Construction Quantity Surveyor Course

Lesson 1 • Core Documents and Terminology

Introduces essential QS documents, standard definitions, and industry terminology. Accurate use of terms is reinforced as a professional baseline.

Lesson 2 • The Quantity Surveyor's Role

Defines the QS profession, its scope, and its value to clients and contractors. Establishes the professional identity learners will develop throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Construction Project Lifecycle

Traces a project from inception to completion, identifying QS touchpoints at each stage. Learners connect QS tasks to specific project phases.

Lesson 1 • Superstructure Systems

Examines structural frames, floors, roofs, and wall systems. Learners link structural choices to material quantities and cost implications.

Lesson 2 • Building Envelope and Finishes

Addresses cladding, windows, doors, and internal finishes. Learners identify measurable elements within the building envelope.

Lesson 3 • Building Services Overview

Introduces mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems at a conceptual level. Learners understand services cost significance without specialist engineering depth.

Lesson 4 • Sustainable Construction Methods

Explores green building techniques, materials, and rating frameworks. Learners assess how sustainability choices affect quantities and costs.

Lesson 1 • Reading and Interpreting Drawings

Develops the ability to extract dimensional data from architectural and engineering drawings. Accurate drawing interpretation underpins all measurement work.

Lesson 2 • Bills of Quantities Preparation

Guides learners through compiling measured items into a formatted bill of quantities. The completed bill becomes the primary pricing document.

Lesson 3 • Standard Measurement Rules

Explains the principles behind standard methods of measurement and their application. Learners apply consistent rules to avoid errors in take-off.

Lesson 4 • Take-Off Techniques

Teaches systematic methods for recording and organising measured quantities. Learners practise both manual and digital take-off workflows.

Lesson 1 • Unit Rates and Cost Data

Explains how unit rates are built from labour, material, plant, and overhead components. Learners construct and validate rates using published cost data.

Lesson 2 • Estimating Methods and Accuracy

Compares order-of-magnitude, elemental, and detailed estimating approaches. Learners select the appropriate method based on available project information.

Lesson 3 • Preliminaries and Oncosts

Addresses site establishment, management, and overhead costs excluded from measured work. Learners price preliminaries accurately as a proportion of project cost.

Lesson 4 • Elemental Cost Planning

Structures project costs by building element to support design decisions. Learners allocate budgets across elements and track design changes.

Lesson 1 • Tender Management Process

Guides the tender period from issue to receipt, including queries and addenda. Learners manage the process to ensure fair and compliant submissions.

Lesson 2 • Procurement Strategy Selection

Analyses traditional, design-and-build, and management procurement routes. Learners match procurement strategy to project risk, time, and cost priorities.

Lesson 3 • Tender Evaluation and Negotiation

Teaches arithmetic checking, price analysis, and qualitative assessment of bids. Learners produce a tender report with a justified recommendation.

Lesson 4 • Subcontractor Procurement

Addresses procurement of specialist subcontractors from the contractor's perspective. Learners apply tender principles to subcontract packages.

Lesson 1 • Earned Value Management

Applies earned value analysis to measure cost and schedule performance simultaneously. Learners calculate key EVM metrics and interpret project health.

Lesson 2 • Risk and Contingency Management

Covers identification, quantification, and management of cost risks during construction. Learners maintain and update the risk register and contingency allowance.

Lesson 3 • Monitoring Subcontractor Costs

Focuses on tracking subcontract expenditure against awarded values and budgets. Learners identify subcontract overruns and take corrective action.

Lesson 4 • Cost Control Systems and Tools

Introduces cost control frameworks, coding systems, and reporting cycles. Learners set up a cost control system aligned to the project budget.

Lesson 1 • Construction Contract Fundamentals

Introduces contract law basics, standard form contracts, and key contract clauses. Learners identify rights and obligations of each contracting party.

Lesson 2 • Claims and Entitlements

Addresses contractor claims for additional time and money under contract provisions. Learners assess claim validity and prepare or respond to claim submissions.

Lesson 3 • Final Account Preparation

Guides the compilation and agreement of the final account at project completion. Learners reconcile all contract sums, variations, and adjustments.

Lesson 4 • Variations and Change Management

Explains how to instruct, value, and agree variations to the contract scope. Learners manage change without disrupting project cost or programme.

Lesson 1 • Dispute Resolution Methods

Covers adjudication, arbitration, mediation, and litigation as dispute resolution options. Learners select and prepare for the appropriate resolution process.

Lesson 2 • Whole-Life Costing

Extends cost analysis beyond construction to include operation, maintenance, and disposal. Learners produce whole-life cost models to support design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Public Sector and Infrastructure Projects

Addresses QS practice on large infrastructure and publicly funded projects. Learners apply appropriate cost management frameworks to complex schemes.

Lesson 4 • Strategic Client Advisory Role

Positions the senior QS as a trusted adviser influencing project strategy and investment decisions. Learners develop advisory communication and analytical skills.