The role of the quantity surveyor is relatively new to Romania being imported in the recent years as a consequence of the accelerated expansion of the property market.

Being in control of the costs on the course of the project, the quantity surveyor has opportunities to add value throughout all phases. Particularly in the current economical conditions where the margin between feasible and not feasible, profitable and not profitable is so narrow, proper cost advice will help Clients taking the right decision and Contractors surviving the market.

However the part I enjoy most about quantity surveying is establishing the procurement strategy for projects. Although all participants to the property developments have the common goal of making business, each project and Client is unique. Working closely with the Client to understand and prioritize his demands and then adopting the correct procurement strategy will have a significant impact on the success of a project. Priorities may also change on the course of the project making the process more complicated and as such the job more exciting.

Given the very basic role of the QS to control the costs, the professional and ethical standards set by the RICS are something to which all quantity surveyors should aspire.