Page 22 - BASIC PRINCIPLES OF QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES

Politeknik Kota Bharu

1.2 History of Quantity Surveying Profession

❑ A quantity surveyor (QS) is a construction industry expert who

deals with project costs. The profession offers a qualification
earned through formal education, specific training, and

experience that provides a broad set of abilities that can be
used to a wide range of challenges. These mostly concern

construction project expenses and contracts.

❑ Since the 17th century, the profession of QS has existed.

However, services of quantity surveyors did not practice by
quantity surveyor. Architects or craftsmen (artisans)

undertake the estimating and costing. After the great fire in

London, devastated buildings must be redeveloped (Great
Fire of London). The Architects were faced with altered works

as well as measurement and costing constraints.

Simultaneously, craftsmen (artisans) were overburdened with
building labour and unable to handle measurement and price

tasks. As a result, professional Quantity Surveyor (QS)
services were in high demand, particularly in areas of

payment certification and evaluation.

❑ Henry Cooper & Sons of Reading, the first QS firm, was

founded in England in 1785. With 16 members, the Surveyors
Club was founded in 1794. The Institution of Surveyor,

subsequently known as The Royal Institution of Chartered

Surveyor, was founded in 1868. (RICS). The Standard
Method of Measurement (SMM) for building works was

established in 1922 and continues to be used today with
many amendments and improvements on the most recent

version.

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