They are also known as Construction Cost Consultant or Commercial Manager. A quantity surveyor should be called upon in the early stages of consultation by the client because of his expertise in construction costs. Quantity surveyors are responsible for the cost of any building project, right from the initial estimates to the final acquisition of materials and conclusion of labour activities. Depending on the client’s projected expenditure, the quantity surveyor may then provide alternative advice in order to arrive at a cost that aligns more with client’s projection. Upon acceptance by the client of costs and scheme, a quantity surveyor’s next task after the receipt of designer’s drawings is to prepare a Bill of Quantities. Typical duties of quantity surveyors are: conducting feasibility studies to estimate materials, time and labour costs; preparing, negotiating and analyzing costs for tenders and contracts; co-ordination of work effort. They prepare detailed estimates to ensure the budget is sufficient for each stage of construction based on client’s requirements. Quantity surveyors may also be briefed to organise the division of a project into its component work packages, then awarding the component parts to specialised construction companies (known as subcontractors) and, in that process, finding out who offers the best deal both financially and quality wise. On conclusion of the project, the quantity surveyor must also prepare, with the aid of invoices and other documents, the final account. In all jurisdictions, it is important to engage the services of a quantity surveyor before commencing a project. Failure to do so may lead to abandonment of project as a possible result of insufficient funds.