Here are the main duties and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor on a construction project:

Prepare bills of quantities and detailed lists of all materials, labor, and equipment required for the project. This helps estimate project costs.

Cost planning and control: develop cost plans, monitor actual costs against budgets, flag cost overruns, and suggest value engineering options.

Tendering and procurement: assist in the tendering process, evaluate contractor bids, and advise on procurement strategies.

Contract administration: review payment applications, evaluate variations and claims, and certify payments to contractors.

Pre-contract cost estimation: Provide cost advice during the design phase and estimate the costs of design options.

Post-contract cost management: monitor spending, track cost trends, and forecast the final project cost.

Material takeoff: quantify materials, labor, and equipment from drawings and specifications.

Valuation: Determine the fair market value of completed construction works.

Dispute resolution: assist with resolving contractual disputes through negotiation or adjudication.

Life cycle costing: analyze the whole-life costs of different design or material choices.

Project progress reporting: track physical and cost progress and issue variation orders.

Risk analysis: identify cost risks and their impacts; recommend risk mitigation.

The key role is accurate cost planning, control, and certification throughout the project lifecycle.