Page 15 - BASIC GUIDELINE FOR QS

Professional Practice: Guideline for Quantity Surveyor Chapter 1

1.3 Career Prospect and Future Career for Quantity Surveying

Quantity surveyors work in all sectors of the construction industry worldwide. In real estate
this covers residential, commercial, industrial, leisure, agricultural and retail facilities. In
infrastructure it covers roads, railways, waterways, airports, sea ports, power generation and

utilities.
Quantity surveyors may also work in process engineering, such as chemical

engineering plants or oil rigs. They must understand all aspects of construction over the
whole life of a building or facility and have the ability to manage cost effectively, equating
quality and value with individual client needs.

Within the construction industry, quantity surveyor are involved in the following four
main areas of work namely building work; building engineering services; civil engineering ;

and heavy and industrial engineering

1.3.1 Career Prospect and Future Career for Quantity Surveying

In Malaysia, generally Quantity surveyor can work in three main sector namely in
Government Sector, Private Sector and Corporation (Badan Berkanun).
a) Quantity Surveyor in Public Sector

Quantity Surveyor in public sector can work at many Ministries especially Works
Ministry and Housing and Local Government Ministry and Local Authority. Works
Ministry play a very important role in Construction Industry.

Under this Ministry there are Public Works Department that will carry out all
government development plans. QS in Local Authority (such as DBKL, MPSJ, and

MBPJ) will carry out work under its jurisdiction. Usually there will be a Quantity
Surveying Dept. in a Local Authority to carry out any development project such as
public amenities, i.e. Public toilets, public hall, recreation area any many more.

b) Quantity Surveyor in Private Sector

Other than Public Sector, quantity surveyor can work in Private Sector. Example,
Quantity Surveying Firm, Architectural Firm, Contractor or Developer. To establish a
Quantity Surveying Firm, a QS needs to affiliate with Board of Quantity Surveyor
Malaysia (BQSM)

QS in private sector usually involve in big projects such as shopping complex,
hotel, offices, new township. Those projects give large profit economically and also

profit to countries. Most large contractor firms in this country has its own QS.

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