Why The QS Role is Often Misunderstood?
In the world of construction, the Quantity Surveyor (QS) is too often one of the most misunderstood professionals on site. Many SME owners and construction leaders overlook the true value this role brings, seeing QSs as mere cost-cutters or paperwork handlers. This approach not only undermines the potential of projects but also perpetuates industry-wide problems that affect profitability, collaboration, and quality.
As Michelle Carr, founder of H2 Construction and Construction Alchemy, puts it: “A decent QS is like a good accountant. They should save you double what they cost you at a minimum. Our ROI is massive, huge”. That statement alone redefines the QS from an overhead to a source of real value—a rethinking that’s long overdue for SME business owners, project leaders, and anyone hoping for lasting improvement in the construction industry.
The Harm of Misaligned Expectations
A significant factor in the misunderstanding is the expectation that a QS’s main job is to cut costs at every turn. Michelle shares how this misconception can quickly become toxic: when owners push QSs to squeeze every penny, it damages relationships up and down the supply chain and undermines project delivery. She points out, “When everyone is making money, they’re happy, they’re in a good place, everyone’s in a great place, and they will do favors for you. Screw someone down to the last penny, and every time they pick up a new screw, they’re gonna charge you for it”.
This misalignment means projects become transactional instead of collaborative, and value is lost in the drive for margin. Seeing the QS’s true value means shifting mindset from adversarial negotiation to building win-win partnerships. Only then do teams deliver the best results for clients and communities..
Skills, Training, and Structural Gaps
Another source of misunderstanding is a failure to recognize the range and depth of a QS’s skill set. Michelle highlights that many companies push professionals into roles that don’t play to their strengths, forcing people who are detail-oriented into negotiation or vice versa leads to burnout and inefficiency. “Not everyone is the same… Some QSs love negotiating, some love pricing, some love detail work. Once we organized roles around strengths rather than forcing everyone to fit, production went tenfold”.
There’s also the matter of experience and ongoing training. With rapid promotions and a talent shortage, the industry is filled with professionals whose jobs have outpaced their actual learning. Unseasoned QSs are put on complex projects without the necessary oversight, which exposes everybody to risk. For SME business owners, it’s crucial to see training and mentorship as a long-term investment, with real value in project certainty and resilience.
The Power of Communication and Early CollaboratioN
Michelle is adamant that one of the biggest differentiators between success and disaster is open, early communication. "She explains that managing a team is like parenting twins—you have to adjust your approach to genuinely connect with each individual, not just broadcast the same message to all. Problems arise when expectations, contracts, and project vision aren’t discussed up front and revisited often.
Pioneering companies embrace pre-start workshops, encourage honest feedback, and create space for cross-functional collaboration before work begins. Michelle brings to light that “an extra week at the beginning before you even put anything on the ground, an extra week, two weeks, months will save you weeks or months at the end.” This simple change in approach can prevent countless issues, builds trust, and ultimately drives more profitable projects.
Conclusion: Rethinking Leadership & Value for Lasting Impact
The misunderstood QS isn’t just a “project expense”—they are a critical enabler of success for SME owners and construction leaders who want certainty, quality, and ethical practice. It’s time to champion QSs as professionals who protect investments, improve communication, and create stability across projects.
It's time to rethink and fully appreciate the true value a QS brings. They are enablers of smart decisions, not just costs to manage. The key to success depends on purposeful leadership, ongoing training, and collaboration on every project. Embracing this mindset marks the difference between project chaos and sustainable success for the modern construction industry.
This article draws insights from the featured episode: Unpacking the QS Role with Michelle Carr on the I'm The Gaffer podcast. Stay tuned as we explore the challenges and opportunities in construction—where success is crafted with expertise, innovation, and dedication.
