Surveying and Construction Management

Surveying and Construction Management
 
From kitchens to LUAS lines, all construction projects must be carefully planned to meet expected costs and completion dates. Quantity surveyors have the unenviable task of formulating a budget and ensuring it is adhered to. They assess each stage of the process and examine all costs relating to materials, labour, taxes, etc.

A building surveyor monitors the structural health of buildings for any possible defects, and oversees maintenance and conversion projects when desired or required. They often work in tandem with a building services engineer, who has responsibility for designing, installing and maintaining a building’s internal systems: from lifts to swimming pools. Construction managers have a more general role to play in the construction process by planning, organising and managing the overall building project, and focusing on resources such as finance, labour, plant and materials.

Although the outlook is currently bleak for the construction sector, a return to economic growth as well as specific programmes such as the Government’s recent €39 billion capital spending plan and the drive for environmentally-friendly housing offer hope for future graduates.

Education

There is several dedicated quantity surveying courses in Irish higher-level education. A quantity-surveying course will cover subjects such as Construction Economics, Project Cost Management, Contract Law, Construction Law, Contract Administration and Land Surveying. Projects form a major part of all courses, and many also require students to undertake an extensive period of work experience. Health & Safety and Environmental Sustainability, both of which are financial as well as ethical concerns, are increasingly important elements of a Quantity Surveying degree.

Dundalk and Limerick ITs offer the only 3rd level Building Surveying qualifications in Ireland. Modules covered in this four-year degree include Building Technology, Building Design & Performance, and Building Conservation/Renovation.

Building Services Engineering is available to study at Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Letterkenny Institutes of Technology. The mechanical, electrical and construction aspects of building systems (heating, air-conditioning, water supply, etc) are studied. Energy efficiency is a particularly important consideration throughout the course.  

There are a large number of Construction Studies and Construction Management options in the CAO system, including degrees and higher certificate courses. Construction and Construction Management courses include subjects such as Construction Technology, Site Surveying, Drawing & CAD, Measurement & Costing, Quantity Surveying and Legal Studies.

The one-year, FETAC Level 5 Certificate Construction Technology is a good foundation for all the above courses and careers. Students are introduced to key skills such as Building Construction, Mathematics for Engineering, Materials Science, Health & Safety, and Mechanics, as well as receiving work experience.

The Work

The main employers of quantity surveyors, building surveyors, service engineers, and construction managers are construction companies and property developers. However, you can also find work in government departments and specialist surveying companies, or gain employment as an independent consultant or in a private practice.

Quantity surveyors are often referred to as building accountants. Their main concern is cost control: before, during and after construction. They begin managing costs from the feasibility stage of a project and continue to do so right through to tendering and construction. When a building project is complete, they may be involved in preparing tax depreciation schedules, estimating replacement costs for insurance purposes and, if necessary, mediation and arbitration. They must often ensure that work is carried out efficiently, approving payments to suppliers and employees and preparing bills.

The role of the construction manager involves overseeing everything that happens on the building site. This can mean hiring and supervising building staff and sub-contractors, managing specific projects, purchasing or renting equipment and materials, ensuring each step in the process takes place efficiently and on time, implementing new technologies and making sure health and safety or environmental requirements are fulfilled. Some construction managers can specialise in a particular area, while others oversee the whole project.

Did you know?

Around 12,000 people are expected to live and work in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, when it’s fully occupied.

Further Resources

• Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS): www.scs.ie
• Construction Industry Federation (CIF): www.cif.ie
• Irish Institute of Surveyors (IIS): www.irish-surveyors.ie