Virtus Consult are a UK based boutique construction and management consultancy firm, who offer tailored solutions to clients investing in construction, property and infrastructure.
One service that Virtus offer to clients and get asked about a lot is Quantity Surveying. We asked Helen Reilly, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Virtus, to answer the question ‘What is Quantity Surveying?’:
“Quantity Surveying is a profession within the construction industry that is involved primarily with controlling and managing costs on a construction project. The Quantity Surveyor (QS), also known as Cost Consultants or Cost Managers help ensure projects achieve the best quality and value within the client’s specifications.
The costs and communication on a construction project are key problems employers or clients face. Therefore, a professional and experienced QS who is an expert in dealing with these problems is needed.
Quantity Surveyors are involved at various stages of the construction process, typically prior to construction, during construction and following completion of the works. The QS is ideally appointed early on in the project, so they can provide advice on both the costs involved in the project (feasibility study) to meet the client’s budget and the most suitable procurement route. During the construction phase, the QS will arrange and authorise progress payments on a monthly basis throughout the project and assess variations (works outside the agreed contract sum). The final stage, following completion of the works, the QS will agree the Final Account with the contractor.” 
Virtus Consult appreciate the various challenges that are encountered by the education sector in delivering innovative, high-quality teaching spaces in outdated and often under-maintained buildings.
The education sector has seen a cut in overall funding and when this is paired with the current need for school places due to the expanding population, Virtus understand the importance of delivering inspiring buildings for children to learn in, whilst managing budgets effectively.