Quantity Surveying Interview Questions and Answers

Preparing for a quantity surveying job interview?, we have compiled a range of Quantity Surveying Interview Questions and Answers that will assist candidates preparing for interviews within the construction industry, particularly those applying for roles related to cost management, estimation, tendering, contracts, and commercial advisory services.

The field of quantity surveying is a dynamic and challenging one. As a prospective quantity surveyor, you are likely to face a series of interviews before landing your dream job.

This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide on the quantity surveying interview questions and answers. We will cover general questions, as well as those specific to civil quantity surveying and quantity surveying.

Quantity Surveying Interview Question Bank

I. Common Interview Questions and Answers

Most interviews start with some common interview questions. These questions are designed to learn more about you as an individual and a professional.

Here are some of these questions along with tips on how to answer them:

1. Tell me about yourself.

Tips: This is often the opening question in an interview. It’s your chance to introduce yourself and make a good first impression. Focus on your professional background, skills, and experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

2. Can you walk us through your resume?

Tips: Be prepared to briefly explain each bullet point on your resume, highlighting your achievements and qualifications that match the requirements of the position. This shows that you understand the importance of tailoring your application to the specific job you’re applying for.

3. Why should we hire you?

Tips: This question gives you an opportunity to sell yourself. Highlight your unique skills and experiences that make you the best fit for the job. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.

4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Tips: When discussing your strengths, choose attributes that will qualify you for the job. When discussing your weaknesses, focus on things you have done to improve on these or turn them into strengths.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Tips: This question is designed to find out if you have a clear vision of your future. Be honest about your career goals, but also show that you are willing to stay with the company and grow.

6. Why do you want to work for our company?

Tips: This question tests whether you’ve researched the company and are passionate about joining them. Discuss what you find appealing about the company culture, mission, or projects.

7. How do you handle stress and pressure?

Tips: This question is designed to assess your ability to manage stress. Discuss your stress management techniques such as prioritizing tasks, maintaining a positive attitude, and balancing work-life responsibilities.

8. What are your salary expectations?

Tips: Do your research and know the market rate for the role in your location. Provide a range based on this, your skills, and experience.

9. Do you have any questions for us?

Tips: Always have a few questions prepared to show your interest in the role and the company. You could ask about the company culture, expectations for the role, or opportunities for growth and development.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Prepare thoughtful responses to these questions ahead of time so you feel confident during the actual interview.

II. General Quantity Surveying Interview Questions and Answers

2. Why did you choose to become a quantity surveyor?

Tips: This question assesses your passion for the field. You could mention your interest in the construction industry, your knack for numbers, or your desire to be part of creating infrastructures that benefit society.

3. What software tools are you proficient in?

Tips: This question assesses your technical skills. You could mention software tools commonly used in quantity surveying such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, CostX, etc. Be prepared to provide examples of how you’ve used these tools in your work.

4. How do you handle disputes related to contract administration?

Sample: Disputes are common in construction projects. You could talk about your communication skills, negotiation tactics, and knowledge of contract law. Mention any specific dispute resolution techniques you’ve used, such as mediation or arbitration.

5. How do you stay updated with the latest industry trends and standards?

Tips: This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning. You could mention reading industry publications, attending seminars or webinars, participating in professional associations, etc.

6. What strategies do you use for cost control during a project?

Sample: Cost control is a key responsibility of a quantity surveyor. Discuss your strategies for monitoring and controlling costs, such as regular budget reviews, cost forecasting, and value engineering.

7. How do you measure success in your role as a quantity surveyor?

Tips: This question helps clarify your definition of success in this profession. It might include factors like meeting project deadlines, delivering projects within budget, achieving high levels of client satisfaction, earning repeat business, or contributing to the overall growth and profitability of the organization.

8. How comfortable are you working in a team environment?

Sample: Quantity surveying often requires collaboration with architects, engineers, contractors, and other specialists. Being able to effectively communicate, share information, and compromise for the greater good is essential. Highlight your experiences working alongside multi-disciplinary teams, resolving conflicts amicably, and supporting colleagues’ efforts towards shared objectives.

III. Common Quantity Surveying Interview Questions and Answers

1. How do you ensure cost-effectiveness in a civil construction project?

Sample Answer: To ensure cost-effectiveness in a civil construction project, a civil quantity surveyor should follow a few essential steps:

• Thorough Planning: The first step towards cost-effectiveness is thorough planning. It helps to understand the entire lifecycle of the project, from design to execution, and calculate costs accordingly.
• Regular Cost Monitoring: A civil quantity surveyor must monitor costs regularly during the course of the project. If there are deviations from the estimated cost, they need to take corrective action immediately.
• Using Efficient Construction Methods: Choosing the right construction techniques and technologies can help reduce costs significantly. A civil quantity surveyor should keep themselves updated with latest trends and innovations in construction technology to suggest optimal solutions.
• Negotiating Favorable Terms with Suppliers & Contractors: Building relationships with reliable vendors and contractors can go a long way in reducing costs. They may offer discounted prices, better payment terms, or flexible delivery schedules, leading to considerable savings.

2. Can you explain the process of preparing a Bill of Quantities (BoQ)?

Sample: A bill of quantities (BoQ) is a critical component of the tendering process. Here’s how a civil quantity surveyor prepares a BoQ:

• Understanding Design Drawings and Specifications: The first step is to analyze the design drawings and specifications thoroughly. The BoQ must accurately represent every aspect of the construction work.
• Pricing Accurately: Once the designer understands the nature of work, they can price each item according to prevailing market conditions.
• Creating a Comprehensive Document: The BoQ should include all necessary information, including the title of the project, contract name, date, and the names of all stakeholders involved. Each line item should contain descriptions, units of measurement, and associated rates.

3. What is your approach to risk management in civil construction projects?

Sample: Risks are inherent in every construction project, whether related to labor, equipment, weather, or regulatory issues. Here’s how a civil quantity surveyor manages risks:

• Risk Assessments: Before commencing work, the quantity surveyor identifies potential risks and their likelihood of occurrence. Based on this assessment, they create a contingency plan to minimize impacts.
• Implementing Risk Management Plans: Upon identification of the risks, the next step would be creating risk management plans. These plans outline preventative measures, backup options, and response procedures for unforeseen events.
• Tools like SWOT Analysis or Risk Matrices: Some commonly employed analytical tools include SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), Decision Trees, and Risk Matrices. These tools enable better decision making and enhance risk reduction efforts.

4. How do you ensure quality in your cost estimates?

Sample: Accurate cost estimation is crucial in quantity surveying. Talk about your attention to detail, your method for reviewing estimates, and any software tools you use.

Preparation and practice responding to these interview questions will increase your confidence level and help deliver polished answers. Remember always to remain polite, articulate, and truthful throughout the conversation.

5. How does a civil quantity surveyor manage change orders effectively?

Sample: Change orders refer to modifications requested by clients or identified during the construction phase. While change orders impact budgets and timelines, they also present opportunities to improve upon the original design or address unexpected challenges. Following are ways through which a civil quantity surveyor can manage change orders efficiently:

• Prompt Response Time: As soon as a client requests a change order, the quantity surveyor responds promptly. This demonstrates professionalism and helps maintain a good working relationship between parties.
• Clarify Scope and Impact: To avoid any misunderstandings or misinterpretation, it’s crucial to clarify the scope of the proposed modification and its financial implications.
• Revise Estimate Accordingly: After clarifying details about the change request, the quantity surveyor revisits the cost estimate and updates the figures based on new requirements.
• Consult with Other Experts: Involving architects, engineers, subcontractors, and other relevant professionals can add value to the change order discussion, ensuring that everyone has a say.
• Keep Records: Maintain detailed records of the change order discussions, decisions made, and subsequent actions taken. This documentation facilitates future reference and supports dispute resolution if required.

IV. Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying Interview Questions and Answers

1. What role does a quantity surveyor play in civil engineering projects?

Sample: In civil engineering projects, a quantity surveyor may be involved in feasibility studies, cost control, value engineering, procurement advice, risk management, and dispute resolution.

2. How do you handle changes in design or scope of work in the middle of a project?

Sample: Changes in design or scope during a project are not uncommon. It’s important to assess the impact of the change on the project cost and schedule, and communicate this to all stakeholders. Any changes should be properly documented and agreed upon.

3. How do you deal with unexpected costs or overruns in a civil engineering project?

Tips: This question assesses your problem-solving skills in the face of unexpected challenges. You could discuss your strategies for contingency planning, regular monitoring, and prompt communication with stakeholders.

4. Can you explain how you would conduct a cost-benefit analysis for a civil engineering project?

Tips: This question tests your analytical skills. You could talk about identifying all the costs and benefits associated with a project, quantifying them, and comparing to determine the project’s feasibility and profitability.

5. What is your experience with procurement in civil engineering projects?

Sample: Procurement is a key aspect of project management. Discuss your experience with different procurement methods, contract types, and supplier selection.

6. How do you ensure compliance with health and safety regulations on site?

Sample: Safety is paramount in civil engineering projects. Talk about your familiarity with health and safety regulations, conducting safety audits, and promoting a safety culture on site.

7. Can you describe a time when your value engineering proposal significantly benefited a project?

Sample: Value engineering involves finding more cost-effective ways to achieve design objectives. Discuss a specific instance where your proposal resulted in cost savings or other benefits.

V. Potential Followup Questions

In addition to all these questions, here are some potential follow-up queries that an interviewer might ask:

1. Can you walk us through your process for preparing accurate and detailed estimates for civil engineering projects? What factors do you consider while estimating costs? How do you account for inflation and currency fluctuations? Do you use any software tools to help you with estimation tasks?
2. In what scenarios have you advised clients to go ahead with a project despite its high cost, and why did you think it was worth investing in such initiatives? Conversely, can you give examples of times when you recommended against pursuing a particular project because of financial constraints?
3. Have you ever been faced with a situation where multiple stakeholders had conflicting views on budget priorities within a civil engineering project? If so, how did you navigate those competing interests and arrive at a satisfactory outcome?
4. How do you manage disputes related to payments, variations, or claims between parties (such as client, contractor, subcontractors) in civil engineering projects?
5. As a quantity surveyor working on civil engineering projects, how do you maintain clear lines of communication with various parties involved in the project, including architects, engineers, construction managers, suppliers, and clients?
6. On large-scale civil engineering ventures with many moving parts, how do you track and monitor finances across different phases of implementation? Does each phase require separate budget plans and estimates, or do they form part of an interconnected whole?
7. Given that technology continues to advance rapidly, what innovations or emerging trends in quantity surveying for civil engineering projects interest you most right now? How do you stay updated about technological breakthroughs, industry best practices, regulatory frameworks, and market insights affecting your field?

Also Read: How to Prepare Quantity Surveying Measurement Sheets in Excel

VI. Conclusion

Preparing for an interview in the field of quantity surveying involves understanding the role and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor, and being able to demonstrate your skills and experience. Whether you’re interviewing for a general quantity surveyor role, a civil quantity surveyor role, or a civil engineering quantity surveyor role, the key is to show your understanding of the job, your passion for the field, and your ability to add value to the project.

Remember, every interview is a two-way process. It’s not just about answering questions – it’s also an opportunity for you to ask your own questions and find out if the role and the company are a good fit for you. Good luck!