Quantity Surveyor interview questions

I've been a quantity surveyor for eight years, six of them in Oman. Started as a junior QS on residential projects in India, then moved to a consultancy in Muscat where I've covered three major projects: a five-tower residential development worth 60M OMR, a hospital expansion at 28M OMR, and currently I'm senior QS on a mall project. I hold an MRICS pending the final assessment, and my expertise covers tender preparation, bill of quantities, variations, and final account negotiation. I'm comfortable on consultant side (where I currently work) and have done a year on contractor side too which helps me see both perspectives.

Start with the issued-for-tender drawings and specifications. I structure the BoQ using POMI (Principles of Measurement International) for civil and ASMM where applicable for building, modified for Omani practice. Take-off is done in Cubicost or CostX depending on the project; for smaller projects I use Excel. I cross-reference the take-off against the drawings to ensure full coverage of all elements: structural, architectural finishes, MEP. The descriptions need to be detailed enough that there's no ambiguity in pricing. Provisional sums for items the design is incomplete on. Prime cost sums for nominated items. Final review with the project director before issuing. Tenderers have one week to query, and I issue any clarifications as addendums.

Final account is where weak QSs lose the client money. My approach: I keep my contemporaneous records throughout the project so the final account isn't a forensic exercise at the end. Final assessment includes: the original contract sum, approved variations with full backup, claims for prolongation or disruption with detail, and counter-claims from us on items like LADs or defects. I prepare a draft final-account statement at substantial completion and share it with the contractor; we negotiate over 4-6 weeks. On a recent project we agreed within 5% of my original draft, which the client appreciated. The discipline is recording everything as you go; reconstructing it after is brutal.

I'm comfortable with FIDIC Red, Yellow, and the Pink Book (multilateral development bank). On Royal Court projects I've worked with the Omani Standard Form of Building Contract, which has some FIDIC-derived clauses but its own specifics on payment, defects, and dispute resolution. I keep both English and Arabic copies handy; the Arabic version is the legally binding one in most Omani public projects. For tender drafting I work to the standards expected by the consultant of record. My contract administration follows the proper sequence of CVI, EI, valuation, claim, determination; never let things skip steps because that's where claims get rejected later.

I try to be the most prepared person in every meeting. If the contractor knows my workings are watertight, they push back less; if the client knows I'm holding the contractor to standard, they trust my recommendations. I'm also transparent: I'll tell the contractor 'this claim has merit, you should pursue it' or 'this one won't fly, don't waste your time'. That openness builds long-term trust. With the client I never bring a problem without options. With the contractor I never reject without reasoning. The QS role is naturally adversarial; the antidote is professionalism, not pretending the conflict doesn't exist.

For a senior QS role in Oman with my experience I'd target OMR 1,300 to 1,600 total package depending on the housing and bonus structure. If the role is on a flagship project (Royal Court, major hospital, large mall), I'd consider the upper end. I'm on 60 days' notice from my current employer. Beyond pay I'd want to understand the project pipeline; a QS's career is built on the projects in their portfolio, so a slightly lower-paid role on a great project beats a higher-paid role on routine work.