ABSTRACT

Although quantity surveying is a relatively old profession, its nature has changed considerably as the nature of the construction industry has changed, particularly in response to increasing specialisation of roles demanded under many modern construction contracts. However, the core function of quantity surveyors remains that described in the nineteenth-century case of Taylor v. Hall, 1 namely 'taking out in detail the measurements and quantities from plans prepared by an architect for the purpose of enabling builders to calculate the estimates for which they would execute the plans.' Quantity surveyors are one branch of the wider family of surveyors which were, prior to 31 December 2000, divided into seven divisions by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the others being commercial residential, building surveying, rural property, planning and development, land and hydrographic surveying and minerals surveying. After that date the seven divisions were replaced by sixteen faculties (each representing a particular surveying skill, one of which is construction management) and in respect of each a member may subscribe up to four. There is no statutory regulation of qualification and practice, although in order to become a 'chartered surveyor' the RICS requires certain qualifications and the passing of an 'Assessment of Professional Competence.' It operates a disciplinary code which makes professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional education compulsory and carries two levels of professional qualification, being Fellowship (FRICS) and Associate level (ARICS). It should be noted that whilst many of the older cases confuse quantity surveyors with building surveyors the latter division is now recognised as possessing distinct expertise in relation to the construction of buildings. Thus they commonly undertake design and inspection work (as would an architect) and have particular expertise in the interpretation and application of the building regulations. The RICS publishes a document entitled Appointing a Quantity Surveyor which consists of a guide for clients and surveyors, a standard form of enquiry setting out the details of the project together with the services which the

quantity surveyor is to provide, followed by a fee offer which sets out the quantity surveyor's fees and lastly followed by the form of agreement which contains the terms of the appointment. The Form of Agreement [1992] is provided at Appendix 4.