QS vs QC in Construction
Both roles are critical to a project’s success, but they focus on different aspects: cost/contract vs quality/specifications.
Focus: Cost & Financial Management
- Preparing cost estimates and budgets.
- Measuring quantities from drawings and plans.
- Managing contracts and procurement.
- Monitoring project costs to keep within budget.
- Preparing Bills of Quantities (BOQs).
- Managing claims and variations.
- Advising on cost control and value engineering.
Focus: Workmanship & Material Quality
- Inspecting construction work to meet specified standards.
- Ensuring materials comply with project specifications.
- Testing and verifying workmanship quality.
- Preparing and maintaining quality assurance documentation.
- Conducting audits and resolving non-conformance issues.
- Reporting quality performance to management.
Quick Comparison
| Area | QS (Quantity Surveyor) | QC (Quality Control) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Control cost and contracts; deliver value for money. | Ensure compliance with standards and specifications. |
| Typical Outputs | BOQ, estimates, cost reports, variation claims. | Inspection reports, test records, NCRs, QA documents. |
| Key Stakeholders | Client, contractor, procurement, finance. | Site engineers, supervisors, laboratories, management. |
Summary: A QS manages costs and contracts, while a QC safeguards quality and compliance. Both are essential to deliver a successful project.
Language Notes & Translation
“to ensuring” — usage
The phrase “to ensuring” refers to taking steps to make something happen or be the case.
Example: “To ensuring the success of the project” means taking actions to make sure the project is successful.
Here, ensuring is the gerund form of ensure (“to make sure” / “to guarantee”).
“aspects” — meaning & Khmer
Meaning: different parts, features, or sides of something.
Example: “We need to consider all aspects of the project.” (budget, timeline, resources, etc.)
Khmer: “aspects” អាចបកប្រែជា “ទិសដៅ” ឬ “លក្ខណៈសំខាន់ៗ” អាស្រ័យតាមបរិបទ។
Example (KM): “យើងត្រូវពិចារណាពីទិសដៅឬលក្ខណៈសំខាន់ៗទាំងអស់របស់គម្រោង។”