Tender Management and Administration

Manages the tender period from issue to receipt of submissions. Maintains fairness, transparency, and compliance throughout the process.

Lesson 3 • Post-Tender Negotiation and Award

Covers clarification meetings, negotiation, and contract award procedures. Ensures the awarded contract reflects agreed terms and scope.

Lesson 4 • Tender Evaluation and Reporting

Teaches systematic analysis of tender submissions and preparation of evaluation reports. Supports informed, defensible contractor selection decisions.

Lesson 1 • Cost Reporting and Forecasting

Develops skills to produce regular cost reports and final account forecasts. Keeps clients informed and enables proactive budget management.

Lesson 2 • Variations and Change Management

Teaches identification, valuation, and agreement of contract variations. Controls scope creep and maintains cost certainty for clients.

Lesson 3 • Contract Administration Fundamentals

Introduces the QS role in administering construction contracts post-award. Establishes duties, authorities, and communication protocols.

Lesson 4 • Interim Valuations and Payments

Covers the valuation of work in progress and preparation of payment certificates. Ensures contractors are paid accurately and on time.

Lesson 1 • Contractual Claims Fundamentals

Introduces the basis, types, and entitlement conditions for contractual claims. Provides the legal and commercial foundation for claims management.

Lesson 2 • Dispute Resolution Methods

Surveys available dispute resolution mechanisms and their practical application. Enables informed selection of the most appropriate resolution route.

Lesson 3 • Delay and Disruption Claims

Covers analysis and quantification of time-related and disruption claims. Enables QS professionals to assess and challenge delay submissions.

Lesson 4 • Project Risk Management

Applies risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies to construction projects. Integrates risk management into cost planning and contract strategy.

Lesson 1 • Commercial Management Strategy

Develops strategic commercial management skills for contractor-side QS roles. Covers margin protection, cash flow, and commercial risk.

Lesson 2 • Quality, Audit, and Benchmarking

Establishes quality assurance, audit, and benchmarking practices for QS outputs. Drives continuous improvement in cost management performance.

Lesson 3 • Client Advisory and Feasibility Studies

Builds skills to advise clients at project inception on viability and strategy. Positions the QS as a trusted commercial adviser from day one.

Lesson 4 • Whole-Life Cost Analysis

Extends cost analysis beyond construction to operational and end-of-life costs. Enables QS professionals to advise on long-term asset value.