Quantity surveyor's liability during pre tender stage

Abstract

Quantity Surveyor is one of the professionals that normally involved in the pre tender stage of the construction development. The duties of quantity surveyor the pretender stage include preparing cost estimate, measuring quantities, preparing bills of quantity and giving suggestion on credible contractor to carry the construction project. The quantity surveyor will require delivering his duties with reasonable skill and care. In recent time, there have been many allegations against the professionals by clients for contractual negligent and by third party under the law of tort due to breach of duties by the quantity surveyor in performing his task at the pre tender stage. This research seeks to examine liability of quantity surveyor during pre-tender stage in term of producing cost estimate, measuring quantity, preparing bills of quantity and giving suggestion on credible contractor to carry the construction project. The analysis was carried out by referring to relevant law cases. This study found that generally, the professional owe a duty of care to perform his duty with diligent and with reasonable skill in accordance to the standard of duties stated. If he fails he is liable for resulting damages to his client. There are also claims from the third partier against clients due to the failure of the quantity surveyors who act as their agents.