Structure

In this subject, Structures, we learn about the technical part of QS. It is related to construction technology. Learning construction technology is just the basic fundamental part. And by learning Structures, we gain deeper knowledge on the physical behaviour of structural elements. This helps us to identify problems on structure principles and provide solution. As a Quantity Surveyor, we mainly deal with cost. And if a client wants to make a small change on the structure without paying extra, with the knowledge from this subject we can recommend a different structural design without any increment in the prices.

Professional Practice

Professional Practice is a subject where we learn about the job scope of a QS in a consultant firm or contractor firm. Each has different job scope. We also learn task that are done at different stages of a project. The stages are pre-tender stage, post tender stage, pre contract stage and post contract stage. After learning professional practice, I come to realize that a QS is not only dealing with cost before a contract is made. Even after a contract is made, a QS must keep track on what has been done and update the client.

We also learn about tendering in this subject. Tendering plays a huge part of being a QS, both in consultant firm and contractor firm. Both have to deal with tender. The most important part of learning this is actually the rules and regulation. There are certain rules to follow from different contract.

Measurement 4

This semester for measurements, we learn about external works such as drainage, manhole and many more. Although it is a small but tedious topic, it is still part of a building. Thus, it must not be neglected. Measurement 4 is by far the most difficult measurement. It is because the lecturer is preparing us for intern. We are assign to do two major assignments. One is measurement itself and the other is Elemental Cost Analysis (ECA).

As for measurement, it is just like the previous semesters. But instead of only measuring the elements we learn in semester 4, we have to measure the whole building. From excavation to roof, internal finishes to external finishes. Basically we have to measure what we had learn since semester 1. The issues that we faced is missing information of the drawings. We have to query missing details to continue with our assignment We also have to prepare a Tender Document by using Buildsoft. Basically we were taught one of the main job scope as a Quantity Surveyor.

ECA is a one week project. We are put into groups of 10 to 11 students and were given a contract document to each groups. We have to extract and prepare detail cost analysis. We are grateful to be given this opportunity.

Software Application

Just like the title says, this subject involves computing. It is a subject where we were taught about two major software that used in the QS industry. They are Cost X and Buildsoft. Each software has its own function and purposes. We learn about Cost X during the first part of the semester and Buildsoft during the second part of the semester.

Cost X is a program that can do measurement. This make measurement easier. We are able to find an area of a wall/floor, length of a steel bar in a beam, volume of concrete used in a column and etc, just a click away.

Buildsoft on the other hand, it helps making the Bills of Quantities easier. We can just key in the prices of materials, labour and machineries and the build up rates can be calculated quickly. This saves up a lot of time compare to writing.

Estimating

Estimating is where we learn about the build up rates of different elements and materials. As a Quantity Surveyor, one must be able to roughly estimate the cost of a project. This helps to give the client a rough figure on how much a project is going to cost. The method of calculating the build up rates is by using simple mathematics. Although the method used are just addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, the process of calculating is more important. Each element has its own process of counting.

We were also taught to do a tender for a semi detach show house as part of our assignment. We were assigned in groups and we have to ask for quotation for elements that are needed in the project. During the assignment, we faced many obstacles. One of the main obstacle is, we were unable to get quotations from suppliers by email or phone call. Instead, we have to find different shops and visit to get the quotations. This made me realize that tendering is not and easy task and and it must be done professionally. This is because the effort to put into finding quotations is very long and tedious. And effort like this is best not to let it go to waste by not winning the tender. After the tender has been submitted, we have to go through an interview to justify why we should be chosen as the winning tender.